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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » book proposals » Page 8

book proposals

What Makes You Special?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 10, 2015
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Authors have many reasons for writing a particular book. Sometimes those reasons feel so natural you don’t stop to think about them. However, in this market, it’s important to distinguish yourself from other authors and submissions.

For nonfiction, you want to show you are an authority on your topic, or that an authority is willing to endorse you.

Examples:

You are a Christian psychologist using Bible passages as a basis for dealing with sinful thoughts.

You are writing on near death experiences, and you are an emergency room nurse.

A recognized authority on Bible diets will endorse your book on nutrition.

A “Special Qualifications” section can also work for a novel.

Examples:

You are writing about a character in hospice, and you are or have been a hospice nurse.

Your setting is Virginia during the Revolutionary War, and you are a Virginia native and President of your DAR chapter.

Your heroine is a chef, and you are a culinary school graduate.

In other words, you have gone beyond merely researching your topic. You have experience in what you’re writing about, or more education than most, or a recognized authority is willing to vouch for you. When an editor has two wonderful manuscripts from which to choose, this type of qualification could be just enough to nudge her to your side of the fence.

Your turn:

Do you have a special qualification for writing your current book?

What author qualification, if any, is likely to convince you to buy a book?

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Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published, Qualifications

Proposals: Comparing Your Writing to Icons

By Karen Ballon September 2, 2015
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Awhile ago, I was reviewing a proverbial stack of nonfiction and fiction proposals. As I read them, I noticed something. And I saw that something again just recently as I read over proposals during a series of 15-minute meetings with conferees at a writers’ conference. What was that something? In their proposals, more and more writers are comparing their work to icons in publishing. As in: “My …

Read moreProposals: Comparing Your Writing to Icons
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Comparisons

Authors: Seeking Approval

By Dan Balowon July 28, 2015
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Depending on my current situation or environment, I might see something entirely different than another time when I read a passage of Scripture. The Bible is a like a diamond, with light of different colors shining through various facets depending on how you turn it and look through. I am turning one Scriptural “diamond” today to see something in a little different light. When Jesus walked to the …

Read moreAuthors: Seeking Approval
Category: Awards, Book Proposals, Branding, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Endorsements, Get Published

I Just Deleted Your Proposal without Reading It

By Karen Ballon July 22, 2015
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A caveat: I realize those of you who read our blog on a regular basis likely don’t need the following information. You guys do it right. But if nothing else, now you have a place to direct all those folks who ask you, “How do I put together a professional proposal?” Okay, on with the blog. A month or so ago I sat down to tackle a gargantuan number of proposals that had been awaiting review. I …

Read moreI Just Deleted Your Proposal without Reading It
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published, Rejection

Setting Yourself Apart

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 25, 2015
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Unfortunately, even though I’d love to represent each writer I’m fond of and enjoy hanging out with, I can’t represent everyone for a variety of reasons. That’s okay. CBA has many agents and authors, and God has a plan for all of us. But let”s say you hope your proposal rises to the top of my stack. Here are a few tips when submitting: 1.) Please follow our …

Read moreSetting Yourself Apart
Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Get Published, MarketingTag: book proposals, Get Published

Your Publishing History: Tell Me Everything

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 4, 2015
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When I review proposals, one element often missing is publishing history. How do I know this? I own a computer. With a Keyboard. And a Search Engine. Guess What? So do All The Editors. Granted, not every proposal piques my interest enough for me to do a search. But when I get that far, I must search your name to see your publishing history whether you have offered it or not. Because believe me, if …

Read moreYour Publishing History: Tell Me Everything
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

Wanted: Authors (Apply Within)

By Dan Balowon June 2, 2015
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A book proposal sent to an agent is like applying for a job as an author. Comparing how applying for a job and pitching an agent for your book proposal are similar is my task today. I think some authors believe that pitching an agent is a mysterious process involving passwords, magical keys or some sort of ceremonial sacrificial offering. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes a …

Read moreWanted: Authors (Apply Within)
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

Ramp Up That Book Description!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 19, 2015
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Today, let’s try a fun exercise to ramp up your book description in your proposal, which may in turn help your publisher’s marketing team ramp up your book sales! Bland: When a man gives a woman a large ring, she is torn about telling him about her past. What she doesn’t know is that he has a secret, too. Note that this example doesn’t hint at the book’s setting or …

Read moreRamp Up That Book Description!
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Get Published, MarketingTag: Book Descriptions, book proposals, Marketing

But My Book is Unique!

By Dan Balowon January 20, 2015
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Excerpt from author cover letter: (not real) “Dear (Agent or Publisher), The enclosed book proposal contains never-before-seen information to help the most important of all human relationships. It identifies six different kinds of languages of love, combines the findings of extensive studies from all cultures and is endorsed by every important person living within one hundred miles of my home. It …

Read moreBut My Book is Unique!
Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Get Published

Proposals: Know Your Audience

By Karen Ballon September 24, 2014
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I … Love … Coffee … Love going into coffee shops, love ordering the perfect brew, love the ambiance of Starbuck’s and Caribou coffee and Seattle’s Best and Coffee People, and you name it! When my hubby wants to do something special for me, he’ll let me drag him to a coffee shop. Of course, when I’m done ordering, he bellys up to the bar, stares the barista in the eye, and says, …

Read moreProposals: Know Your Audience
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: Audience, book proposals, Get Published
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