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...
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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
Dec 20, 2021
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...
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...
Sally Collings
Sep 6, 2021
Defining your goals for your book
Writing a book is like any other large endeavor. Having goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It helps you organize...
Sally Collings
Aug 30, 2021
Achieve your why for your book.
Over the next few weeks I'll be blogging tips and ideas from my new online course, How to Write a Successful Nonfiction Book. Along with...
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