Jeff Herman & Deborah Levine Herman 
Write the Perfect Book Proposal 
10 That Sold and Why

Want to publish your book?


Learn how–it’s easier than you think!


Charismatic authors and literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman have successfully sold nearly 1, 000 titles and learned–through trial and error–how to write a flawless book proposal that publishers can’t resist. Now you can benefit from their hard work and publishing savvy. In this new edition to the bestselling guide, they offer guidance and advice that will inspire, educate, and, most importantly, give you the necessary edge to get your book published. They explain:


* How to shape your idea and create a title


* Ways to get to know the market and competition


* Tips on writing an effective outline, query letter, and sample chapter


* The art and science of fiction and nonfiction book proposals


* How ten actual proposals (updated and included here) were successfully sold to publishers–and why


* How to capitalize on the evolving publishing industry, including e-books and social media


”A submission from Jeff Herman always gets moved to the top . . . his new book will show you how to move to the top.”–Frederic W. Hills Vice President, Simon & Schuster


”This book will take writers to the highest level of proposal writing and success.”–Roger Cooper Quality Paperback Book Club


”If you want your proposal to ignite a busy editor’s interest, read this book.”–Adrienne Hickey Senior Acquisitions Editor, AMACOM Books

Inhoudsopgave

Preface to the Third Edition

Acknowledgments

Introduction

SECTION ONE: All Aspects of the Proposal—And Some Advice Thrown In

CHAPTER 1 The Concept: Shaping Your Idea

CHAPTER 2 The Title: Creating an Image

CHAPTER 3 The Overview: Writing Power Paragraphs

CHAPTER 4 The Markets Section: Who Will Buy Your Book?

CHAPTER 5 The Competition Section: What Else Is Out There?

CHAPTER 6 The Promotion Section: What Can You Do to Help Your Book Sell?

CHAPTER 7 The Author Background Section: Presenting Yourself in Your Best Light

CHAPTER 8 The Outline: Getting It Organized and Making It Persuade

CHAPTER 9 The Sample Chapter: Proving You Can Do the Job

CHAPTER 10 What About Fiction? The Art and Science of Selling Fiction

CHAPTER 11 Writing Memoir and Narrative Nonfiction

CHAPTER 12 Query Letters, Submissions, and Sage Advice

SECTION TWO: 10 Proposals That Sold—And Why

PROPOSAL 1 10 Habits of Naturally Slim People … And How to Make Them Part of Your Life by Jill H. Podjasek, M.S., R.N., with Jennifer Carney

PROPOSAL 2 How to Get Clients: An Easy and Practical Program to Build Your Business by Jeff Slutsky with Marc Slutsky

PROPOSAL 3 Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the Family Tree by Tony Burroughs

PROPOSAL 4 How Saturn Reinvented the Customer Loyalty Wheel: “No Hassle” Steps ANY Business Can Use! by Vicki Lenz

PROPOSAL 5 The Creativity Toolbox by Jordan E. Ayan

PROPOSAL 6 In the Beginning … A Keepsake Record of Before-Birth Memories Written and Illustrated by “Julie Karen” Julie K Andres

PROPOSAL 7 Trust Your Guts! Develop Your Business Intuition and Win—Consistently by Richard M. Contino, Esq.

PROPOSAL 8 Workstyles to Fit Your Lifestyle: The Hands-on Guide to Temporary Employment by John Fanning and Rosemary Maniscalco

PROPOSAL 9 Heart and Soul: A Psychological and Spiritual Guide to Preventing and Healing Heart Disease by Bruno Cortis, M.D.

PROPOSAL 10 Taxes Made Easy for Home-Based Businesses: The Complete Plain Language Tax Guide for Home-Based Entrepreneurs and Home-Office Workers by Gary W. Carter, Ph.D., M.T., C.P.A.

BOOK PROPOSAL TERMS

SUGGESTED READING

WEBSITES

Over de auteur

Deborah Levine Herman is an attorney, a literary agent, a writer, and a proficient “proposal doctor.” Jeff and Deborah reside in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.