Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

by Jeff Herman (Author), Deborah Levine Herman (Author) "A good idea is the foundation for any nonfiction book proposal..." (more)
Key Phrases: loyalty wheel, good sample chapter, exceptional heart patients, African American, Black Roots, Trust Your Guts (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Want to publish your book?

Learn how—it’s easier than you think!

Charismatic authors and literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman have successfully sold hundreds of titles and learned—through trial and error—how to write a flawless book proposal that publishers can’t resist. Now you can benefit from their hard work and publishing savvy. In this new edition, they offer guidance and advice that will inspire, educate, and, most importantly, give you the necessary edge to get your book published. They explain:

• How to shape your idea and create a title

• Ways to get to know the market and competition

• Tips on writing an effective outline, query letter, and sample chapter

• The art and science of fiction and nonfiction book proposals

• How ten actual proposals (included here) were successfully sold to publishers—and why

"A submission from Jeff Herman always gets moved to the top . . . his new book will show you how to move to the top."—Frederic W. Hills Vice President, Simon & Schuster

"This book will take writers to the highest level of proposal writing and success."—Roger Cooper Quality Paperback Book Club

"If you want your proposal to ignite a busy editor’s interest, read this book."—Adrienne Hickey Senior Acquisitions Editor, AMACOM Books

From the Back Cover
Want to publish your book?

Learn how—it’s easier than you think!

Charismatic authors and literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman have successfully sold hundreds of titles and learned—through trial and error—how to write a flawless book proposal that publishers can’t resist. Now you can benefit from their hard work and publishing savvy. In this new edition, they offer guidance and advice that will inspire, educate, and, most importantly, give you the necessary edge to get your book published. They explain:

• How to shape your idea and create a title

• Ways to get to know the market and competition

• Tips on writing an effective outline, query letter, and sample chapter

• The art and science of fiction and nonfiction book proposals

• How ten actual proposals (included here) were successfully sold to publishers—and why

"A submission from Jeff Herman always gets moved to the top . . . his new book will show you how to move to the top."—Frederic W. Hills Vice President, Simon & Schuster

"This book will take writers to the highest level of proposal writing and success."—Roger Cooper Quality Paperback Book Club

"If you want your proposal to ignite a busy editor’s interest, read this book."—Adrienne Hickey Senior Acquisitions Editor, AMACOM Books

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (May 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471353124
• ISBN-13: 978-0471353126
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,203 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

356 of 362 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars a great resource for a VERY LIMITED type of book, March 28, 2003

By	David Cullen "Dave Cullen" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this book, along with Larsen's "How to Write a Book Proposal" for my first book proposal, and felt they made an excellent combination:

- Larsen was great on explanation and details describing what each section required and why, but was light on examples.

- This book offered incredible examples, with great commentary, but was extremely thin on guiding you through the process of creating your own proposal. Each chapter--corresponding to each section of your proposal--runs a mere 1-3 pages. Examples are great, but direction is necessary as well. This half the book is grossly inadequate.

If Herman wanted a really great, 5-star book, he would beef up section one dramatically. However, I felt that the two together made a perfect combination, and were well worth the price of two books.

Now here's the rub:

I read two proposals a friend had sold to Random House for six figures each, both guided by a top agent at ICM, and they were nothing like the Herman/Larsen model. Not even close. Then I began working with a new agent--switching from a peddler of mostly crass-commericial work to an agent and recent editor known more for literary bestsellers. She guided me to an approach very much like my friend's ICM agent--what I'll call Model II. Finally, a friend working with an agent at Writer's House also was advised toward a Model II approach.

What I have since learned is this:

The Herman/Larsen model (Model I) is great for cookbooks, business books, coffee table books, self-help books, etc.

The model CAN also be applied to more literary work (memoirs, "serious nonfiction," bestsellers like "Longitude," "The Professor and the Madman" or even "The Perfect Storm." Let's say books with literary aspirations, whether or not you find them literary.)

I say it CAN BE applied to them, because I'm sure many serious books have been sold that way, but it's not a good fit. If you're pitching your book to a more literary niche--including "serious" bestsellers--and especially a narrative nonfiction book, I think you'd be highly advised to use Model II.

For that, see Betsy Lerner's "The Forest for the Trees" and especially Susan Rabiner's "Thinking Like Your Editor;: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get it Published." (Be advised that Rabiner has a very narrow definition of "serious nonfiction," but the book is still extremely useful for somewhat less serious, shall we say "middlebrow" work.)

This did not have to be a big problem with Herman's book (or Larsen's). The problem is, they did not bother to TELL you this in their books. Granted, most of the examples in this book (Herman's) are purely commercial products, but he's got two in there--"Heart and Soul" and "I'm Too Young to Have a Heart Attack" which are narrative memoirish works with literary aspirations. I'm sure he sold those two with this approach, but from what I have learned, most authors would have much better odds selling that type of book for more money with model II (unless of course, Jeff Herman is actually your agent--if he's most comfortable with his model and his clients expect it, go with it. Of course WHATEVER your agent advises, go with it, because he/she has to sell it. But most people using this book probably don't have an agent yet, or are going to be confused when they've studied this and their agent is expecting something very different.)

The big problem with this book is that he's not copping to its limitations, and hence leading a lot of naive writers like me to shoehorn their proposal into an inappropriate format, which does not play to its strengths. This book is by far the biggest seller on book proposals, and I'm afraid vast numbers of writers are getting a narrow view of how they're supposed to be selling their work.

A brief disclaimer explaining which books this is right for and who should look elsewhere for a better model would have been a fantastic service and rated this book 5 stars. As is, it's probably hindering nearly as many writers as it helps.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Three Indispensable Sources, January 31, 2003

By	Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

To those seeking guidance with writing a book proposal to obtain a literary agent's services or to obtain a contract from a publisher, I strongly recommend both this book and Michael Larsen's How to Write a Book Proposal as well as Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. True, there is some duplication of advice in the Larsen and Herman books which convinced me that the advice is sound. Given the importance and -- yes -- the difficulty of writing a book proposal, and given the competition to obtain a literary agent and then a publisher, the investment in all three books is indeed a small price to pay.

The Hermans organize their excellent material within two Sections: "All Aspects of the Proposal -- And Some Advice Thrown In," and, "10 Proposals That Sold -- And Why." The 12 chapters which comprise Section One do indeed provide just about everything an author needs to know about preparing a book proposal. The Hermans then shift their reader's attention to ten successful proposals and include a wealth of comments and suggestions in the margins of each. For example:

"This is a great first paragraph in that it clearly states what the book is about and establishes the author's expertise." (page 85)

"This is a good example of integrating biographical material with persuasive information." (page 99)

"This is an excellent Table of Contents. It is clear, organized, and clever without being hokey." (page 116)

"Although she wasn't mentioned on the title page, [Kathryn] Lance is the collaborator. Her bio sketch is strong in its simplicity. Her writing credits are voluminous, but she doesn't use up space here with a comprehensive listing. Instead she showcases only credits relevant to+ the success of this particular project. Comprehensive author resumes were also attached to the proposal package as an addenda." (page 174)

"This is a blending of `markets' and `promotions.' This is fine, but it's better to separate them. Although promotions are part of an overall marketing strategy, `markets' occupies a unique place in the proposal, while `promotions' can describe the details of a marketing plan."

These five annotations correctly suggest the specificity of guidance which the Hermans provide to their reader as she or he examines ten proposals which resulted in the publication of the books they describe. Perhaps while reading this immensely informative book, others will have the same reactions that I did: That it was written expressly for me, that the Hermans had anticipated all of the questions I needed answered (and then carefully answered them for me), and that -- meanwhile -- they were disabusing me of whatever misconceptions I may have had about the process by which to obtain the services of a literary agent and/or secure a publishing contract.

To repeat, given the importance of an effective book proposal and difficulty of what the preparation of one involves, I strongly recommend that this book be consulted in combination with both Michael Larsen's How to Write a Book Proposal and Strunk & White's The Elements of Style.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got me a contract with a publisher, February 27, 2003

By	"catherinewishart" (Honolulu, Hawaii United States) - See all my reviews

This book is the definitive guide on how to write a strong proposal that will grab publishers attention and keep your book out of the slush pile.
Like most writers I own tons of books on writing and getting published. I followed the guidelines suggested by the authors and my book proposal for Teen Goddess was accepted by the first publishing company I tried!
I also highly recommend Deborah Levine's other book Spiritual Writing. If you write inspirational, new age or spiritual books it contains a wealth of information to steer you in the right direction.
Write the perfect book proposal is the one book I would not be without -