The Art of the Book Proposal: From Focused Idea to Finished Proposal

by Eric Maisel

Here is an expert's guide through the elements of a nonfiction book proposal, including the outline, chapter summaries, marketing/publicity, book and chapter titles, and more. Filled with exercises designed to help a writer conceive and create a desirable proposal, and checklists to keep track of the project's progress, The Art of the Book Proposal provides the framework on which to build a great idea, as well as intelligent, empathetic instruction on how to produce a proposal that will capture the interest of an agent or editor.

While most how-to writing books focus only on the nuts and bolts of putting a proposal together, Maisel, considered by many to be America's foremost expert on the psychological side of the creative process, also helps the writer overcome mental barriers to producing the best work possible. Using a holistic approach to the sometimes unglamorous work of designing a proposal, his guide enables a writer to transform an idea into a book.

Genres: Writing

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2004

About the author

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is the author of more than 40 books in the areas of creativity, coaching, mental health, and cultural trends. He is a psychotherapist and creativity coach, and writes for Psychology Today and Professional Artist Magazine and presents workshops internationally.

Reviews

[Tanyx]

Some good advice, but mostly for nonfic writers.

[Misti]

I was hoping this book would give me some more insight into my book proposal but it felt dated and unorganized.

[Debbie Hoskins]

This gives through instructions on how to write a book proposal. Exercises help you dig out answers that will be needed in writing a book proposal. I'm working on a book that I will need to do a proposal for and will lean on this book to help me write it.

[Heidi]

This is a classic that deserves its status. Maisel takes the reader through the process of collecting an idea and creatively turning it into a solid book proposal.

It is a book I want to hand to every person who says to me "I ought to write a book about my life! The publishers would eat it up." Oh really? How about you read Maisel first!

Maisel's exercises bring the reader through a complex process that develops important elements of the book, such as a blurb that states what it is about, and another that states its purpose. Those processes sound so simple, but most writers will find they are not, without Maisel's help. Each took me more than a week (but I write and think slowly).

I appreciate the creativity Maisel brings into his exercises, the excitement he builds into didactic work I might otherwise rebel against. Since I'm already good with the creative, extraneous exercises that tend to lead in many directions, I need Maisel to guide me through the linear processes of writing.

My only complaint is that the end of the book tended to fall apart for me. Honesty note here; I wasn't prepared to go as far as Maisel was taking me at the end, so it wasn't as thrilling, but also, the exercises lost their structure, so even if I had a solid idea, I would not have had that same Maisel genius added along; it felt more like a template.

I recommend this solidly, though, for any writer who ever plans to publish. This is stuff you need to know.

[Carol Surges]

While the author obviously knows what he's talking about, I'm afraid his advice was so wrapped up in examples that had no resonance for me I couldn't really get into them. Maybe I was too far along with my NF book or my idea was too concrete compared to what he was putting forth. I skimmed like crazy and then was really disappointed when I came to the example of a proposal. It had no query letter - something that every new author needs. That was a real let down for me but I have to say I'm referring back to again as I work through my proposal.

[Janice]

This book helped me to write the proposal I used to sell my first memoir, GIRLBOMB. It's not just a practical guide to proposal writing, it's an emotional guide to the creative process as well. I quote and recommend this book frequently, and many of the people I've recommended it to have reported great success in following Maisel's advice. It's a little New Age-y at times, but I continue to find it an invaluable resource.

[CB]

This was pretty good, but I didn't finish it. I've got too many other writing projects that are further a long that I should concentrate on first before thinking about a nonfiction book proposal. I'll keep this one in mind for later though.

[Jack Cheng]

Very good, very readable advice for authors with a non-fiction book idea. Maisel's advice is very practical, including a sample proposal.