Ghostwriting a memoir and proposal

sb2brown · 12-09-2010, 07:03 PM

Hello all. I've been perusing these threads for hours and have gotten some very helpful information. For that I thank you. My inquiry is long, so please bear with me.

I am in the process of ghost writing a memoir for a young man who recently left Ciudad Juarez. Even though I have read several posts about finishing the memoir before sending a proposal to an agent, he would prefer to do things the other way (i.e. send the proposal first). Apparently he has been in contact with a few agents and think he can sell the book on proposal alone, with perhaps the first chapter.

My question to you all is about formatting and information to include. He would like to send a "mini-proposal" since the book is not yet complete. I have so far written about 3 pages, but I am unsure if I am doing things correctly. I have included the hook, a brief synopsis of the book, the primary benefit (USP), a quick description of the target audience, a list of competing books, and the book specifications (which is a difficult area since he's only got 10,000 words in Spanish right now). All this and yet only 3 pages. I have found where I can add more in the competing book section, but I am still wondering how to add more pages to the proposal. Any ideas? Also, how long should a mini-proposal be? 10 pages? 5?

Concerning formatting, I read previously it is preferred single spaced with spaces between paragraphs, 12 pt Calibri, 1 inch margins (though I will tailor for each agent to his or her specifications). Within the proposal itself should I set off each of the sections above? Currently I have them flowing into each other, but would it be more effective to write like an APA research paper and have sections entitled "Primary Benefit" and "Target Audience"?

If anyone is interested, I can post what I have written thus far. Thanks for your help.

conspicuouschick · 12-10-2010, 03:04 AM

It really depends on the agent whether the memoir can be sold on proposal. Most agents who take memoir want the manuscript finished and they want a query (especially if it's an unknown author, or in this case, subject of the memoir). Some, however, do prefer a proposal; I hope your subject isnt misleading you about the agents he's spoken with. Because if one doesn't follow each specific agent's directions, the proposal/query will be deleted (by that, I mean his belief that he can sell on proposal alone if an agent requires a completed manuscript).

The pain in the butt of proposals, imo, is that there aren't the stringent length guidelines that exist for queries.

Michael Larsen's "how to write a book proposal" has a section on mini-proposals, which could be useful for you, but he focuses on commercial nonfiction and not on memoir.

From what I understand, especially if the author/memoir-subject is an unknown is stressing A. voice B. why his story is unique and has mass appeal and C. why now is the time to publish his story. Proposals don't have a 'synopsis' per se, but what is termed an "Overview" which includes the context I just mentioned.

Another piece I don't see mentioned above is a marketing plan. An agent/publisher will want to know what the author (pseudo-author) can do to sell the book. Not just what can be done in theory, but what the author has the connection and know-how to make happen.

http://www.hiwrite.com/pro.html <- this site is helpful too.

sb2brown · 12-13-2010, 10:05 PM

Thanks for your input. I'll check out that book and work on adding a marketing plan. I've asked the "author" to give me specifics for the agents he has in mind, and I will be tailoring each proposal accordingly.

Were it my book, I would finish it before submitting proposals, but I you have to follow the wishes of the artist. Whether or not he's spoken to agents, I'm going to do the job I'm being paid to do, and that includes following his whims.

12-09-2010, 07:03 PM	#1
sb2brown figuring it all out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: West Texas - though not by choice Posts: 58	Ghostwriting a memoir and proposal Hello all. I've been perusing these threads for hours and have gotten some very helpful information. For that I thank you. My inquiry is long, so please bear with me. I am in the process of ghost writing a memoir for a young man who recently left Ciudad Juarez. Even though I have read several posts about finishing the memoir before sending a proposal to an agent, he would prefer to do things the other way (i.e. send the proposal first). Apparently he has been in contact with a few agents and think he can sell the book on proposal alone, with perhaps the first chapter. My question to you all is about formatting and information to include. He would like to send a "mini-proposal" since the book is not yet complete. I have so far written about 3 pages, but I am unsure if I am doing things correctly. I have included the hook, a brief synopsis of the book, the primary benefit (USP), a quick description of the target audience, a list of competing books, and the book specifications (which is a difficult area since he's only got 10,000 words in Spanish right now). All this and yet only 3 pages. I have found where I can add more in the competing book section, but I am still wondering how to add more pages to the proposal. Any ideas? Also, how long should a mini-proposal be? 10 pages? 5? Concerning formatting, I read previously it is preferred single spaced with spaces between paragraphs, 12 pt Calibri, 1 inch margins (though I will tailor for each agent to his or her specifications). Within the proposal itself should I set off each of the sections above? Currently I have them flowing into each other, but would it be more effective to write like an APA research paper and have sections entitled "Primary Benefit" and "Target Audience"? If anyone is interested, I can post what I have written thus far. Thanks for your help.

12-10-2010, 03:04 AM	#2
conspicuouschick that bathroom won't tile itself Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 125	It really depends on the agent whether the memoir can be sold on proposal. Most agents who take memoir want the manuscript finished and they want a query (especially if it's an unknown author, or in this case, subject of the memoir). Some, however, do prefer a proposal; I hope your subject isnt misleading you about the agents he's spoken with. Because if one doesn't follow each specific agent's directions, the proposal/query will be deleted (by that, I mean his belief that he can sell on proposal alone if an agent requires a completed manuscript). The pain in the butt of proposals, imo, is that there aren't the stringent length guidelines that exist for queries. Michael Larsen's "how to write a book proposal" has a section on mini-proposals, which could be useful for you, but he focuses on commercial nonfiction and not on memoir. From what I understand, especially if the author/memoir-subject is an unknown is stressing A. voice B. why his story is unique and has mass appeal and C. why now is the time to publish his story. Proposals don't have a 'synopsis' per se, but what is termed an "Overview" which includes the context I just mentioned. Another piece I don't see mentioned above is a marketing plan. An agent/publisher will want to know what the author (pseudo-author) can do to sell the book. Not just what can be done in theory, but what the author has the connection and know-how to make happen. http://www.hiwrite.com/pro.html <- this site is helpful too. __________________ www.conspicuouschick.com <- How I pay the bills. www.livingdonor101.com <- How I try to change the world. Living Donors Are People Too, A Blog That Isn't About Writing.

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12-13-2010, 10:05 PM	#3
sb2brown figuring it all out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: West Texas - though not by choice Posts: 58	Thanks for your input. I'll check out that book and work on adding a marketing plan. I've asked the "author" to give me specifics for the agents he has in mind, and I will be tailoring each proposal accordingly. Were it my book, I would finish it before submitting proposals, but I you have to follow the wishes of the artist. Whether or not he's spoken to agents, I'm going to do the job I'm being paid to do, and that includes following his whims.