Thanks for this post. It was very helpful. Even downloaded the pdf file.

I sent in an inquiry and was accepted for a submission to “American Book Publishing’ can you tell me anything about them?

I placed my URL in the above link box. It is what my book is about.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Ken

I would hit the sales issue head-on. Don’t blame the publisher. Take responsibility. (In the publishing world, authors generally take all the credit for their successes and assign all the blame for their failures. However, in most cases, the results are usually a shared responsibility.) Also, explain what you learned and why the new book will be different.

I don’t think you need to mention the size of the advance, unless it is generally known. I do think it’s good to express your willingness to assume part of the risk. Publishers like that. It communicates that you are confident the book will work.

Hope that helps.

Mike

Please see my article, “How to Write a Winning Book Proposal” mentioned in the above post. The short answer is that, unless it is fiction, no one wants to see more than a couple of sample chapters before the project is contracted.

Thanks,

Mike

One question, however, that every writer I know wonders about: At what point in this process does someone actually read the book, as opposed to just the proposal?

This series has been so helpful. Thank you. Could you add another shade of perspective on the topic for me. Bear with me with the background info.

I’ve got one book under my belt with a top-ten CBA publisher. I took a very large advance, but the book did not do well and lost money. (FTR, my self-published books have all sold many times more copies than my trade title.) I really want to publish again with a CBA publisher, and I have been told by several publishers that my book proposals are among the best they have received. However, it just hasn’t been “the right concept” yet. I got my wife a top-ten contract last year with a concept and proposal I created for her, but I’m still swinging.

Here’s where I’m going. How much will that failed CBA book, especially my first with a major publisher, affect consideration by major publishers of future proposals? How do I handle it in the book proposal–honestly, or downplayed? How important is it to a publisher to know I am willing to assume the risk with a lower advance, and should I make that a selling point?

Hope that’s not too much. Thanks.

Congratulations! I’m glad the guide was helpful.

Dave,

Thanks for your kind words.

Blessings to you both,

Mike

Over the past couple of weeks I have come to love your blog for its interesting perspectives on many issues from leadershp to publishing. I, especially, like this piece on overcoming the 5 hurdles of publishing since I am speculating whether or not to try and write a book. I appreciate your teachings on these and other issues.

Here’s a piece by Michael Hyatt, President of Thomas Nelson, that writers shouldn’t miss.FIVE PUBLISHING HURDLESIf you’re an aspiring author, have ever wondered what happens to your book proposal after it arrives at the publishing house? Sometimes, I’m…

I couldn’t help but smile throughout this post! I have lived in the land of cynical hopefulness, and it was fun.

I have been planning to thank you for “How to Write a Winning Book Proposal” and this seems the perfect time to do it. I recommend the article highly. Although I had reviewed many book proposals, I had never written one until this fall. The examples in the article were particularly helpful as my co-author and I sorted through all we have learned about the needs of parents of missionaries and how to market to them.

At CBA Advance I presented the proposal, and just four weeks later we learned that STL/Authentic wants to publish the book! I don’t think we would have come to this point so quickly without your article to guide us. Thank you so much!