Book proposal thoughts
"Before editors can be interested in what you propose to say about the topic, they have to find the topic interesting." Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction and Get It Published by Susan Rabiner and Alred Fortunato. You need to "inform and seduce" your editor and/or agent in order to get them to read on.
If only there were some way to be sure that your topic was fascinating, or that the editors would find it so. Or you could just send them champagne and chocolates to complete the seduction.
Evidently, the most important element of the book proposal is (ready fiction writers?) VOICE. Gee, where have I heard that before? Here are some concise tips, for those of you thinking of joining me in book proposal land. I should note that I believe most of these to be good advice for every kind of writing:
1. Show command of the material. Don't be namby-pamby -- make choices, and be ready to defend them.
2. Pull readers into your world and make it come alive.
3. Demonstrate a precise use of language. Be sure that you use good narrative skills inside a sound, overarching structure.
4. Presumably you chose to write about something that interests you. A lot. Or you probably wouldn't have bothered. Let your passion for the topic shine through. Also, make it clear that you want to leave your mark on the particular topic.
5. Be sure to exhibit a strong authorial voice. One way to do this (per Rabiner and Fortunato) is to have something to say and a compulsion to say it.
A big thanks to Susan and Al for all their help and guidance, both in their book and in their online course at http://www.barnesandnobleuniversity.com. If you're thinking of writing something that fits the bill of serious nonfiction (for trade publishers), be sure to get their book. It's invaluable.
If only there were some way to be sure that your topic was fascinating, or that the editors would find it so. Or you could just send them champagne and chocolates to complete the seduction.
Evidently, the most important element of the book proposal is (ready fiction writers?) VOICE. Gee, where have I heard that before? Here are some concise tips, for those of you thinking of joining me in book proposal land. I should note that I believe most of these to be good advice for every kind of writing:
1. Show command of the material. Don't be namby-pamby -- make choices, and be ready to defend them.
2. Pull readers into your world and make it come alive.
3. Demonstrate a precise use of language. Be sure that you use good narrative skills inside a sound, overarching structure.
4. Presumably you chose to write about something that interests you. A lot. Or you probably wouldn't have bothered. Let your passion for the topic shine through. Also, make it clear that you want to leave your mark on the particular topic.
5. Be sure to exhibit a strong authorial voice. One way to do this (per Rabiner and Fortunato) is to have something to say and a compulsion to say it.
A big thanks to Susan and Al for all their help and guidance, both in their book and in their online course at http://www.barnesandnobleuniversity.com. If you're thinking of writing something that fits the bill of serious nonfiction (for trade publishers), be sure to get their book. It's invaluable.