Writing and Publishing News

When we write a nonfiction book designed to help, teach, or guide others, it’s the results that matter. I love hearing from author readers or clients who have achieved the success they’re after. Just last night, I received an email from one of my clients telling me that Houghton Mifflin has expressed an interest in her book based on the book proposal I helped her devise. This is the second book proposal I’ve helped with that has piqued the interest of Houghton Mifflin. With the first one, they issued a contract over the phone within 24 hours of receiving the proposal and they’ve published several other books by this author since.

As some of you know, I’ve written many articles and two books on how to write a book proposal. I taught a book proposal course for many years and I’ve traveled the US speaking to authors about writing a book proposal. What some of you don’t know is that I also work with authors on their book proposals and some of them experience success.

The most recent book I wrote is unique in many ways as it responds to your particular proposal whether it is for a memoir, children’s book, travel book, how-to, novel, etc.

If you want expert assistance with your nonfiction or fiction book proposal, order my book now: Propose Your Book, How to Craft Persuasive Book Proposals for Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s Books (Allworth Press) http://www.amazon.com/Propose-Your-Book-Persuasive-Nonfiction/dp/1621534677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450960936&sr=8-1&keywords=propose+your+book+fry

Or order it from the author here: http://www.matilijapress.com/ProposeYourBook.html

Yes, there are sample proposals in the book. Yes, I’m available to respond to your questions after you study the book and, in fact, to walk you through your own proposal. PLFry620@yahoo.com

Excerpted from Propose Your Book, How to Craft Persuasive Proposals for Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s Books.

The young adult book category has been popular for several years and continues to expand. While it seems like a fairly new genre, it is actually just coming of age. The first distinction between children’s books and books for adolescents was made in the early 1800s when the division was called “books for young persons” and encompassed youths in the fourteen to twenty-one year old bracket. But librarians didn’t create a young adult section in libraries until the 1970s and ’80s.

Now young adult (or YA) is more of a category rather than a genre because it includes genres of its own. In fact, more genres are added each year. Probably the most popular genres in the YA category are fantasy and romance, however, young people enjoy a good adventure and mystery, as well. Recent additions are graphic novels and Christian fiction. There’s also young adult nonfiction.

So what does the young adult category encompass? YA fiction features young adult or adolescent lead characters and explores themes that are important to young adults—adolescent relationships, peer pressure, heroes in action…and the heroes in these books can take some unusual/otherworldly forms.

Young adult stories typically cover issues that young adults can identify with and very often involve conflict and tension and/or humor. Adolescents, like their adult counterparts, appreciate and are drawn to stories with memorable characters and authentic dialog.

Amidst the young adult book craze, which tends to attract readers in middle school on up into the early twenties, there’s a new category emerging. They’re calling it new adult fiction. This category of books, created for eighteen to thirty year old readers, are designed to bridge the gap between young adult and adult genres. While young adult books certainly contain a heightened measure of tension—with very adult issues coming into play—new adult fiction will take these a step or two further for this more mature audience.

If you want to write in the YA or NAF (new adult fiction) categories, read many popular books for these age groups. Study the language, vocabulary, the characters, the way other authors handle sensitive issues, the level of conflict and tension, and notice some of the topics that are covered. This is not an invitation to copy other authors. That would not be cool. However, it’s important that you understand what’s acceptable for and by this segment of readers before attempting to write in this category.

If you are writing for the young adult and you may need a book proposal to guide you in writing the book and maybe even to help sell your book to a publisher. If so, be sure to add my book, Propose Your Book, to your must-read study list. It’s available at Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/Propose-Your-Book-Persuasive-Nonfiction-ebook/dp/B0140EFHJK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449747968&sr=1-1&keywords=propose+your+book Allworth Press, and Matilija Press. http://www.matilijapress.com/ProposeYourBook.html

Most authors, as they strain and stress through the development of their book proposal, will wonder, Where should I put the most effort? What is the most important part of this darn thing? What aspect of it will impress a publisher most? These are valid questions and concerns. But you should also be asking, What do I need to know in order to produce a successful book?

As I wrote my second major book on how to write a successful book proposal, these questions were foremost on my mind, because I know they are (or should be) foremost on yours. But the answer isn’t all that straightforward. Just as there is no simple response to the question, “What’s the best way to publish a book?” or “What’s the best way to promote a book?” the answer depends on the project and the author.

Yes, it’s all on you. I stress that you—the author—must consider yourself the CEO of your book from start to finish and beyond. Sure there’s help, but it’s still up to you to find it, digest it, and make decisions based on what’s right for you and for your project.

So what is the most important part of a book proposal? Which section is most instrumental in swaying an agent or publisher? Which aspect of the book proposal will help the author experience publishing success? It depends. Not the answer you wanted, is it? But if you hang with me, you might discover the keys to your particular, specific, and personal publishing success.

First, the fact that you’re interested in writing a book proposal is an excellent step in the right direction. The book proposal is to an author what a business plan is to an entrepreneur. And it’s just as important. But you already know that. And there may be a section in your book proposal that is more critical or significant than the others, but it may not be the same for all authors and it might not even be what you think it is. Here’s a concept I want you to embrace.

If you are developing a book proposal for a publisher, keep in mind that he is most interested in his bottom line.

He wants you to demonstrate, through your proposal, the elements that might ensure the success of your book. He wants you to show him the money—or to show him where it’s going to come from. What makes your book a potential success? And don’t waste his time with your wishful thinking and guesstimations. This is where your power as the CEO of your book should be evident through stringent research, accurate statistics, and smart decisions. You need to make a case for your book in a way that will be meaningful to that particular publisher.

For example, if this is the first book of its kind and you can prove that it is wanted/needed by a specific group of people, you may get his attention through the market analysis section of your book proposal. That might be the strongest section of your proposal.

Perhaps you are a professional in the topic of your book—you have a huge following both through social media and personally throughout the US (or world). Then your platform will be the standout in your book proposal. Just be sure to embellish it with a concrete promotional plan—don’t leave anything to the publisher’s imagination.

If you’re a first-time novelist, the focus may be in the storyline. You need to strut your stuff in the synopsis, but I’d urge you to also do a whole lot of homework when it comes to marketing. Since you don’t have a built-in audience who knows you as an author, it’s important that you wow the publisher with your knowledge of the publishing industry and what it takes to market a book. Again, be specific—no rambling about promotional possibilities. Research the best way to market a book in your genre, hone your skills in these areas, even practice these skills before completing your book proposal and bring the results to the table when you approach the publisher.

I always recommend that an author write a book proposal before writing the book. If you don’t plan to approach a publisher, that’s even more reason to devise a book proposal. Remember, you are the CEO of your book. The book proposal will help you to determine if you have a book at all, who the primary and secondary audiences are, the best way to market a book of this type and some of the things you need to do to prepare. And it will help you to write the right book for the right audience.

Do you want your book to go viral in the world of publishing? Then take charge. You are the only one who can make it happen.

Patricia Fry is the author of 53 books, several of them are for authors. Her latest book, touted as “valuable,” “a must read,” and “substantial,” is Propose Your Book, How to Craft Persuasive Proposals for Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s Books (Allworth Press). This book features chapters specifically for memoirists, novelists and authors of self-help, travel, cookbooks, how-tos and more.

http://www.amazon.com/Propose-Your-Book-Persuasive-Nonfiction/dp/1621534677

Learn more about Patricia here: www.matilijapress.com and www.patriciafry.com.