Blogger: Mary Keeley
Writers communicate volumes of information between the lines and paragraphs, in what is there and in what is missing in their proposals. Today, I’ll let you in on some of the first things agents and editors notice.…
Book Proposals
Benefits for Your Readers
With the exception of novelists who learn about their characters and the storyline as they unfold in draft stage, most writers have a well-developed concept for their book before you sit down to write. At this stage you’re at least …
The Psychology of Submission Timing
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Recently I found myself explaining to a client that I am in a bit of a press to get submissions out. “I feel like I only have six good weeks until every publisher sort of mentally shuts …
Is your project ready to submit?
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Recently I received two queries that I thought held promise. So I asked to see the proposals and first chapters. On close inspection, I found both projects weren’t ready to be submitted. As I list the …
Book Proposals Mean Business
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Last week I blogged on three criteria agents use to assess your readiness for representation (here). Today let’s focus on what goes into the first of these: your proposal. The following tips will be …
What Makes You and Your Proposal Impressive?
Blogger: Mary Keeley
The fact there is more competition for fewer publishing slots makes the goal of getting your book published by a traditional publisher more challenging. So let’s address that elephant in the room right off the bat. My …
Word Count Confusion
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Did you know that every little detail you include–or leave out–in your book proposal reveals something about you? That’s why we stress on this blog that you need to put as much effort into preparing it as …
3 flaws in your query that shout “beginner”
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Few experiences are more instructive about what-not-to-do in your writing than working your way through the queries and proposals editors or agents receive. I can’t make my stack of reading available to you, but I can …
Competing for Readers
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
One of the parts of the proposal that often stymies writers is the competitive analysis section. That’s where the writer is asked to tell what books are similar to his, while highlighting why his offers a different …
How Novella Collections are Formed
Blogger: Rachel Kent
This month, my client Regina Jennings has a novella releasing in A Match Made in Texas with Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox and Mary Connealy. I’ve only read Regina’s story so far, but I’m excited to read the …