Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have debut author Jessica Speer here to share about her MG nonfiction, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships. It sounds like a great guide to help middle grade girls navigate the challenges of friendships.
Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:
Friendships
are tough to navigate, even for adults. The preteen years can be particularly
sticky, but we’ve got your back! Packed with fun quizzes, colorful
illustrations, and stories about girls just like you, BFF or NRF (Not
Really Friends) is the ultimate interactive guidebook to help you
learn the ins and outs of friendship. Explore the topics of gossip, bullying,
and feeling left out, along with ways to strengthen the friendships that mean
the most to you.
Now here’s Jessica!
Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to agents and publishers. A quick internet search will find dozens of articles and resources about how to write effective proposals. But, let’s face it, it’s not a sexy topic.
For many writers, it’s more fun to write the actual book or even do the laundry. Yet, the process of proposal writing is essential and not just because it helps to sell your book. Here are three benefits gained by working on a book proposal early in your writing process.
Benefit #1: You Get to Know Competing Titles
Proposals include a section that
analyzes competing book titles and why yours is different and needed. Then
comes the important part: for each competitor, you briefly summarize the book,
clearly differentiate your title from the competition, and explain why there’s
a need for your book. In this process,
you not only gain a deep understanding of other books on the topic, you
learn how to make your book stand out.
Benefit #2: You Get to Know Your Audience
When writers begin to write, they
may have a general understanding of who might read their book. Book proposals
require a deeper understanding. Who will buy your book? Why will it sell? The
audience section of proposals identifies the market of readers who will be
compelled to buy your book, including primary and secondary readers.
Benefit
#3: You Hone the Content of Your Book
Book proposals also include a
detailed book outline and goals for the book. Since writers now have a better
understanding of the competition and their audience, they can write a book that
resonates with the market and readers.
In essence, for nonfiction authors, a book proposal serves the same purpose as a business plan. It’s not sexy or fun to write, but it’s an integral part of writing and selling the best book possible.
About the author: Jessica Speer’s book, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships grew out of her friendship program that strengthens social awareness and helps kids learn to navigate common struggles. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores social-emotional topics in ways that connect with pre-teens and teens. To learn more, visit www.JessicaSpeer.com or @jessica_speer_author on IG, or @SpeerAuthor on Twitter.
Giveaway Details
Jessica has generously offered a hardback of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by November 20th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S.
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.
Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways
Tuesday, November 9th I’m participating in the Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop
Monday, November 15th I have an interview with debut author Terry Catasús Jennings and a giveaway of her chapter book Definitely Dominguita Sherlock Dom
Tuesday, November 16th I’m participating in the In All Things Give Thanks Giveaway Hop
Monday, November 22th I have an agent spotlight interview with Danielle Chiotti and a query critique giveaway
Monday, November 29nd I have an interview with debut author Nancy McConnell and a giveaway of her MG fantasy Into the Lion’s Mouth
Hope to see you tomorrow!
19 comments:
Nice tips here on proposals! Best wishes for a book that should benefit many girls!
A non-fiction book proposal makes for a very different query than fiction.
This book would be so helpful for my school!
owens@wsd3.org
I love that title. Definitely fits the MG group. On again and off again! Great tips to authors about writing nonfiction proposal. Good luck with your wonderful book -- great for discussions. It belongs in every school library.
I enjoyed the helpful tips for a book proposal. Thank you for the interview and chance to win a copy. I shared on tumblr and follow Natalie on Twitter: https://yesreaderwriterpoetmusician.tumblr.com/post/667306121302818816/three-benefits-of-writing-a-book-proposal-by
I need this book for every teen who comes through my office. Sign me up for a chance. eseckman(at)ymail(dot)com
This book sounds like a much needed resource for tweens. There's always a lot of drama going on in young friendships and this would certainly derail many of the problems often cropping up. I enjoyed the background on book proposals even though I'm more into the query side of the business.
As a longtime elementary teacher of 5th and 6th grades, I appreciate books such as Jessica's. I taught grades 2-6 throughout my career. In general, girls were easier to teach than boys up until about 6th grade. It's important that schools tackle the subjects of bullying, gossiping, peer pressure, fitting in, and self-esteem as all of these topics can flip the culture of a classroom or school.
Sometimes I toy with the idea of writing a book about what I do. Nice to know I can do a proposal first, unlike with fiction.
what a great book!
Thank you for this post! It really does lay out the benefits of clearly knowing your own story and where it should land in the market.
I’m very interested in this book! I’m thinking your audience is middle grade. I have granddaughters that could benefit.
I will be writing a book proposal and your tips are most helpful.
Sue setwiggs@gmail.com
This would be a great book for my niece! Thanks for the chance! 3boymama81@gmail.com
I heard about this book, and it sounds like such a valuable read for many young readers! I know I benefited from some self-help books like these (albeit for different topics) as a kid, and I imagine other kids would as well. And this is really interesting info about book proposals! I'll pass on the giveaway, but thanks for sharing this great guest post, Natalie!
Dear Jessica,
Thank you for the book proposal tips - and encouragement to write them! I am looking forward to reading your book, it sounds like an excellent resource.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tips on writing proposals. Non-fiction is something I'd like to try my hand at. This book sounds like something middle-grade kids could really use. Making and keeping friends is so complex. Thanks for the post.
This looks like a wonderful book & I'd love to share with my daughter in her young 20s as well. I subscribe via email at amweeksoc @ comcast.net
What a brilliant book concept. Thanks for you thoughts on proposals as well!
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