Publish me! (I’m begging you.) Writing a query letter for your memoir.
You’ve written your memoir, you’ve produced your book proposal. Now it’s time to reach out to your chosen literary agents and/or editors....
top of page
Articles
Search
Sally Collings
Nov 18, 2022
Do I need a million social media followers to impress a literary agent?
Let's be brave and tackle what some writers consider to be one of the hardest parts of a book proposal: the Platform & Marketing section....
Sally Collings
Nov 11, 2022
Who are you? And who’s going to read your memoir?
In my recent blog posts, we’ve looked at what a book proposal is and what agents look for. We’ve discussed the overview and how to gain a...
Sally Collings
Nov 4, 2022
Writing about writing is the hardest thing.
The day has come. You’ve written, polished, and honed the manuscript for your memoir. Go you! Now it’s time to get that baby out there,...
Sally Collings
Oct 28, 2022
Memoir writers! How will you catch a literary agent’s eye?
If you’re pitching your memoir to literary agents, the million-dollar question is this: how do you catch an agent’s eye? Impress the...
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
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 28, 2022
Why every author should visit a bookstore.
What with pandemics and such, it’s been a good while since I visited my local bookstore. I continue to spend inordinate amounts of time...
Sally Collings
Mar 14, 2022
Spring is in the air.
Next week, I'm heading out of town to enjoy a Midwest spring break. I'll be lolling in the sunshine by Lake Michigan, enjoying the...
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 25, 2022
6 steps you need to take before writing your book proposal.
If you are planning to write a nonfiction book, and you’re planning to seek a publishing deal, the first thing you need is a book...
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
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...
Sally Collings
Jun 7, 2021
A Micro-Retreat for Memoir Writers
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...
bottom of page