Rating: 
Summary: This book is pure gold! Got me an offer from a major pub.
Review: A thousand thanks to Ms. Lyons who wrote a truly helpful book to the first-time author, like me. Although I have found books on the shelves offering a more simplified way to complete a book proposal, none is as thorough as Non-Fiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write. It took me about 2-1/2 months to get it right, but after it was finished, I was extremely satisfied with how it read. I received an offer from a large publisher who also stated that my proposal was professional and well-written; even my agent said it should be the standard in the industry. I owe a debt of gratitude to Ms. Lyons and would recommend this book highly!
Rating:
Summary: The Best of its Kind
Review: Elizabeth Lyon has identified a need and then filled it, with "Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write." She states clearly in the introduction that she noticed there were no good resources available to writers who wanted to craft a nonfiction book, so she set to researching the topic and this is the result. I understand this is the second pressing of the book, as the first contained many publishing errors (table of content errors, pagination errors, etc.). These are all corrected in the current edition. The book delivers what it promises. Lyon simplifies the process of writing the book proposal to its individual parts and provides an outline for anyone wanting to write a nonfiction work on any topic. She tells you exactly what editors will be looking for and outlines how to give it to them. Some of the major points of surprise to me were... 1) A nonfiction publisher actually prefers a proposal to a completed work, and 2) the editor will expect you to have researched the market and identified the need for the book you are writing. If you are tinkering with the idea of writing a nonfiction book, you need Lyon's manual on how do it. She will save you an inestimable amount of work on the front end, and show you the steps to take to have success your first time out.
Rating:
Summary: This book covers it all!
Review: Elizabeth Lyon has written the ultimate guide to writing a solid book proposal, providing insider information on every page to increase your chances of getting published. The layout of every page adds to the value - she chose a fabulous, easy to read font, uses callouts and bullets to highlight important information, and uses a clear writing style that makes you feel as if she's just sitting in the room talking to you. After your read the book through once, the design makes it easy for you to go back to specific information in a flash. Last but not least, the examples she offers really bring home her points and show you how to apply the information in a wide range of situations, everything from a spiritual book to a scientific treatise.
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Summary: I Just Love How You Get Me To Write!
Review: Great piece of work, Ms. Lyon! I bought this book because two publishers requested a proposal from me and I did not know A THING about book proposals. Well, thanks to Elizabeth's book, I am happy to report I finished writing my proposal and sent it out two days ago. And I can honestly say I feel completely confident in it. The proposal was A LOT of work, but with Elizabeth inspiring me and evoking the best out of me, I wrote a beautiful proposal. Elizabeth seems to have a gift of getting my best writing out of me. I am very grateful she teaches proposals for memoirs, as that is what my book is about. (not my current life memoirs, but a past life memoirs, if you can believe that!) As I read her words and thought about her wisdom, presto! The ideas come rushing into my head and onto paper. I just LOVE it! I owe a GREAT thanks to you, Elizabeth.
Rating:
Summary: This really is the best advice for writers
Review: I relied upon this book by Elizabeth Lyon at every stage as I wrote, marketed, and publicized my own book. The book proposal as she envisions it is a great tool not only for marketing the book to publishers, but for clarifying the book's focus while it's being written. After my book was accepted, the publisher based catalogue copy and other promotional materials on what I had written in the proposal. I felt that I had a great input to the book's packaging because I had created a very thorough proposal. Later, I cannibalized the proposal to create my media kit for my book. I used the earlier edition of Lyon's book, the one that had some production flaws. The flaws didn't detract from the book for me. But in any case, the new edition has corrected all of these publisher's errors. This book may be the single most important tool for a first-time non-fiction author. For what it's worth, the book that I wrote, sold, and promoted using Lyon's book is called Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Book
Review: Of the several books available on how to write nonfiction book proposals, this one is the most comprehensive. Some of the areas it covers particularly well are the importance of credentials and presentation. However, it provides solid information in all the important areas. It takes more time to read this book than the others on the topic but the time is well spent. Editors and agents are always impressed by book proposals that are informative, succinct, and well prepared and following the guidelines in this book will help you prepare an impressive proposal. Prospective writers often ask me to recommend books on writing book proposals and there are several that I recommend depending on the writer's temperament. I am always encouraged when writers select this one because the level of commitment usually reflects a quality proposal. Note: Beginning in December 2002, the book is published by a new publisher. The proofing issues that inadvertently slipped through the cracks with the second edition have been corrected( e.g., chapter 14 is now included in the table of contents).
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Book
Review: Of the several books available on how to write nonfiction book proposals, this one is the most comprehensive. Some of the areas it covers particularly well are the importance of credentials and presentation. However, it provides solid information in all the important areas. It takes more time to read this book than the others on the topic but the time is well spent. Editors and agents are always impressed by book proposals that are informative, succinct, and well prepared and following the guidelines in this book will help you prepare an impressive proposal. Prospective writers often ask me to recommend books on writing book proposals and there are several that I recommend depending on the writer's temperament. I am always encouraged when writers select this one because the level of commitment usually reflects a quality proposal. Note: Beginning in December 2002, the book is published by a new publisher. The proofing issues that inadvertently slipped through the cracks with the second edition have been corrected( e.g., chapter 14 is now included in the table of contents).
Rating: 
Summary: Strong, practical advice
Review: This book is great and extremely comprehensive. It details each section of a book proposal better than most of the books on this subject. Another book I really like is Mahesh Grossman's "Write a Book Without Lifting a Finger." It includes examples of more complete proposals. Two are by unknown, first time authors who sold their books for over $100,000. It's also very strong in one area where Lyons' book is weak - creating show-stopping titles. As an editor at a small publishing house, I can testify that a great title can be worth tens of thousands of dollars to an author's book advance.
Rating:
Summary: Strong, practical advice
Review: This book is great and extremely comprehensive. It details each section of a book proposal better than most of the books on this subject. Another book I really like is Mahesh Grossman's "Write a Book Without Lifting a Finger." It includes examples of more complete proposals. Two are by unknown, first time authors who sold their books for over $100,000. It's also very strong in one area where Lyons' book is weak - creating show-stopping titles. As an editor at a small publishing house, I can testify that a great title can be worth tens of thousands of dollars to an author's book advance.
Rating:
Summary: Overall very good; lacking in examples.
Review: This book is terrific! The author makes the process of writing a book proposal manageable. Using this book I was able to produce a clear, professional proposal to sent out. Even better, the questions provided in each chapter helped me better understand my story and easily explain it to agents and editors.
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