By Lanee’ Blunt
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| A proposal is a tool for selling a novel-- Lupoianfla |
A novel proposal is the
first thing that you need to get your novel published. It is a tool that will
help you get your novel sold. Your proposal must look professional and make
your book look publishable. Think of a novel proposal as a snapshot of your
novel and it consists of a query letter, a synopsis and the first three
chapters of your novel.
Revise
The novel must be completed
before it can sell by proposal because it is different from selling nonfiction
that can be sold with a proposal. If you are still in the first draft stage of
your novel and just curious if it is marketable try to resist the temptation of
shopping the book. If they are interested in the book and ask to see it, then it will
be very unprofessional to say, “Well I can't send it now, but I’ll send it to you
in a few months.” Revise the novel
before sending it. Make sure that you have left nothing out of place and if you
are unsure of a section of the novel write it over. Check the book for typos
and proofread everything before sending it.
Literary Agent
Get a literary agent to sell
the book because this will give you more free time to write another novel. You
won’t have to worry about the marketing end and can concentrate on what writers
do best--writing. Finding a literary agent can be as hard as finding a
publisher for new writers because they don’t like to take new writers on. You
may find one that is just starting-up their business and looking for writers
for their list.
Mail to Publishers
If you don’t have an agent
it is perfectly fine to sell the book yourself. Put the following package
together: cover letter, 5 to 10 page synopsis, three chapters of novel, return
postage, return envelope. Mail it out to your market list. Most publishers
don’t want you to simultaneous submit your novel and want you to wait before
sending the package else where, but it is up to you. Some writer’s submit to
three publishers at a time and others submit to one and wait.
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