Underline looks wrong to me for anything other than hyperlinks any more, even in print.
In my genealogy file I cite book titles and journal names in italics (or allcaps when italics are not available, it's a problem with a particular program I use), article titles in double quotes, and organizations in initial caps.
One more question. The reference books I have say that the promotion plan should avoid the use of the word "I" unless you are somebody famous. But basically my promotion plan consists of personal committments to do stuff. I'm really feeling silly changing all the "I" statements to "the author". I mean my name is the only one on the proposal (other than my blubs). Follow my instincts or listen to the reference books and say "the author".
(blink)
TB, I have to say "the author" sounds ten times more pretentious and self-important than a nice simple pronoun.
I'm all about the "I".
Thanks. What I thought. The problem here is my sources are writers market which is great but really give guidance in summary and the two references books on the market which are not trustworthy but which give more detail.
I'm thinking, go with your instinct. I know I would, anyway.
Yes, thanks, I'm doing that. But I needed to hear it from a professional. It seems like writing a book proposal is as tough as writing a book.
It seems like writing a book proposal is as tough as writing a book.
You can have a blast with it, I swear.
The nice thing about a book proposal for fiction - especially for an existing series - is that I get to do a nifty plot summary thing. A friend of mine, Ken Howard, did a couple of science books with other people and the proposals drove him stone bonkers.
My proposal was a summary, sample chapter, annotated table of contents, marketing analysis, and bio. I'm not sure if that differs a lot from fiction, or even other non-fiction since my book is a collection of stories connected to a theme.
The next installment of my "How To Succeed As A Failing Writer" column is up: Midnight in the Morning: Face it. Getting older changes things.
Enjoy!