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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Book Proposals » Page 11

Book Proposals

How to Hear “No”

By Bob Hostetleron February 5, 2020
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In a recent media interview (yes, I am that cool), I was asked if as a literary agent I liked saying “no.” I answered emphatically—even a bit rudely, I’m afraid, as I started my answer before my questioner finished asking. “I hate it,” I said. It’s a part of the job. In fact, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sometimes answers the question, “Steve Laube, what do you do?” by saying, “I say no for a living.”

That’s close enough to the truth to sting. A lot. Way down deep. But no one—at this agency, at least—enjoys saying “no.” We do it a lot, but we hate it every time. Well, except for the one person who compared her proposed book to this Christian agent to E. L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey.

But otherwise, it’s no fun to say “no.” And, I know, it’s no fun to hear “no,” either. Believe me, I hear it far too often, both as an agent and as an author myself. But it makes a difference how you hear the word “no.” The temptation is to hear, “not you.” Or even “you stink.” Even, sometimes, “give up.” But none of those are helpful, and they’re far from accurate, in the vast majority of cases. How should you hear “no?” I suggest five ways:

Hear “not them”

That is, a fair percentage of the time, a “no, thank you” simply means the submission wasn’t right for that particular agent, editor, or publisher. It may work for someone else. In fact, of all the books I’ve sold as author or agent, every single one was rejected by someone on its way to acceptance. Sometimes even on the same day.

Hear “not now”

Timing is everything. And sometimes a “no” is nothing but poor timing. You submitted to an agent who just heard a frightening diagnosis and can’t take on anything right now. Or you sent your work to an editor who just accepted something similar. I often hear back from editors that they loved an idea “but have a book on that subject releasing in May.” You can’t predict such things, and agents or editors usually don’t have time to explain. But it happens all the time.

Hear “not this”

It’s so tempting to interpret a no—especially when it’s a form reply—as meaning, “You’re a crummy writer.” And, of course, we all need to become better and better craftsmen, no doubt about it. But I urge you, instead of hearing “crummy writer,” to hear “not this.” That is, this idea or this approach didn’t float my boat. But maybe the next one will.

Hear “not yet”

Sometimes a “no” means that the pitch wasn’t sharp enough. The idea needs to be fleshed out better or turned ninety degrees one direction or another. Or the hook was lacking. Or there were gaping plot holes. Or any number of things. (I know, I know, we all wish agents and editors would just say so, doggone it, instead of “didn’t meet our needs.” And sometimes they will. Even if they don’t, however, it’s possible that a good critique or edit can get it headed in the right direction.)

Hear “not ready”

Look, you and I both know that the only difference between you and Max Lucado or Francine Rivers is a lucky break, someone to notice you, someone to recognize your talent, idea, or potential. And we may be right. But it is far more likely that the reason you haven’t hit “the big time” yet is that you’re not ready for the big time. But “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs” (Matthew 6:32, NLT). He knows if you’re ready, if your idea is. He knows if you need more writing tools. He knows if you need to work on your grammar, find your voice, go a different direction, master POV, further develop your platform, or something else. So, let Him decide. Instead of hearing “no” to mean, “editors are dumb,” try hearing each one as, “God knows the what and when.”

Believe me, I wish it were possible for every “no” to be explained; but the staggering number of proposals agents receive (and, likewise, editors) makes that impossible. But if you’ve been reading and heeding this blog for any length of time, the chances are good that you can safely hear one or more of the above phrases each time you hear a “no.” And that may just help you find your way to “yes.”

 

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Category: Book Proposals, Encouragement, Get Published, The Writing Life

First Lines Are Kinda Important

By Bob Hostetleron January 29, 2020
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“It was a cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.” That arresting line begins one of the most famous novels of the twentieth century: George Orwell’s 1984. The first sentence of any article or book is kinda important, even if it’s borrowed, like the first line of this blog post. Your first sentence should be well-written and striking, intriguing, promising, and/or inviting. It …

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Category: Book Proposals, Writing Craft

Is Signing with an Agent Your New Year’s Resolution?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 9, 2020
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If you are currently without representation, signing with a fantastic agent is an excellent resolution to make! Here are some ideas to consider as you prepare to approach agents: Visit agency websites. Ask yourself: Does the agency have a website, such as www.stevelaube.com? Does the website appear professional? Is it easy to navigate? On the sites that list their clients such as we do, do you see …

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Category: Book Proposals, Career

Answers to Recent Questions from Clients

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 18, 2019
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In the course of a normal work week—if any of my work weeks can be called “normal”—I get asked a question or two. Or fifty. And, while there are no stupid questions, or so I was told by my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Hoffmann, some questions prompt more illuminating answers than others do. So I’ve picked a few that clients and others have asked recently, along with my answers (cleaned up a bit, …

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Category: Book Proposals, Career, The Writing Life

Who’s Your Book For?

By Bob Hostetleron December 11, 2019
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A critical part of writing a good book—and a good pitch or proposal for a book—is defining your book’s audience. We all know, of course, that you shouldn’t try to write a book “for everyone.” But your book’s audience can be an elusive target. I suggest three distinct and mutually exclusive phases for the process, which apply primarily to nonfiction but could also be kept in mind for various forms …

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Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, Pitching, The Writing Life

What Caught My Eye

By Steve Laubeon November 18, 2019
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Last week we talked about the hook, the sound bite, or the ability to "say it in a sentence." One reader asked for examples so I thought I'd give you a few.

Below are the short pitches of proposals that have caught my eye over the years from debut authors. Please realize that the sound bite is only one of many factors that goes into a great proposal. Ultimately it is the execution of the …

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Category: Book Proposals, Pitching, Writing CraftTag: Pitching

Write Like Paul

By Bob Hostetleron November 13, 2019
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Somerset Maugham wrote, “There is an impression abroad that everyone has it in him to write one book; but if by this is implied a good book the impression is false” (The Summing Up). Far be it from me to add to Maugham’s words, but I’m going to. So I guess it be not far from me, after all. I would say that many people (maybe not everyone) have a book in them, but relatively few have a marketable …

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Category: Book Proposals, Encouragement, Get Published, Pitching, The Writing Life

I Have Plans to Write That Book

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 7, 2019
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Last week, I talked about a few reasons why I don’t plan to write a nonfiction book on style, mainly because I have no desire to develop a presence or platform as an expert on style. But what if you want to write a nonfiction book about a topic you know and love? Let’s look at the list, revised from last week, to help you decide if you should: Are you well-known outside of your immediate circle of …

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Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Marketing, Pitching, Platform, The Writing Life

Say It in a Sentence

By Steve Laubeon November 4, 2019
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Can you present your book idea in one sentence?

Can you present that idea in such a way that the reader is compelled to buy your book?

What motivates someone to spend money on a book? It is the promise that there is something of benefit to me, the reader.

Books are generally purchased for one of three reasons:

Entertainment
Information
Inspiration

If your book idea can make me …

Read moreSay It in a Sentence
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Marketing, Pitching, Trends, Writing Craft

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

By Bob Hostetleron September 4, 2019
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“Where do you get your ideas?” This question was reportedly posed to Stephen King at a writers conference in New England. His answer may seem harsh, but it’s illuminating: “If you have to ask, don’t become a writer.” Most working writers have little trouble coming up with ideas. In fact, most have more ideas for writing projects than they could possibly complete in a lifetime. Ideas can come from …

Read moreWhere Do You Get Your Ideas?
Category: Book Proposals, Career, Inspiration, The Writing Life
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