| You want to write a nonfiction blockbuster, and you | | | | In just a moment I'll share that secret with you, but |
| have a great idea, maybe even a title. Now the only | | | | first let me ask you a question: Why do you want to |
| thing you need to know is where to begin. The | | | | write your book? Is it to make money? To get |
| answer is the book proposal. | | | | recognized as an expert? To share your love of a |
| A book proposal saves you time and money. It | | | | particular subject? |
| saves you time because it allows you to sell your | | | | Possibly all these motivations are involved. But the |
| book idea without having to write the entire book. | | | | only answer that really matters is the one that |
| And it saves you money because it's much less | | | | reflects your love of the subject. If you can muster |
| expensive to write a proposal than to write a book. | | | | enough enthusiasm to write a book, to spend |
| Typically authors spend anywhere from a few | | | | months or years researching and putting it together, |
| months to two years or more on a manuscript. You | | | | then your feeling for your subject and your |
| may have to make trips to the library, hire a | | | | enthusiasm for the topic are the fuel that will carry |
| researcher, or travel to do extensive research. Some | | | | you through to the finish line. |
| of these costs can be reduced by creative writers | | | | That's the real secret to writing a book proposal. |
| who do most of their work from home. But even so, | | | | Sure, you need the right format, the right sections, |
| a few months to a few years is going to be an | | | | and the right sample chapters to get professional |
| expensive proposition no matter how you look at it, | | | | consideration. But if you lack the spark of personal |
| which is why writing a book proposal can save you a | | | | enthusiasm for your subject, all that technical |
| substantial amount of money. | | | | know-how isn't going to make much difference. If |
| Because your investment in time and money is so | | | | you love your topic and really want to share your |
| much less up front, and because editors and literary | | | | knowledge with others, you'll fly through all the rest. |
| agents will be more likely to consider your idea if it's | | | | Learning the nuts and bolts of proposal writing can be |
| in book proposal format, you'll want to learn to write | | | | done by almost anyone. But having the enthusiasm |
| a book proposal as the first step in your journey to | | | | for a particular subject and a burning desire to |
| becoming a published author. | | | | communicate what you know to others . . . That is |
| There are numerous books about the process of | | | | the mark of a writer who can not only churn out |
| writing a book proposal, but when you try to | | | | words, but who can inspire others to read them. |
| reconcile their often conflicting advice you may | | | | If you have enthusiasm for your subject, don't get |
| become confused about the exact nature of what | | | | discouraged by the seemingly labyrinthine task of |
| an editor or literary agent is really looking for in a | | | | putting together the book proposal. Your love for |
| book proposal. While it's important to get all the | | | | your subject will guide you to the finish line more |
| sections right -- such as the overview, the marketing | | | | surely than anything else. Don't forget to mention |
| and promotion sections, the chapter outlines, and the | | | | somewhere in your proposal that you do love your |
| sample chapters -- there is a rarely-discussed secret | | | | subject. Of course, if that's true it'll be evident in your |
| to writing book proposals that gets insufficient | | | | work, shining through from the overview all the way |
| attention. This secret is my own discovery and it | | | | to your sample chapters. And it will make writing the |
| boils down to one word. | | | | proposal not only easy but fun as well. |