The Weekend Book Proposal: How to Write a Winning Proposal in 48 Hours and Sell Your Book

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Write Better Proposals Faster to Accelerate Your Writing Career!

Whether you are a true beginner or a seasoned writer looking to secure more book contracts, "The Weekend Book Proposal" shows you how to take your best ideas and create powerful proposals--quickly and professionally. No need to spend months laboring over a proposal when in just a few days you can write one that will ignite the interest of agents and editors.

Ryan G. Van Cleave presents the tools you need to craft an eye-grabbing proposal for your nonfiction, memoir, anthology, textbook, novel, and more. Jam-packed with proven strategies, nuts-and-bolts advice, sample queries and proposals, interviews with publishing experts, and "Hit the Gas" tips for speeding up the proposal process, "The Weekend Book Proposal" will show you how to succeed and prosper as a writer--and sell your books before you've even written them!

"The Weekend Book Proposal" explains how to:
* Write a catchy title and book description.
* Create a compelling author bio and chapter outline.
* Develop a targeted, engaging concept statement.
* Build a strong marketing plan and endorsements list.
* Structure your proposals based on those crafted by successful authors.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Business

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2014

Reviews

[Mehrsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how many books there are out there about writing book proposals, but I can't imagine needing more than this one. It's very good and it will give anyone confidence to put together a proposal (if that's your sort of thing)

[Tina Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weekend Book Proposal: How to Write a Winning Proposal in 48 Hours and Sell Your Book by Ryan G. Van Cleave is a must-have for any writer who wants insider advice on pitching their manuscript or book idea to agents and editors. As a published novelist, I've had plenty of experience with queries and pitching, but as I started to work through ideas for a non-fiction project, I really didn't know exactly what all I needed to include in a proposal. Van Cleave's book to the rescue!

This very helpful book covers all the elements that go into a proposal and includes samples proposals for non-fiction, novels, anthologies, memoirs, and even text books.

Highly recommend for a writer's bookshelf.

[S.R. Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book thinking that it would give me more of a schedule (given the name of the book), but it was just another How-to book that gives you information, but not how to execute it. I know what a book proposal is, and all this book does is tell you what the components of the proposal are. It wasn't bad, and is good for writers who have no idea where to start, but a book shouldn't claim to tell you that it's going to give you schedule...it doesn't.

[Peter Fahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does exactly what it promises. It triggers a dynamite book proposal, possibly the one you've been stuck on for years. There were so many actionable tips. I particularly liked Ryan's ideas on generating titles. I think that getting a proposal out is all about belief. Certainly my belief in myself as a writer accelerated with every page. Ryan seemed to be removing the issues that were holding me back one by one. In the end I read it 4 times to make sure I had extracted as much wisdom as possible.

Truly inspiring,

Peter Fahy

[Larina Warnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful guide to writing book proposals. The examples and insider info is especially useful. Differentiation between different kinds of book proposals (memoir vs. self-help, etc) could be more detailed, but there isn't a ton of space for that. I recommend this book for standard nonfiction writers.

[Naomi North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much. Extremely helpful and practical. Straightforward. Quick read.

[Clarice Stasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shame on him for his misleading subtitle. The book is fabulous without this deception. Doing so reflects on his great confidence--he'll build yours as well. I've been working with this book for weeks, which he even admits is likely. This is my one quibble, that he suggests people possibly trick readers to buy the book.

My agent's requirements match the themes Van Cleave covers in his book. The difference is that VC provides practical advice on how to fill in troublesome categories. He includes sections of exceptional sample proposals to illustrate his points. These include Fiction, Memoir, Anthology, and Textbook. So any writer can benefit from the suggestions.

I enjoyed the unexpected advice, such as how to solicit endorsements for a manuscript. Locating and discussing Competing Titles is the most difficult part of any proposal, and he helped me reduce my stress. I have also redesigned my Author Site, and have booked a professional portrait, which I never did for previous books.

My first thought on skimming the book was AARGH. When I calmed down with my proposal and used it as a reference, I found it full of gems. You may have come across similar advice in Writer's Digest, but it is convenient to have a book handy. And you won't need a Valium.

[Adrian Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me six months -- slightly longer than the 48 hours promised -- to complete a book proposal that I am finally ready to put to the test, but it was well worth it. This book was like a master class and I know that the proposal I wrote is better than any I've ever done and will be successful. If you are a writer, I definitely recommend that you get this book and start using it today!

[Luna Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most useful Writers Digest books I've ever read.