It was eight years ago–the summer of 2006–when I sat at my desk trying to figure out what to do with my unpublished book.
I was sure I had a terrific topic. I’d written 3 chapters, and I had strong outlines of the rest. This book will sell, I told myself–if I can get an agent to read it. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to make that happen.
Agents (and editors at publishing houses) are deluged with pitches for books–also called book proposals. If a proposal convinces an agent that a book is worthwhile, marketable, and right for their list, they’ll ask to read it. But most proposals end up in the rejection pile before the agent or editor finishes the first page. If the pitch doesn’t stand out, it doesn’t matter how brilliant, original, or wonderfully written your book is–it doesn’t stand a chance. I was painfully aware of all this–and the fact that, since I wasn’t a well known writer with a string of books to my credit, the odds were against me.
What all this meant was that I absolutely had to pitch my book in a way that that would make agents and editors sit up and take notice. I was confident they would snap up my book if I could come up with the right proposal. But how on earth was I going to do that?
I spent many nights fretting over this question. Weeks, in fact. I floundered around trying to imagine what agents were looking for in nonfiction and thinking up various schemes to make my pitch stand out. Then I said ENOUGH.
Coming out of an academic background, there was one thing I was good at–research. So I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. I scoured every book I could find on how to write a book proposal (there were and still are very few!). I searched for articles and blog posts. I bugged published authors who were willing to share their secrets with me. Finally, I hired a brilliant editor who had a lot of experience creating successful pitches.
In the end, I had a sharp, focused book proposal that introduced me and my book in a way that was convincing and compelling. With a mixture of anxiety and hope, I started sending it out. And it worked! The very first agent I sent it to loved it. A month later, I signed with a major publisher and my book, Writing as a Sacred Path, was born. I can honestly say that proposal changed my life.
Learn to write book proposal that pops.
Now I have taken everything I learned about pitching a book and put it together in a compact, six-week online course for nonfiction writers. Book Proposals that Sizzle–and Sell will cover everything an author needs to know to get her or his book read by agents and publishers. At the end of this workshop, participants will know:
- What a book proposal is and what it must do.
- The five parts of a proposal.
- How to distill the essence of your book into a sharp, compelling statement.
- Six ways to present yourself as an expert (even if you haven’t published before!)
- How to prove you can and will do everything possible to promote your work.
In addition, the course will include an evaluation of each participant’s completed book proposal (up to 10 pages) completely free.
I am excited to be leading this workshop and can’t wait to share what I have learned about transforming a great idea into a published book.
The course begins October 6th and is limited to 10 students, so enroll now to reserve a place.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below or email me at contact@writingthewhirlwind.net.