Write an academic book proposal

Writing and submitting an academic book proposal can seem like a daunting task. Make sure that you still have more than enough time to tackle your research efficiently. But i know that nothing stands still, including the art and science of the perfect book proposal. Remember, the book proposal is an act of seduction. This form contains a summary of the book, its aims, its goals and main features. It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary agent for more than 300 books who now serves on the leadership team at corban university. They arise in all sorts of different situations, but generally a book concept is written down into a proposal form. Many university press websites have guidelines that can help you through this process. What follows is a brief description of what the editors in the higher education department might expect of a proposal for a new textbook and how they will consider it for publication. Ive written and published four works of nonfiction and have been involved as a ghost or behindthescenes editor on a couple of other things too. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. A book proposal is usually no longer than 10 pages. Whether it is three months or three years until you write your first academic book proposal, there are steps you should be taking now to ensure it is as strong as possible.

Some publishers will give you a timeframe usually 34 months after which you can write to follow up on your proposal submission. The proposal is the key to making your really book come to life for your publishing partners. How to write a good book proposal, the sequel the chronicle. There are several books available on writing book proposals. In fact, for my travel adventure memoir, ive been working on the proposal onandoff for the last two years, and even then, my agent is asking for a rewrite. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary agent for. You do not have to necessarily do the steps in this order but this order works well in most cases. Baker academic welcomes book proposals from prospective authors holding relevant academic credentials which usually means a phd or similar degree in the field of the proposed book and a teaching position at a recognized institution of higher learning. Aug 15, 2018 write your overview as though youre writing the copy of your book jacket. Or, perhaps you want to write your first academic book on an entirely different subject. How to write a winning academic book proposal enago academy.

Learn how to make your proposal shine and find the right publisher for your interdisciplinary project. The author uses the proposal to sell the idea of the book to a college textbook editor or academic publisher. The main purpose of the book proposal is to convince literary agents and publishers that there is a market for your book and that you are the best person to write the bookand help them sell it. Below, ive answered some of your most common questions and offer the best resources to consult to. A college textbook proposallike any book proposalshould be thought of as a sales tool. When you decide to write a book proposal, you must be able to answer some basic questions. The reality of writing a good book proposal the chronicle. Submitting an already written nonfiction book as a proposal is a great way to almost guarantee you will not get a book deal. Twice now ive written my cover letter after i finished the full proposal.

Aside from checking sample proposal templates or consulting a writing proposal template. Start by creating a table of contents, a formal outline, and a brief description of specific chapters. My last proposal took more than a year to get right. How to write a book proposal includes plenty of examples and a book proposal template you can follow. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. Oct 23, 2018 writing and submitting an academic book proposal can seem like a daunting task. Baker academic welcomes book proposals from prospective authors holding relevant academic credentials which usually means a phd or similar degree in the field of the proposed book and a. The proposal also provides a description that could be used on the books back. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template.

Electronic submission is preferred, but paper proposals are acceptable. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal first. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a book length work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. Mar 22, 2011 or, perhaps you want to write your first academic book on an entirely different subject. You do not have to necessarily do the steps in this order but this order works well in most. How to write a nonfiction book proposal become a writer today. The overview should employ the same combination of vivid description, charm, and salesmanship the publisher will eventually use to woo book buyers. This webinar in collaboration with intechopen will entirely focus on educating authors about how to make their first impression right on publishers by drafting a good book proposal explaining why the book. If you have any questions or need additional support, contact our editorial team. Next, include sample chapters to highlight your writing style and overall aesthetic. Writing a successful academic book proposal ideas on fire. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please follow these guidelines. It should include a brief cover letter addressed to the appropriate editor, followed by a clear, concise description of the project and a rationale for its publication meaning its scholarly significance, its appeal to both specialists and generalists, and any qualities that distinguish.

It needs to include an outline of approximately one paragraph to one page of prose larsen 6. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. Writing a college textbook proposal is a vital step in getting a textbook published. Have you got a nonfiction book idea and dream of securing a milliondollar deal all before writing the book itself. An academic proposal is the first step in producing a thesis or major project. This sample chapter on how to write books actually provides a great example of how to write a book chapter. Crafting a convincing book proposal chroniclevitae. Its intent is to convince a supervisor or academic committee that your topic and approach are sound, so that you gain approval. Book publishers are in the business of making money even notforprofit academic publishers need to keep themselves afloat. This is where you connect the prose with the passion, and yes, even for academic books, or maybe, especially for academic books, there has to be passion.

May 30, 2019 to write a book proposal, provide an overview that describes the book s themes, content, and organization. How to write an academic book proposal zed scholar. Submitting a textbook proposal to oxford university press guidelines for authors we are very pleased that you are considering writing for oxford university press. Your proposal requires the consideration of the timing and potential for sale as well as its. But i know that nothing stands still, including the art and science of the perfect book. Oxford university press oup welcomes submissions of book proposals in the core areas in which we publish. A table of contents for the submission package is an outline of the book you plan to write, and to do that, you have to know what the book is. An excellent resource on all things proposalrelated. The core of the publishing process is the book proposal. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. Mar 27, 2018 what to do before writing an academic book proposal.

May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. To write a book proposal, provide an overview that describes the books themes, content, and organization. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. How to write a persuasive academic book proposal enago. Your book idea is fantastic, and its time to prove that to the people who can actually publish it. How to write a winning academic book proposal enago.

In fact, its a good idea to write the cover letter before you write the full manuscript. Its intent is to convince a supervisor or academic committee that your topic and approach are sound, so that you gain approval to proceed with the actual research. Below, ive answered some of your most common questions and offer the best resources to consult to prepare your academic book proposal. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Some industry insiders refer to this as the statement of need or evidence of need that an untapped niche or strong demand exists for this type of book. Wondering how do you write a research proposal for academic writing. The book will be well aligned with the presss current and future publishing goals.

Writing the entire book before selling it might not only be a timeconsuming test run, but you wont have the insight and knowledge of how to produce a better book until you write the proposal. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. We will also discuss the significance and benefits of publishing an open access book. The overview is your chance to get personal with the editor and make her want you. Jul 02, 2015 posted in book proposals and contracts, landing your tenure track job, promote yourself. I got two posts in before realizing the series would be far more helpful to folks if i actually coached a writer through. It is basically outlining proposed research on an academic subject and outlining any types of procedures for quantitative or qualitative research on a subject. Mar 16, 2019 writing a college textbook proposal is a vital step in getting a textbook published. Keep in mind that even academic publishers expect you to adhere to several basic elements of a book proposal guidelines as follows. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. It takes me months to finish writing a book proposal. The purpose of a book proposal is to capture a publishing editors interest so that he or she will agree to publish your book. Posted in book proposals and contracts, landing your tenure track job, promote yourself.

How to write a persuasive academic book proposal enago academy. Book proposal editing and academic publishing research for interdisciplinary authors in gender and sexuality studies, ethnic studies, and cultural studies. Academic book proposal editing for interdisciplinary scholars. This webinar in collaboration with intechopen will entirely focus on educating authors about how to make their first impression right on publishers by drafting a good book proposal explaining why the book should be published and read. In fact, for my travel adventure memoir, ive been working on the proposal on. Check the websites of scholarly presses for their submission guidelines. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. A toptier book proposal steps away from the writers vantage point and provides an indepth discussion about why readers will buy the book. While there are entire books on how to write a book proposal many of them excellent, here is a short version. If you are a novelist, you have to write your whole book before you talk to an agent or a publisher. Some industry insiders refer to this as the statement of need or. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in.

Potential authors should include a cover letter, a copy of their cv or resume, a prospectusproposal, and sample chapters from the work if available. It should include a brief cover letter addressed to the appropriate editor, followed by a clear, concise description of the project and a. Normally, i would create an outline of the paper this blog post of mine will tell you two. Do not send a complete book manuscript instead of a book. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. Its especially important if you dont have an agent, as many small and medium publishers accept unsolicited proposals.

It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. You all know that the book proposal is the cornerstone to a successful. You all know that the book proposal is the cornerstone to a successful tenure track career in most areas of the humanities and social sciences. They arise in all sorts of different situations, but generally a book. How to write a compelling bio for your book proposal. Unless you are famous and have publishers soliciting manuscripts from you, you likely will have to. Normally, i would create an outline of the paper this blog post of mine will tell you two methods to create outlines, then follow a sequential process to create the full paper my post on 8 sequential steps may be helpful here. I have taught classes in how to write book proposals. It is basically outlining proposed research on an academic subject and outlining any types of procedures for quantitative or qualitative. In december 2012 i started a series of posts on how to write a book proposal. Sure, some parts of psychology and economics and other fields are not bookbased, but basically, the law of the land is.

In the world of book publishing, it is difficult enough for known authors to get their books published. Unless you are famous and have publishers soliciting manuscripts from you, you likely will have to submit a formal academic book proposal to an academic press to have a hope of publishing a book with such a press. As well as indicating your plan of action, an academic proposal should show your theoretical. A step by step guide to writing a proposal for a new book. You should prepare the content of the overview with two things in mind. Start by creating a table of contents, a formal outline, and a brief description of. Here i provide generic suggestions for what should go in an academic book proposal, and then suggest a method for writing such a proposal. If a publisher is convinced by your argument, it contracts you and pays you to write the book.

Your book proposal should include the following elements. Ideas for books are as varied as the books themselves. What to do before writing an academic book proposal. In order to do so, shortly explain the scope or problem discussed throughout the text, aswell as its. Dec 04, 2014 or, perhaps you want to write your first academic book on an entirely different subject. Guidelines for a book proposal for an academic book. Whether youre about to write your academic book proposal and submit it to the best university presses in your field or just beginning your. The beginning of your term paper should allow readers to reconstruct your golden threat. Below youll find advice on how to write a proposal for a new book as well as a proposal for a new edition. The proposal also provides a description that could be used on the books back cover and in marketing materials, so it should be written in a way that leaves a good and accurate first impression. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals.