How to Write a Book Proposal : Writing Cover Letters

[NovaScotiaChick]

SYNOPSIS: The full story in short with the main plot, three main characters, INCLUDING the end (it is NOT the jacket blurb!) Agents look for an original idea that's been turned into a great story. It must be written in a lively manner and people recommend you leave adverbs and adjectives out (how to keep it lively then is a riddle to me! LOL) The # of recommended pages varies. If you can do it on one, great, but it could also be three.

Extract synopsis from outlined chapters as adviced here.

[NovaScotiaChick]

I've read and heard (from other writers) that these days very few agents or publishers will consider unsolicited work, i.e. unless you've contacted them beforehand, telling them about your idea, they will not look at it.

Some agents/editors will only look at a synopsis first, and others might ask for a synopsis + sample chapters, and of course the cover letter as suggested in this clip is necessary.

There is detailed advice online how to write a synopsis. It is not easy.

[scottybroker]

Dear Sir: You're an extremely knowledgeable, helpful and most encouraging sage. Your passion 'sells' your craft. This is how all vocations are passed on. I am steering my Aunt Dot to your clips. She's an aspiring writer. i think she would especially appreciate your clips, too.

Thanks to you expertvillage for your approriate selections!!

scottybroker1

[aussiness74]

interesting how these two have appeared recently, I've still not heard a word from you about your so called publishing of books, Penguin - Magnet Books -Virgin Publishing -McMillion Publishing comp (USA) and several agents I contacted have never heard of you and would never consider this good advice...sorry

[Jessecraft1954]

Thank you. I am writing a book now and in the rough draft stage. It's been something I wanted to do for years and I am having a great time writing it. Thanks for your video. Very helpful!

[onourheads]

Thank you for your great videos. Very helpful! A great contribution to the newbies! God bless you! Deborah from KY

[aussiness74]

i'v noticed you haven't actually replied to anyone so far at least not in this public forum, why? I still ask you to prove your credentials, you've been published by which publishing company?

I've yet to hear of one single writer that has done what you have done and succeeded.

[BirdOfParadise777]

I thought that I would take ONE more chance on this EV and maybe this would be close to some REAL and CORRECT advice. I can see by the comments below that this is the same "non-expert" giving the same "non-expert" advice. Well, on second thought...

If I do take your advice...

It would be, look through the comments for people who know about publishing a book and CONTACT THEM for the "genre I need help with, like facts and honesty! Then I would be closer to the right path. I'll do just that!

[aussiness74]

I have to say i too find your advice questionable, unsolicited mail especially to publishers is a huge nono. As for taking addresses off books...really? You're stating here you took about 10 books and got 3 replies??? 2 interested and one was a yes???

You are either an exceptional writer and first time one at that as you didn't have an agent or publisher, or I will ask you to prove you got a deal because i don't believe it, sorry, publishing doesn't work like that.

[StyXauraelixir]

Sorry for the double post but you should check out the 'writer and artists yearbook'.

A note on the video:

I found these hints really helpful but at the same time a lot of publishers don't want to have to sift through chapter synopsis, table of contents etc. The type of paper doesn't matter. Don't bind it, just remember to number pages.

A cover letter, a general synopsis and three starting chapters should be enough to sell your writing. If not then you need to go back to the drawing board.

[StyXauraelixir]

futurediva222: Wrong.

If you do your homework then you'll see that on the publishers website or publishing journals the publishers will state whether or not they accept unsolicited manuscripts (Proposals sent by author, not agent).

My advice is this>

1)-collect and compile a list of publishers and/or imprint publishers that accept your genre.

2)-Ring the publishing house itself and speak to a receptionist to see if they accept proposals or not.

3)-Find out name of person you are sending it to

[PlaneVFootball]

Lol dont ever send us anything again Lol !

[futurediva222]

Uh, excuse me, but when was this video aired?? Your suppose to send query letters out to LITERARY AGENTS. If they like your concept they contact you and ask for some chapters. Then, if they have faith in your work, they represent you as you polish work and the literary agent tries to sell to the publisher. Publishing companies will not accept WRITIING PROPOSALS that are sent to them if it's not be the agent. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!!

[TYPEArchANGEL]

Interesting...