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!

The part that drove nuts was the marketing Analysis and promotion plan. Also the biography cause my biography does not show expertise in the subject I'm writing about. I finally got around that by -A) Explaining what does qualify me even though it does not fit in a sound Byte. B) Getting some blurbs from some people I can prove know what they are doing.

The thing I have that you don't is the comparative analysis - cause it definitely belongs a category and I had to explain how it differs from similar stuff, and what it has to offer that they don't.

I have one last self-edit to do, and then I'll be ready for feedback. Any chance someone would have time for me to shoot a proposal their way on Tuesday Evening or Wed? Just to spot anything that might alienate an editor or publisher.