Home » Audio courses on the Art of Writing
Category Archives: Audio courses on the Art of Writing
Elements of a Good Book Proposal
If you are a lot like me, you struggle with preparing a book proposal.
Writers usually prepare book proposals when soliciting to publishers. And preparing one can be a nightmare, especially if you don’t know where to start. I was in this position a week ago … totally lost and not knowing where to begin.
Now, I can say with confidence that I feel comfortable putting a book proposal together. I’ll be honest, it is a daunting task because it takes quite a while to put one together. When I finished my proposal, I wanted to just send it because I was sick of looking at it. But I let the proposal sit a day or two then I proofed it. Glad I did. So, be prepared. Preparing your proposal will take a while, so don’t be in a hurry. And once you’re done, please do yourself a favor and proof it line-by-line.
If you are thinking about preparing a book proposal, or you don’t have the slightest idea of how to go about putting one together, please, please consider taking this class. The cost is $10.00. That’s right–$10.00. And the class is worth so much more. It is AUDIO and you don’t actually get to interact with the instructor. You can, however, start and stop it as many times as you like until you finish it. It is presented by Steve Laube of The Steve Laube Agency.
Before you take the class, make sure you have pencil and paper handy, because Steve will share a wealth of information with you.
I’ve listed the web page below.
https://learn.christianwritersinstitute.com/p/the-elements-of-an-effective-book-proposal
Good luck.
Happy Writing.
Donna B. Comeaux
NOTE: There is a proposal form on the site. I’VE INCLUDED THE FORM HERE ON MY BLOG for easy reference. JUST SCROLL THROUGH my blog pages UNTIL YOU SEE A PAGE titled “Elements of a Good Book Proposal (Form).”
Need to Write that Book Proposal?
Writing a book proposal is a daunting task. I’ve been at it all day long, trying to polish it so that I can send it out with my cover letter for my new book. I won’t lie to you. This part of the business is like a dental appointment. You know it’s coming up, but the closer you get to the day the more tempted you are to pick up the phone and cancel the appointment, or in my case, reschedule.
I think the same way most of you do. Why can’t someone just see my book, pick it up, and buy it? Oh, I’m not being naive. No, sir-ree! I’m being lazy.
Since I don’t claim to have a lazy bone in my body, I’m making a checklist, and guys, I’m definitely checking it twice. Why? Because this puppy isn’t a piece of cake. Every publishing company wants something a little bit different from the next one.
So, let me be the first to say: PAY ATTENTION TO THE GUIDELINES.
At any rate, I wanted each of you to know that I’ve taken an online class by Steve Laube. The class was $10.00. Believe me when I say that it was worth every dime I paid for it. Should I say that again? It was worth every single dime I paid for it. Okay, pay attention: If you take the course, make sure you have pen and paper handy. My note-taking was enormous. There is a wealth of information on this video (I keep saying video, but it was audio. Sorry. My mistake.)
If you’re wondering why you are receiving rejections, take this class and see if it will answer your questions. I’m confident it will. A good proposal won’t guarantee you anything but a read by the agent/editor, and probably a partial one, at that. Only good books and good writing win the prize. So, do like I’m doing and get back to work and polish your masterpiece.
I’m laughing at myself because as I write this I’m working on fumes. I think I’ve only slept fourteen hours in the last three days. I was hard at work on my latest novel. But it all paid off. It’s now in the hands of the editor. So, instead of going crazy worrying about the errors she’ll find, I decided to work on my book proposal. Man! I should have taken an aspirin and gone to bed. Bum!
If you’re so inclined, share your stories with us about your journey toward publishing. And if you have any tidbits of information that we can all use, please share those, too.
Below is the website to the Steve Laube course.
https://learn.christianwritersinstitute.com/courses/92673/lectures/6037016
Good luck everyone.
Happy writing!
Donna