Course Details

Nowadays, big publishers simply don't read unsolicited material. They depend on agents to muck through the "slush pile" in search of the gems. If you want to get a book published, knowing and using the correct format for a book proposal is paramount.

In this class, you can expect to learn:

• If your idea is a good one
• The essential ingredients of a book proposal
• What the format and overall look of the actual proposal should be
• How to write your proposal letter
• The nuts and bolts of the nonfiction publishing industry

By the end of class, students can expect to have:
A marketable nonfiction book proposal package ready to send out to agents, including a query letter.

Admission requirements: 
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history), and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend. 
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Instructor Bio

Andrea Campbell's Courses

Andrea Campbell is the author of ten nonfiction books on a variety of topics including forensic science, criminal law, primatology, and entertaining using interactive games, among others. Her first book, Great Games for Great Parties: How to Throw a Perfect Party was published in 1991, has several editions in foreign languages, and has been on Amazon.com's bestsellers list for entertaining/parties from its debut. Her latest book, Detective Notebook: Crime Scene Science is for children, formatted as a small spiral notebook and contains quizzes and activities for budding detectives. Currently, Andrea has eight books on the market?two more upcoming!