The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal

Average customer rating:

Best concise guide on writing a nonfiction book proposal

Our recommendation for authors

Straightforward Advice for Would-Be Book Authors

A Springboard for Success

Handy format and length, sound advice

The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal
Stephen Blake Mettee
Manufacturer: Quill Driver Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authorship | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books
Nonfiction | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Finance | Accounting & Finance | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write (Revised and Updated)

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition

How to Write a Book Proposal

Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get It Published

Book Proposals That Sell

ASIN: 188495622X

Amazon.com

According to Stephen Mettee, a book proposal, like a woman's skirt, should be "short enough to be interesting, but long enough to cover the subject." The same could be said for a book about writing such a proposal. Mettee's Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal, checks in at a mere 113 pages. A book proposal is a 10-page to 50-page document consisting of a synopsis, a table of contents, a chapter-by-chapter outline, a few sample chapters, and supporting material. Mettee provides simple descriptions of each, as well as a sample query letter, a book proposal, and a contract, and he includes cartoons reprinted from The New Yorker. Since Mettee's a publisher himself (at Quill Driver Books), one feels confident following his lead when he recommends sending the proposal along with the query (giving the editor one less chance to say "no") and making multiple submissions (even to publishers that claim not to accept them). But by all means, the proposal is not the place to bring up the subject of money, draw attention to the fact that you're unpublished, beg, mention copyrighting, fawn, or disclose that your mother loves the book. --Jane Steinberg

Book Description

The hard, cold fact about getting a book published is that without something close to divine intervention an author is going to have to write a sales piece, called a book proposal, that will attract the attention of an editor or an agent. In fact, at most publishers, this sales piece is going to have to hold up under the scrutiny of a committee made up of a bevy of editors and a pod of sales and marketing people. With The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal, Mettee, a seasoned book editor and publisher, cuts to the chase and provides simple, detailed instruction that allows anyone to write a professional book proposal and hear an editor say Yes! According to Mettee, the first rule is: Do no harm. Too many authors don't pay enough attention to the small things like spelling and grammar and manuscript format that are needed to make their book proposals appear professional. They may have a great idea for a book and be eminently qualified to write it but they schmuck it up with slovenly disregard for the easy stuff. The last rule is: Be persistent. If you quit after your first rejection slip or after the thirteenth or the thirtieth, you'll never get published. Many books that are rejected scores of times go on to be best-sellers. You're not defeated until you give up.

Customer Reviews:

Best concise guide on writing a nonfiction book proposal.......2007-05-07

This is an excellent and concise guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal. The author covers a lot of ground in less that 115 pages and does it in an entertaining and engaging way. In general, the book is very well-organized, has text boxes with useful tips, good cartoons used sparingly and powerful quotes that are offset in the margins.

The organization of the book is broken down into three chapters: 1) First Things; 2) The Query Letter; and 3) The Proposal. The rest of the book contains a sample book proposal, query letter, agency contract, nonfiction book proposal checklist, information on formatting a proposal, a section on author's rights and various references.

In reality, this is ALL you need to start putting out book proposals. In addition to high quaility information, the tone of this book is positive and encouraging. It also contains ALL meat and no FLUFF. You will learn a lot about the basics of getting published and be entertained at the same time.

Another book worth considering that iks also good, but geared more toward scholars is Getting It Published: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). I have also found Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction. The ideas in this latter book are excellent, but this two-time Pulitzer winner has somewhat of an arrogant tone to his writing. If you can tolerate this, you will save yourself a lot of trouble when you get down to work. (Personally, I have found him to be right with his suggestions, but I would have preferred him to be "right" from a position of more "equinimity."

Our recommendation for authors.......2006-06-24

As a publisher and publishing consultant, this is the book I recommend to writers and new publishers. It is direct, concise, and engaging. Writers serious about professional nonfiction book projects would be wise to read and use this book.

Straightforward Advice for Would-Be Book Authors.......2006-05-29

This short book goes to the heart of creating a book proposal. It includes information not easily available in other books such as a sample agreement from a literary agency, a sample book contract and detailed information about the shape of a query letter. As Mettee says, "The job of a query letter is to get an editor or agent to ask to see your full proposal." As an acquisitions editor, I know firsthand that too few writers invest enough energy into the query letter process.

In many regards, this book is an adequate introduction to the topic of book proposals. For other writers, it will leave you needing more detailed information than contained on these pages. From my perspective, it's important to study every single available resource on this topic. I recommend this book.

A Springboard for Success.......2006-03-06

Mr. Mettee's book is practical, concise, readable, and attractive. My success will depend on how thoroughly I combine the advice contained in these pages with fingers-on-the-keyboard persistence.

Handy format and length, sound advice.......2003-10-18

I have taught an adult education course called "So You Want to Write a Book" throughout New England since 1988 and have also worked one-on-one with more than 100 authors on their book proposals over the years. Originally I recommended Michael Larsen's book on how to write a book proposal, because it was the only such in-depth book available. However, I did not like certain things in his sample proposal and did not agree with some of his advice. When Elizabeth Lyon's book, Nonfiction Book Proposals Anyone Can Write, came out, I began recommending that enthusiastically because she takes the reader step by step through the process of writing the book proposal, and I thought her advice was better founded. Having looked at Stephen Mettee's book, I will now recommend his book to prospective authors who don't need the depth and handholding that Lyon provides. As you would want in any book on writing, it is highly readable, well-organized and to the point.

The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Book Proposal.(Book Reviews): An article from: Technical Communication

Average customer rating:

The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Book Proposal.(Book Reviews): An article from: Technical Communication
Fred O'Hara
Manufacturer: Society for Technical Communication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on February 1, 2004. The length of the article is 507 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Fast-Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Book Proposal.(Book Reviews)
Author: Fred O'Hara
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2004
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Page: 152(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

The power to turn minds, capture hearts and touch souls is essential to those who influence our lives and culture. “It's Not What You Say… Mastering the Art of Powerful Communication” not only divulges the personal techniques of those dynamic individuals but also offers the reader simple tools and easy exercises to obtain similar results.

“It's Not What You Say…” combines the methodologies Bill Cakmis has derived from 20+ years of coaching prominent actors, anchors, religious leaders, politicians, talk-show hosts, directors, producers and writers; with detailed and frank interviews from many well known celebrities such as Patrick Swayze (“Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing”), Bob Goen (“Entertainment Tonight”) and Dick Clark (“American Bandstand”). Experts confessing personal struggles and giving “insider” success tips, coupled with understandable and practical applications, promise to make this text “the standard” for professionals as well as laymen.

Book Description

The purpose of this book is to provide a framework for understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of the factors that affect destination competitiveness. It provides guidance on how to create successful destinations by developing and presenting a conceptual model of destination competitiveness that recognizes the importance of sustainability for long-term success. The book is both theoretically sound and managerially useful. It is intended to appeal to both academic researchers and industry professionals and practitioners. Anyone with an interest in the enhancement of a destination's competitiveness from nations to small towns or regions will find this book invaluable.

Book Description

Loss of morale, burnout and attrition, especially among professional and managerial employees, have become issues of serious and increasing concern for both individuals and their companies and organizations. Many in the workforce are experiencing a nagging, difficult-to-pinpoint frustration-a growing sense of being too driven, with little or no time for family, important relationships or other personal values. They long for a greater sense of fulfillment and spiritual growth in what they are doing. They look for community and meaning in their jobs.

Your Soul at Work addresses these concerns in two ways: It uses universally agreed concepts of spirituality as a framework and places the process of career planning into this larger viewpoint. It goes on to present a number of very practical, workshop-proven tools and techniques, including a detailed Career and Life Workbook.

Nicholas Weiler and Stephen Schoonover, two seasoned career experts, present a strategy that has been fine-tuned and used very successfully for many years in a broad spectrum of career specialties across the world, including such Fortune 500 companies as IBM, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, Citibank, Xerox, Sun Microsystems, Sprint, Eastman Kodak, Apple and Pfizer.

Your Soul at Work differs from the many spiritually oriented "self-help" books and the business-oriented "how-to" career development books by bridging the gap between straight spiritual and straight business writing. It will enable readers to integrate their career endeavors with their more personal and spiritual needs and to ultimately find vocations and lives with real meaning.

Customer Reviews:

really good resource.......2001-04-21

I'm making a career change and this helped me get some perspective. A "pre-interview"? What a novel idea.

I found good networking tips & the life-stage section was intriguing.

Also, the competency identfication section helped me determine some strengths and weaknesses I was unaware of.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Trial, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2006. The length of the article is 799 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Making our message heard.(effective communications campaign)(President's Page)
Author: Kenneth M. Suggs
Publication: Trial (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Page: 9(1)

Article Type: President's Page

Distributed by Thomson Gale

More than a campaign of platitudes: effective information operations for the battalion/task force and company/team.: An article from: Armor

Average customer rating:

More than a campaign of platitudes: effective information operations for the battalion/task force and company/team.: An article from: Armor
Greg Tomlin
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Armor, published by Thomson Gale on May 1, 2006. The length of the article is 5027 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: More than a campaign of platitudes: effective information operations for the battalion/task force and company/team.
Author: Greg Tomlin
Publication: Armor (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 115 Issue: 3 Page: 20(7)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Effective Communication Campaigns
R. Rensburg , and G. Angelopulo
Manufacturer: International Thomson Publishing Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Running Meetings & Presentations | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1868640108

Book Description

With the job market such that it is, job seekers need an effective tool to help set them apart from their competition, and to highlight their abilities and accomplishments. This book bridges the gap between the resume and the job search by helping to sharpen the focus on career objectives and identify skills and accomplishments. The S.T.A.R. approach provides an effective way to present one' skills, Training, Accomplishments and References to a prospective employer, from setting up an interview, to enhancing the resume, to answering tough interview questions. Five Types of Portfolios for Career Success. Planning Your Portfolio: Exercises on Creating the S.T.A.R. Portfolio. How to Use the S.T.A.R. Portfolio to Get the Interview and the Job. 58 Sample Tables of Contents for Your S.T.A.R. Portfolio. S.T.A.R. Employment Portfolios: Samples and Documents. Three S.T.A.R. Portfolios. Career Placement and Career Counseling Professionals, and Human Resource Professionals who may wish to remain aware of current trends in the field. Also Ideal for anyone searching for a job, changing careers, looking for a promotion, being evaluated, or even asking for a raise.

Customer Reviews:

a must for serious career seekers.......1999-08-13

The Employment Portfolio gives more insight and direct guidance to the serious career and employment seeker than any new publication seen recently. With an easily remembered devise -"STAR"- you can begin your job search with intellegence and some understanding into what it takes to reach your full potential in the world of work. This book takes you by the hand and leads you far beyond the classifieds and job-service listings and into the world of personal insight, growth, and satisfaction with what you do for a living. Highly recommended.

Employment Portfolio, The: Identifying Skills, Training, Accomplishments, and References for the Job Seeker

Average customer rating:

Employment Portfolio, The: Identifying Skills, Training, Accomplishments, and References for the Job Seeker
Charles P. Bostaph Roland B. Vendeland
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIUI9Q

Book Description

This book helps the reader to see and understand that wealth and prosperity are available and obtainable for all who seek and apply Biblical truth.

Average customer rating:
Managing Your Investments, Savings and Credit: The Basics and Beyond (The Investor's Quick Reference)
Esme E. Faerber
Manufacturer: Probus Professional Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Financial Planning | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 155738245X

Average customer rating:

Easy to read

Not bad

Superficial collection of stories

Don't bother

Overview on Strategies

Cyber Rules - Strategies for excelling at E-Business

Manufacturer: Currency/Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 2840012189

Customer Reviews:

Easy to read.......2000-12-10

Tom Siebel describes the musts of ebusiness rules in an easy to understand format

Not bad.......2000-10-10

Although I found this book to have some interesting points, I also found it to be a big promotion for Siebel's business. At some points I almost felt like I was reading a thick Siebel pamphlet. I was disappointed to find that the content I thought was most important was buried in the back of the book. If you have never read a book on e-business/e-commerce, this book is worth a try. If you are comfortable with the subject and are seeking more advanced content, skip this book.

Superficial collection of stories.......2000-05-19

:-( The book somewhat disappointed me. It is not well-structured, mostly consisting of some anecdotal stories from famous Internet companies. Most of the offered advice and strategies are very generic and very basic. Topics are not explored at depth, but only identified. I would only recommend this book to a person who is completely new to the world of online business. Do not seek in-depth wisdom in it...

Don't bother.......2000-04-26

This book was really weak. I recommend Net Ready over this. There are some GLARING inconsistencies in this book. They include, but are not limited to: Yahoo is listed as a search engine... not as a directory. The location of MAE East is erroneously stated as being in NYC. This is just a sample... The book was a waste of time and money. Heed my warnings! Here be dragons!

Overview on Strategies.......2000-02-25

It gives an overview on strategies on the Internet, without showing really exciting news. If you are new to the game, it may be worthwile reading.

Book Description

`All the economists who have contributed to this volume are both distinguished scholars and active participants in the policy debate. Over the years, they have greatly helped policymakers, at the national and Union levels, to identify and understand the difficult policy choices involved in the running of EMU. I am grateful for their contribution to the success of the euro.'

- From the foreword by Pedro Solbes

European Monetary Union (EMU) is a completely new policy regime which has significant economic implications and which, it is hoped, will ultimately enhance the role of Europe on the world stage. EMU and Economic Policy in Europe takes stock of the initial experiences of EMU and assesses the challenges which will have to be addressed in the early years of its existence to ensure its long-term objectives are successfully achieved.

Bringing together leading scholars and policymakers, the book considers some of the most pertinent and significant issues surrounding the euro from a variety of different perspectives. These include the behavior of monetary and fiscal authorities, the implications for policy co-ordination, the impact of the euro on financial markets and the consequences of EU enlargement.

The distinguished array of authors have produced a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the initial economic and policy challenges facing EMU. European policymakers, financial economists and anyone with an interest in the process of European integration will benefit from reading this accomplished book.

Average customer rating:
EMU and Economic Policy in Europe: The Challenge of the Early Years
Marco Buti
Manufacturer: Edward Elgar Publishing, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MV7FAA

Book Description

This book is in the Principles of Export Guidebooks series published in association with the Institute of Export. Each book covers a core area in the Institute's internationally renowned membership qualification. Principles of Law Relating to Overseas Trade is based on the "International Trade Law" module of the syllabus of the Institute of Export. It provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the key areas of law that apply in international business. Using a logical structure in order that the non-specialist can easily understand the key concepts, the book covers the core areas of: * Principles of contract law and private international law * Agency, sales of goods, competition law * Legal aspects of the finance of exports and export insurance * Carriage of goods by air, sea and road Wide use of cases and examples makes a difficult, but nonetheless vital, aspect of international business clear to those taking professional examinations in the field, executives in export driven businesses, and the general business reader.

Customer Reviews:

Lack of cases.......2000-03-24

I read this book when I was taking the exams of Institute of Export.It is a very simple book about International Trade Law.That's why it is good for the readers especially whose second language is English.One of the missing points inthe book is the lack of cases.It gives the name of the cases but not the details.You need some other books if you would like to go a bit more in depth especially on the cases.

Average customer rating:
Bolivia Business Law Handbook
Emerging Markets Investment Center
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0739704206

Book Description

This law handbook contains information on basic business legislation, laws and regulatoins affecting export-import, business, foreign investments, property rights, taxation and banking.

Average customer rating:

Bolivia Business Law Handbook
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business Law | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Subjects | Books

Business | English Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This law handbook contains information on basic business legislation, laws and regulatoins affecting export-import, business, foreign investments, property rights, taxation and banking. (Updated annually)

Bolivia Foreign Policy and Government Guide (World Business Law Handbook Library)

Average customer rating:

Bolivia Foreign Policy and Government Guide (World Business Law Handbook Library)

Manufacturer: Intl Business Pubns USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Federal Government | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739782452

Book Description

Basic information on foreign and domestic policy, national security, political system, parties and elections, government and administrative structure. Participation in international organizations, treaties and regional unions. International and foreign policy and more.

Bolivia Business Law Handbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)

Average customer rating:

Bolivia Business Law Handbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)
Igor Oleynik
Manufacturer: International Business Publications USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Online Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

International Business Publications | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B00005R4V2
Release Date: 2006-01-01

Book Description

Basic business legislation, laws, export-import regulations affecting business, business climate and contacts

Download Description

Basic business legislation, laws, export-import regulations affecting business, business climate and contacts

Average customer rating:

Bolivia Business Law Handbook-98
I. Russian Information &. Bus
Manufacturer: Russian Information & Business Center, Incorp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1577518284

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books