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This is a noncredit, online writing class through UW-Madison Continuing Studies.

How to compose your selling book proposal

Put your best book forward!

To sell your work in the nonfiction arena, you need a powerful book proposal. In this four-lesson course, learn how to compose and present an effective proposal for traditional publishing outlets, an e-book platform, or self-publishing.  Explore the ever-changing landscape of the publishing industry and examine the elements of a successful proposal: overview/introduction, chapter summaries, author bio, marketing statement, sample chapter, and abstract. 

In 4 lessons we’ll cover:

1. The state of the Publishing Industry
2. Book Proposal Sections-Overview, Target Audience, About the Author
3. Book Proposal Sections-Competitive Titles, Marketing and Promotion
4. Book Proposal Sections-Detailed Table of Contents and Sample Chapters and final submission of your completed book proposal

Each lesson includes details regarding these all-important sections of a selling book proposal.  Also included with each lesson are sample pages from a book proposal that sold a book, along with references to many outside resources for the writer to access.  This course also features a text written by agents Marilyn Allen and Coleen O’Shea, Principles of the Allen O’Shea Literary Agency in New York City.  The text is The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Book Proposals & Query Letters, Alpha Publishing, 2011.

You will have access to the important advice of these two agents along with the guidance of your instructor.

Your instructor

Laurie Scheer is a published author, her book Creative Careers In Hollywood and her DVD How To Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay have helped mentor the next generation of media professionals for nearly a decade. Laurie has been a professor at universities across the United States and professional speaker. She is currently researching and navigating the landscape of writing for the Web, creating a number of new courses for writers who are migrating from print to web based platforms.

How it works

You can start this writing course anytime, and there are no required hours to participate.  It’s all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email.  We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops, and we have success stories.  A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email.  Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you’ll find them an excellent “coaching” or mentoring situation that will keep you going.  And if you want to just work on your own-hey, that’s fine too.  Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own without the feedback if you’d rather do that.  We’re also here throughout the year if you have questions.

Review the current technical requirements for students in Learn@UW online courses.

Costs

Registration is just $95, which includes the four lessons, email access to your instructor, and a thorough critique of your final book proposal.  You will earn 1.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) when you complete the course.  Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish the course. Register any time.

Contact

Your contact for more information about How to Compose Your Selling Book Proposal is Laurie Scheer. 608 265 3972 or lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu.

For more information about online learning contact Lori O'Neill at 608-263-6322 or toll-free 877-336-7836 or email LSAonline@dcs.wisc.edu.

How to register

Online: Register now online with our secure server.

Mail: Print and mail our registration form.

Telephone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692 to register. Our phone is answered M-F, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Central Time. At other times please leave a message, and we will return your call.

 

Also of interest

Explore other online writing classes.

The same writing staff that bring you these great online classes also provide individualized writing critique services. Learn more by visiting our writing critique services web page.

 

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