How to Write a Book Proposal

by Michael Larsen

Book Overview

THE ESSENTIAL RESOURCE FOR SELLING YOUR BOOK If you want to publish a book, you must present it to agents and publishers with a knock-your-socks-off proposal. Whether you're seeking a traditional... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582972516
• ISBN13: 9781582972510
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of Three Absolutely Indispensable Sources

To those seeking guidance with writing a book proposal to obtain a literary agent's services or to obtain a contract from a publisher, I strongly recommend both this book and Write the Perfect Book Proposal co-authored by Jeff and Deborah Levine Herman as well as Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. True, there is some duplication of advice in the Larsen and Herman books which convinced me that the advice is sound. Given the importance and -- yes -- the difficulty of writing a book proposal, and given the competition to obtain a literary agent and then a publisher, the investment in all three books is indeed a small price to pay. Larsen organizes his excellent material as follows:Part One Selling the Sizzle: The Introduction Larsen explains how to get paid to write your book; how to devise the most effect "subject hook" and "book hook"; how to avoid technical and legal problems; which back matter to consider for inclusion; how to determine a book's markets; which subsidiary rights and spin-offs to consider; what a promotion plan involves; how to select and present competitive and complementary books; which resources may be needed; and how to formulate an author's biography Part Two Baring the Bones and Sampling the Steak Larsen explains what the the proposal outline should include; explains why verbs and structure are the two "keys" to the proposal outline; offers "quick fixes for six kinds of books"; and includes sample chapters, followed by a Q & A section on what to submit Part Three: Getting Your Proposal to Market He explains how to assemble the proposal components; how to make the proposal stand out; identifies three ways to test-market the idea for the book; and explains how to sell the proposal fast and do so with the best terms and conditionsLarsen then provides two appendices: one explains how to research competitive books; the other provides three sample proposals. Throughout his narrative, he includes a number of "Hot Tips" which deserve special attention. In fact, all of the advice which he offers should be carefully considered. Wisely, Larsen assumes that his reader knows little (if anything) about the process by which to prepare a book proposal. He patiently and thoroughly guides the reader through that process. Perhaps others will have the same reaction I did when reading Larsen's book as well as the Hermans' book: That it was written expressly for me, that Larsen had anticipated all of the questions I needed answered (and then carefully answered them for me), and that -- meanwhile -- he was disabusing me of whatever misconceptions I may have had about the process by which to obtain the services of a literary agent and/or secure a publishing contract. Both books cover much of the same ground and do so with meticulous care. However, there are differences (albeit mostly subtle) in how Larsen and the Hermans present their ideas. As already indicated, I had no problem with duplications because, first, they reassured me that the

The Compleat Guide to the subject

The one thing a book on this subject must have, above all else, is brevity. Michael Larsen's suitably thin volume has this and many other qualities, making it a very useful tool for the writer who seriously wishes to publish. I can't say whether it actually works or not, as I have not yet sent off a proposal based on this work. However, I have laboriously put together one proposal (for a book which missed its deadline and has become, at least for the moment, rather defunct) using this work as a guide. I can affirm that its wisdom is distilled in sufficiently short order so that it is possible to find your way about in it all, as you are trying to come to grips with the finer details (and not forget anything). A larger book would, in contrast, have you wallowing. In any case, Larsen has built this text from his own experience: he knows it works and he manages to convey that sort of confidence to the reader of "How to Write a Book Proposal." Anyone thinking of writing something publishable would do well to get this beforehand - much of the roadwork can be done on the way and it helps enormously to know what your chances are, before coughing up 200,000 words or more on a subject that no-one will publish anyway.To anyone trying to publish a book in the future, I therefore say: good luck, and you can increase your chances by reading and understanding this book first.

A terrific book and a must have

I used this book when I wrote my book proposal. The results: a bidding war for my book from major publishing houses. Also, editors asked if they could keep my proposal, as a "model" of what a proposal should be. Thanks to much to the authors for graciously giving us this information.

An Indisputably Useful and Excellent Volume

You know that you are reading a good book when you are laughing out loud as you read it and you can't put it down. You know that the book is truly good when you find yourself planning your activities around reading it and sneaking in pages when you are supposed to be working. And finally, you know you have found a true gem when, after finishing the book, you smile knowingly to yourself, full of ideas, and say to yourself, 'I can do this'. One would never think that non-fiction could have that effect.Michael Larsen's How to Write a Book Proposal is that kind of book. Mr. Larsen goes beyond mere information to give the aspiring new writer inspiration. Beginners and seasoned professionals will find very useful material in the book. Written in an active, easy-going, can-do style, Larsen's positive outlook and infinite love of the book really comes through. The reader will learn in quick, readily understandable succession, what goes into a book proposal, how to capture and sustain an agent's and editor's interest interest from the first word, and how to market and promote one's book for maximum profit. Useful advice on book proposal writing (advice that works) is presented throughout the book, as well as samples of various book proposals to show you exactly how to write the book proposal that sells. This is, without a doubt, a must-have reference for any writer.

Practical, well-written, a must for the non-fiction writer.

I used this book to prepare the book proposal for my first book and sold my manuscript. That was a couple of years ago and I plan to apply Larsen's approach for my next proposal The author provides practical advice and more than a little introduction into the "business" of publishing--and that is one of the principles the reader of this book will come to understand. Simply being a good writer does not assure one of a publisher; the succesful writer must show a publisher that her book is a good business proposition. Larsen's book can help you do that. In this light, you won't find any tricks or shortcuts. What you will find is solid advice on how to put together a good book proposal, the key ingredient being a lot of hard work. I recommend this to friends who say they want to write.