Review: How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

Title: How to Write a Book Proposal, 3rd Edition
Author: Michael Larsen
Released: February, 2004
Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books
Pages/Format: 288 (Trade Paperback)
Genre: Nonfiction, Reference/How-To
Source: Booksneeze

This 3rd edition of the Writer’s Digest classic outlines how to create an effective, nonfiction book proposal in a step-by-step manner. Readers will learn how to test market the potential of a book idea and effectively communicate that potential in a proposal, choose the best agents and editors for a particular proposal, create a professional-looking proposal package, predispose publishers to make their best offer, and much more.

Noted agent and author Michael Larsen also provides insider insights into the publishing industry as well as a plethora of newly updated information including recent changes in the publishing industry, updated trend information, new sample proposals, expanded instructions for creating outlines, and guidelines to becoming an effective self-promoter.

One Sentence Review: How to Write a Book Proposal is a good resource for published writers and aspiring authors who want to attract the best publishers and land the best contracts.

In-Depth Review

How to Write a Book Proposal is a comprehensive how-to guide filled with lists, bullet points, dos and don’ts, and hot tips that will help writers create a winning proposal. The information in this book is organized well for the most part and presented in a way that the layperson can easily understand and apply.

Many people view the publishing process as mysterious and impenetrable. Larsen reveals the nuts and bolts of publishing (there is even a chart on page 62 which visually outlines the entire process from start to finish) and makes it accessible for the writer who doesn’t have the funds to take expensive courses or hire someone to guide them through the process.

It’s been said that if at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you. But writing may still be. Writing is a forgiving craft that pardons all sins except one: Not doing as many final drafts as it takes to make your work 100 percent. Your final draft must be your very best if it’s going to hold the attention of agents, editors and readers. Let your networks assure you that your last draft is your best draft. {How to Write a Book Proposal page 162}

This book is useful to anyone trying to sell a nonfiction book, but a lot of the material which covers promotion techniques is more directed towards business or inspirational writers who have a speaking platform or plan to produce spin-off books to create a brand. There is a lot of emphasis placed on networking, which is important, but I think many writers will find this somewhat discouraging.

I did not find the actual writing of this book all that impressive. The information is valuable, but sometimes Larsen’s humor is a little annoying. Ignore this, and you will get a lot of out of the book.

Whether you are a published writer or aspiring author, How to Write a Book Proposal is a good resource for pitching your book.

Note: There is a fourth edition of this book now available. Readers may wish to purchase that instead of the third edition, which I reviewed here.

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About Michael Larsen:

Born and educated in New York, Michael Larsen worked in promotion for three major publishers until 1972, when he and his wife started Michael Larsen/Elizabeth Pomada Literary Agents, Northern California’s oldest literary agency. They also coauthored six books about San Francisco’s Victorian houses.