In the past year, I’ve collaborated on three nonfiction book proposals. All three have been picked up by leading literary agents within a week of submitting. The projects included a memoir with an autism focus, a meditation book with a twist, and a travel essay collection. Varied, you might say. Last weekend I spent some time pondering just how these three very different book proposals all rang the right bells—and how they did it so quickly. Despite the variety in the subject

As a rule, if there’s one thing most publishers and literary agents really hate to see, it’s a manuscript. You’re probably surprised by that. Most new authors are. The fact is that literary agents never read most of the manuscripts that authors submit to them. They just don’t have the time or staff to wade through the enormous number of full manuscripts they receive from hopeful authors. For the big agencies, it can number in the thousands each year. WHAT AGENTS (AND EDITORS)

If you want to land a publishing deal for your memoir, there is one thing you need: a standout book proposal to submit to literary agents and editors. Daunting, right? You might be wondering: How can I find a publisher for my memoir? What even IS a book proposal? Can’t I just send in my manuscript? What are agents and editors looking for? How can I make my book idea stand out? With my fellow writer and memoirist Joanne Spataro, I’ll be answering all these questions—and so muc

What IS a message (AKA proposition) for your book? And how the heck do you come up with one? I like the way industry guru Jane Friedman puts it. As an author you have to answer two questions about your book: So what? And who cares? Your message is the answer to the first question, so what? It’s the big idea that drives your book, expressed in a sentence or two that highlights how unique it is. It might be the 10,000-foot solution to the reader’s problem. When people ask, what

You might be wondering why you need to be so specific about your target readers. Narrowing down your focus to a specific group will allow you to first reach them, and then connect with them. It also doesn’t mean that people from outside your target can’t be readers—they certainly can. Think of it this way: being clear about your audience will help you remove the blindfold and get a better aim at your target. Identifying your audience will help you brainstorm content, focus yo