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Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal That Sells

Complete a polished proposal that will make it out of the slush pile.

Course is closed.
Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal That Sells

DURATION/TIME
8 weeks
October 24 - December 19
Online chats: Thursdays, 9-10 pm EST

LEVEL
Intermediate

ONLINE CLASS INFO
See our eClasses info page.

PRICE
$499 ($475 for )
more info

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.

Nonfiction books -- a market easier to break into than fiction -- are the backbone of publishing. In this workshop, you'll learn what is appropriate for writers who already have an idea for a book, but would like to know the complete and correct execution of this vital marketing product.

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

No courses available at this time.

Andrea Campbell
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!

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