This is the podcast for aspiring writers, an A-to-Z guide to writing, publishing, and promoting books or any other writing project. Your hosts are Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz, co-founders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. Each episode is designed to both inspire and instruct writers as they take the long road trip to write and promote their ideas.
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This is the podcast for aspiring writers, an A-to-Z guide to writing, publishing, and promoting books or any other writing project. Your hosts are Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz, co-founders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. Each episode is designed to both inspire and instruct writers as they take the long road trip to write and promote their ideas.
Lisa Tener on Writing a Book Proposal that Lands You a Deal
The Writing Podcast
42 minutes 9 seconds
2 years ago
Lisa Tener on Writing a Book Proposal that Lands You a Deal
You want a traditional book deal? First you need a stand-out book proposal. But for many first-time authors, creating a book proposal is a mystery. What do you include? What don’t you include? What are agents really looking for? In this episode author and book proposal coach Lisa Tener provides insider knowledge of what it takes to create a proposal that catches the eye of a literary agent and a publisher.
Great Moments in the Episode
6:50 – 8:16 The number one thing publishers and literary agents look for in a book proposal.
8:18 – 10:19 Lisa answers the question: What size platform do agents and publishers look for?
10:20 – 12:18 What to do when an agent likes your idea but you do not have a platform.
12:19 – 13:49 How to grow a basic platform.
13:50 – 16:01 Help for developing your book idea when it needs to be differentiated.
16:03 – 16:36 Signs your book is based on a crummy idea.
17:37 – 18:52 When you should pursue an independent publisher instead of a traditional publisher.
18:53 – 19:52 Signs your idea is suited for an article and not a book.
19:54 – 21:15 How to differentiate your book from comps.
21:16 – 22:15 How many comps and what types of comps to include in your book proposal.
22:16 – 25:54 How much of your book should be completed when you submit your proposal.
25:55 – 28:18 How much time a writer should devote to a book proposal.
28:20 – 30:23 Reasons why your literary agent might accept your book but a publisher won’t.
30:25 – 32:05 How your publishing on external digital platforms influences literary agents and publishing boards.
32:06 – 35:01 Missteps when writing a book proposal.
35:53 – 37:21 Managing expectations for first-time authors pitching a book.
Words of the Episode
ephemeron (n): an insect that lives only for a day or a few days.
lissome (adj): thin, supple, and graceful.
Follow Journey Sixty6
https://www.journeysixty6.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub
https://www.facebook.com/journeysixty6
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/
Check Out Lisa
Lisa’s Website: https://www.lisatener.com/
Lisa’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Writing-Journal-Creativity-Minutes-dp-195581127X/dp/195581127X
The Writing Podcast
This is the podcast for aspiring writers, an A-to-Z guide to writing, publishing, and promoting books or any other writing project. Your hosts are Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz, co-founders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. Each episode is designed to both inspire and instruct writers as they take the long road trip to write and promote their ideas.
