Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Lyon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 039952827X | ISBN-13: 978-0399528279 | Publication Date: December 3, 2002 | Edition: Rev Upd

Many writers, and aspiring writers, don't realize the opportunities that exist in the nonfiction book market. This book shows them how to take advantage, with topics including subject matter research, creating marketing plans, and writing a strong "About the Author" section. Also features two dozen actual proposals.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

I know: we all want to write a Great Novel. But in the meantime, don't you have a few terrific ideas for a nonfiction book, too? The subtitle of this book is "How to Get a Contract and an Advance Before Writing Your Book." Doesn't THAT sound better than competing with John Grisham and Tom Clancy? Eighty-five percent of all new titles are nonfiction. So dust off those memoirs, dig up those recipes of Aunt Edna's. Lyon takes you step by step through the process of how to discover and pitch your nonfiction book idea to the best market. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Elizabeth Lyon has been a contributing writer to Writer's Digest and is a mentor, editor, and teacher for many writers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; Rev Upd edition (December 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039952827X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399528279
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Template and Directions, May 5, 2000

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write(Old Ed (Paperback)

If you are a nonfiction editor or agent, you get to see hundreds (maybe thousands) of book proposals. Soon you get a sense of what works and what doesn't, and how to organize it all. Those of us who write books don't have that benefit. This book helps close the gap.

I found the template helpful because it had a lot of detail and success models in it. On many pages I scribbled several notes to myself of how to use the point made in the book in my next proposal. Although I have written and sold two books in the past and read two other books on book proposals, this one added a lot to my knowledge.

In fact, I had an epiphany in the middle of reading the book. I suddenly got it: The editors who may be very interested in my next book may not know anything about my subject, not have time to learn, nor the background to appreciate the nuanaces. Yet they will take a little precious time to consider my ideas if I just make them easy to understand, fun to absorb, and exciting to contemplate. With that insight, I am very excited about writing my next book proposal!

I urge you to read this book and apply its lessons.

My only quibble is that the book has little in the way of examples of proposals for business books, my genre. The Herman and Snell books are better for examples if that is your subject.

If you are serious about wanting to sell your book, I strongly urge you to read this book as well as the Herman and Snell books on the same subject. Good luck with your sale!

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Book, December 15, 2002

By 

Bert Krages (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

Of the several books available on how to write nonfiction book proposals, this one is the most comprehensive. Some of the areas it covers particularly well are the importance of credentials and presentation. However, it provides solid information in all the important areas. It takes more time to read this book than the others on the topic but the time is well spent. Editors and agents are always impressed by book proposals that are informative, succinct, and well prepared and following the guidelines in this book will help you prepare an impressive proposal. Prospective writers often ask me to recommend books on writing book proposals and there are several that I recommend depending on the writer's temperament. I am always encouraged when writers select this one because the level of commitment usually reflects a quality proposal.

Note: Beginning in December 2002, the book is published by a new publisher. The proofing issues that inadvertently slipped through the cracks with the second edition have been corrected( e.g., chapter 14 is now included in the table of contents).

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This really is the best advice for writers, February 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

As a literary agent, I endorse this book and recommend it to my clients who are working on nonfiction book proposals because, in my view, it is the most thorough and clear book on the subject. A number of the titles listed on E. Lyon's website are books I represented and sold. They were developed following these guidelines. It is one thing to tell a writer to develop "a great hook" or "write a strong concept statement" and quite another to actually explain what these things are and why they are needed. It is important for the writer to understand the purpose of each piece of a proposal and how it will be used by the agent and editor to grasp why the approaches explained in this book are so valuable. Beyond having a strong salable subject and good writing skills (or a good co-author or ghostwriter), in today's publishing world even smaller publishers want to see a solid marketing plan and publicity ideas. Elizabeth provides guidance to develop one. There are quite a few books on this subject offering a broad range of expertise, but this one is the best. As someone else pointed out, the errors in the previous edition were the responsibility of the original small press-- a reminder that many things like title and cover design and certainly page layouts are not left up to the author! Natasha Kern