Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and Advance Before Writing Your Book

Sign the contract…then write the book. The good news is that almost every nonfiction book published is sold by a proposal. In this comprehensive yet accessible guide, you will learn exactly what a proposal is, what it must contain, and how to pull yours together into an informative, persuasive selling package. Already a favorite for thousands of aspiring writers, this book has been revised and updated by Elizabeth Lyon to feature nearly two dozen actual proposals, plus:

·         Choosing a topic based on current trends and competing titles

·         Drafting the perfect concept statement—daring agents and editors to reject you

·         Defining and targeting your readership—then connecting with them

·         Preparing a table of contents and chapter summaries

·         Submitting exciting and well-written sample chapters

·         Writing query letters

·         Devising a marketing plan that will excite agents and publishers

·...

Foreword

Preface to the New Edition

A Note to My Readers

Chapter One: Book Proposals: What Are They? Why Use Them?

Chapter Two: Evaluating and Refining Your Ideas: Preparing to Write Your Book

Chapter Three: Research Made Easy: What Data Will You Need?

Chapter Four: About the Competition: What's Already in Print?

Chapter Five: