The Art of the Book Proposal: From Focused Idea to Finished Proposal

Rating:
Summary: A Book on Proposals that No Writer Should Miss
Review: In addition to five fiction titles, Eric Maisel has written somewhere in the vicinity of twenty non-fiction books, mostly about writing, creativity, and the writing life. Having already read a dozen of his books, I came to this new volume with excitement. I wasn't disappointed.

Several authors and experts have covered the topic of writing book proposals, but none have done it in the organic, yet sensible, way Maisel does. Drawing on his experience as both author and creativity coach, he walks the reader through all parts of the process, including shaping the idea, titling the book, creating all aspects of the proposal, and understanding the agent and publisher's expectations. Particularly useful are his checklists and suggested formats for keeping track of project and proposal.

Any writer serious about creating a work of non-fiction should run-don't walk!-to your nearest book outlet, get this book, and read it from cover to cover. The few hours spent will be immensely worthwhile not just for writing the proposal, but also for devising the general (perhaps even specific) outline to follow in the actual writing of the book.

Maisel includes a tremendously helpful Appendix: a sample book proposal for what turned out to be his previous book, THE VAN GOGH BLUES, which is a mind-blowingly wonderful book. With his focus on helping authors succeed and to access their creativity in the most profitable and satisfactory ways, Maisel has made this a book no writer should miss. ~Lori L. Lake, reviewer for The Independent Gay Writer and Midwest Book Review


Rating:
Summary: Terrific book!
Review: Maisel's new book goes where the other book proposal books haven't ventured, into the territory of ideas. He carefully describes how ideas morph the more you think about the book you're intending to write and why that morphing is such a challenge for the nonfiction book writer. Then he tells you exactly how to stay with the process so that you end up not only with a polished, effective book proposal but with a book that matches the dream you had for it.

Unlike the other book proposal books, which have been written by literary agents or editors, this one comes from a real writer. This is a terrific book and I recommend it without qualification or reservation.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific book!
Review: Maisel's new book goes where the other book proposal books haven't ventured, into the territory of ideas. He carefully describes how ideas morph the more you think about the book you're intending to write and why that morphing is such a challenge for the nonfiction book writer. Then he tells you exactly how to stay with the process so that you end up not only with a polished, effective book proposal but with a book that matches the dream you had for it.

Unlike the other book proposal books, which have been written by literary agents or editors, this one comes from a real writer. This is a terrific book and I recommend it without qualification or reservation.