The Everything Guide To Writing A Book Proposal: Insider Advice On How To Get Your Work Published (Everything (Language & Writing)) [Paperback]

Meg Elaine Schneider (Author), Barbara Doyen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Everything (Language & Writing) | Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Whether you're writing self-help, memoir, or the Great American novel, you'll need a professionally prepared book proposal to sell it. In The Everything Guide to Writing a Book Proposal, author Meg Schneider and literary agent Barbara Doyen team up to provide the inside scoop on getting your name in print.

Schneider and Doyen fully explain how to:

Create a proposal for any genre

Know what agents and publishers look for

Get out of the slush pile and onto the right editor's desk

Rework a proposal using suggestions from an agent or editor

Understand and negotiate your contract

Deal with rejection-and keep writing!

The Everything Guide to Writing a Book Proposal takes you behind the closed doors of the publishing world, revealing the tried-and-true tips, techniques, and shortcuts that can help you get published sooner rather than later. Reference materials and resources for writers are also included, as well as a list of writers' organizations and clubs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Meg Schneider is coauthor of three published books and has more than ten years of experience in television, radio, and print journalism. She is the recipient of numerous writing awards, and has written several book proposals on a variety of topics, both as sole author and collaborator.

Barbara Doyen is president of Doyen Literary Services, Inc., an agency representing 100-plus authors. She has been involved in publishing since the mid-1970s, when her first novel was published.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media; First Edition edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593373139
• ISBN-13: 978-1593373139
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began writing practically as soon as I learned to read, but I never thought of myself as a "writer" until I was almost 30. I was in the FAA's Air Traffic Control screening program at the time, struggling with the mental fatigue of that job, when I realized that I didn't want a future in which my brain was too tired to allow me to write. I didn't quit the screening program, but I was thankful when I failed to make the cut for the next training level.

I got back into journalism, then into public relations, and then into writing books. I love writing nonfiction because of the variety of topics I get to cover. If you check out my books, you'll see they range from relationships ("The Birth Order Effect for Couples" and "The Good-for-You Marriage") to medical and science topics ("COPD For Dummies" and "Stem Cells For Dummies") to history ("New York Yesterday & Today") to personal finance ("Making Millions For Dummies" and "Budget Weddings For Dummies").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Keys to Getting Your Work Published, May 19, 2011

By 

Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Everything Guide To Writing A Book Proposal: Insider Advice On How To Get Your Work Published (Everything (Language & Writing)) (Paperback)

"The Everything Guide to Writing a Book Proposal" provides a balanced approach to the art of getting published. The authors begin with a summary list covering ten top things to consider as you enter into the field of writing and publishing. The publishing industry is changing rapidly and some of the information many changes have been made since my edition was published 2005. However, basic principals remain consistent.

The format of the book encourages a quick overview of the table of contents and then a quick perusal of areas of primary interest. I quickly visited the non fiction chapters, the chapters titled "Your professional Image," and "Writer Beware" in detail.

I always find the resources and other information included in an appendix, bibliography, or index of value. By visiting suggested websites, references, and resources online myself, I usually find that even though published lists may be outdated within weeks or months of publication, by using them as guidelines for search engines etc. updated information is quickly available and can round out my research in areas of special interest.

All in all I find "The Everything Guide to Writing A Book Proposal" is a useful resource tool for my writing reference library and plan to keep it handy for frequent additional reference, motivational, inspiration, and information. This book will be especially helpful for the beginning writer.

3.0 out of 5 stars Average Minus, February 11, 2011

By 

AY "AY" (SD CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Everything Guide To Writing A Book Proposal: Insider Advice On How To Get Your Work Published (Everything (Language & Writing)) (Paperback)

Average Minus- it is ok, but no more; very basic, not enough info, and pale in comparison to other Publishing books. Also not up to date.