How to get a literary agent for your nonfiction book by. The conflicting advice youll receive on query letters jane. Agents and editors get flooded with queries and submissions every. Through my companies the bestselling author and literary agent undercover, i help authors at all stages of development through various websites.
In this guide, i showcase pieces of the actual nonfiction book proposal. Most of a nonfiction book proposal is about your target market, platform, and marketing plan. Youre courting an agent on behalf of your manuscript, and the query letter is your calling card. This is the best query letter resource in the game. A big part of your nonfiction proposal is what your book does for your readers. Well critique and edit your query letter, synopsis, and the first ten or fifty pages of your book fiction and nonfiction. These documents represent the first impression you will make on agents andor acquiring editors, so they must showcase your writing abilities and convince these key people that your book has something to offer the current market. Since your book proposal is like a job application, you want to present yourself in the most professional manner possible.
Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Agent query letters that actually worked for nonfiction. For more information on writing a synopsis, click here. In this breakdown, i showcase a proposal for a nonfiction pop culture history book, using alexs actual proposal. The nonfiction book proposal that won me a publishing contract. They basically lay out the plan for what you intend to write. It should present the most important highlights of your proposal in a way thats easy to scan and digest quickly. If you have an actual nonfiction proposal that worked, wed love to share. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Then lets move on to what every nonfiction query letter. Unlike fiction query letters, theres no definitive formula for nonfiction. The instructing literary agents will also explain the importance of author platform in addition to basic etiquette in dealing with an agent and manuscript basics. Why agents reject 96% of author submissions huffpost.
First of all, i have to make the distinction between a nonfiction picture book and nonfiction for older readers. How to write a query letter 12 key steps to success. Oct 08, 2020 specific elements of a nonfiction query letter. A digital copy of the manuscript must be received within 30 days of the order date. Thus, tackle writing your query letter in three steps. After reading your query, we may ask you for the following. Your query, then, can be thought of as a whittleddown version of your book proposal. For more information on writing a query letter, click here. I used that summary sentence here in the introduction and in the query letters i sent to literary agents. Whats the biggest difference between a fiction and non fiction query. Jun 25, 2019 the following is an actual query letter that helped author romanus wolter sell his manuscript to wiley publishing. For more information on writing a nonfiction book proposal, click here.
Query letter how to write an irresistible agent query. Nonfiction book report template professional sample query. How to write a query letter that works stepbystep scribe media. How to write a nonfiction query letter eschler editing. Prepare a query letter include a book overview, target audience, usp, writing.
There are hundreds of small and midsize publishing houses that may be willing to consider your book without the assistance of an agent. It should present the most important highlights of your proposal in a way thats easy. Nov 11, 20 what most people dont know is that rather than hiring a ghostwriter to write their entire book, what they really need first is a complete book proposal, three sample chapters, and a cover letter. Expert tips on writing book proposals and query letters. Dec 19, 2011 youve got a great idea for a nonfiction book. Get an agent interested before you write the proposal find potential agents. Sample query letter actual letter that landed a book deal hi name of person, i would love to speak with you about my new book kick start your success and its ability to become a market phenomenon. Include information on your education, expert status, your credentials, experience in your field, etc. Your pitch should be focused and quick, because a lot of these points will be covered in the proposal in more detail. Today im an author coach and my primary focus is helping authors of all genres fiction, nonfiction, and childrens book get the attention of top literary agents with successful query letters.
For nonfiction books, agents only want to read the query letter and book proposal. How to write a book proposal for literary agents and. Our published writers and professional book editors help write or revise query letters and nonfiction or fiction book proposals. The untold story of ataris missile command by alex rubens. Query letter and book proposal writing, editing, formatting. If you want to convince an agent or publisher that your idea has bestseller written all over it, the few hundred words that make up your query must be irresistibly compelling. Nonfiction book report template new sample query letter. Work with a big five editor of nyt bestselling thrillers, selfhelp, and memoirs who specializes in helping authors find literary agents. Example of a good nonfiction query letter nathan bransford. A great query letter makes a good first impression and gets you to first base, on the other hand, a bad. To get your nonfiction book acquired by a commercial publisher, you are going to have to write a book proposal. Nov 12, 2010 two years ago agent michael larsen, author of how to write a book proposal, told wnfin participants how to write a nonfiction book proposal read the post here. It must stimulate and intrigue to secure your allimportant first date.
Your query and your proposal overview should both answer three questions. Hints for a great cover letter the steve laube agency. Whats the difference between the query letter and book proposal. How to write a query letter for a nonfiction book barry fox. Many literary agents and publishers request to see a nonfiction book proposal essentially a business plan for your book that includes a cover letter, an overview of your book, your author bio, a table of contents, detailed chapter summaries, a list of comparative works, and a market analysis or marketing plan. How to write a query letter that gets manuscript requests. In example of a query letter to literary agents for a nonfiction book, i shared the query letter i sent to literary agents. Your proposal will be a simple vehicle to convey your idea to us, and ultimately to a publisher. A book proposal is made up of many components, such as an overview, competitive titles, marketing, etc. Jul 11, 2011 many writers want to know how to write a nonfiction query letter for childrens books. If the book is not completely finished, estimate when you might be finished.
Write it poorly and an agent will assume your book is also poorly written. If youre hoping to secure a traditional publisher for your next great american. With nonfiction for older readers, you are most likely pitching with a proposal there are many excellent books on writing nonfiction book. Newton literary services book editorial and publishing. I also sold a book off the back of a non fiction book proposal that had multiple. You wont catch an agents attention by inventing a creative new. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers write. Whats the biggest difference between a fiction and nonfiction query.
Cover letter the cover letter should include your name, address, phone number, and email address. A query letter thats a page to a page and a half is. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book. Literary agents, query letters, book proposals bookbaby blog. Craft query letters and a submission package that gets. A query letter format that makes agents take notice. A query letter s purpose is to entice the agent or publisher to request a more extensive book proposal, usually in the case of nonfiction books, or the completed manuscript, usually in the case of fiction.
A query letter is a onepage letter sent to literary agents in an effort to get them excited about your book. With a proposal, your query letter becomes a cover letter. Below is a query letter template that i used for querying nonfiction book agents. Add a bio including a professional resume and platform, i. Jan 05, 2016 a query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. Thanks again to michael and mitchell for sharing michaels nonfiction query letter.
Complete book proposal outline query letter title page proposal overview i. For nonfiction, include every major issue youll cover and the basics of what youll say about it. She is the author of how to blog a book, the author training manual, and creative visualization for writers, all published by writers digest books. Newton literary services offers developmental editing book doctoring, drafts query letters, creates book proposals, and helps you get your book published. Jan 04, 2017 attendees will learn how to write a dynamite query letter, tackle a onepage synopsis for fiction and a book proposal for nonfiction. You have one page and 300 words or less to woo a literary agent into falling in love with your story and then requesting your manuscript. You dont need to prepare the full manuscript in advance. Are you struggling to write a nonfiction query letter to literary agents. The query letter is a concise expression of the most important aspects of your book and why it.
Nov 06, 2019 heres an example of a good nonfiction query letter. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Please do not just send a query letter or query email. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples jericho. The first step in learning how to write a book proposal for any type of book, is realizing that a book proposal is basically an expanded much longer version of a literary agent query letter. Nov 01, 2017 for 15 years, i was on the receiving end of query letters for books and magazine articles. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient. For most acquisition editors, this is a very important part of the proposal. Though query letters may sound straightforward, learning the ins and outs of writing a successful query letter is important for anyone hoping to break in as a writer.
Jun 16, 2020 your query letter and your book proposal are your vehicles for making your case. How to write a book proposal for literary agents and literary. If you want to see an agent edit query letters publicly, visit query shark. Your query letter as initial contact in the old days, authors often sent their manuscripts to agents over the transom, but that is no longer the practice. How to write a nonfiction query letter for childrens books. A query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. Jan 17, 2011 if you intend to propose a series, even if book one stands alone, that should be mentioned in the cover letter and the proposal. The query letter is a shortcut to agent access, but it still demands that you face what you may fear and resent most about writing the proposal. Book proposals are generally used to pitch a nonfiction work. Nonfiction book report template new sample query letter for. Here are some more query letter resources that might help. You want your first contact with literary agents or acquisitions editors to do the best possible job of convincing them to read your manuscript, and we can help.
Agent query letters that actually worked for nonfiction galleycat. As a hybrid author, she also has published 17 books independently. Nonfiction is often sold on the basis of a proposal. If you are doing a query letter without a proposal then most definitely reveal the plan for a trilogy. At its core, a query letter is a sales document, and so its meant to sell.
How to write a book proposal mary kole editorial book. A great nonfiction book proposal will show that you have thought through your idea, and more importantly, it will show that you know how to turn this idea into a book unlike a work of fiction, which must be completed before you send the query letter, a proposal is the correct way to approach a publisher for a nonfiction book a comprehensive, wellwritten proposal can be as much work as. To pitch nonfiction manuscripts, have at least three chapters and a book proposal ready to go. Not everyone will have just met the agent they are querying, but its still good to add a personal touch. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal. Editors wish list when working with nonfiction writers. Author michael schreiber and literary agent mitchell waters were kind enough to agree to share michaels query letter, which landed him representation with mitchell. A variety of factors need to line up for a writer to get a yes from agents, acquisition editors, and publishing housesbut one of the absolute necessities is a good book proposal. Example of a good nonfiction query letter nathan bransford editing. Then try sending your book proposal to a literary agent, or publishers accepting book proposals.
The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal will lead you through the steps to constructing a convincing book proposal that will make the best case possible for your project. How to write a query letter that grabs a literary agents. How to get a literary agent for your nonfiction book by tucker. Writing a query letter can determine whether a literary agent asks to see more or sends you a cordial form letter intended to let you down easy. The best way to get your book proposal seen is to write a query letter for a nonfiction book proposal that focuses on market need. You want write a query letter so compelling that the agent will instantly reply, yes, send me your proposal. To write a killer query, you need a onepage letter with three basic sections or paragraphs.
Your query letter and book proposal are your selling documents. Your proposal should illustrate what you plan to do to make your book successful and that there is a place in the market for you. After all, without a good query letter no agent or acquisition editor will ever ask to read a proposal. How to write a darn good query letter ny book editors. A sample query letter for literary agents nonfiction. It should sum up the plot or idea in a single paragraph, as well as giving the books title and estimated word count of the entire manuscript not page count.
Some of my 1on1 author coaching clients have found it helpful to think of their query letter as an executive summary of their book proposal. But if you are not certain a second book can be written then do not mention it, instead go with the stand alone. How to write a nonfiction query letter for childrens. Oct 07, 2017 the query letter is a shortcut to agent access, but it still demands that you face what you may fear and resent most about writing the proposal. How to write a nonfiction query letter for childrens books kidlit. Query letter how to write an irresistible agent query for. While being able to send the letter before completing the whole manuscript sounds less intimidating, querying a nonfiction manuscript has its. After youve found your topic, youll need to prepare a great query letter and book proposal.
Many literary agents and publishers request to see a nonfiction book proposalessentially a business plan for your bookthat includes a cover letter, an overview of your book, your author bio, a table of contents, detailed chapter summaries, a list of comparative works, and. Mar 01, 2021 a query letter is an introductory letter sent to a literary agent to see if theyd be interested in representing your book and helping get it published. The query letter is a sales pitch for agents that summarizes the book proposal. How to write an attractive nonfiction book proposal read. In many cases, it determines whether an editor or agent will request that you send your book proposal as the second step in the nonfiction book publishing process. Nonfiction book proposal literary agents and literary agencies. Prepare a query letter include a book overview, target audience, usp, writing cv, and motivation for writing. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 figure 1. Now, a nonfiction query isnt entirely different from a fiction one, but there are some nuances. Sample query letter nonfiction authors association. You have one page and 300 words or fewer to woo a literary agent into falling in love with your story and then requesting your manuscript.
This year, i asked him to offer advice on writing a query letter. Apr 17, 2020 the query letter is a sales pitch for agents that summarizes the book proposal. She is a nonfiction book editor and doctor, proposal consultant, and an author coach and trainer as well as a book and blog coach. For fiction, rough out the entire plot in a few pages. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. Apr 27, 2020 the number of resources for writing query letters is infinite, with published authors, agents, and publishers all weighing in on what makes a good query letter. If they are not stellar, your book will not even be considered for publication.
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