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NON-FICTION BOOK PROPOSAL BASICS

Format: Your proposal should be double-spaced, one-sided, numbered, unstapled and on 8.5x11 inch white paper. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a response letter or an SASE large enough to hold your materials with sufficient postage (if you wish them returned to you). The only important font choice is that it be clear and large enough to easily read.

The Query Letter: This one-page letter should include your name and all contact information (your address, telephone number(s), e-mail address), the title of your project, and a one or two paragraph summary of the project your are proposing.

Title Page: There should be a cover or title page. The title should be centered on the page and your name and contact information should be repeated in the lower right hand portion of the page.

Proposal Table of Contents: Include a table of contents for the proposal itself.

Overview: Some agents prefer that you begin with a 2-line pitch or brief description of your book including tone and mission. Others prefer one or two paragraphs, which summarize the proposal.

About the Author: In the third person, you should state who you are as it relates to your ability to write and promote the book. For example, you can include your prior publications which relate tot he subject of the book as well as other interesting publications about you, awards, education and any prior book publications. Additionally, you should mention public, radio, or television appearances, and articles written about you.

Competition Analysis: List three to six published titles that address a similar area of interest as your book. Agents need to see what other books exist so that they better understand how yours might be pitched. Also, we want to know hat your book does that is distinct and necessary in today’s market.

Marketing Summary: This can be seen as two sections in one. (1) Describe this book’s market or what genres it would fall into. List any information you have regarding demographics and target audiences or parallel audiences (in TV or movies or hobbies for example) if you have them. (2) List any affiliations or contacts you have that would assist in the promotion process, the review process, or the selling process. You can list other markets that your promotional platform includes. (E.g., If you host a radio show, you can list or discuss the station demographics or if you are a marathoner writing a book about running, you can list a schedule of races and other promotional appearance. List any other commercial components to this book, but try to exclude your promotional plan, which will be addressed in “Promotion.”

Promotion: This is your book’s “promotional plan,” which editors read carefully. Try to be realistic in relating every relevant promotional possibility including traditional media and other promotional ideas you think are relevant. You should break this section into subheadings for each of your ideas. Depending on the subject matter, these may include “Book tour,” “television,” “print.” Include specific contacts you have to give the reader the sense that you really have the ability to carry out this plan.

Table of Contents: This is a table of contents as proposed for the actual book.

Chapter Outline: Provide descriptive chapter titles and a short summary of each.

Sample Chapter(s): Include a maximum of two sample chapters not including the introduction. For the purposes of a proposal your introduction is actually your overview.

Sample Materials: Please include any eye-catching feature articles, columns, head shots, or other promotional materials about you and your business or profession, or articles/columns/newsletters you have written that relate to the book’s topic.

FICTION SUBMISSION BASICS

Fiction does not require a proposal as such, but in or beyond your cover letter, you should include:

•  An author biography listing significant publications
    and writing degrees
•  A brief synopsis of the story.

We prefer the first 50 or so pages to accompany the query letter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• Q: What should I send when I submit my work?
• A: NON FICTION (HARD COPY ONLY - NO EMAIL SUBS): Overview, Bio, Table of Contents, Competition Analysis, Marketing Plan, One Sample Chapter
• A: FICTION (HARD COPY ONLY - NO EMAIL SUBS): Synopsis, Bio, Competition Analysis, Marketing Plan (If available), and Full Manuscript. FULL MANUSCRIPT ONLY APPLIES IF WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT BASED UPON YOUR INITIAL QUERY.
• Q: How do I know if my work has arrived?
• A: The Post Office, UPS, FedEx, and DHL all have reliable tracking systems. It is your responsibility to track your work.
• Q: Will I receive an evaluation of my work if you choose not to represent it?
• A: Unfortunately, given the volume of queries and submissions that we receive (Average 200 per week), it is impossible for us to offer such evaluations. However, if we offer you representation but still believe that your work needs some editing, we will then of course provide a detailed analysis.
• Q: Does Nancy read the entire work in order to make a decision?
• A: With Non-Fiction proposals, she reads it entirely. With Fiction manuscripts she reviews the work on a selection basis; this means that she reads roughly the first 50 pages and then scans passages throughout the rest of the manuscript to determine if the essential elements of a good novel are consistently present.
• Q: How should I pack my materials?
• A: Please do not use packaging peanuts, or recycled newspaper-cushioned mailers. Simple packaging is best and excessive use of tape is unnecessary.