Your Novel Proposal from Creation to Contract by Camenson, Blythe, Cook, Marshall published by Writer's Digest Books

by Blythe Camenson

The only guide of its kind created just for fiction writers. Drawing upon the insights of experienced authors, editors and agents, it provides writers with the crucial information needed to get published in today's rapidly-changing fiction industry. Using examples from real novel proposals, this guide illustrates all the do's and don'ts of pitching a manuscript, including how target the right publishersfind a great agentnetwork and make important industry contactssend a query letter that gets attentionavoid editors' and agents' 'Top 10 submission pet peeves'master the elements of a strong synopsis and killer cover letter

Genres: Writing, Reference

Unknown Binding

First published August 1, 1999

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful nuts-and-bolts approach to what happens between when you "finish" your novel and when your novel hits the shelves. I particularly appreciated the extensive, commented example synopses, query letters, and chapter outlines. The checklists were great too. Definite recommend if you're writing, although the book is a little old (1999 - don't worry, I won't print my novel out on dot matrix paper!).

[Sarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful to a point. It did explain the ins and outs of query writing, one page synopsis, and longer synopsis. It did go into details about how to pitch to an editor and even places to look up books. All and all a good book and helpful I would recommend it to first timers.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Blythe's newer book and there's a lot of overlap, but it's still very useful.

[GK Jurrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as time permitted (I've been writing more than reading), and I'm glad I did. There was a great deal to absorb, and as I did so, I was making decisions about my own writing career with this book as important input.

Bottom line: this book convinced me that the traditional publishing path (versus independently publishing my own books), along with much-appreciated advice from author friends, forces me to relinquish more control than I am willing. Having said that, this is a wonderful how-to book, but also a how-not-to book with useful examples should I choose to pursue representation from an agent, services of a professional editor, and distribution by either a small press or large publishing house.

Be prepared to invest years before you see your book on the market, and there are ancillary financial penalties if your book doesn't sell well (discounted sales, returns...) even if you get that coveted contract, maybe even an advance. And then... the pressure is on to deliver. If that's your thing... It's not mine.

Remember, agents and editors and publishers are far less interested in one-book-wonders. They want to engage in a long-term relationship with authors who seriously pursue their writing as a career. That's okay. Just be aware. If being an author isn't your fulltime job, you're dust in the wind. 

If you're even only slightly fascinated by learning of the traditional book publishing career path, this is a wonderful book full of useful examples of good (and bad) synopses, query letters, how to treat (and not treat) agents, editors, and publishers, and specifically what to look for if you're offered a contract.

I recommend all serious authors absorb this book, even "Indies" if, for no other reason, it is important to understand all elements of our craft.

[Amber Sumner · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Definitely some outdated advice here; however, the chapters on query letters and synopses were very helpful. Basically, pick and choose on this one, but it still has some good bits.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

But not because it's not a great book. It is, but Give 'Em What They Want is a newer, flashier edition of Your Novel Proposal.

The new version seems to have the exact same information, and more really great stuff. Buy that one instead.

I wish I had known this information before I bought both books. :-P

[AnnaMay · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must for the wife of a want-to-be author. :) I enjoyed reading how an author goes about getting published. Very well-written and user-friendly.

[Beverly]

Good solid help for writers submitting.

[Jules Hucke]

Probably useful when it was published, but the industry has changed so much that this might steer you wrong. Still has good advice on professionalism and relationships.

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideas for promotion, queries, synopsis. Not able to finish it at this time, may want to give it another try in the future.

[Camden Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful to authors who want to make it:)

[Jashvina Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is obviously dated so some things may not apply, but the general core - how to approach agents, how to query, how to write cover letters, etc - is still true. There were good concrete examples and I feel like this book was very helpful