1. Get the look. If you want people to take you seriously, you’ve got to present yourself in a serious way. When making your submissions to agents and editors, skip the bright-colored paper, the “clever” query letter intros (editors get sick of them fast), the thumbnail image of your face on the manuscript. Just be brief, straightforward, and businesslike. Also, follow industry standard formatting and have your work proofread. Interestingly enough, it’s often the veteran writers who are more inclined to appreciate proofreading than the newbies—but that’s probably why they earn veteran status to begin with.

2. Write to the right people. The first mistake of making submissions is taking the “blanket” approach: wallpapering the whole country with your query and cover letters. A few well-placed and specific queries truly mean much more than 50 that are almost well-placed. Queries that are almost well-targeted will almost get you published. Do the research (or hire someone who will) to make your submissions matter. (NOTE: We’ve found that writers who take this seriously tend to be more successful. Submitting selectively is a sign of a writer who knows what she or he is about. Selective writers put so much love into their manuscripts that they won’t submit to just anyone. Selectiveness is a very good sign because it demonstrates the right attitude for success.)

3. Be the tortoise, not the hare. Make submissions part of your writing habit. Submitting your work in dribbles and drabs is NOT a strategy; it’s a crapshoot. Sustainable and steady wins the race. To a certain extent, submissions are a numbers game. When you submit more regularly, it’s likely you’ll get published more often and more regularly. And the more you build up your bio, the more likely you’ll be well-received. Don’t give up on a story just because twenty places rejected it. Plan to submit to at least 100 markets. AND create a schedule to lock yourself into making submissions. When you create a calendar for your submissions (and deadlines for your writing so that you can make submissions) you will see your publication rate increase.

4. Organization is your friend. Some people are naturally well-organized but others are not. To truly make the most of your submissions, you need to keep track of who read what, who liked what (and why), who rejected what (and why), who wants to see more work from you, and who acquired what rights. It is a TON of work (that’s why Writer’s Relief takes on this burden for our clients). When the acceptance letters start coming in, you’ll thank yourself for the extra effort.

5. Chin up! Last but not least, work to maintain a good attitude. Negative thinking, getting glum about rejections, and believing yourself less than worthy... It’s easy to fall into those traps. Positive thinking takes real work when you’re getting bombarded by rejections (and you WILL get bombarded—it’s part of the process). Start looking at your rejection letters as proof of your dedication, devotion, and all-around awesomeness. Attitude is often the only difference between a nobody and a rising star. Every rejection brings you closer to acceptance, so submit regularly and chip away at those numbers. If you’d like to stay positive and motivated, we’re willing to give you a free E-book, Rejoice in Rejection (details here). We know it will help!

If you’re not able to develop a submission strategy on your own, or you just don’t have the time and patience for it, do yourself a real favor and check out Writer’s Relief. We can take on as much or as little of the submission process as you like so that you can focus on what you love: writing.

At Writer’s Relief it’s our business to work with our clients to develop a submission strategy that 1) keeps them focused on writing, 2) eases the stress and frustration of the submission process, 3) circulates manuscripts regularly (with no spamming) to generate interest, and 4) targets the BEST literary agents and editors (those most likely to enjoy the writing in question).

For more tips on making strong submissions, visit:

How To Write Cover and Query Letters That Get Attention 

Why Length Matters When Submitting Your Stories And Poems For Publication

How To Build Up Your Writing Bio Super Fast

Seven Techniques You Must Know To Make Editors Notice Your Poetry

We at Writer’s Relief believe there’s no substitute for patience when it comes to creative writing. But if you want to build your writing credentials quickly, here are some ways to improve your professional writing bio AND your writing skills.

Please note: It goes without saying that you should only use these strategies if you can implement them with honesty and true dedication to your craft. Agents and editors can and will see through superficiality. In other words, when it comes to your devotion to writing, good technique is better than lip service. Also, there's no substitute for good old-fashioned publication credits at literary journals, independent presses, and large publishing houses (we help our clients build their bios regularly with reputable publishers). But when you're in a pinch, it's our opinion that demonstrating an authentic commitment to craft and to the writing community can work in your favor.

Develop a good submission strategy. When you’re sending work out into the world, you’re creating opportunities for yourself. When you’re not sending out your writing, you’re not making opportunities for yourself. You’ve got to knock on doors if you want them to open. So develop a good submission strategy and you’ll see results. Writer’s Relief’s A La Carte service can get your work into the right hands within just a few short days. Check it out!

Join a well-known writing organization. Are you writing romance? Join Romance Writers of America. Are you into high-end literary works? Check out the Association of Writing Programs. You will probably need to spend some money to join these organizations, but the benefits are endless. First, you’ll get to put their well-known name on your cover or query letter. Second, you’ll get access to lots of great resources and you’ll score great networking opportunities. And third, you’ll show the agent or editor of your dreams that you’re committed to and serious about your writing—whether you’ve published anything or not! The credentials in your writing bio will be much improved—stronger and more impressive. 

Join a little-known writing organization. Writers all over the country are conducting workshops, and they may be meeting in your area. By being able to write “I attend a weekly writing workshop meeting,” you show that you’re resourceful and diligent. Not only that, your writing technique will benefit greatly, and you may meet other like-minded writers and make friends! Many times these types of meetings are free. You can find them by looking into various social-networking sites online; just be sure to take all necessary precautions to stay safe.

Volunteer. If you love writing or reading, it’s important to pass that love on. By volunteering for the spring cleanup at your local library—or by devoting your time to other worthy endeavors—you demonstrate that you care deeply about literacy. It may be brutal, but it's honest: Editors and agents like to see writers who truly have hearts of gold!

Take classes. Even if you don’t have many (or any) publishing credentials, taking a class at your local community college or online establishes your dedication to being a professional writer. It will help your technique and your reputation. Editors and agents like to see writers who are diligently committed to their craft. Being able to write, “I took a class at the University of XYZ” may strike a chord with agents and editors, who are familiar with many writing programs. If you can’t get to a school, check out online classes at www.ed2go.com or www.gothamwriters.com.

Go to a writing conference. If your budget permits, attend a writing conference. Not only will you learn and network, you’ll also be able to write that you attended said conference in your bio. The idea is, a writing conference is like a party—everyone who’s anyone will be there. If an agent or editor recognizes the name of the conference (maybe he or she attended or perhaps just knew a colleague who did) that may tip the scales in your favor.

These are just a few ways you can quickly improve, expand, or develop the biographical section of your cover or query letter. You may not have great publishing credits—maybe you’ve never published anything—but by proving that you care about your work and your craft, you demonstrate that you are reputable, dependable, and devoted. Good luck!

You’ve been writing. Now what? If you are confused about what your next step should be, here is a great opportunity to take a giant leap forward in your writing career. We’re offering to share what we’ve learned about publishing in the creative writing industry. Take a look at the services we list below, and call us to discuss whether you and your writing are ready.

You already receive one of our useful tools for writers, so you know our FREE Writers’ Newsflash contains lots of articles that help you hone your craft as a writer.

Here is an outline of other services and tools available to you:

Our Blog (also FREE) is an amazing source of information for writers in all genres. You may search on topics such as how to write a query letter, how to choose a literary agent, where to submit children’s books, submitting poetry to the best markets, choosing point of view, why length matters for short stories, grammar and punctuation rules, etc.

$100: A La Carte Service—Get started right away! This is a more do-it-yourself service, with Writer’s Relief targeting markets and guiding you through the process. You’ll get 25+ submissions out into the world within three days. This service is simple, quick, and affordable. We provide the best market research available to creative writers. Info about our A La Carte Service may be found at http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Our-A-La-Carte-Service.aspx.

$200 - $250: A La Carte PLUS Service—Everything that’s fast and affordable about our regular A La Carte Service, with the time-saving bonus of full-service cover/query letter preparation. We will target the best markets for your work, prepare mailing labels, and create 25 to 30 personalized, professional cover/query letters. More information may be found at http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Want-Us-To-Create-Your-CoverQuery-Letters.aspx.

$339 - $399: Full Service—Our most inclusive level of service. Your work must be presented and accepted by our Review Board. We do not accept all authors. If you don’t have time to take care of all the tasks required to get your submissions in the mail, this service is for you. We’ll create cover letters, target and track submissions, research guidelines, assign you a personal submission strategist, etc. Everything you need to develop a high-level submission strategy is included. http://www.WritersReliefblog.com/post/Submission-Guidelines-For-Full-Service-Clients.aspx

Included with ALL services:

** Targeting 25+ literary venues that specialize in YOUR type of writing. (Your work will be targeted to the most appropriate markets based on the topics, word count, etc., of the particular piece [or group of poems] you’re submitting.)

** An online database that lists all your submissions. As an A La Carte client, you’ll have access to your submission list 24 hours a day for 30 days.

Our A La Carte Service, A La Carte PLUS Service, or our Full Service? Choose the one that works best for you and suits your budget. All services include targeting your work to the best markets. Go to this link to see which level of service is best for you: http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Three-Levels-Of-Service.aspx.

We invite you to give us a call for a FREE consultation with one of our submission strategists. Meg, Kriste, or Lisa will be happy to discuss your needs. Call us toll-free at (866) 405-3003 between the hours of 8:30 – 2:30 Eastern time if you need help deciding which service is best for you.

If your dream is to land a publishing contract with Random House and see your book in stores across the country, we recommend that you consider building your publication credits by submitting shorter pieces to journals and magazines.

Some folks believe that it’s not important to have published any short works before approaching an agent. If you’ve written a fantastic book that can stand on its own, you may well be able to find an agent without any publication credentials at all. But getting shorter pieces published before querying an agent is a strategy that gets your foot in the door, and based on our experiences in preparing submissions since 1994, writers who can boast publication of shorter works tend to have an easier time getting agent interest.

There are a number of reasons publishing your individual poems, essays, and short stories can help you get ahead.

1. Being published shows agents that you can manage submission deadlines and guidelines and that you are a serious writer with serious goals. You establish yourself as savvy and in-touch by being published in smaller markets, and you lay the groundwork for a career in lengthier fiction.

2. If editors like publishing your short works, it means they believe that their readers will enjoy your writing. When an agent sees that other people are getting excited about your writing, he or she will be more likely to want in on the action.

3. Having credentials in the small press market may help you get a leg up on the competition. Most agents are aware of how difficult it is to secure one single publishing credit. It may be enough to sway an agent into representing you. If an agent is offered two books of equal merit—with the only difference being that one author has a history of publishing short works and the other doesn’t—you can guess which book will get the contract.

4. Not only will publishing your shorter works make you a more interesting prospect, having those publications is emotionally rewarding. Acceptance letters from literary magazines go a long way toward keeping you motivated as you write your book. A short story can be written in less than a week, whereas the novel can take years. Keep your dream alive with smaller publications of short fiction.

5. Also, publishing in literary magazines might help you directly with getting an agent. A number of our clients have been approached by big New York agencies because an agent read a story in a literary magazine. Getting your work, your name, and your bio out there can get you noticed in the same way that a model might get noticed simply by hanging around at the hottest nightclubs. Add a blurb to your bio that you are “currently working on a novel,” and those who have enjoyed your work can be on the lookout for future projects.

6. Collections are especially difficult to place for writers who have not published any of the works within the collection. Because collections are generally not considered as lucrative as other book-length forms, agents and editors like to be assured of an author's potential for "popularity" by seeing some selections from the longer work published.  

At Writer’s Relief we help our clients build their portfolios as they work toward publishing a book. Some of our clients publish stand-alone works from within a larger book in order to show that their book is marketable. Others write stories that are entirely separate from their books.

There are literally thousands of journals and literary magazines out there, and it should not be an impossible task to find a home for one of your short stories or poems—provided your writing is strong and your submissions are targeted and professional. We have an up-to-date database containing detailed information on hundreds of nationwide publications, their editors, and their guidelines, and we’ve helped hundreds of writers reach their publication goals.

Here are some general tips for submission.

Research carefully. Find the perfect home for your work by submitting to magazines and journals that publish work like yours. Don’t waste your time (or an editor’s) by not doing your homework or blindly submitting to any old publication.

Start small and work your way up. Naturally, if you’re confident, feel free to go straight for the big guns, but most writers start with the smaller markets. You may have to forgo paying markets at this time in order to get your foot in the door.

Follow guidelines to the tee. If the magazine is looking for work under 4,000 words, do not submit 5,000 and hope that your work is good enough to be accepted despite the length or assume that the editor will be willing to cut it down to size for you. Pay attention to submission dates, submission formats, seasonal themes, the genre and style the magazine accepts, and any other rules they set forth. Follow them carefully.

Submit to the proper person. Again, do your homework and make sure you have the most current editor’s name for your submission. Details like this go a long way in impressing an editor and can increase your chance of being noticed.

Call Writer’s Relief (or e-mail us at info@wrelief.com) if you’d like us to help you build up your publication credits. We’ve helped writers fine-tune their personal submission strategies since 1994. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

In a previous issue we talked about the query letter and its components. Now let's look at the business aspects of your query and focus on marketability.

Every day agents and editors receive countless queries and unsolicited manuscripts. As they sift through the backlog, they are looking for one thing and one thing only: work that will sell. Publishing is an industry, and if the editor can't get a clear idea of what kind of work you are submitting, he or she can't tell if it is marketable. It's your job as the author to present this information up front in your query letter.

Visualize your work as a commodity. Suppose you approach a store and tell Mr. Jones, the owner, you have a brilliant new gadget that would sell well in his store—but you hem and haw and never quite make it clear to Mr. Jones what your product is or who might buy it. There's a long line of salesmen waiting outside to pitch their products, so the owner dismisses you, irritated that you have wasted his time.

Editors and agents are also pressed for time and looking to weed out work that they can't sell. One of their first criteria is genre, so it's important to make this clear right away. This is a 100,000-word historical fiction romance. Make sure you target your historical romance to an agent or editor who actually represents this genre.

Address the following when composing your query letter:

Fiction or nonfiction
It may seem obvious but clearly state what you're submitting.

Genre
Identify your genre right away. Horror, science fiction, romance, Western, chick lit, children's lit—if you don't know what genre your work is, keep reading.

Audience
Who will be buying this book? Women ages 25-40? Single fathers? Beginning readers? This is where you determine your target audience. Be specific and avoid sweeping generalizations like "This book will appeal to everyone who breathes oxygen!"

What makes my book different?
You don't want to approach an agent with a query that says, "I have written something just like Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale." Your book might appeal to the same readers who would purchase Atwood's book, but it must be unique in some way. Compare your book to a similar title that has sold well if you can, but don't expect to sell a Harry Potter knockoff unless you've found a truly original angle.

Marketing
Publishers have their own marketing departments, but you should do some brainstorming of your own. It's impressive to note that you're an expert in your field and have some valuable contacts who may help with visibility. Or you have an idea for a Valentine's Day tie-in and have some verbal agreements for book signings. Show the agent or editor that you've been thinking of your work as a commodity, and they will too.

If you're having trouble determining your work's genre, you'll need to start with some research. First, find other authors and books that are similar to yours. Then, either do a Google search or go to the largest chain bookstore in your area and hunt down those titles. If your book would fit in with the others on the shelf, you've found your genre. Check the back of the book too, as the genre is usually identified there.       

An editor will notice if you've done your research, and this lends you credibility and professionalism. This begins with targeting the agent or editor who is most likely to read your query. Read trade journals to narrow the field, and do your best to find the most current editor and the correct spelling of his or her name. If the editor does not publish horror, do not send horror. If you're not sure of the agent's gender, do not make assumptions. (Address your letter to the agent's full name to avoid any embarrassment.) And, above all, give the agent or editor exactly what he or she needs to make a decision. This alone will set your query apart from the others.

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, and contests. Find it by visiting:
http://www.writersreliefblog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx

When you send out a query letter, it has approximately two seconds to grab an editor's or agent's attention before being relegated to the Round File. Forget trying to "trick" someone into noticing your query by using bright-purple stationery or flashy fonts—instead, give the editor exactly what he or she wants: a concise, well-written synopsis of your work that shows you've done your research, both into what an editor/agent wants, and what the public will want.

Many writers rush through the process of writing the query, thinking that the focus should be on their manuscript, not their introductory letter, but editors and agents do not have the time to evaluate manuscripts individually. Your query letter must be convincing on its own, both in its ideas and the quality of the writing. Any number of mistakes can get your query passed over, and although it may seem unfair to be judged on a one-page letter, that's the nature of the business.

A query letter is what a writer sends to an agent or a fiction editor in the hopes of having the entire manuscript requested. It is a one-page, self-contained introduction that says, in essence, I have a unique book (short story/poem) I'd like you to read. If you are intrigued by my query letter, I have enclosed a synopsis and sample chapters (or the short story/poems).

The concept is much the same for nonfiction books, except that the work does not have to be completed. The query letter is a polite introduction to your proposed nonfiction work, with the hope that the editor will be intrigued and request a proposal. I have outlined a book on home-schooling, and here is why I believe it will sell.

There is no magic formula to help sell your ideas. The most writers can do is to educate themselves on the art of the query—by keeping current on industry guidelines, studying successful query letters, heeding the advice of editors and agents, and through practice.

There are four necessary parts to a query letter, and it's up to you to decide how to effectively order them. Writers with impressive backgrounds, publishing credits, or expertise in their subject matter may choose to highlight their credentials first thing. An unpublished writer may choose to wow the editor with the premise of his story right up front. The important thing is to cover all the important points:

1) The "hook"

This is where you "hook" the editor or agent. Describe the general concept of your work, or use a personal tie-in to show you either have done your research or have a commonality with the agent or editor you're approaching. One or two lines should do.

In 1642 a volcano wiped out an entire village in Malaysia. This is the story of the two lone survivors.

Or: We met recently at the Oakdale Writer's Conference, where you mentioned that you were interested in Civil War material. My book, Civil War Tales, takes a brand-new look at the battle at Gettysburg.

At this early stage an agent will likely make the decision to read further based on genre alone. Make it clear what you are offering, and define your work in terms of genre and length and perhaps the reason you wrote the book (if there's an interesting story behind it).

My book falls into the women's fiction category and was inspired by a family member who struggled with bulimia.

Or: My book is a science fiction novel based on my experience in DNA research and is complete at 150,000 words.

2) The overview

This is where you describe the plot of your story. Keep it to one paragraph, and give just enough information to describe the general plot, the setting, central characters, the conflict, and the resolution. Be specific. Your plot paragraph should include the time frame of your novel as well as the location or setting.

This novel takes place in rural Georgia in the 1960s—a time of strife and racial tension.

Introduce your main characters, but leave the minor characters for your synopsis. At this point you want to avoid slowing the editor or agent down with any unnecessary information. Keep it interesting and keep it moving.

3) Your credentials

This is an easy task for previously published authors and experts but a daunting task for the unpublished writer. Whether you've got a string of best-sellers behind you or this is your first writing endeavor, make sure you come across as confident (but not arrogant). If your query letter is good, your lack of experience need not count against you.

Highlight any publishing credentials (no vanity presses!), writing experience, and education.

I've published numerous short stories in Literary Magazine and have a degree in journalism from Impressive College.

Or: This book is based on my findings while on an archaeological dig in Africa for Stanford University, where I currently teach archaeology.

If your background experience has no bearing on the subject, leave it out. However, if your writing credentials are not impressive, by all means highlight anything in your background that merits writing your book.

As a mother of a child with Down's syndrome, I feel uniquely qualified to write about the subject.

4) Thank you

In closing, be sure to thank the editor or agent for his or her time and offer to send sample chapters (if not enclosed) or the complete manuscript. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for convenience, and sit back and wait—or start working on your next submission.

Watch for a future post when we will tackle the issue of marketability when approaching editors and agents.

As with so many aspects of the writing world, formatting issues are a gray area, and writers struggle with the burning question: One space or two after closing punctuation?

When in doubt, creative writers often turn to the Chicago Manual of Style, whose official view is that there is no good reason to use two spaces after a period for work that is to be published. (Obviously, this rule does not apply to personal correspondence, notes, etc.)

In the days of typewriters, extra space was necessary to create a more defined space between sentences for the reader's eye. Typewriter fonts are monospaced, which means that all the letters take up the same amount of space, and most of us were taught in typing class to add that extra keystroke at the end of a sentence. But computerized fonts are proportionally spaced, and a single space is sufficient to provide a visible break. The exceptions are the fonts Courier and Monaco, which are monospaced, but it's probably best to switch to a font such as Times New Roman or Arial rather than using the double space.

So save yourself a keystroke; there's something to be said for efficiency.

So, I’m sitting here wondering why the query I sent out last week has yet to be answered. It took several months to compose that query, and another four weeks to track down a suitable agency to send it to. You could say that I have quite a lot invested in this query, and now I need answers as to why I’m being ignored.

Could it be something to do with the post office? I suppose it’s possible the neighborhood letter carrier ran into a shambling group of zombies. When he discovered he had only a banana and a toothpick with which to defend himself, my poor query probably fell to the wayside and became covered with banana goo. It’s also possible that a flock of great horned owls swooped down and mistook my query for nesting material—good taste on their part. Even supposing that the letter carrier avoided zombies, owls, and envelope-eating voodoo doctors, my query couldn’t have made it to the agency’s door, or I would have heard something by now.

Unlike the literary agency I queried, my writing group was lightning quick in responding to my complaint. They’re asking why it took so long to complete a single query and wondering why I only managed to send it to one agency. Are they negative or what? They don’t know what I’ve been facing this past year! For one thing, I had a disastrous accident on my scooter last December. Then my frontal lobotomy didn’t go quite as planned, and things started slipping my already slippery mind. Spent several unproductive months watching the Food Network and buying Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grills from the Home Shopping Network. Oh, and let’s not forget my tragic loss in the national 52-Card Pickup tournament in Vegas.

It’s been a rough year, but I hope to get more writing done, not to mention a few more queries submitted in the months ahead. It would be really cool to sell a story or two. If so, I could pay for a few of those Ultimate Grills sitting in my garage...if any literary agents are reading this, maybe we could work out a deal?

Many writers have found success writing for the nonfiction market. The beauty of this market is that your book doesn’t have to be written before you can sell it. (In fact, many claim that it’s downright foolish to invest time and effort in a book that hasn’t yet been sold.) Unlike fiction, you can break into the market armed with nothing more than a killer book proposal, and we’re here to help you go about it.

In general, the nonfiction book proposal is designed to give editors a well-organized, detailed sales pitch describing what your proposed book is about and how it will make money for the publishing company. An additional bonus is that writing the book proposal forces the author to organize and focus the project approach. The book itself may go through many changes depending on editorial input, but the proposal should follow a generally accepted format. We’ll break down the anatomy of a book proposal and then give you some general tips.

COMPONENTS:

Title Page

Include your name and contact information with an approximate word count and the proposed title of your work. Make sure your main title describes the subject matter of the book to aid in keyword searches, and don’t rely on subtitles to convey vital information—subtitles are often dropped in computerized listings and library databases. Consider this your working title, as publishers may elect to change it.

**Optional: Summary (also known as the Overview, Synopsis, or Executive Summary) - 1 page maximum

Begin with a very short description of your book’s basic premise. Whatever makes your book stand out should be highlighted in the first few sentences. This is the "hook," so make it interesting and unique; powerful yet concise. Capture the editor’s attention right off the bat, and make it clear what you’re selling. If the editor has to hunt around for the point of your book, he/she is likely to toss it aside and review the next proposal in the towering pile.

Chapter by Chapter Outline - 1 to 4 paragraphs per chapter

Create a dynamic outline by highlighting each chapter’s major points. Emphasize each chapter’s unique and/or important function in relation to the rest of the book. By the time the editor has read this outline, he or she should have a clear idea of the overall book.

The Market

This section should include information about the book’s intended audience and why the book addresses the needs of that particular audience. Make sure that your market is broad (as in "women ages 30-60" or "people who buy cars"), and provide as many demographics of your targeted audience as possible. Include observations about current trends that favor your book and highlight what makes your book unique.

Also include information about the competition. If there are other books out there on the same subject, yours had best offer a new or original take. Identify current books that are similar, and explain how yours fills a specific niche. If there are complementary books out there, show how your book can be positioned to the publisher’s advantage.

Give the editor or agency enough ammunition to sell your work to their review board.

Author Information

This is where you list your education, writing credentials, contacts, experience—anything that makes you uniquely qualified to write this book. If you don’t have a journalism degree or a list of publishing credits, highlight other things that show you have what it takes to tackle the subject. For instance, you may be a parent of a special-needs child, and, although you have never been published, your experience qualifies you to offer a unique perspective—assuming that your writing is up to par.

You will also need to outline your own promotional ideas and resources to help market the book. Include information about affiliations, contacts, or endorsements you may have lined up. Do you have a prominent person willing to write the foreword? Media contacts? Web sites, bookstore appearances, newsletters, and possible sequels or spin-off information should be included in this section. To use the example above, you may be a member of the Autism Society of America, and with the contacts you have made within that organization you can offer greater promotional opportunities.

Specifications

This is where you outline an approximate word count, the number of chapters, and an estimated completion time frame. If your book will contain a number of charts, photographs, or illustrations, say so. You may also describe the general format you envision. However, be prepared to be flexible when it comes to length and format—the publisher will have the final say.

Note: A full-length nonfiction book contains 9 to 15 chapters. Don’t submit an outline for a book that contains less than 9 chapters. Make sure you have enough material (and time) to fulfill this obligation before you propose it.

Table of Contents

Quite simply, this is a list of chapter titles to give the agent or editor an idea of what will be included in your book.

Sample Chapters

If you have already begun the writing process, send one or two completed chapters (Chapter 1 and 2 are preferable). Do not send chapters from the middle of the book.

OTHER TIPS

Your book proposal should be similar in style to your proposed book. In other words, if your book is meant to be humorous and lighthearted, make sure your proposal is written in the same style.

Make sure the proposal is edited and proofread within an inch of its life. Agents and editors admit to passing over potentially great ideas if they have to wade through a sea of errors and typos and coffee stains.

Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for responses. Your material will be recycled.

When formatting, we recommend using a 12-point, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial, with one-inch margins all around, and left justification.

We love educating writers about ever-changing industry standards. Let us know if we can help you with any or all elements of putting together a stellar book proposal.

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, and contests. Find it by visiting:
http://www.writersreliefblog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx