The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal is a classic example. Gone are the days of the huge 500 page writing books filled with confusing jargon. Today's writers need how to write books that offer concise instruction, without negating the most important information.
This book is a mere 120 pages. I've spent years reading books on writing nonfiction book proposals, that were two and three times this size I wondered, as I first fanned the pages, how this small book could be different.
I found the reason Mettee, a Publisher with Linden Publishing, had for writing this succinct book in the Preface:
"Why, you ask, write another book on writing nonfiction proposals since, prior to the publication of this work, there were at least two excellent guides to writing book proposals on the market? Because I found each of these left out small, yet important, bits of information and included extraneous information, interesting and perhaps useful, yet only peripherally applicable to the task of writing and submitting a book proposal. And they were long. When I held one of these books up at writer's workshops, I could see eyes glaze over. “You mean I have to read a 230-page book to learn how to write a 20 page book proposal?” the participants seemed to be saying."
My point exactly. I have felt that very thing. Inside the three main chapters, First Things, The Query Letter, The Proposal, you find bold topical subheadings. Each lead, you through the information quickly, while providing every morsel you need to succeed at writing your own nonfiction book proposal.
The third chapter is followed by a sample Query Letter, a sample Book Proposal, sample Agency Contract, and a sample Nonfiction Book contract. Mettee hits a home run by adding a Nonfiction Book Proposal Checklist, followed by graphic view of a Standard Manuscript Format for a book proposal today. Did I mention the Author's Bundle of Rights section? You can't live without that in today's publishing environment.
Everything you need to know about writing a nonfiction book proposal, that will help you get past the gatekeepers in today's publishing houses, is inside this detailed, little book.
Don't let size fool you. Size does matter today in nonfiction books. Remember though it is the small, information packed books that help you the most, while respecting your all too precious lack of extra time.
Unless this book is updated at some future point, I will not be reviewing more books on this topic. This book has everything you need to start and finish your book proposal now. What are you waiting for? Pick this book up and get your book proposal out the door.
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