How to write a killer chapter outline.
In your book proposal, the chapter outline is where you reveal your book’s shape: how it unfolds for the reader, chapter by chapter. It...
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Sally Collings
- Dec 13, 2021
How to Plan the Structure of Your Book
Although non-fiction books don't contain the classic narrative arc of novels, they still need to take the reader on a journey of...
Sally Collings
- Dec 1, 2021
Put Your Book Proposal To the “So What” Test.
You’ve got a matter of seconds to engage an agent or editor with your “big story” before they flip on to the next book proposal in the...
Sally Collings
- Nov 22, 2021
How to write your author bio
Unless you’re a “household-name” author (Steven King, JK Rowling, Malcolm Gladwell, I’m looking at you), most literary agents and editors...
Sally Collings
- Nov 15, 2021
What’s an Author Platform?
For first-time authors, there is one topic that can feel overwhelming at first but is absolutely necessary when it comes to connecting...
Sally Collings
- Nov 8, 2021
Get ready to write a book proposal.
Most weeks I get a call or email from at least one author wanting me to work with them on their nonfiction book proposal. Sadly, I’d say...
Sally Collings
- Nov 1, 2021
Analyze your competition like a pro.
I’ve heard it said that every book has already been written at least once, and it’s somewhat true. Don’t let that discourage you. It...
Sally Collings
- Oct 25, 2021
Three ways to a literary agent’s heart.
In the past year, I’ve collaborated on three nonfiction book proposals. All three have been picked up by leading literary agents within a...
Sally Collings
- Oct 18, 2021
Literary agents hate manuscripts.
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...
Sally Collings
- Oct 11, 2021
Writing a book proposal for your memoir? Join me for a micro-retreat.
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...
Sally Collings
- Oct 1, 2021
What’s in it for your readers?
When a reader picks up a nonfiction book, they expect to get something out of it—a solution to a problem, a way to improve their life, or...
Sally Collings
- Sep 24, 2021
What’s your message?
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...
Sally Collings
- Sep 20, 2021
Get in touch with your readers.
In my last post, I talked about defining your target reader—who they are, what you know about their interests, their age, and other...
Sally Collings
- Sep 13, 2021
Who are you writing for?
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...
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