To sell your nonfiction book to a traditional publisher, you need a powerful, professional nonfiction book proposal. This comprehensive guide by veteran literary agent Andy Ross shows writers exactly how to create a winning book proposal that attracts agents, editors, and major publishing houses.
In this essential how-to book for nonfiction authors, Ross breaks down every component of a successful proposal, including:
- How to craft a clear, compelling book overview
- How to prove the market demand for your nonfiction topic
- How to demonstrate your author platform, credentials, and expertise
- How to identify and describe your target audience
- How to write effective competitive title analysis
- How to develop a strong marketing and promotion plan
- How to structure chapter summaries and a polished sample chapter
Perfect for aspiring authors, subject-matter experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, this guide explains exactly what agents and publishers look for in a nonfiction proposal-and how to stand out in today's competitive publishing landscape.
If you want to publish your nonfiction book with a traditional publisher, this book gives you the insider tools, templates, and strategies you need to write a professional, persuasive book proposal that gets attention and gets results.
" When I was writing my book proposal, Andy's input took it to the next level. Publishers loved the proposal. We had multiple offers. The book was acquired by Yale University Press in 2014." --David Sedlak, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California.
"Andy Ross is a rare treasure, an agent who loves writers and works on our behalf. Crafting proposals under his tutelage has been a pleasure. He encourages me to best express what is most important to get across to prospective editors." --Michele Anna Jordan. Winner of the James Beard Award, Author of Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings, Harvard Common Press, 2013.
Ross, Andy: - Andy Ross opened his literary agency in 2008. Prior to that, he was the owner of the legendary Cody's Books in Berkeley for 30 years. His agency represents books in a wide range of non-fiction genres including: narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, popular culture, memoir, and current events. He also represents literary, commercial, historical, and upmarket women's fiction, and YA and middle grade fiction. For non-fiction Andy looks for writing with a strong voice, robust story arc, and books that tell a big story about culture and society by authors with the authority to write about their subject. In fiction, he likes character and voice-driven stories about real people in the real world. Sorry. No zombies at the prom, thank you very much.Andy has participated and taught classes in numerous writers' conferences including San Francisco Writers Conference, Kauai Writers Conference, San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference, Nebraska Writers Conference, and more. He has organized and conducted writing intensive workshops with Linda Watanabe McFerrin in Santa Fe, Provence, Kauai and in Scotland. Andy is the author of The Literary Agent's Guide to Writing a Non-Fiction Book ProposalAuthors Andy represents include: Daniel Ellsberg, Fritjof Capra, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Susan Griffin, Leonard Shlain, Gwen Strauss, Linda Watanabe McFerrin, Anjanette Delgado, Mark Goldblatt, Tawni Waters, Randall Platt, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Mary Jo McConahay, Gerald Nachman, Michael Parenti, Paul Krassner, Milton Viorst, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Michele Anna Jordan, and Scott Ostler. Check out Andy's website.. Website: www.andyrossagency.com
