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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Book Proposals & Query Letters
Tips for catching and holding an agent's attention.
Essential reading for any fiction or nonfiction writer seeking publication, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Book Proposals & Query Letters provides in-depth information on composing a successful query letter as well as detailed suggestions on how to craft each element of a book proposal-from author bio to marketing and competition information to a synopsis for fiction writers. By following the same guidelines an agent uses when submitting her client's book proposals to editors (and selling them), writers are given proven techniques for creating winning submissions.
?The most comprehensive information on query letters found in any book on writing
?The only book on book proposals that also targets a fiction audience
?Author is an agent who also blogs to a readership of about 1,500 daily
Essential reading for any fiction or nonfiction writer seeking publication, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Book Proposals & Query Letters provides in-depth information on composing a successful query letter as well as detailed suggestions on how to craft each element of a book proposal-from author bio to marketing and competition information to a synopsis for fiction writers. By following the same guidelines an agent uses when submitting her client's book proposals to editors (and selling them), writers are given proven techniques for creating winning submissions.
?The most comprehensive information on query letters found in any book on writing
?The only book on book proposals that also targets a fiction audience
?Author is an agent who also blogs to a readership of about 1,500 daily
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 13, 2024
Filled With Experienced Insights
If I’m going to read about query letters and book proposals, I want to get advise and wisdom from someone who has read thousands of proposals like literary agents Marilyn Allen and Coleen O’Shea. Their experienced insights are throughout this well-written volume, THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BOOK PROPOSALS AND QUERY LETTERS.
I love the honesty and forthright tone in this book. In the early pages, they write, “Here’s the reality: it’s difficult to write a book from start to finish—especially if you are working or parenting full time. Writing a book takes an enormous amount of work and time. Publishing is an extremely competitive business, as agents and publishers receive a tremendous number of submissions. From the beginning, it’s essential that you critically assess your idea, evaluate the marketability and publishability of your idea, and develop a valuable marketing presence so you can enhance your chances of making your writing dream a reality.” (Page 4)
This book includes detailed sections on each part of a proposal—what to do and what not to do. There are also sample sections with explanations why the section does not work and how to adjust it so it will work. This type of detail is not easily available or appears in other books on proposals.
As an editor and former literary agent, I’ve reviewed thousands of proposals and even written two which received six-figure advances. The information in the pages of THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BOOK PROPOSALS AND QUERY LETTERS is highly recommended.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
If I’m going to read about query letters and book proposals, I want to get advise and wisdom from someone who has read thousands of proposals like literary agents Marilyn Allen and Coleen O’Shea. Their experienced insights are throughout this well-written volume, THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BOOK PROPOSALS AND QUERY LETTERS.
I love the honesty and forthright tone in this book. In the early pages, they write, “Here’s the reality: it’s difficult to write a book from start to finish—especially if you are working or parenting full time. Writing a book takes an enormous amount of work and time. Publishing is an extremely competitive business, as agents and publishers receive a tremendous number of submissions. From the beginning, it’s essential that you critically assess your idea, evaluate the marketability and publishability of your idea, and develop a valuable marketing presence so you can enhance your chances of making your writing dream a reality.” (Page 4)
This book includes detailed sections on each part of a proposal—what to do and what not to do. There are also sample sections with explanations why the section does not work and how to adjust it so it will work. This type of detail is not easily available or appears in other books on proposals.
As an editor and former literary agent, I’ve reviewed thousands of proposals and even written two which received six-figure advances. The information in the pages of THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BOOK PROPOSALS AND QUERY LETTERS is highly recommended.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
January 4, 2019
Let me put it this way. I read the book, wrote a proposal, and got a book accepted with the very first cover letter submission.
December 19, 2011
Extremely helpful with fresh new info., some of which conflicted with Larsen's popular How to Write a Book Proposal. This had good reviews on Amazon but I think it's more useful for nonfiction writers.
June 7, 2014
Excellent resource.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews