Where is a good place to find advice on writing a book proposal?

Question

I've looked at several web sites and found several different ways to go about the job. Each site of course said theirs was the best way. My work is non-fiction, and looks at the inner workings of your average hospital from a male nurse perspective. It's funny, sad, interesting etc etc.

Answer 1

Hi there. Here's a very good query letter example you can use. Just change what needs changing to fit your book and run with it. Good luck!

*****

Dear Ms. Joneson:

I am writing to submit for your consideration my 90,000-word adult mainstream novel, GREAT LOVE LOST, in which fate pits two sisters against each other as they battle for the love of one dedicated physician fighting an epidemic no one realizes exists.-98 I have pasted the first 10 pages of chapter one in the body of this e-mail message as directed by your Web site guidelines.

GREAT LOVE LOST is the story of two sisters in love with the same man who don’t realize it until a fateful encounter at a mortuary. The ensuing chaos drives one sister, Jess, to attempt suicide, and the other, Lia, to join the Peace Corps. Fate strikes again as the man, a doctor, is sent to a conference on SARS in China, where Lia is stationed, and their passion is rekindled. However, their love is once again challenged when a threatening letter from Jess arrives, and Lia contracts SARS shortly thereafter.

My previous publishing credits include: LIES, MORE LIES, THEN SOME CHEATING, a mainstream novel published in 2002 by Rose Heart Publishing, an imprint of Lemon Slice Books; LOVE IN SUMMER, another mainstream novel, and its sequel, LOVE IN WINTER, published in 1999 and 2001, respectively, by Doubledog Press; and finally, LOVE TO LOVE YOU, another mainstream novel that will be released in 2007 from Major Publisher Press.

I appreciate the opportunity to have you review my novel, GREAT LOVE LOST, for possible representation. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

(Signature line)

*****

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

(For a FREE copy of my four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at [e-mail]).

Blackgloom @ Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144516

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

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Answer 2

I second the writer's market.

But I think you need to really consider what your book is about and where it would sit. Becuase it's about your personal experiences as a nurse at a hospital, it sounds more or less like a memoir, which is handled a little differently than straight non-fiction. The big diffie? Memoirs generally have to be finished before pitching to an agent, becuase they read like a novel. Research more on memoirs if that's how you want to write it (Basically, is it a narrative piece? That would help you decide.)

If its a memoir you dont do a proposal. If its straight non-fiction-- more factual than anecdotal, than you'd do the non-fiction proposal.

Answer 3

Go to the library and look at their copy of the Writer's Market. It's probably in the reference section. Every year there are several articles on writing as a business; there are usually articles on both book proposals and pitch letters.

Answer 4

The Writer's Guide

Answer 5

Miss Snark (http://[e-mail])
Agentquery.com
Predators and Editors
The Rejector