How NOT to Pitch Your Book Proposal

Amen! It astounds me when people pitch a manuscript with these lines. And why is it everyone is convinced they can write books for children? I also "enjoy" the mss pitches disguised with "wondering if you could give me advice on how to be a published author" messages. That's irksome and manipulative. Then there is also the, "I'm talking to other publishers about this book." That one is sure to get a response from me: "When you have concluded your negotiations with other publishers, feel free to be in touch again." I also like it when people read our publishing company's FAQ on our policy on unsolicited mss, reference it in their message, but try to send an unsolicited manuscript anyway.

God told me to contact you and say that this is a funny article! If you're working on weekends, at least be entertained! Many blessings.

It's amazing to me that someone would insult you ("You publish fluff") and then expect that you'd publish them…unless of course they were writing fluff. LOL! The first one was the best. Loved it!

I have a question re: point number 8 (confidentiality), and point 6 (an idea not been done).

I am a Bible college student, and planning on pursuing an MA/MDiv in seminary when I finish. My career plan is to be a professor rather than pastor, so I am planning on getting a PhD after that.

I have an idea for a book, but I don't presently have a huge "platform." From what I've read, you have to have three components to get published: (1) be a good writer, (2) have a good idea, and (3) have a good platform. I read that if you have at least two, you could get published.

My professors have always highly affirmed and encouraged me in my (1) writing skills, so I'm not worried about that. I have a pretty neat (2) idea in a niche area that I know hasn't been done yet. I know that in 10 years when I finish school and get a teaching job, I will have a more credible (3) platform, but I obviously am not there yet.

I have considered writing a proposal to submit, but I have been worried that I may get turned down, and then I might see my exact book idea suddenly pop on the shelves a year later from that publisher.

If an author may be perceived to not have a strong enough platform, is there any risk of that idea being "reappropriated" to another author that has a bigger platform? My worry has been that I will get my idea out there, and someone else would be recruited to do it, since I haven't finished all my degrees yet.

I know I probably sound like one of those weird "rapture" people who thinks they have a novel idea, but I'm an actual theology student (Calvin College, philosophy department), and planning on applying to some heavyweight seminaries.

Any tips? Thanks very much =D.

How funny, the Rapture one. I have questions about two. I've seen questions on publishers' forms–how is your book unique? Whose book is yours similar to? Could you elaborate on why those are not good comments to make?

what about rule #11. "But I follow you on twitter!"

I've heard of several like these mentioned by other publishers, but insulting the publisher nearly surprises me. I sometimes wonder if the authors of these queries are even serious about their book.

How about "I hope you'll enjoy reading my book?"

God told me to write this in contact to you to tell you that although this article is really just fluff, you could turn it into a bestseller. It's even likely to be picked by Oprah for her book club.

This really is a Mulit-million dollar opportunity for you.

I would compare this article to 'The Shack' or even 'The hole in our Gospel' by Rich Stearns, although there's really nothing like it in the marketplace.

I know you don't need the money but I really think you should turn this into a book just to help people.

I'd be more than willing to expand on the idea for you but I'm worried that others would steal my awesome idea so I'll email you a confidentiality agreement that I'd like you to sign.

Looking forward to your quick response, if you're smart enough to see what a perfect idea this is.

Peter

(ps, God didn't actually tell me to write this. I just wanted to clear that up before I get smitten by a lightning bolt or something)

Good article but re#6…not sure why that is so humorous. I understand that many beginning writers are newbies and aren't really up on everything in the marketplace. But there are books that are pretty unique and yet very good. Rare, of course. There was nothing like my book, Wind Follower in the market. It got turned down by Christian publishers because they felt that although the book was religious it was too much for their readership. I went to a traditional secular publisher and the book was published and placed in bookstores all over the country. It got a lot of good reviews. So, it looks as if uniqueness is hard to sell in the Christian publishing world.

After a good hearty laugh, I realized that we get very similar reasons for submissions from some of our readers and would-be writers. Honestly, there are times I have said to myself, "but by the grace of God, there go I," in using Holy Spirit discernment and leadership to gently steer people in directions more suited to their passion — while not crushing their spirit (hopefully). To be a writer of any genre takes guts and perseverance, intuition and training, lest we forget. I am grateful for leadership, patience and mentoring of individuals who looked for opportunities rather than trash cans when I stumbled their way with my God-given passion.

Perhaps CBA affiliated publishers such as Thomas Nelson could work harder to let authors know what it is they do want. The guidelines I've seen aren't clear at all. Both CBA and ECPA were created by a group of Christian booksellers for publishers to pay to join. These publishers in turn would provide targeted fiction to this very specific Christian audience. Maybe if Thomas Nelson and all the other CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers would say they only take work that appeals to this very specific Christian market the MS's they receive would be less . . . out there. Of course, there's no guarantee but it sure would've save me a LOT of time. So CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers don't want MS's like The Shack because these don't appeal to their core market audience. I'm sure William Young wouldn't have submitted to Thomas Nelson had he known this in the beginning or every other affiliated publisher he submitted to. I do think being clearer would help though. :)

That was an awesome response to the first story! Love it!

Honestly, with the advent of the internet and social networking, anybody can build a platform to market their book as long as they're willing to work hard at it. The traditions of book marketing are all changing. Word of mouth has always been the most powerful means of selling a good book, and that's become much easier to generate with the power of the internet.

Aaron–On your concerns about submitting a proposal and having your ideas stolen–If you really believe in your idea, don't wait for an accepted proposal to write your book. Your goal is to express your idea in written form to share; the end goal is not to be able to say you've been signed by a publisher. If the work is good and you're persistent, the book will get published and your ideas will get out there. Once you write the book, it's copyright protected as yours. Keep a dated, witnessed/signed print out of it if that makes you feel better. Most Christian publishers are in the business because they too want to see good writers with good ideas published. The Christian publishers that would steal your ideas are few and far between–avoid new start up publishers and stay with the established reputable publishers and you shouldn't have to worry.

Thanks for the tips, Jeanette.

I have a related question on the same project. My idea is a non-fiction book in the "theology/biblical studies" field. However, I haven't finished any of my formal degrees in this area yet (even though obviously my career path demands that I will have several in the very near future).

So, how hesitant would a publisher be to publish a non-fiction book by someone that doesn't yet hold a degrees in their field? (I'm 2 years from my finishing my BA.) The only bonus I have in my favor is that my book idea is more of a "synthesis" work, so a person would not have to be an established professional scholar to do the type of book I have in mind.

As a hypothetical example, think of a book that collected, compared, and contrasted historical views on "the doctrine of God." It's more of a synthesis work of past and present scholarship.

My idea would be something similar to this, but much, much different.

If I don't have my degrees yet, would a publisher touch a non-fiction book, if I don't look like an "authority" yet in my field? Or should I wait 10 years to complete my MA and PhD? What if it were this type of "synthesis" book, which would not necessitate degrees in the field to do it?

Thanks again, I really appreciate it. I'll probably get to work on it now anyway. I was just curious how good my chances were to submit it now, rather than in a decade! (LoL)

Mike,

I'd love to see a post from you about how bloggers are turning into "authors"… and perhaps how one would go about "pitching" themself as a successful blogger…?

Does that make sense? I may be off on this.. perhaps the same things apply as you've listed them out.

Thanks very much Mike!

I'm actually working on a book proposal now, so this was very timely.

So, if that's not how to pitch a book proposal, then how about this:

God told me not to write this book but I'm sure I know better than him so I took the plunge. After much prayer, he told me that things would not go well if I contacted you about it, which I saw as an open invitation to send it your way.

I'm sure you're intelligent enough to see that it's never going to be a best-seller. In fact, the chances of you even breaking even are slim to none but I can guarantee that five copies will be sold because I've already given my family the money to buy them with.

People tell me that the holy grail of writing is to get on some show called Orpha, or something like that. We both know that's not going to happen but I know someone who's related to a guy whose girlfriend used to work at our local PBS so I could probably get on there to promote the book.

People who have read it (i.e. my mom) tell me that it's very similar to a book that this dude at our church self-published on his own printer at home. He's already sold two copies (and it's only been four years).

To be honest, I don't care about contracts. If you'd like to just send me $100,000 I would be happy to let you have the book and do anything you want with it. My wife printed it out and uses it as a door-stopper right now. It has literally dozens of uses.

When I looked in Barnes and Noble, there were only 250 books that said the same thing as mine but one of them didn't look as good this little gem so I'm sure my book could squeeze in there on the top shelf, just out of reach. Or maybe behind all the others.

I know that the books you publish are all really great, but if you wouldn't mind making an exception just this once, I think this could be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Yours, ever so faithlessly,

Peter

This is great. Why do aspiring authors not understand that there is more to being a published author than great writing skills and a good idea? I’ll pass along the sage advice given to me by my mother, "always do the hardest task first and you'll never be disappointed."

When I was the editor for Harvest House Publishers, I received a manuscript from an author who wanted us to publish it. The title? "Memoirs of an Amnesiac." The entire book was blank.

I bought a book from by a well-known female speaker with a title something like this "What Men Know About Women." The contents are blank.

I think I understand point 1 (and 2 also) all too clearly. So even if God tells you to write a book – you shouldn't tell the prospective publishers? I'm afraid I have that dilemma because God did tell me to write a book. Until that happened, I might have subscribed to your theory – but to tell you the truth I didn't even read often and I didn't write or follow publishing at all until I got a literal wake-up call. Now I have my own publishing company, and I am looking for people whom God has told to write a book – not the flaky kind who have grandiose delusions – but those who God has actually spoken to and anointed to bring a word of God's meat to a planet that only wants His milk. So in reality, this advice only applies to publishers who are secular or who are more interested in the fiscal worksheets than promoting the kingdom of God (which would be about all of them). I know that publishers must make money to stay in business, but it would be nice if they could be attuned to the spirit of God so when a work ordained of His hands comes along, it would be published no matter the return on investment forecast.
Donald James Parker
Author of Reforming the Potter's Clay

I think sometimes we try to write and publish books too quickly. Back in the mid 1990's, I decided I wanted to write a book about my understandings of the Bible. Since that time, I have written a proposal about every two years or so. The last time I wrote it (Summer 2007), I actually complained to God that there was nothing new in the proposal–it was simply regurgitated material. Thankfully, the proposal was again rejected. Since that time, something has happened within me that has changed everything. For the first time, what I am writing is not the same-old same-old; I am so grateful that it is fresh to me.

My attitude has also changed–I don't know if God has "told" me to write the book or not. I have asked Him to give me the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to write about His absolute love for all of us. I also am giving my whole effort to finding a publisher, and if I don't succeed, it won't be because I didn't try my best. That way, no matter how it turns out, I have peace with myself and with God. And, I know God will work everything out for my good. In that, I rejoice.

God often directs us to use our "talents," and giving God credit shouldn't mean an instant rejection. As someone who is both published and rejected, I know first hand how difficult it is to get a busy editor's attention. Query letters are often harder to write than the book! The nature of this article seems to poke fun at what should be a a little "Grace" for new authors learning the ropes.

The book you recommended, Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters, is not only hilarious, but also contains Good and Bad examples that are quite instructive.