Charismatic authors and literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman have successfully sold hundreds of titles and learned--through trial and error--how to write a flawless book proposal that publishers can't resist. Now you can benefit from their hard work and publishing savvy. In this new edition, they offer guidance and advice that will inspire, educate, and, most importantly, give you the necessary edge to get your book published. They explain:
* How to shape your idea and create a title
* Ways to get to know the market and competition
* Tips on writing an effective outline, query letter, and sample chapter
* The art and science of fiction and nonfiction book proposals
* How ten actual proposals (included here) were successfully sold to publishers--and why
"A submission from Jeff Herman always gets moved to the top . . . his new book will show you how to move to the top."--Frederic W. Hills Vice President, Simon & Schuster
"This book will take writers to the highest level of proposal writing and success."--Roger Cooper Quality Paperback Book Club
"If you want your proposal to ignite a busy editor's interest, read this book."--Adrienne Hickey Senior Acquisitions Editor, AMACOM Books
Great for samples I used this book along with Michael Larson's How to Write a Book Proposal and Elizabeth Lyon's book on Non-Fiction Book Proposals. Larson's and Lyon's books were better at explaining each section and how to create interest, but I liked this book for the actual examples. When I was ready to write a section, I'd read about it in the other books, and then read the samples in this book.
I was successful in getting an agent who asked what books I used in creating my proposal as she said it was very good. I have since sold the book to a publisher as well.
outdated outdated, pick something on the same subject by someone else that was published this year; this one has extremely stale info. The world of publishing has changed dramatically since it was written 8 years ago or more, with much new info about cybermarketing and other strong ways of reaching audiences and potential publishers. Also, make sure the book you read is about the kind of book you have written /are writing. There are different approaches needed to reach publishers, depending.
Writing a book proposal This is a very good primer on writing a book proposal. It addresses all the key areas that need be included. It's point of differentiation is that it provides 10 examples of proposals that worked. Hence, you really get some good directly usable ideas for headlines and for content within. I was a bit surprised to find as much as 75% devoted to examples...but that ultimately is good. Too often the frontend text is vague, as it must be, but the proposal examples give you much more meat.
Great Book - buy it! Folks, This is a great book because it lays everything out for you in a simple and easy to understand manner. If you are looking for something that is quick and easy to understand, this is the book for you.
The examples are great because you actually get to see what a real book proposal looks like. The author also tells you what is both good and bad about the examples.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
