How to Make $100,000 for Your First Non-Fiction Book
BONUS HANDOUT
for Susan Page's Teleseminar
* Hot Tips
* All About Royalty Advances
* Outrageously Effective Non-fiction Book Proposal Outline
Hot Tips for the Getting-Published Process
1. DO establish goals for your book. Exactly what will success look like to
you?
2. DO work relentlessly on finding a way to distinguish you book. What
unique contribution does your book make to the world? Write this down early
and continue to hone it.
3. DO, in your proposal, emphasize your credentials for your topic, your
own marketing plan for the book, and your "platform," that is, your ability
to sell books yourself through your reputation and public appearances.
3. DO show your proposal to a professional "proposal doctor" (editor or
writing consultant) before sending it to your first agent.
4. DO always include an SASE whenever you send a proposal to or correspond
with an agent.
5. DO take the time to speak with several of an agent's clients before you
agree to turn your precious project over to the agent.
6. DO prepare for interviews with potential editors of your book (your
agent may arrange these) as though you are preparing for a media interview.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1. DON'T quit your day job the moment you sell your first proposal, even if
your advance is sizable. Very few people make a living by writing books
alone.
2. DON'T become attached to one title early on. Brainstorm endlessly for
the perfect title. Be open to inspiration. You can always return to your
original title if it is truly the best one.
3. DON'T make your agent work to open your proposal. Send it in a
jiffy-open padded envelope.
4. DON'T ever bind your proposal. Unbound pages are easier for agents to
read and to copy!
5. DON'T submit your proposal to a single agent until you have a
well-researched list of at least twelve agents, any one of whom you would
be thrilled to work with.
6. DON'T let an agent keep your proposal for more than six weeks without
phoning the agency to inquire about its progress. Keep phoning every two
weeks. Be polite but persistent.
7. DON'T wait for your galleys to start soliciting endorsements for your
book, and don't wait for your editor to do this. Begin as soon as you have
a revised manuscript.
(For more information about any one of these hot tips, consult Susan's
thorough, step-by-step guide to getting published entitled The Shortest
Distance Between You and a Published Book, available wherever books are
sold.)
All About Royalty Advances
1. How do publishers determine the size of your royalty advance?
A. Standard percentages:
Hardcover: First 5000 books sold: 10% of cover price
Next 5000 books sold: 12 1/2% of cover price
All books over 10,000 sold: 15% of cover price
For $20 hardcover: $2 to $3 per book
"Trade" (Quality) paperback: 7 1/2% of cover price
For $13 paperback: $ .98 per book
"Mass market" paperback: 10% of cover price
For $6 paperback: $ .60 per book
B. Key estimate for determining size of advance:
Number of books that will sell in the first year.
Examples: 10,000 hardcovers @ $3 per book = $30,000 advance
10,000 paperbacks @ $ .98 per book = $9,800 advance
40,000 hardcovers @ $3 per book = $120,000 advance
2. On what do they base their guess how many books will sell
the first year?
* How similar books have performed
* How large the potential audience for your topic
* Your credentials for this topic
* Your own marketing plan for the book
Your enthusiasm and authority on talk shows
The amount of money you plan to spend
Any special ideas or constituency you have
* The general economy
* The profile of your literary agent
* The "buzz" about your book
* Competition for your book among publishers
* Whether their kids won or lost the Little League game last night
3. Seven essential criteria for a six-figure advance (non-fiction):
* Topic of wide general interest
* Distinctive angle; original material and presentation
* Superb author credentials (or highly credentialed co-author or preface
writer)
* Extraordinary book proposal edited by a professional freelance editor
* Show-stopping title
* Outstanding, experienced literary agent who shares your vision for this
book
* Willingness and ability to promote your book
(Note: These ingredients do not guarantee a six-figure advance, but if any
one of them is missing, your chances of receiving one are greatly
diminished.)
4. Common pay-out schedules:
You may received
* half of your advance upon the signing of your contract and
* half when you deliver the manuscript.
OR
You may receive
* one third of the advance when you sign
* one third when you deliver the manuscript, and
* one third upon the publication of the book.
The pay-out schedule is negotiated in the contract. These are common; other
schedules are also possible.
The BEST OUTLINE for Your
Non-fiction Book Proposal
1. Overview
* Why is there a need for your book?
* How will your book meet this need, and how is it distinctive from every
other book on this topic?
* Why are you the person to write this book?
2. The Author
Emphasize your credentials on this topic and writing experience.
3. The Audience (or Market) for the Book
Who will want to read this book? Cite other books on this topic that did
well, recent newspaper and magazine articles, and statistics (reference
librarians can be a huge help.)
4. Marketing and Promotion Plans
Detail your creative ideas for marketing your book. Include special
resources like your own mailing list, your potential for back-of-the-room
sales, target groups for direct mail, and media experience if any.
5. The Competition.
List five to seven books closest to yours in the marketplace and explain
clearly (in one paragraph per book) why your book will be both different
and better. Choose recent books, published with in the last two years, or
classic older timeless books that are still strong sellers.
6. Book's Table of Contents.
7. Chapter by Chapter Outline
In about one page per chapter, explain in detail what each chapter will
accomplish. Include short anecdotes and examples. Discuss both "features"
and "benefits" of the chapter.
8. Sample Chapters.
Include 30 to 50 pages of your best writing. This does not have to be the
first chapter. Just be sure it shows off both your writing style and your
topic to top advantage.