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3. Resume – Should include your writing credits, published works, articles, awards, etc.
Non Fiction
When proposing a non fiction book to an editor, you do not need to have a finished work. Instead, you should have a proposal, a table of contents, a short writing sample and a resume. This information, in addition to your credentials and ability to contribute a new perspective or information to
existing market will be sufficient for an editor to evaluate your work.
1. Proposal – Identify a question or problem and how you intend to provide answer or solution. According to Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato, authors of Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction -- and Get It Published, editors require answers to following 5 questions:
1.What is this book about? 2.What’s new here? 3.Why are you person to write this book? 4.Why is now time to publish this book? 5.What is core audience you are writing this book for, and why will that audience find what you have to say a "must read?
Rabiner and Fortunato do not recommend you include these questions in your proposal, but rather, they recommend you incorporate them into letter’s text. This is important to demonstrate your ability to communicate in text rather than Q&A or outline form.
2.Table of Contents – Proposed structure of book, which may be topographical or chronological. Include title for each chapter and in one or two paragraphs, summarize chapter’s contents
3.Writing Sample – Will demonstrate your skill level and voice. It must be appropriate for type of book you intend to write. A humorous antidotal tone may not be appropriate for a book on cancer research whereas a dry, matter of fact tone may not be appropriate for a book on craft projects for kids. The best way to know appropriate voice is to read current books on market.
4.Resume – You must establish yourself as an expert on your subject, so include any and all relevant information, including: your occupation, your lifestyle, your life experiences, education, organizations, awards, publicity, etc. Don’t forget to include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) if you want your materials returned.
Now, finally, you can get back to business of writing, and wait for money to come rolling in.
BUZZZZ
Resources
Rabiner, Susan, Fortunato, Alfred: Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction -- and Get It Published, 2002, Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc. New York, NY
Author Unknown: Publishers' Submission Guidelines, Retrieved 2004, http://www.authorlink.com/aguide.html
© Copyright 2004 Lisa Hood. All rights reserved.
Lisa Hood is author of "Shades of Betrayal" and “Shades of Revenge”. She has been writing for over 10 years and is presently working on her third suspense novel, “Shades of Jealousy.” Other articles by Lisa Hood can be found at http://wwww.BOOKJOBBER.com. http://BOOKJOBBER.com is an Internet based company, which publishes and sells fiction and non fiction e-books.
Lisa Hood is the author of "Shades of Betrayal" and “Shades of Revenge”. She has been writing for over 10 years and is presently working on her third suspense novel, “Shades of Jealousy.” Other articles by Lisa Hood can be found at http://BOOKJOBBER.com. http://BOOKJOBBER.com is an Internet based company, which publishes and sells fiction and non fiction e-books.
