Terrible publishing advice for memoir writers.
This week, I’m offering the 5 worst pieces of advice a memoir writer can follow if they want to land a publishing deal. #1. Think of your...
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Sally Collings
- Oct 20, 2022
Fall in love with your book proposal: especially for memoir writers.
You’ve written your memoir. Now what? Finishing your memoir is not the end of the path to publication. You’re going to need a book...
Sally Collings
- Oct 14, 2022
It’s twins! Kind of. Two new courses to help you write your book proposal.
This week I’m launching not one, but two new courses to help writers who are wrestling with their book proposal—whether they’re already...
Sally Collings
- Aug 4, 2022
How to make a bestseller.
The third day of the antitrust trial over the sale of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House offers a fascinating glimpse into the...
Sally Collings
- Jul 6, 2022
Two authors tell: promoting your book, the unvarnished truth.
In this post, I’m continuing my discussion with Meredith Sandland & Carl Orsbourn, authors of Delivering the Digital Restaurant: Your...
Sally Collings
- Apr 11, 2022
Two authors tell: promoting your book, the unvarnished truth.
I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing clients who have had great success with their books. They have signed deals with leading...
Sally Collings
- Apr 4, 2022
Fearlessly Different: a shout-out to author Mickey Rowe.
One of the most rewarding projects I worked on last year was Mickey Rowe’s book, Fearlessly Different. When Mickey approached me, he had...
Sally Collings
- Mar 7, 2022
Craft an elevator pitch for your book.
Every author needs an elevator pitch. A brief but irresistible description that condenses the spirit of your book into a few sentences. ...
Sally Collings
- Feb 21, 2022
7 things you need to know about hybrid publishing.
Hybrid publishing: AKA author-assisted publishing, indie publishing, partnership publishing, and co-publishing. It’s an umbrella term for...
Sally Collings
- Feb 14, 2022
What’s the best way to get your book published?
Dreaming of a book deal with Penguin Random House, Macmillan, or HarperCollins? You’re not alone. SO not alone. Before you join that long...
Sally Collings
- Feb 9, 2022
Podcasts are the new author credential.
Podcasts have become the latest hunting ground for agents and editors to find new voices. Just as long-form journalism has been a place...
Sally Collings
- Jan 17, 2022
The pros and cons of traditional publishing.
Every author needs to weigh up whether they seriously want a traditional publisher. It may seem like the holy grail, providing...
Sally Collings
- Jan 10, 2022
Be honest. Do you really want a publishing deal?
Earlier this week, I started work with a new client. She asked me to review and edit her book proposal, which is for a coffee-table book...
Sally Collings
- Jan 4, 2022
How much ego is too much in your book proposal?
Getting the balance between humility and hubris in your nonfiction book proposal is hard. Many authors are naturally self-effacing...
Sally Collings
- Dec 28, 2021
Show off with your sample chapters.
It’s easy to think of a book proposal as entirely separate from your book manuscript. Truth is, your book proposal must include a solid...
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 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 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...
Sally Collings
- Jul 22, 2021
More sell, less tell.
Nine times out of ten, I see authors making one catastrophic error in their book proposals. After your cover page and list of contents,...
Sally Collings
- Jun 16, 2021
Stop Dreaming About Getting Your Memoir Published.
Just imagine it. You get to step away from your day-to-day grind—the tedious meetings, the ache in your lower back, your cousin's...
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