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Your Path to a Successful Book

Our $uccess blog will feature writing, marketing, and publishing tips we continue to learn since writing our 2009 INDIE Finalist workbook $uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book keeping our readers abreast of the everchanging skills required to write, publish and sell a successful book. We will also have guest commentators. Achieving your goals as a writer is what matters. Anything we can do to help you get there is our goal. We welcome your comments and hope you will sign up for our bi-monthly (or whenever we have enough material) newsletter.

Archive for July, 2009

Success – Agents – Book Proposals 4

Friday, July 10th, 2009

This excerpt is from “Success, Your Path to a Successful Book,” by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.

Remember, before you send the book proposal, send your one page query letter. It will be a waste of time to send the proposal unless you have been asked to submit it. We have heard a few agents say they would read a one page attachment.

When sending a book proposal or a query letter, we find the words of Philip Gerard applicable, “Write an opening that catches the reader’s attention and an ending that leaves a lasting impression.”

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success – Agents – Book Proposals 3

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

This excerpt is from “Success, Your Path to a Successful Book,” by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.

Continuation of list for book proposal follows:

A list of books that will compete with and complement yours.

About the author – mportant and relevant information.

The outline – one to three paragraphs on each chapter showing there’s a book and you have it successfully organized.

Sample chapters – one or two sample chapters show an editor how well you can write. For most books, the two strongest representative chapters you can send are best. The first chapter should be one of the two strongest as it is your first opportunity to hook the readers. If you start further back in your book, they will wonder what is wrong with the beginning. Refrain from sending the entire manuscript unless requested.

Sell the sizzle in the introduction.

Success – Agents – Book Proposals 2

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

This excerpt is from “Success, Your Path for a Successful Book,” by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.
Provide name/s of a well-known authority who will give your book credibility and be willing to write an introduction or quote.

If your book can be a series, or lends itself to sequels, mention your ideas.

Promotion plan: In descending order of importance, list what you will do to promote your book. For most books aimed at the general public, this list is as important as the book.