Sign the contract…then write the book. The good news is that almost every nonfiction book published is sold by a proposal. In this comprehensive yet accessible guide, you will learn exactly what a proposal is, what it must contain, and how to pull yours together into an informative, persuasive selling package. Already a favorite for thousands of aspiring writers, this book has been revised and updated by Elizabeth Lyon to feature nearly two dozen actual proposals, plus: · Choosing a topic based on current trends and competing titles · Drafting the perfect concept statement—daring agents and editors to reject you · Defining and targeting your readership—then connecting with them · Preparing a table of contents and chapter summaries · Submitting exciting and well-written sample chapters · Writing query letters · Devising a marketing plan that will excite agents and publishers

This book reveals insider information to help you avoid the pitfalls of rejection in writing a book.

A WRITER’S COMPASSDirection for your writing career Don’t get lost on the publishing path. Just forge ahead with the Writer’s Compass. Drawing on decades of professional experience as an author, editor, writing instructor, mentor, and marketing consultant, Elizabeth Lyon helps you navigate the art and craft of writing—with clear, easy-to-follow directions: NORTH Getting Your Bearings Understand your purpose and your audience; learn to refine your ideas, select effective titles, and find the best method of organization for any piece SOUTH Troubleshooting Use checklists and guidelines to spot weaknesses and problems in leads, organization, conclusions, and style—and find out how to correct them EAST Learning to Market Map a successful cover letter, query letter, or proposal, and discover a four-step process to facilitate publication and sales WEST Refining Your Vision Brainstorm to gain perspective on your writing—and how it fits with your values, goals, and dreams

Everything You need to Write and Sell Your Work This is the ultimate crash course in writing and publishing! Inside you'll find comprehensive instruction, up-to-date market listings, a CD featuring recorded live webinars with industry professionals, an all-access pass to WritersMarket.com, and more. Writer's Digest University is the perfect resource for you, no matter your experience level. This one-stop resource contains: • Quick and comprehensive answers to common questions including: "How do I write a successful novel?" and "How do I know if self-publishing is right for me?" • Instruction and examples for formatting and submitting fiction, nonfiction, articles, children's writing, scripts, and verse. • Advanced instruction on business-related issues like marketing and publicity, using social media, freelancing for corporations, keeping finances in order, and setting the right price for your work. • A detailed look at what agents want and how to get one that best fits your needs. • Market listings for publishers and agents open to unsolicited work and new writers, contests and awards, and conferences and workshops. • A CD with recordings of 4 popular WD webinars: How Do I Get My Book Published?, How to Land a Literary Agent, How Writers Can Succeed in the Future of Digital Publishing, and Freelance Basics.* • A scratch-off code that gives you a one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com and a 20% discount on the WritersDigestUniversity.com course of your choice.* Get started now with everything you need to build a thriving writing career. Whether you're starting from scratch or have a bit of experience, you'll find the tools you need for success. *PLEASE NOTE: CDs and one-year subscription are NOT included with the ebook version of this title.

The second book in the Writer's Compass series from professional writing instructor Elizabeth Lyon offers both aspiring and established authors the fundamentals of writing and selling a great novel or short story. In addition to the basics of characterization, plot, pacing, and theme, A Writer's Guide to Fiction also features a plan for revising fiction, a guide to marketing, samples of cover and query letters, and methods of honing the writing craft.

A self-publishing guru offers comprehensive guidance to the thousands of people who write books every year. 16 photos.

Now in its 17th year, Guide to Literary Agents is a writers best resource for finding a literary agent or script agent to represent their work. As the market becomes more glutted while the number of major publishing houses shrinks, writers need someone familiar with the publishing scene to shepherd their manuscript to the right person. To help writers acquire an agent, this book provides names and specialties for more than 700 individual agents around the United States and the world. The book also includes a growing number of UK agents as well as Australian agents, and more than 90 pages of original articles on finding the best agent to represent your work and how to seal the deal. From editing your work to crafting a book proposal to making the most of your contract, Guide to Literary Agents will help writers deal with agents every step of the way.

Editors of The Writer's Market offer advice for earning a living with a word processor. Among their topics are submitting winning query letters, making contacts and staying informed through Web sites and organizations, pricing work fairly, and managing time. They include many examples. Annotation c -- Product Description.

Filled with 50 unique and worthwhile ways to spend time, "Live It Up!" is the perfect book for anyone who wants to get the most out of life.

Perhaps the best-kept secret in the publishing industry is that many publishers both periodical publishers and book publishers make available writer's guidelines to assist would-be contributors. Written by the staff at each publishing house, these guidelines help writers target their submissions to the exact needs of the individual publisher. The American Directory of Writer's Guidelines is a compilation of the actual writer's guidelines for more than 1,500 publishers. A one-of-a-kind source to browse for article, short story, poetry and book ideas.