As latest figures put the unemployment numbers at 9.7% again, some people look to publishing a book as one alternative way to earn income. “And the first step to getting a book published is to write a book proposal that sells”, says Bob Bly, a top copy writer and the author of more than 70 books. Bly has offered to share his experience about writing a winning book proposal, and to reveal what works and what not.
River Vale, New Jersey – The American best-selling author Orson Scott Card once said: “Unemployment is capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden.” Many people who have lost their jobs lately may have realized that this is indeed just the right time to fulfill a dream. Well, maybe not to plant a garden – but to write that nonfiction book for which they have had a great idea for the longest time.
Says the copy writer: “In order to get the book publisher’s attention and convince her to award a publishing contract, you first have to obtain the book agent’s help. That is accomplished with the book proposal.” And every good book proposal should answer five key questions:
1. Is there a large enough audience interested in this topic to justify publishing a book? Every major book publishing company hopes to sell at least 5,000 copies of a nonfiction book, which requires a pool of at least 250,000 people who are interested in this subject.
2. Is this a book or a magazine article? Will it sell? The two substantial differences between a book and a magazine article are time and length.
Time: It can take 18 months to two years to publish a book, and its subject may be outdated by the time it comes out. The time line for a magazine article, on the other hand, is much shorter – weeks or a couple of months at the most.
Length: The average nonfiction book is about 200 pages in published form, or about 80,000 words. An article, on the other hand, can include anywhere from 300 to 2,500 words or so.
3. What's different or better-about the book? The first two paragraphs of the overview must tell the book editor why and how the book is unique, different or better than other books already published on this topic.
4. Will people pay $25.38 for this book (the average price for a hardcover nonfiction book)? The book must be interesting or valuable enough to make readers part not only with their money, but with their time as well.
5. Why should the publishing agent hire the author to write it? The book proposal must show why the author is uniquely qualified to write the book. Such qualifications fall into two categories: writing credentials (past publications)
“Although a solid idea and an excellent book proposal do not assure the success of your book or even that it will be accepted by the book publishing company, it is an essential step in publishing a book. If either your idea or your book proposal is weak, the chances of the book sale are slim to none”, concludes Bly.
For additional information about book publishing and other ideas of survival in a down economy please visit www.bly.com/
