The Work World and the Book Proposal

It is wonderful to think ahead to a lifetime of being a writer. Self-expression constitutes one of the great joys of life. And one of life's most common -- and keenest -- regrets remains, "I should have written it down." People lament not having written down their stories for a book-buying audience, for children and grandchildren, for the others like them and ultimately for themselves. You, our reader, have this to look forward to: the fact that your own indelible imprint on the world can be captured in the nearly indelible medium of ink.

There is, however, that sticky matter of making a living. Very few writers support themselves solely through their books. While many writers do support themselves through academic careers, these too have become scarce, with a highly competitive job market. And academic careers require advanced degrees, generally Ph.Ds or MFAs for four-year colleges. For this and a myriad of other reasons, they're not for everybody.

The good news here is that we are living in the midst of the Information Age, and how apt that term appears as we wend through our day. Advertising appears in the mail; hundreds of channel of television offer entertainment and news; books fill barn-sized bookstores; newspapers abound; films compete for screen time. And there's the computer, that little wonder that sits on our desk delivering hundreds of kinds of software and hardware, along with access to an Internet filled with billions of pages of information. Once hailed as the force that would do in our language skills, computers have actually created a boom in the need for technical writers and those who can communicate with skill and precision. Not only is there a tremendous demand for people to create materials to translate computer programs into words laypeople can understand, but computers themselves are literal creatures, and only respond to those who use language with precision.

In fact, in every one of these media, language skills are key. Think about it. A technical writer created every piece of hardware or software support that crosses your desk. Language skills also drive journalism, television, film, advertising and a thousand other fields. Many of our students also end up working in publishing houses. Remember, there are two sides to the book business -- those who write books, and those who develop, edit, and ultimately usher them into existence. A typical career in a publishing house involves starting as an editorial assistant and working your way up, possibly to the position of editor or acquisitions editor -- the person who acquires the manuscripts that go on to become books.

Find out if your school has an internship program for creative writing students; many do, and these often place students in internships in journalism, publishing, technical writing and other fields that go on to become lasting jobs. If your school does not have such a program, you might consider asking your advisor to think about starting one. Most companies welcome the free extra help, and the experience performing professional functions in which you use your writing skills can be invaluable.

Another step in the move toward treating your writing professionally involves learning about book proposals. If you think your writing might lead you to a book-length project, it's useful to know that most nonfiction books now are sold on proposal. Writing a good book proposal has become an art in itself -- proposals can range anywhere from twenty to forty pages long or longer, and may take months to complete. Philip Gerard spent four months researching and writing the book proposal for Secret Soldiers: The Story of World War II's Heroic Army of Deception, a time commitment that's not unusual. Proposals take the reader through the narrative arc of the book itself and usually cite other books that have covered similar territory, establishing a sense of what the market for such a book would be like, as well as its possible competition.

If you're interested in tackling a book proposal, you would be wise to obtain a book that addresses just that subject, as proposals do have their own unique structure. How To Write A Book Proposal by Michael Larsen offers a basic how-to manual of book proposal structure, as well as the rules and etiquette of marketing a book. Write the Perfect Book Proposal: Ten That Sold and Why by Deborah Levine Herman and Jeff Herman presents ten complete book proposals that resulted in book deals, and also gives a great deal of inside information on the book negotiating process.

Remember, finally, that your skills will be in demand whichever way you turn. Most professions are clamoring for those who can write, as the book industry always has room for those who have something to say, and who say it skillfully and well. Most important of all, you are building the tools of self-expression you need to satisfy the one you most need to satisfy in life -- you.