Categories
Book Proposals

Why Are You The Author?

As an acquisitions editor and a former literary agent, I’ve reviewed thousands of book proposals.  For any writer who wants to catch the attention of an editor or agent, one of the basics is to understand a critical aspect for them to include in their proposal. One of those critical elements is your proof about why you are the best person to write the book that you are pitching. In the proposal, this section often has a simple title: “About the Author.” In this article, I’ll detail some questions that you must answer in an engaging fashion to gain the attention of the editor or agent.

As you write this section, don’t be shy.

It’s the time to roll out your authority and credibility. Publishers give increasing importance to the author and their connections in their particular area of expertise. Six key areas should be included in this biographical sketch:

  • What are your credentials in this particular subject area?
  • What are your career credentials to write about this topic? Begin with your most professional credentials related to the topic, and then list other careers in descending order of importance.
  • What is your educational background to write on this topic? In general, a Master’s degree and higher carries weight independent of the subject area, although some agents and editors avoid academicians and their writing. Academic writing is completely different than the popular type of writing which is most broadly published. Often someone steeped in academia has learned to write in convoluted sentences and difficult syntax. If you have a higher degree in a particular area related to your topic, it can help you if your writing does not sound like a textbook. Be aware that touting a higher degree can send a message that the editor or agent should be cautious.
  • What credits, awards, publications and memberships can you highlight that relate to your topic? If you have published in magazines, then list some of them, particularly if the titles are familiar to the editor or agent. Leave out anything that would diminish your proposed work or you as the author.
  • What promotional skills have you shown through your past books or publications? Not everyone has something to put in this area so don’t panic if nothing comes to mind here. If you have had success promoting other products, be sure to include them in this section.
  • What personal data can you include? Some authors choose to leave off this final section, but it’s the one paragraph or opportunity for the author to show that they are an interesting human being—someone that the editor (or agent) would like to meet. This personal information will separate you from a mass of qualifications and credentials the editor sorts through as he or she makes a decision about an author.

Editors and agents will appreciate the energy and effort that you pour into this section of your proposal.

Terry Whalin

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in California. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Get a free copy of his proposal book (follow the link). Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.

Categories
Becoming an Author

Achieving the “It Factor” in Publishing – Part 2

I understand the struggle that aspiring authors often face on their attempt toward publication. Honestly, this is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to work in the publishing field—not just because I love books, but because I want to help other writers’ dreams come true.

However, as the publishing industry becomes more and more saturated, aspiring authors are finding it harder to receive recognition. The recent changes in the industry have caused editors to become more selective in their acquisition decisions. Us literary agents, as a result, are dealt with the same dilemma. We only get paid when a sell is made; because of that, we have no choice but to sign with clients whose book(s) we think could sell. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, possessing an “it factor” can help aspiring authors to increase their chances of landing a traditional publishing deal in today’s age. And it all begins with the submissions to literary agents (or publishing houses).

First, in order to understand how you can catch an agent/editor’s eye, you must know what it is that we’re looking for from an author. 

Below is a list of questions that I personally ask myself when reviewing a proposal…

1.     Does this project fit my criteria of what I’m looking for?

2.     Is the hook of this book strong enough for me to pitch to editors?

3.     If the book is non-fiction, how does it fit into the current marketplace in a way that brings a fresh perspective? If the book is fiction, does the story tap into trends in a way that refrains from coming across as cliché or overdone?

4.     Does the author understand who the target audience is of the book?

5.     Does the author have potential to reach his/her target audience through platform?

6.     Does the marketing plan prove that the author understands marketing and will partake in publicity efforts?

7.     If the book is non-fiction, is this author the right person to write this book (based on his/her credentials)?

8.     Does the author have connections in the industry with people who can act as an influencer or give a possible endorsement of the book?

9.     Has the author been published in the past? If so, what are his/her sales history?

10.  Last—but certainly not least—is the writing strong enough to carry this project?

As you can see, there is a plethora of factors that can play into whether an agent/editor accepts or rejects your proposal. It is not solely based on writing potential. 

Why is this?

When an editor is interested in a submission at a publishing house, he/she will then meet with the rest of their team to discuss the project. Several departments will review the proposal from various angles. Believe me when I say that the answers to some—if not all—of the above questions will be considered at this meeting!

Fortunately, since you are an author who takes your writing seriously, you won’t see this challenge as a threat to your publication dreams; instead, you can use this as an opportunity to craft a stronger submission. A proposal that will allow you to stand out in the slush pile.

And achieve the “it factor” in the process.

What are other questions ways you attempt to stand out from the crowd in your submissions? How do you strive to achieve the publishing it factor in publishing? Let me know in the comments!

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa’s first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, will release with Bethany House in 2018. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.

Categories
Book Proposals

Book Proposal Overview-Video

BOOK PROPOSALS IN A NUTSHELL

Cherrilynn joins the hosts of Writers Chat to give an overview of Book Proposals.

Writers Chat is also under the umbrella of Serious Writer.

Check out Serious Writer Academy and the Serious Writer website for all things writer.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.

As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.

www.truthtoshine.blogspot.com  Fulfilled Prophecy Friday

www.thewriteproposal.com  The Write Proposal

https://www.womenspeakers.com/united-states/east-greenwich/speaker/cherrilynn-bisbano Speaker

 

Categories
Book Proposals

Knock Four Times

A good cover letter is like an intriguing door, it invites the agent or publisher into your proposal.  The publisher or agent will open wide the door with four loud and clear knocks (paragraphs)

Knock One- Hook and Outline

 The hook– One sentence that grabs the readers attention. Use antidotes, humor, facts, or a question.

The Outline- Summerize book in two to three sentences.

Knock Two-Book Facts/Marketing

Facts should include one sentence with gene and word count.

Status of completion includes one sentence with a completion date for nonfiction books. Most publishers and agents want a fiction book completed before submitting a proposal.

Marketing should include two to three sentences that include the target audience and one or two comparative titles.

Knock Three-Outline/Plot of Book

Fiction Outline should be 2-3 sentences and include

The central theme of the story

The protagonist and his goal

The antagonist and his issue

Plot twist

Ending

Non-Fiction should be 2-3 sentences and include

Focus of Book

Problem

How book solves the problem

Knock Four-Biography

This portion should be three to four sentences and include

Major achievements-book, articles, blogs and other published work

Education and Work

Social Media presence

An overview of what makes you the person to write this book.

Before you Knock

Check for grammatical errors

Take time to run your document through Grammarly or another grammar program. Have someone else read your cover letter for errors.

Double check agent or publisher website for submission guidelines

Did you spell the name correctly?

Does that agent or publisher represent the genre of your book?

The entire letter must be one page

Thousands of cover letters beckon the publishers and agents,  these four loud knocks will get you one step closer to an open door.

 

 

Cherrilynn Bisbano  is the Managing Editor at Serious Writer & Almost an Author -Top 100 writing websites

Host of Genre Chat & Fulfilled Prophecy Friday

Speaker with Women Speakers & By Design ministries.  20 years military service. Resides in Rhode Island with her Husband and son.

 

 

Categories
Book Proposals

Proposal Do’s and Don’ts

Why was my proposal rejected?

As a submissions reader, I now understand why my past book proposal was not accepted.

Each day I read proposals with bad grammar, misspelled names, or the submission guidelines ignored. I’ve had authors claim their manuscript is the next bestseller, better than J.K. Rowling, a must for every school in America, and sent by God to bless the world.

I shake my head and send them a “pass” email or delete the submission. Why would I pass on the next best seller?

Avoidable mistakes, like I made in my first book proposal.

So, how can we get our proposal noticed?

DO

  • Follow submission guidelines- Most agents will delete the submission if guidelines aren’t followed.  When an author does not follow submission guidelines the agent believes the writer cannot follow any instructions.
  • Take time to research agents- Spell the name correctly. Research what genre the agent represents. The agent I work with represents family friendly content as stated on the website. I’ve had three erotica submission in one month.  (The delete button is my friend.)
  • Send an edited manuscript-  An unedited manuscript denotes unprofessionalism. Agents want to represent authors who are ready to publish.
  • Have a Social Media Platform– Let’s face it, writing is a business. The more people you know, the more speaking engagements you book, and followers you have, the more books you sell. If you don’t have social media accounts, choose two platforms and build your followers. Build a website before you send your proposal.

DON’T

  • Say your book is anointed by God and we must represent you– Confidence is great, an agent loves to work with a confident writer. However, there is a fine line between confidence and exaggeration.
  • Address your proposal to many agents in one email- Your Manuscript will be rejected by most agents if they see other email address in the “CC” or “To” sections of the email.  In the body of the proposal state “simultaneous submissions,” this alerts the agent that other agencies are receiving your work.
  • Harass the agent with multiple emails- Agents are busy. Most submission guidelines give a response time. Three months seems to be the average. If you have not heard from the agent within the time frame stated on their site, chances are they passed on your manuscript.
  • Give up– Agents desire to see you succeed. Agents also look for specific genres. If one agent passes on your proposal, keep submitting to other agents. Meanwhile, make sure your manuscript is edited by a professional editor, have Beta Readers review your book, build your social media platform, and sharpen your writing skills.

If you follow these do’s and don’ts, you will have a much better chance of success.

 

 

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a speaker, editor, coach, and writer.  Her passion for helping people is evident. She is Managing Editor at Almost an Author. As host of   “Genre Chat”  she interviews established authors in a specific genre.

She considers it an honor to encourage ladies with the Word of God, as she travels to speak.

Cherrilynn is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, Amramp, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Refresh, Broken but Priceless, and other online magazines. Contributor to Breaking The ChainsStrategies for Overcoming Spiritual Bondage. 

She earned her Leadership Certification through Christian Leaders Institute and continues toward a Chaplaincy certification. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard; earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her fifteen-year-old autistic son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 18 years, Michael, Sr.

Website: www.TruthtoShine.blogspot.com

Contact: godsfruit@juno.com

www.almostanauthor.com

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

How to Prepare For Pitch Sessions at a Writing Conference

I attended my first writing conference when I was sixteen-years-old. This is what lead to the publication of my first novel, PURPLE MOON.

Since then, I’ve attended conferences yearly and have grown in my craft, established connections that were beneficial to my career, and made lasting friendships and memories.

But these conferences can be intimidating for newbies — especially if you’re a teen like I was.

A young writer recently asked me,

“I was wondering if you have any advice for pitch appointments? I’ll be attending a conference this fall and it will be my first conference where I’ll be pitching my novel in a formal setting.”

For those of you who don’t know, at a writer’s conference, you have the opportunity to meet with agents and publishers and pitch your book. At most conferences, these appointments last about 15 minutes.

Which means that, as a writer, you must make a great first impression in this short amount of time in hopes that they will request your full manuscript (or proposal).

As a writer, Associate Agent, and Acquisitions Editor, I’ve experienced what it’s like to be on both sides of the table. I’ve learned — through trial and error, and through witnessing the pitches of others — what to do and what not to do.

Here is what you do want to do during these pitch sessions:

  1. Prepare beforehand. Write a concise tagline of your book that you can deliver during the pitch. Make a list of potential questions the agent or editor might ask. Do your research on who it is that you’re pitching to. You might also want to make a list of questions that you’d like to ask them as well.
  2. During the pitch, give a brief introduction, then tell the agent/editor your title and genre. Then dive into the concise pitch. If you have a one sheet or sample chapters, ask if the agent/editor would like to see it.
  3. Remember: passion makes an impression when it’s contained within the boundaries of a professional approach. You want to be passionate about your project, but not so passionate that you begin to ramble.
  4. Project confidence, not arrogance. Believe in your book and don’t be afraid to tell the agent/editor about your publishing history and writing qualifications. (They will want to know this!)
  5. Refrain from over-delivering — give them just enough of a hook to wet their appetite for more.You’ll also want to leave time for them to ask questions to you and vice versa.

The most important thing to remember? Relax. Have fun with this! Don’t put pressure on yourself to leave with contract interest, but to share your passion for your book and receive feedback and direction.

The agent/editor isn’t meeting with you to criticize you; in fact, they’re hoping to find projects that they can pursue. Many times they’re happy just to offer their input, even if they may not be interested in the project at the time.

Is anyone else planning to attend a conference soon? Let me know in the comments!

(PS … Are you a young writer? Receive a free PDF just for you when you sign up for my young/beginning-writers only mailing list!)

[bctt tweet=”How to Prepare For Pitch Sessions at a Writing Conference @tessaemilyhall #writerslife” username=””]

Categories
Heard It Through The Hartline

Choosing the Best Book Title

Recently a client and I went back and forth several times until we settled on a title for her fiction book.

Our goal was to choose the best book title that connected the plot and storyline to the reader. We felt it important to make a strong connection.

Authors are often tempted to choose an esoteric or uber creative title, but better than a “woo woo” title is a plain and simple one. Choosing a line from the book is often a good choice.

Nonfiction titles can be easier, but not always. Ask yourself what the “take away’ is for your reader and create a title that is most likely to connect with that.

It has been said a reader takes two seconds to choose whether to buy a book or not.

[bctt tweet=”It takes a reader two seconds to choose whether to buy a book or not. #title #writer” via=”no”]

Avatar, Twilight, The Help, Jesus Calling, Eat, Pray, Love, and Situation Maid are all examples of one to three word titles that worked well.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The Time Travelers Wife, The Memory Keepers Daughter. Great titles that solidly connect to the subject of the book and hint to the reader what the book is about.

The cover photo helps out as well as the back of the book blurb, but the title is the most memorable.

And always remember, read it out loud. Does it sound good?

The Map Across Time and The Unraveling of Wentwater, fairytales by C. S. Lakin, are two well named in her Gates of Heaven series.

We All Married Idiots – 3 Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage & 10 Things You Can by Elaine Miller certainly catches the eye and hearts of those passing by.

Remember the childhood autographs that went something like this:

He Fell Off the Cliff by Eileen Dover

Rusty Bed Springs by I.P. Freeley

Help With Math by Cal Q’later

Enjoy this page: Books That Were Never Written from the Boy Scouts Trail blog. I like this one best, I think: ‘Sitting on the Beach’ by Sandy Cheeks

Categories
A Little Red Ink Editing

Conferences: Paid Critique

Conferences: The Paid Critique

So you’re thinking about attending a writers conference, or perhaps you’ve already registered for one. Even if you’re a pro at this, a paid critique still may benefit you. You’ve got a new story, and every story is different.

Here’s why:

One-on-one attention from an industry professional.

401(K) 2012
A worthy investment. Photo cred: 401(K) 2012

 

For a small investment, you get to sit down with an agent, an editor, a seasoned author. Not only are you getting a fresh set of eyes on your work, you’re also getting their experience and expertise. And this is not a pitch, so there’s not quite as much at stake. It’s a lesson, a mentoring session.

Be a learner.

You thought I was going to say more than that, eh? Not so much. That gem speaks for itself. With the fresh set of eyes comes a fresh perspective. Be a learner.

Photo cred: Alice Birkin

Let’s look now at the different industry professionals who might be willing to meet with you.

Paid Critique: Agents

If you’re on the Great Agent Hunt, this is ideal. You’ll get to not only see what the agent thinks of your work but also get feedback. When you query them, most agents don’t take the time to offer tips or insight unless they genuinely feel that, with some revisions, your work would be a good fit for representation. So this is a rare treasure! Choose the agents you meet with carefully, though. Don’t waste an agent’s time (or yours!) if you write sci-fi and all their other clients are historical fiction. Do your research beforehand and pay for a critique from your dream agent.

Some agents truly are as cool as Sidney Bristow and James Bond. Photo cred: Alice Birkin
Some agents truly are as cool as Sidney Bristow and James Bond. Photo cred: Peggy Marco

To me, one of the best reasons to meet with an agent at a conference is to get a feel for their personality. In the agent-author relationship, it’s most important to find someone you could work with well. You may want a champion, a cheerleader, a career advisor. You may need a quiet professional relationship.

I remember at one of my first writers conferences, I met with an agent who�����������on paper—looked ideal for me. It turned out my work wasn’t a good fit for her, and I actually felt relieved. I could see, even before we sat down for the appointment, that our personalities wouldn’t gel. The meeting only confirmed it. We both handled ourselves professionally, and I can honestly say she’s a well-respected agent with impeccable taste. I just wouldn’t have enjoyed working with her. That’s important to me. Now? I count my agent a dear friend. (And she’s better than Sidney Bristow.)

Paid Critique: Editors

Again, do your research early and choose your appointments wisely. Get feedback from editors you hope will love your book. Listen to what they say about your writing. Ask questions about your story. But most of all, use the opportunity to ask them what they’re looking for. What makes a good story in their opinion? If they could give you any piece of advice, what would it be? They���re meeting with you because they want to be an encourager and a sharpener to you. If they didn’t want that, they wouldn’t offer paid critiques.

(Many don���t. They may still play this role in an appointment, though. If you’d like to see what editors want from their regular appointment slots at a conference, check out this excellent post by Karen Ball.)

So many authors, so many styles. Photo cred: Anton

Paid Critique: Authors

Meeting with authors who write in your genre is always a good idea. Get feedback—after all, they’re published. They know what works. Listen to their pointers on your writing with an open mind. Take notes. Think about what they’ve said that will work for you. They won’t try to change your voice, but you can gain valuable insight into both the industry and the writing process.

If you’re an indie author, this opportunity is golden. So very much goes into writing and launching and marketing a book well, and every author has their own story. Be brave and ask the hard questions. You may find the conversation invigorating and leave feeling better equipped for the challenge!

Wrapping up

Make the most of these opportunities. Many connections formed during these appointments can lead to valuable relationships. The publishing industry is always shifting and changing, and there’s always something to learn.

Have you ever had a paid critique? Tell me how it went.

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Fixing the “Flat Tires” In Our Writing

There it was—the flat tire we dreaded finding. After discovering it flat twice that week, the expected deflation was not a total surprise.

It was an otherwise beautiful fall morning with enough chill in the air to be refreshing and not so many leaves collecting on the ground that they’d stir our conscience to take out the rake. But the flat tire on my husband’s aging Subaru definitely added clouds to this Saturday morning.

We knew it was time to visit the tire store.

The news there was worse than we imagined: Not only did that tire need complete replacing, but every tire on this vintage Subie needed an immediate sounding of the taps. It was time to give them all an honorable burial after years of faithful service.

Inhaling bravely, I nodded to my distraught husband. “Just do it. Buy four new ones.”

ID-100144252

In similar bleak scenarios, writers can struggle with such ominous news about their work: “It’s got too many holes. It can’t be saved like it is.”

 

The analysis might come from a critique partner, an editor, an agent, a publisher. The kinder ones will gently tell you your work needs improvement. Others will perhaps give you a more blunt analysis: It’s flat. It’s hopeless. Start over. Sound the taps.

Words of discouragement can set a writer back, thinking they’ll throw out the original idea all together. But sometimes the core of the story is still a good one. It just needs a retread. A do-over. New life. Fresh opening. More likable characters, perhaps?

I can think of a few stories that I’ve read that could have used an evaluation that challenged the author to do just that. Put the story up on the rack in the repair store and throw out the bad parts. Edit, edit, and edit some more.

You’ll notice that, when we got the new tires, we didn’t get rid of the car. Although ancient, it has served my family for many years now. It still runs, even quite well at times!

So if I could encourage writers who have been given some serious news and suggestions about changing their story or manuscript, I would say, “Take a deep breath. Pray for inspiration. And just do it.”

 

Typewriter image courtesy of Just2Shutter via freedigitalphotos.net

Changing a car tire courtesy of Stoonn via freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

Categories
Heard It Through The Hartline

Matchmaking and a Good Proposal

Agenting is a lot like being the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. We have the job of searching for a suitable match between you, the author, and the right publishing house for your writing. A publisher that can provide a long-standing relationship where the author can flourish and mature.

As the publishing houses continue to recover from the economic changes the digital revolution brought about, it is more important than ever for authors to present an agent with a good proposal. Each portion of the proposal convinces the publisher to make a financial investment in you. For example, the competitive analysis helps an editor decide if there is a large enough reader-ship for titles such as yours that make their investment worthwhile. In the case of nonfiction titles, this list helps them determine if your book has something to say that has not been said before, or if it says it in a unique and marketable way.

[bctt tweet=”Agenting is a lot like being the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. #agent #amwriting” via=”no”]

Be sure to take advantage of the writing conference schedules available in your areas, many of them offer great workshops on preparing a stellar proposal. A few of my favorite resource titles are; A Writers Survival Guide by Terry Burns, Author 101- Bestselling Book Proposals, Frishman & Spizman, and of course Terry Whalin’s Book Proposals That Sell.

Nonfiction authors must meet a large ‘platform’ challenge. With so much free online material and a plethora of blogs on every conceivable topic, having huge numbers of followers in their social media stats is very important. A publisher must be assured that the nonfiction author can help promote and sell their book through a strong network, and a speaking platform, where back of the room sales can take place.

When I am asked in reference to a nonfiction title, what should come first, the book or the platform, I encourage the platform. For without it, I will not be able to place your book with a publisher.

Romance novels continue to be an open door for new authors at Harlequins Love Inspired imprints. Authors must adhere to their submission formula or they will waste their time and receive a rejection. Many male authors are trying their hand at romance writing in an effort to get a published foot in the door.

Christian book sales continue to be good, although there are fewer slots open or titles being published, publishing houses are still buying. Be encouraged, God is in the process, and He is still on the throne.