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Reviewed by Francine Silverman  “Rick and Robyn have produced a wealth of material on writing book proposals from an insider’s perspective – that is, from the point of view of people who have not only written book proposals, but have evaluated those written by others.”
So wrote Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, in the Foreword, and he’s right on the mark (no pun intended).
When it comes to writing, selling and promoting your book, these publishing industry insiders know their stuff. Robyn is the award-winning author of dozens of inspirational and educational non-fiction books and is considered one of the most dynamic how-to experts in the country. Rick is president of Planned Television Arts, an executive vice-president at Ruder Finn - the largest public relations firm in NYC - co-author of two Guerrilla marketing books and author of Networking Magic (Adams Media 2004). Rick has handled publicity for authors since 1976 and his clients ranged from President Jimmy Carter to Lance Armstrong. It’s a scary universe but Rick and Robyn clearly empathize with authors who are willing to learn the ropes and follow industry rules. The co-authors begin by introducing themselves, in a warm and friendly manner that helps the reader relax. They take you by the hand to make the road less rocky. The authors take you through the labyrinth of publishing, from finding an agent and publisher to writing a winning proposal. They liken the route to an actor’s audition – the so-called “cattle call.” Your book proposal is “your demo or audition tape,” says Robyn. “It’s your opportunity to stand alone at center stage under the spotlight and occupy an agent’s or editor’s complete attention, as brief as it may be.” They stress how non-fiction authors must have a platform and that now even small publishers are demanding authors with national visibility. If you don’t already have a following, the authors suggest ways to create one. I like the networking tips, especially two that would never have occurred to me: Contact former teachers and staff members at bookstores and libraries since they may be writers with great connections. The 250-page book goes beyond most on proposal writing by devoting an entire chapter to comparative book analysis. Rick and Robyn explain why comparing your book with others on the market is “so important to editors” and what constitutes a thorough analysis. Another valuable addition is the “Remember” section at the end of each chapter. They remind me of the questions at the end of chapters in textbooks, which are items of importance that are repeated for effect. They serve two purposes - as a good learning tool and as a secondary index. If you’ve had trouble selling your manuscript, it may time to rethink your book proposal. “Book proposals are the litmus tests for agents and publishers,” the authors write. “They are the rite of passage that authors must pass in order to enter the hallowed literary halls.” Author 101 - Bestselling Book Proposals retails at $12.95 and is available from www.author101.com or www.adamsmedia.com or www.amazon.com Francine Silverman
Author of "Book Marketing from A-Z"
(Infinity Publishing 2005)
Editor/Publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, a bi-weekly ezine for authors of all genres
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
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