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THE ELEMENTS OF A BOOK PROPOSAL
The elements of a book proposal all have to be included in what is a marketing piece that will convince the recipient that your book is marketable. You will need a book proposal even if you have the entire book written. To write a book proposal, start with an overview describing the book, why it fills a…
Read MoreWHAT TYPE OF FREELANCE EDITOR DO I NEED?
Hoping to get your book published? You may need to hire a freelance editor to help you achieve your goal. There are two types of freelance editors, and each has different credentials and skills. If you are wondering, “What type of freelance editor do I need?” read on.
First, recognize that if you get a book deal with a traditional publisher, your editor will do a moderate to minimal amount of editing of your completed manuscript. You don’t have to worry too much about copyediting, also known as light line editing, because the publisher will have in-house or freelance copyeditors who do that work.
HOW TO CREATE A COMPARATIVE BOOKS LIST THAT WILL GET YOU A BOOK DEAL!
The comparative books list is a crucial element in a successful book proposal. It is your best tool for convincing an agent or an in-house acquisitions editor that your book will stand out in the marketplace and add something new while appealing to an established book-buying audience. How do I know this? Because when I was an in-house editorial assistant at HarperCollins Publishers many years ago, it was my job to check out the comparative books lists in book proposals my boss was considering to see if there was any way to strengthen them, which would make it easier for us to convince the rest of the book publishing team that the book would make money for us and be right for our list. I know how to create a comparative books list that will get you a book deal because I’ve done it many times.
Read More7 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HIRING A FREELANCE EDITOR FOR YOUR BOOK
Not all freelance editors do the same type of work. If you are looking to hire an editor for your book, know there are seven common myths about hiring a freelance editor for your book and what editors do. Let me bust those myths for you! MYTH #1: Any editor can help you with any type of…
Read MoreWrite a Transformational Nonfiction Book That Solves an Urgent Problem
Why should someone buy your transformational nonfiction book? Because you’re going to solve an urgent problem of theirs. Back when I was an in-house editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons and HarperCollins, I used to evaluate book proposals (selling tools used to try to get editors like me to give authors book deals). . . .When you write a transformational nonfiction book that solves an urgent problem for readers, you’re promising readers information and strategies.
Read MoreBESTSELLING TITLES TO INSPIRE YOUR TITLE
e bestseller lists not just to see what books were selling but to get title ideas. There are some tricks to coming up with titles that will grab people’s attention and make them stay focused long enough to read the subtitle of your nonfiction book. Here are some examples of bestselling titles to inspire your title that I pulled from a bestselling business books list:
Read More3 WAYS TO ENERGIZE YOUR WRITING
Writing a memoir or nonfiction book but afraid you’re not a “real” writer with a broad enough vocabulary and an ability to create elegant metaphors? Banish that fear. I can offer you 3 ways to energize your writing to bring it up to the next level so that your book is compelling and your ideas and anecdotes come alive for your readers.
Read MoreBUILD YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM WITH SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
If you want to be seen as an expert on the topic of your book, you need to start thinking about how you will build your author platform with speaking engagements that help brand you even as you’re working out your ideas publicly and getting known.
Read MoreBRAND YOURSELF WITH A BOOK
Why should someone hire you as a coach or consultant, subscribe to your blog or newsletter, come to see you speak, or hire you as a speaker? Brand yourself with a book and you will expertise yourself. You will convey to potential clients, followers, and fans who you are and what your message and work is all about. Truly, you are unique. That allows you to create a brand for yourself that is different from every other brand.
Read MoreFIND A LITERARY AGENT WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU (AND YOUR BOOK): THREE TIPS
Most larger book publishers insist that you submit your book through a literary agent, although many smaller publishers do not. Agents are gatekeepers: They choose to represent only those books they feel have a decent chance of getting a book deal and an advance. When an in-house acquisitions editor receives a pitch from a literary…
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