Chris Webb

Nice self-important twaddle. How original: an agent/publisher/critic who calls writers lazy/stupid/unprofessional for taking more time to write than to work on marketing. No wonder publishing houses are on their way out. Long live independent media!

I find your sarcasm refreshing Chris. I am enjoying learning from your (very informative!) site. Thank you, it is much appreciated.

How about just writing a book for my own enjoyment. I've written two and had a blast doing it. I didn't know I had such a vivid imagination. I'm now working on my third. Are they publishable? Probably, considering what's being published these days.

Thanks Chris G. Your site is very interesting as well, and I'll be reading your essays.

I just found your great site and I am impressed with all the value you are providing. I am a writer busy working on my first book proposal, and I don't find the tone pompous or inappropriate in any way. The fact is that the vast majority of proposals *are* rejected, and many for these very reasons outlined here. Isn't it better for would-be authors to know this in advance?

Keep up the good writing, and you know you're doing well when not everyone gets it.

Steve,

Thanks for the comment. You are right, the post title could have been "5 Things to Consider before Submitting a Book Proposal" but there are lot of posts like that on this blog and many others.

I just thought the post title would grab your attention, and from the comments it certainly did. But the sarcasm seems to be lost on many.

Seems like my sarcasm is lost on many of you. I have written extensively on the subject here on the blog (http://ckwebb.com/tag/book-proposal) and thought I might try a little different approach with this post. It is the most popular post on the site by far.

Take a few moments to read some posts other than this one, and hopefully you will find something of value.

Worst "stumble" of the day. Some arrogant publisher thinks he's hot shit because he can reject manuscripts based on common sense tips. Next.

All these sound like very good points. It does come across as pompous because of the tone. Wouldn't the same message have been conveyed if the title was:
5 Things to Consider before Submitting a Book Proposal

So strange. The only negative comments are from people who are semi-literate. A hint, guys; I assume you're interested in publishing a novel. Would you talk to your boss at your day job this way? Why would you think any editor anywhere would think kindly toward you after this screed? And editors do talk to one another.

Amazing...the negative comments seem to come from people who can't spell and have never heard of commas or apostrophes.

I wonder whether there's a correlation between failure to pass freshman composition and failure to break into publishing.

If this is insufficiently nice, I apologize. But ye gods, I hate to watch people who don't put in any effort taking out their frustration on people who do.

Your site was referred to me by one of my readers who has become a good friend. I would certainly like to publish but I will get back to you with a proposal after I have spend some time reading your inputs.

In the mean time, could I ask to pay a visit to my site and honestly comment on its publishing potential?

I'm a big fan of Harp's reply. Especially the typos. I feel it makes your point efficiently, don't you?

Quite enjoyable. Short and to the point. I wonder how many people will pay attention.

Im reading your 5 ways to reject your book proposal. Your wording is quite distasteful and makes you sound like an arrogant prick who thinks they have power. It is subtle, but very clear. You are not special, in any way. No one has ever heard of you. Therefor please change the tone of your shit blog. I dont give a piss if you post this or not but you should probably consider what ive said for a second dickhead, for your sake. Try to be more human and actually have a heart.

These tips are obvious, yes but then so often that is just what people miss.
There is no point for instance in aiming your latest science fiction opus at "Masquerade Historical Romance". Yet people still do!

As a writer you should want to write. Not worry about publishing, promoting, and outlining your book. Look at Mr. Kerouac or Mr. McCarthy, they both went against a few of these top 5 publishing 'codes of conduct' and are considered geniuses. Mr. McCarthy even said he doesn't understand why authors are out promoting their books because if he did he wouldn't have any energy left to write (i.e. to write WELL)!

It seems this publisher is directing her/his rancor only to the lazy writers, those that are doing it for every reason except the desire to write. Let them be swayed and spit out by the publishing industry but leave the committed writer (not publishing whore) out of your rant.

Thanks for all the great feedback. Glad (almost) everyone gets it. :)

It's so funny how many people who want to write can't actually read (or don't want to...) All the things you mention are things you can find out about if you do a little research (aka reading), whether at a library, a bookstore or the internet. Guess those who can't, write (anyway), eh? Hopefully the little nuggets of gold (great books) more than make up for the iron pyrite that gets shoveled your way...

I think someone has been writing bad book proposals and just realized it...

I wonder if you know how pompous you are? How about an article on self-important publishers? It could be called 5 reasons we dont choose you as our publisher or 5 reasons we want you to do the 5 reasons because its your job you lazy twit.

Thanks for the heads-up!!

Thanks for the excellent and informative post. And great information on the specifics of what is often missing from a proposal.

As an editor and writer who also teaches writing workshops, I always hear: "I've got a great idea! I'm going to send it to a publisher and get it published!" from new writers. New writers who don't understand that everybody has a great idea. There's so much more to getting that idea into a form that a publisher will look at, much less be interested in.

Hello all the way from Singapore ;)And yeah, it have to be something like a business plan but some people somehow dont get it.

Chris, in my capacity as an ex-agent, ex-editor, erstwhile author I often find myself giving folks advice on how to put together a book proposal, etc. I always harp on the "this book has no competition" fallacy.

Also, I suggest that they think of the book proposal as something like a business plan or business case, so naturally you need to understand the market, figure out how to promote the thing, how to price it and explain why it's the right "product" to make, why you (the author) are the right person to write it and why the publsiher is the right business to produce it.