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~ (Author) "Chapter Goal: To introduce and define proposals, explain who uses them, and present an overview of the publishing industry..." (more)
Key Phrases: multiple pet loss, selling handle, nonfiction book proposals, New York, Susan Lloyd, Demetra George (more...)
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  • This item: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated) by Elizabeth Lyon

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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.


Product Description

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.
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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 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,298 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #10 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Nonfiction
    #38 in  Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship
    #99 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Writing Skills

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More About the Author

Elizabeth Lyon
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Chapter Goal: To introduce and define proposals, explain who uses them, and present an overview of the publishing industry. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
multiple pet loss, selling handle, nonfiction book proposals, subject credentials, concept statement, author qualifications, specialty publisher, ownership culture, competition section, promotion section, production details, author credentials, comparable books, subsidiary sales, author section, writing your book, first print run, proposal writers, book producers, fitness walking, query letter, agent representation, publishing credits, sample chapters
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Susan Lloyd, Demetra George, Mysteries of the Dark Moon, The Spirited Walker, United States, Carolyn Kortge, Denise Marcil, Mothering Twins, Organized Life, Ralph Nansen, Rosemarie Ostler, Sun Power, Susan Caperna Lloyd, Val Dumond, David Congalton, Mabel Armstrong, Mary Jeanne Menna, Molly Yard, Carolyn Cotter, Khmer Rouge, One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss, Random House, The Last Zapatista, The Practical Woman's Guide
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated)
75% buy the item featured on this page:
Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated) 4.8 out of 5 stars (32)
$10.85
How to Write a Book Proposal
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How to Write a Book Proposal 4.3 out of 5 stars (57)
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Book Proposals That Sell: 21 SECRETS TO SPEED YOUR SUCCESS
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Book Proposals That Sell: 21 SECRETS TO SPEED YOUR SUCCESS 4.8 out of 5 stars (99)
$11.97
Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get It Published
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Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get It Published 4.5 out of 5 stars (41)
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Customer Reviews

32 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Template and Directions, May 5, 2000
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!

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61 of 63 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)   
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).

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33 of 33 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
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
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Service
The book was practically at my doorstep when I ordered it. It arrived like the next day in perfect shape.
Published 1 month ago by Richard

5.0 out of 5 stars non-fiction book proposals anybody can write
Big help. I had no idea how much would be involved in writing a proposal, so I'm glad to see this first, to be able to avoid messing up.
Published 1 month ago by athena

5.0 out of 5 stars I took it as a Bible--and now I'm published
I took this book as a Bible. I followed every step. The result was great--I'm published.

It's not a short process to create a proposal, but going through it helped... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Bill Conerly

5.0 out of 5 stars a good map
As a writer friend said to me when she recommended it to me, "this is the best book out there, it walks you through the steps in the order you mentally need to. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Theresa Hickson

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for the money
I purchased this book hoping for information for my book proposal. I was not disappointed. This book has valuable information and I am happy with my purchases.
Published 16 months ago by J. Wismer

5.0 out of 5 stars Good For a Clear Understanding of Your Book Proposal
If you have started to look for a literary agent, buy this book first. If your proposal has been rejected by agents, buy this book. Read more
Published on September 10, 2007 by Carolyn Gibson

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope my proposal doesn't fall apart like the spine of this book
Whether the glue is poor quality or another problem with the paperback spine, I really wish this much read book had held together better. Read more
Published on May 8, 2007 by Judith Florian

5.0 out of 5 stars Non Fiction Proposals anybody can write
I have bought other books on this subject and this is the most useful and most logically organized.
Published on March 8, 2007 by Businessman

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource for Writers - Aspiring and Otherwise
The position of an aspiring writer, trying to break into the published market, is not an enviable one. Read more
Published on June 8, 2006 by Danny Iny

5.0 out of 5 stars This book works
I wrote a book, then I followed Elizabeth Lyon's advice to the letter. Got four offers! My editor says my proposal was one of the finest ones he'd ever seen. Read more
Published on February 4, 2006 by David Murrow

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