Introduction
What is the message you were born to share with the world? What piece of your soul is longing to speak out in the form of a book or essay? Do you have a manuscript started? Have you always dreamed of writing a book?
The way that agents and publishers evaluate potential books is via the book proposal. This class covers the nuts and bolts of writing an eye-grabbing proposal. But it does far more. It shows you how to tune into your essence, and write a proposal and a manuscript that is true to your most authentic inner voice.
Why You Always Need a Proposal
For a good proposal, you need more than a good idea and great writing skills. You need passion, that magical ingredient that only comes from a heart on fire. Tapping into that inner fire before you write is essential.
The class begins with participants describing their project in two minutes or less, followed by deep breathing and an invocation, inviting the Great Spirit of Creativity to join us in this moment and in all our writing moments.
Agents and publishers use proposals to evaluate books. You might spend many days just perfecting a "knock your socks off" proposal. But you only get one chance to make a first impression. Even if you've decided to self-publish, and you aren't looking for an agent or publisher, you still need a proposal in order to explain your project to sales people, distributors, chain buyers, and all the people who need to become familiar with your book months before it is in print.
Components of a Proposal
Certain elements are found in almost all proposals. Here's what's commonly required by publishers and agents.
- Author Biography. What makes this author qualified to write on this subject?
- Table of Contents
- Summary. One page description of book, such as you would find on the back jacket.
- Chapter by Chapter Synopsis. 1 to 3 paragraphs for each chapter.
- Target Markets. To which specific groups of people is this book targeted?
- Similar and Competing Titles. Title, Publication Date, Publisher, Price, & Ways in which proposed title differs from the other books, Units Sold if known.
We review sample proposals, to see how various authors handled real-world challenges inherent in their projects. We also look at some of the books on writing a proposal, and how these can guide authors.
Tuning In To Your Soul
What are some of the things you can do to create a special creative space out of which you can wrrite? We talk about the importance of solitude, whether it's a retreat in the desert, or a table at a coffee shop. We talk about finding a consistent place to write. We cover ways in which authors can detach from their everyday reality, and do a personal retreat. We cover the importance of patience, of waiting to hear the voice of inspiration, rather than demanding that it show up, and of being easy on ourselves when it doesn't. Also discussed is the importance of carving out some regular time each week to write, even if it's just an hour in the morning early on a Thursday before the kids get out of bed and you have to go to work.
Finding Your Unique Voice
Write from the inner core, that part of you that makes you special. Go there first, then start to write. There are 55,000 new books each year, and the only way you are going to stand out from the crowd is by finding and authentically expressing your unique voice; it will speak to those who can hear in just that particular way.
Your core is the place that feels most like you. There isn't any negative charge there, only a positive one. If you're distracted, you can discharge negative stress energy with a bath, a walk in nature, mediation, breathing, or techniches such as Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT).
Visualization Exercise
Come to center. Feel yourself traveling inside. Go to a special place where you feel completely safe, completely at peace. Notice the sounds, the scents, the sights around you in this special place. Sit there and enjoy it. Now visualize a guide coming toward you, a special muse who is there to inspire you and infuse you with the fullness of your own creativity. You spend time with your guide, then you leave the special place, knowing that the guide will always come back when you call on them.