The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal [Paperback]

Stephen Blake Mettee (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fast-Track | Publication Date: April 4, 2008

The hard, cold fact about getting a book published is that without something close to divine intervention an author is going to have to write a sales piece, called a book proposal, that will attract the attention of an editor or an agent. In fact, at most publishers, this sales piece is going to have to hold up under the scrutiny of a committee made up of a bevy of editors and a pod of sales and marketing people. With The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal, Mettee, a seasoned book editor and publisher, cuts to the chase and provides simple, detailed instruction that allows anyone to write a professional book proposal and hear an editor say Yes! According to Mettee, the first rule is: Do no harm. Too many authors don't pay enough attention to the small things like spelling and grammar and manuscript format that are needed to make their book proposals appear professional. They may have a great idea for a book and be eminently qualified to write it but they schmuck it up with slovenly disregard for the easy stuff. The last rule is: Be persistent. If you quit after your first rejection slip or after the thirteenth or the thirtieth, you'll never get published. Many books that are rejected scores of times go on to be best-sellers. You're not defeated until you give up.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

According to Stephen Mettee, a book proposal, like a woman's skirt, should be "short enough to be interesting, but long enough to cover the subject." The same could be said for a book about writing such a proposal. Mettee's Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal, checks in at a mere 113 pages. A book proposal is a 10-page to 50-page document consisting of a synopsis, a table of contents, a chapter-by-chapter outline, a few sample chapters, and supporting material. Mettee provides simple descriptions of each, as well as a sample query letter, a book proposal, and a contract, and he includes cartoons reprinted from The New Yorker. Since Mettee's a publisher himself (at Quill Driver Books), one feels confident following his lead when he recommends sending the proposal along with the query (giving the editor one less chance to say "no") and making multiple submissions (even to publishers that claim not to accept them). But by all means, the proposal is not the place to bring up the subject of money, draw attention to the fact that you're unpublished, beg, mention copyrighting, fawn, or disclose that your mother loves the book. --Jane Steinberg

About the Author

Stephen Blake Mettee is president and publisher, Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press, Inc., a California-based publisher of nonfiction books. Mettee is the editor of The Portable Writers’ Conference: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Published, a Writer’s Digest Book Club selection, and has published scads of nonfiction articles on subjects ranging from parenting to business. He is currently working on a book on nonprofit fund-raising for the amateur. Mettee serves on the board of directors of Writer’s International Network-Writer’s Inter-age Network. He was director of WIN-WIN’s annual William Saroyan Writer’s Conference from 1992 to 1997 and continues as chair of the conference. Mettee has taught classes on writing and publishing in a number of venues including the University of California, Davis extension program, the California Library Association’s annual conference and the San Francisco Bay Area Book Festival. He was evaluated as a “highest rating” presenter at the California Writer’s Club Asilomar conference. QDB/WDP is recognized by industry periodical Book Marketing Update as one of the “Top 101 Independent Book Publishers” in the United States. Writer’s Digest magazine identifies QDB/WDP as one of the “100 Best Book Markets for New Writers.” Mettee is always in the market for nonfiction books, particularly California regional titles; writing titles; practical, upbeat encouraging works that enhance the lives of people over 50, for QDB/WDP’s trademarked Best Half of Life series; and concise, clear, how-to books for QDB/WDP’s Fast-Track Course series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Linden Publishing (April 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188495622X
• ISBN-13: 978-1884956225
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Blake Mettee, is the founder of Quill Driver Books, TheWriteThought.com where he posts an occasional blog. He is currently developing AMillionMetaphors.com, a resource for writers and others. His own books include "The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal," used by colleges across the nation, "The Portable Writer's Conference," and "The American Directory of Writer's Guidelines." All three are Writer's Digest Book Club selections.

Quill Driver Books publishes nonfiction books on writing and publishing, business, health, and other genres. Mettee is semi-retired from Quill Driver Books, currently doing duty as acquisitions editor. During Mettee's 15-year tenure with QDB he shepherded two books into Book-of-the-Month Club selections and one onto the New York Times best-seller list. QDB's authors include, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, social media marketing expert Paul Gillin, and America's most popular medical columnist Peter H. Gott, M.D., as well as first-time authors.

QDB is recognized by industry periodical Book Marketing Update as one of the "Top 101 Independent Book Publishers" in the United States and by Writer's Digest as one the 100 most new-writer friendly book publishers in the U.S.
Mettee is always in the market for exceptional nonfiction books. You can e-mail him at: [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handy format and length, sound advice, October 17, 2003

By 

Experienced seminar leader (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal (Paperback)

I have taught an adult education course called "So You Want to Write a Book" throughout New England since 1988 and have also worked one-on-one with more than 100 authors on their book proposals over the years. Originally I recommended Michael Larsen's book on how to write a book proposal, because it was the only such in-depth book available. However, I did not like certain things in his sample proposal and did not agree with some of his advice. When Elizabeth Lyon's book, Nonfiction Book Proposals Anyone Can Write, came out, I began recommending that enthusiastically because she takes the reader step by step through the process of writing the book proposal, and I thought her advice was better founded. Having looked at Stephen Mettee's book, I will now recommend his book to prospective authors who don't need the depth and handholding that Lyon provides. As you would want in any book on writing, it is highly readable, well-organized and to the point.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise excellent guide, February 14, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal (Paperback)

I am an attorney and literary agent so I make it a point to read books on how to prepare proposals. This is one of the shorter books on how to write a book proposal but the advice is very sound. Following the guidance in the book should result in an excellent proposal. One thing that distinguishes this book from most others on the subject is that it is written from a publishers perspective. If you are interested in writing a serious proposal,it would not be a bad idea to read more than one book on the topic since a proposal that looks professional and provides the information an editor considers necessary will garner extra attention.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great source of advice, July 28, 2002

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal (Paperback)

A query letter and book proposal is the best place to start when considering writing a nonfiction book. Using the query letter and book proposal you can locate a publisher interested in printing your book before you spend all that time writing it. The purpose of a proposal is to give a very busy editor enough information to determine if they have an interest in the book and to have at least a basic level of confidence in you as an author.

In his book Mettee gives many detailed examples of what should be included in the proposal and well as example proposals and queries. In addition he covers contracts, agents, royalties and other factors that you will need to understand. Finally, he includes the very important information of what should not be in the proposal.

In "How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal" you receive a complete guide to writing a professional proposal that greatly increases the chances of getting your book published. A highly recommended read and a required read for any new nonfiction writer.