As a Stage 32 Executive Consultant and the author of the award-winning book “Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct, & Produce the Life You Want,” I am excited to host this Wednesdays’s AMA session.
My book’s journey from synopsis to publication has been a mix of hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of belief in my words. It is an honor to have received accolades like two National Indie Excellence Awards (Winner for Wellbeing and Finalist for Personal Growth) and the Nautilus Silver Award for Creativity and Innovation. Best Holistic Life Magazine also voted it the Best Personal Growth Book for 2024, and it made it onto the US Review of Books “recommended” reading list.
While these accolades are incredibly rewarding, I can tell you that getting a book from synopsis to publication takes a lot of butt-in-the-seat time and a good strategy. I am here to answer your questions and help you navigate your book journey.
Ask me about things like:
- Writing a book proposal
- How I got my literary agent
- The level of support you can expect from a publisher
- Whether you should go with a publisher or self-publish
I look forward to supporting you. So, ask away, and let me help you get your book into the world!
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Hi, Maria Baltazzi. Hope you're doing great. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Is there a certain way that writers have to write book proposals?
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Hi Maria Baltazzi - thank you so much for doing this AMA! My question builds off of Marice's. What are the structural differences between a fiction book proposal and a non-fiction book proposal? Thanks, again!
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Hi, Maria Baltazzi , . Thanks for opeing your knowledge store on book publishing. Please discuss the value of a video teaser for promoting a book. Is it best for the general public, or can it be effective for pitching to a publisher?
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Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Maria Baltazzi! What do you think is the most overlooked or misunderstood part of the publication process?
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Maria Baltazzi What has the process of writing taught you the most about yourself? Was writing this book about working on your own exploration of happiness?
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Maurice Vaughan Q: Is there a certain way that writers have to write book proposals? A: Thank you for the kind words ;) I am always happy to be in community here. Similar to writing a script, while there is a format, there is also creative freedom within this. Here is a basic outline that I followed for my book proposal:
Title Page: Start with a clear and captivating title for your book.
Overview: This is a concise summary of what the book is about -- it should capture the book's essence and explain why it is needed in the market.
Table of Contents: Provide a structured breakdown of the proposal's contents.
Chapter Outline: Give an overview of each chapter. This will show the flow of the book and its progression.
Length and Other Relevant Details: Mention the approximate length and any other details you think a buyer should know.
Sample Chapters: Include one or two sample chapters to give a taste of your writing style and the book's content.
Reader's Takeaways: Explain what readers will gain from the book, why it matters to them, and how it stands out in the market.
Marketing Component: Outline your marketing plan and any existing audience or platform, like a newsletter or social media following, which shows how you can reach potential readers.
Bio: Share your background and what makes you uniquely qualified to write this book.
Praise/Awards/Testimonials: If you have any, this is the place to include them.
My proposal was 32 pages; some are longer, and some are shorter. It depends on the detail you provide. Proposals may need to be tailored for different publishers or agents based on their preferences or guidelines.
Also, including a Competitive Analysis section to address similar books in the market and highlight how your book differs can strengthen the proposal. Asking for feedback from mentors or a professional editor before finalizing the proposal can be helpful, too. If possible, look at examples of successful book proposals as a reference.
Hope is this is helpful! I feel like you have a book in you ;) Happy writing!
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You're welcome, Maria Baltazzi. I feel like I have a book in me too. I bookmarked your post. Your answer will definitely come in handy when I write a book proposal. Thanks for the incredible answer!
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Sam Sokolow Q: What are the structural differences between a fiction book proposal and a non-fiction book proposal? A: Thank you for your great question! While fiction and non-fiction book proposals aim to get a buyer to invest in a book, their structures do differ because of their content.
The main difference lies in how each proposal addresses the book's content and market. Fiction proposals focus more on the story and writing style, while non-fiction proposals emphasize the book's value to the reader, market positioning, and the author's expertise.
Elements of a Fiction Book Proposal:
Query Letter: This is often a key component of a fiction proposal, briefly introducing the book, the author, and the reason for contacting the publisher or agent.
Synopsis: A plot summary covering the main story arc, major conflicts, and resolution -- this allows the publisher to understand the story's scope and direction.
Sample Chapters: Usually, you include the first three chapters or a specific number of pages that will give the publisher a sense of your writing style and the story's tone.
Author Bio: Here, the focus is on your writing experience, any previous publications, and your background relevant to the story's setting or themes.
Comparative Titles: Mention other successful books similar to your genre or relevant theme, showcasing the potential market and audience.
Non-Fiction Book Proposal: (to recap @mauricevaughan's answer)
Title Page: Include the title and subtitle that capture the book's essence.
Overview: A compelling summary of the book's concept, including the main message and why it is important.
Table of Contents: A detailed list of chapters and sections to show the book's structure.
Chapter Outline: Brief descriptions of each chapter's content, explaining the book's flow and the depth of the material.
Market Analysis: Who the book is for, how it fits into the current market, and why it's unique compared to existing books on the topic.
Author Bio: Talk about your expertise in the subject matter, any credentials, and your ability to connect with the target audience.
Marketing Plan: Describe your strategy for promoting the book, including any platform or following you have that can help drive sales.
Sample Chapters: Include one or two chapters to show off your writing style and the book's content.
Competitive Analysis: Discuss similar books and how yours offers a fresh perspective or fills a gap in the market.
Hope this answers your question! Nice to see you here!
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Robert Franklin Godwin III, you are welcome! Q: Please discuss the value of a video teaser for promoting a book. Is it best for the general public, or can it be effective for pitching to a publisher?
A: A video teaser can be a great tool in your book's promotional strategy, and here is why. I have seen book teasers run on some of the streamers and they looked very effective to me.
A well-produced video teaser can capture the essence of your book in a dynamic and visually engaging way that draws the audience's interest. It can be shared across social media platforms, on your website, and used in ad campaigns. It can help create buzz and anticipation for the book's release. Try to include key scenes, character introductions, or thematic highlights.
A video teaser can be a great complement to your proposal. The added bonus is that it can showcase your book's potential for adapting it as a film or series.
Things to consider when creating a book video teaser:
Ensure the video is professionally produced. A poorly made video can take away from your book's appeal.
Focus on the book's strengths without giving away too much of the plot or key points.
Keep it short, ideally between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
Tailor the teaser to your audience. A teaser for the general public might focus on the emotional or dramatic elements, while one for a publisher or agent might emphasize the book's unique angle and commercial potential.
So, when done well, a video can be a marketing and promotional tool that enhances public engagement and publisher pitches. Good luck!!
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Ashley Renee Smith, you are welcome. Happy to be here today. Q: What do you think is the most overlooked or misunderstood part of the publication process? A: Oh boy, good question! Candidly, how much effort each stage takes, from writing to editing to book production to publication and marketing. Many authors say their publishers did not do a lot to market their books. These are words I have heard from authors who have been on the NYTimes bestseller list several times over. And! it is expensive to do the marketing and PR. You are an author pre-publish date and a marketer post. Do not get me wrong. I have felt a lot of satisfaction being on my book journey. However, it takes serious commitment. So, you better love your project enough to hold its hands with it for a LONG time.
Other Points:
Many first-time authors underestimate how long the process can take from the initial manuscript to the book hitting the shelves. Patience is key. My book took three years to get out into the world.
Building relationships within the book industry is key like it is in entertainment. Networking with other authors, attending literary events, and engaging with potential readers can open doors that marketing alone cannot. Although, to be honest, I have not done a lot of this. I have been more focused on the process itself.
The details of publishing contracts, rights, and royalties can be complex. Get a good lawyer who understands this. I was lucky that my entertainment lawyer also handles authors.
Building and maintaining a relationship with your readers through social media, newsletters, or author events is an ONGOING task. You want to do this because engaged readers are more likely to support future projects. In my case, I have an app that goes with my book, I am creating an online course, and I want to write more books.
There is a steep learning curve in understanding the market, reader preferences, and how to adapt your marketing strategies as trends evolve. Do not underestimate this. I have found that my producing skills and knowledge have been helpful and transferable in many ways. In others, the book world is its own challenging entity.
For those who want to write a book, I highly encourage it, though buckle up for the ride ;)
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Debbie Elicksen Q: What has the process of writing taught you the most about yourself? Was writing this book about working on your own exploration of happiness? A: I would say it has been a combination of confidence and stamina. A lot of people say they want to write a book. It takes a lot. Well, it took a lot for me. I feel grateful, humbled, and pleasantly surprised that I got my book into the world. It showed me just how tenacious I can be when I believe in my words and the vision for them.
Writing my book was both an exploration of my happiness and a relaying of the research and practices I found so incredibly game-changing in leveling up my happiness. There was a defining point in my journey when I knew I wanted to use my experience and knowledge to help others explore their happiness, especially those in the creative world. That is why I write a monthly wellbeing blog here at Stage 32.
When I was at my darkest point, I sat and wrote down the things that made me happy in the past and would probably do so in the future. Eight items on that list became the basis of my research when I wrote my PhD dissertation and, eventually, the chapters of my book. These items are what I call Happiness Essentials: Faith, Love, Health (mind, body, and soul), Gratitude, Forgiveness, Peace, Detachment, and Abundance. My book helps readers explore how these Happiness Essentials fit into their framework of wellbeing, or as I prefer, wholebeing. I have an app that helps readers keep track of the camera phone and journaling activities I offer to guide their exploration. So, I like to call myself a Happiness Explorer and encourage others to do the same—to go out and explore and better understand what makes them happy, or at least happier. Thank you for your question.
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Maurice Vaughan you are welcome, my friend. I look forward to seeing your book out in the world.
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Maria Baltazzi "When I was at my darkest point, I sat and wrote down the things that made me happy in the past and would probably do so in the future." What a great idea. I will remember this.
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How do you navigate work, writing, and marketing effectively?
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Debbie Elicksen making that list was profound. It became what I researched for my PhD dissertation about happiness and the chapters of my book, Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want. When I first made my list, I pinned it to my bulletin board for about a year. A few years later, I found the list when I was going through some papers. I realized the list was still valid and pinned it again on my bulletin board where it still hangs. The only thing I changed was the word God to faith, feeling that it was more encompassing. My list is Faith, Love, Health, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Peace, Detachment, Abundance in this order — one giving rise to the next. I call them Happiness Essentials. They guide me every day from the moment I wake up. I hope these can guide you and others as well. I encourage everyone to become happiness explorers, someone who better understands what makes them happy, or at least happier. My book and Take a Shot companion app can help guide this inner exploration. Thank you for your comment and making your list or exploring mine will serve you.
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@Parker- How do you navigate work, writing, and marketing effectively? A. Good question! Candidly, I find it challenging to do all of these at the same time. My flip answer is that I spin the plate that needs to be spun.
However, here are the strategies I have found helpful when I am on a mission to get a project done:
1) I block-time. I schedule my writing time, marketing time, and any other life items I need to get done, including exercising. Taking care of my health is a non—negotiable.
2) I tend to work in 1.5 hour chunks. Research shows after this amount of time, your energy and focus start to fade. Your mind and body need a break, even if it is just ten minutes. I wrote my book using this method.
3) Prioritize what is most important and do that first. Each day, Steve Jobs would spend three hours on his most important project. Look where that got him.
4) Try not to overwhelm yourself with a long to do list. Break that list into “do now,” “do later,” and “do not do at all.” Sometimes we think we have to do something and we really do not need to. Recognize when you can let something go. Example, while you feel you have to wash your kitchen floor, do you really? Is it more important than finishing your script? If the answer is no, take it off your “to-do” list. Save yourself the anxiety of feeling you need to wash your floor (or whatever the task.)
5) If you have a daunting project, whether it is writing, marketing, cleaning out your closet, whatever, do it in 20 minute chunks. It will make your task seem more doable.
6) Set aside a chunk of time to create your marketing content — this can be daily, weekly of monthly. Figure out what is realistic for you to manage.
7) Cut yourself some slack. Instead of feeling bad or guilty about what you did not get done, prize yourself for what you did. Writing, marketing, work…life! It all takes time. Give yourself the grace of this understanding. If it is truly important to you, it will get done. It just might taken longer than you thought and that is okay as long as you are consistently taking steps forward.
In a nutshell, navigating writing, marketing, and work comes down to prioritizing what is importance, scheduling time for it, and letting go of what is unnecessary.
I hope this helps. You got this ;)
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Thank you so much!
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You are so welcome Parker J. Cole