Thanks, I was fired up by the murmurs I was hearing. There is constant groaning about book proposals, but it’s like boot camp for becoming the best advocate for your work! So valuable!
Sound advise! I didn’t like writing my grant proposal but it DID clarify the arc of my story I was writing, so it was a double gift: I received the grant and I had a road map that made the writing so much easier!
That’s a sensible approach. The proposal has an inherent demand that you get clear and focused on themes and thrust—which, I think, serves the writing project. Let me know how I can support you, Kathy. If memoir, I’d be thrilled to see you publish your story. And I can keep an eye out for resources, as always.
As to pitching a nonfiction book if you don't have a full MS: as an acquisition editor, I would never do more than send an encouraging note if the MS was only a couple of chapters.
Too many people have a good concept that that they can write an introduction and synopsis of, and the furst couple chapters come easily. They may be atuck and want the push of a contract to spur them on, but there also may be a good reason they are stuck.
Of course, if the writer is a proven entity, with successful books or very successful short pieces out already, then that is different. Like when Daniel Receles walked into Sunbelt and asked if we wanted to publish his next novel. Yes! Yes we do. And we did.
This is interesting. If you don't mind answering, do you inquire with an agent about whether there are more sample chapters for an idea you like, or do you assume that what's in the proposal is everything the author has written? I'm in this stage right now, and I've spent time selecting a sample that reflects the project.
Thank you for this wonderful, wise perspective.
Thanks, I was fired up by the murmurs I was hearing. There is constant groaning about book proposals, but it’s like boot camp for becoming the best advocate for your work! So valuable!
Sound advise! I didn’t like writing my grant proposal but it DID clarify the arc of my story I was writing, so it was a double gift: I received the grant and I had a road map that made the writing so much easier!
I call these “birth pangs.” 😌
This makes perfect sense to me. I will tackle the proposal soon and will use it as a guiding light for finishing my manuscript.
That’s a sensible approach. The proposal has an inherent demand that you get clear and focused on themes and thrust—which, I think, serves the writing project. Let me know how I can support you, Kathy. If memoir, I’d be thrilled to see you publish your story. And I can keep an eye out for resources, as always.
Solid advice. I confess I have been avoiding the proposal process.
I’ll be happy to cheer you on
The caveat at the end of your comment matters a lot. Thanks for these insights from an insider.
As to pitching a nonfiction book if you don't have a full MS: as an acquisition editor, I would never do more than send an encouraging note if the MS was only a couple of chapters.
Too many people have a good concept that that they can write an introduction and synopsis of, and the furst couple chapters come easily. They may be atuck and want the push of a contract to spur them on, but there also may be a good reason they are stuck.
Of course, if the writer is a proven entity, with successful books or very successful short pieces out already, then that is different. Like when Daniel Receles walked into Sunbelt and asked if we wanted to publish his next novel. Yes! Yes we do. And we did.
This is interesting. If you don't mind answering, do you inquire with an agent about whether there are more sample chapters for an idea you like, or do you assume that what's in the proposal is everything the author has written? I'm in this stage right now, and I've spent time selecting a sample that reflects the project.