Nonfiction Ink

LuAnn Schindler has a great post over at the WOW Women on Writing blog about using the National Archives to conduct research.  Check it out here: Searching the National Archives.

Research is an essential component of creating a nonfiction manuscript.  Some writers embrace the process, while others would rather dine on broken glass than wade through the overwhelming resources needed to complete the task. But research doesn’t need to be that bleak of a scenario if you design an effective, organized system.  The first step in conducting research is to review your project and create a plan of approach:

1. Write a mission statement
A mission statement or thesis statement about your book helps focus your project and keep your research on track.  Write a single sentence that asserts the main idea and expresses your point of view.  In other words, write a statement that declares what you and your research have to say about the subject.  For instance, for his book Billy The Kid: The Endless Ride, author Michael Wallis’ statement might read, “A revisionist approach to untangling the myth and legend of Billy the Kid to reveal the real man behind the outlaw.”

2. Determine what research is needed
Review your book outline and note the research required for each topic.  For instance, for his chapter on the Lincoln County War, Michael Wallis might need to research: what lead up to the war, what was the inciting incident that launched the war, who were the parties involved and what side were they on, what was Billy’s involvement in the war, why was he part of the war, how did the war affect Billy, what was the outcome of the war – and much more.  It’s a good idea to estimate how much material you will need (hint: it’s always more than you think.)

3. Decide what type of research you will conduct
Most writers use more than one method.  The basic types of research are:

• Reviewing source material: such as books, private documents, photos
• Interviewing: this may include in-person or email interviews, questionnaires and surveys conducted on Twitter or Facebook.
• Observation: first hand experiences such as surviving the Sago Mine Disaster or going undercover as a Playboy hostess.
• Deductive reasoning: consists of using the above methods of research and ‘connecting the dots’ to formulate a conclusion.  An example of this is Sebastian Junger’s research for his book The Perfect Storm – to create the sinking of the Andrea Gail and the death of her crew, Junger researched the experiences of people who had nearly drowned and the technical elements of a sinking ship.

4. List the resources you will use for your research
Published books, unpublished manuscripts, letters, photographs, artwork, diaries, private documents, corporate memos, public records, court transcripts, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, films, documentaries, statistics, press releases, business leaders, association newsletters, magazines, newspapers, maps, charts, investigators, experts, scholars, associates, stories from ‘ordinary’ people, personal experience, etc…..

5. Create a research timeline
I like to use my iCal program to plan my research, schedule interviews, note deadlines, etc. (May 12th review chapters in published book, May 14th read private letters, May 16th interview subject’s widow). When you set deadlines you’re more likely to finish a project.  Use whatever calendar system works for you to stay on track and complete your research.

6. Create your bibliography as you go
Why wait until completing your manuscript to type up your bibliography when you can create it during the research process?  Save yourself time and future headaches by noting each citation now.  You’ll never have to go back and search for a source, a copyright date or publisher’s name for any of your research.

YOUR TURN: What research planning system works for you?

A book proposal is a marketing tool used to present and sell your nonfiction book idea to a publisher – BEFORE you write the book. It is the only means for selling a nonfiction book to a commercial publisher.  Book proposals can be sent to literary agents or directly to publishing house editors (after sending a query letter and receiving the go-ahead to submit your full proposal.)  Though most books (around 90%) are sold by literary agents, certain types of ideas (such as for specialized or regional books) fare better by querying publishers directly.

Book proposals are analyzed by an editorial review committee (which may consist of editors, production staff, sales representatives, in-house publicists, and even the publisher or owner herself).  If a publishing company decides your idea is viable, they will offer you a contract to write the book. Even though writing a book proposal is a necessity for commercial publication, writing the proposal benefits the writer in several ways: it saves you time and effort and allows you to receive payment prior to writing the full manuscript.

THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK PROPOSAL

• Introduces the topic of your book
• Explains why you are qualified to write the book
• Includes sample chapters showcasing the content and your writing ability
• Provides a market analysis of complimentary and competitive books
• Contains logistical information about the book, such as the length, delivery, and format (sidebars, expert interviews, photos, charts, etc.)
• Analyzes the market for the book (who will buy your book)
• Presents your platform and marketing and promotional ideas to help sell the book

“BUT I DON’T NEED A BOOK PROPOSAL, I’VE ALREADY COMPLETED MY MANUSCRIPT”
As a freelance editor and ghostwriter, authors and clients often approach me believing that once his or her manuscript is complete its ready to send off to an agent or editor to be published.  Though I’ve recently read of a few editors who will accept a memoir or other type of narrative nonfiction manuscript in lieu of a book proposal, this is the EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE.  A nonfiction manuscript does not answer the editorial review committee’s questions about marketing, competition, production, or the author’s platform.  A publisher will invest tens of thousands of dollars to develop a book and requires a complete view of the project (which the book proposal provides) prior to making a decision.

THINK ABOUT THIS:

• Approximately 80% of all books published fail to earn back the advance given to the authors.
• The cost to produce an average hardcover book is upwards of $50,000.
• On average, agents and publishers say they reject 99% of submitted proposals. Ouch!

THE GOOD NEWS:

• About 85% of titles published each year are nonfiction.
• First-time authors write about 75% of those nonfiction books.
• Only a small percentage of authors know how to write an effective book proposal.

The trick is to be one of the small-percentage-of-authors and write a kick-ass proposal that grabs the attention of an agent or editor and convinces him your idea deserves to be a published book.

WHY PROPOSALS ARE REJECTED
Editors and agents are overwhelmed by submissions and must choose the most well written proposals.  Many book proposal submissions are poorly written and/or do not answer the fundamental questions necessary for an editor or agent to make an informed decision.

The bottom line – by writing a compelling book proposal you will have the edge over your competition and be better positioned to have your book published.

Need help writing a compelling book proposal?  STAY-TUNED for my upcoming ‘how-to’ posts.

YOUR TURN: Do you have a successful strategy for writing a compelling book proposal or have you ever sold a nonfiction book without a book proposal?

Framing your story refers to the way you order the narrative so that the elements of your book are presented in the most interesting way.  As a nonfiction writer your job is to construct your frame to steer the story in a specific direction while engaging the reader and creating a degree of suspense.

Your frame must work in harmony with the content of your story.  Your content is the inciting incident, what it is your subject wants, what’s at stake, the conflict he must face and overcome to achieve his goal, how he is transformed by the process, and the ultimate cost for him to succeed.

The frame (or how the content is presented) considers ways the drama of the story is conveyed through scenes, sequences, action, dialogue, tone, pace, style and conflict.

In Part One of In Cold Blood, Truman Capote weaves the timeline of the victims and the killers together, heightening the suspense leading to the tragic murders. Timothy Egan presents the story of The Worst Hard Time in chronological order while inter-cutting modern day reminiscences from survivors – drawing the reader into the devastating emotional consequences.  Mark Bowden recreates the battle of Mogadishu in Black Hawk Down using a narrative that splices together the stories of various individuals in different locations during the combat – keeping the tension high and taking the reader on an action-packed ride.

Robert Evans opens his memoir, The Kid Stays In The Picture, with a compelling scene depicting the premiere of the film “The Godfather” and the end of his marriage to Ali McGraw (the reader is hooked, “Why did his famous wife leave him?  How did he convince Kissinger to attend the premiere the night before a secret mission to Moscow?”), then jumps back in time taking the reader on a journey through his childhood days in New York to his adventurous ups and downs in Hollywood.

How do you determine the best frame for your narrative nonfiction?

1. Read creative nonfiction.  Study how other nonfiction authors arrange their narrative and analyze why it works.
2. Know the story you want to tell.  Set up the elements to serve the narrative.
3. Eliminate unnecessary information (just because you spent months collecting all that research doesn’t mean every little detail should be presented in the book.)
4. Determine your beginning and ending.  What is the most interesting incident you can use to open the story that will keep the reader engaged?  This will most likely revolve around a major action, conflict or resolution.
5. Determine the timeframe of the story you will tell – one week, two days, twenty years.  Will your biography of Lincoln examine the Civil War years, his early years leading to his presidency, or the two weeks prior to his assassination?  Focus on a period of time that allows you to explore your subject and theme in depth.

In the last post I provided resources for locating an expert for your nonfiction book.  Here are a few tips for successfully approaching them.

THE INITIAL CONTACT:

Don’t Feel Intimidated
Most experts  – professors, historians, scientists – are often eager to share their expertise and many are used to granting interviews and fielding questions from the media.  Remember, you have something to offer as well, your publication will help boost their cause, organization, university or business.

Be Professional
If approached professionally, most people will be happy to grant an interview.  It’s appropriate to address a source by his/her formal title (Mr., Professor, Dr.) until you are given permission to be more casual.  Give a brief overview of your project: provide your name and your background (if pertinent), describe your book topic, why you wish to speak to the expert, and the expected length of the interview.  Be transparent – provide the name of your publisher or self-publishing company, if you are emailing your interview request include links to your website or blog for the expert to see you are legitimate.  Let the expert know you will work around their schedule and preferred interview method (email, telephone, or in-person, if feasible) and suggest a few dates and times for the interview (keeping your research deadline in mind.)

Be Prepared
Do your homework: know the expert’s background and area of expertise, as well as the topic you will be discussing.  Be prepared for the interview to take place right then-and-there.  Many times I’ve contacted an expert to set up an interview and received the response, “Let’s do it now”.  Don’t take the chance of losing the interview.  Prior to the initial call, know what you want to ask and prepare a list of questions.

Squash Their Fears
Many experts fear being misquoted.  Assuage their fears by explaining that you record telephone interviews to ensure accuracy.  Give them the option of emailing their answers to your questions, which allows them more time to consider and formulate their words.  NEVER EVER NEVER promise to allow an expert to approve your written copy.  Never ever – did you get that?  Good.

Now get out there and contact those experts!

Experts can lend credibility to your project, supply notable quotes and anecdotes for your manuscript, provide insight into your subject and help you round out your research.  Here is a list of resources for finding experts in any field:

Book authors. Anyone who has authored a book in the same field as your topic is an expert.  Check out complimentary books at Amazon.  Most authors have a website with their contact information or may be contacted via their literary agent (often listed in the book’s acknowledgements page.)

Experts quoted in magazine articles.  Google the experts name or company to locate contact information.  Some experts also author magazine and journal articles and include a byline with contact details.

The Encyclopedia of Associations.  Available at most public libraries, this book is the source for thousands of associations on almost any topic.  Contact the association director for an interview or referrals to other members.

ProfNet.  An extensive resource for contacting leading experts and public relations professionals.  If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, send a query and the staff will help connect you with an expert.

Who Represents.  For a fee, you can find agents and managers who can connect you with celebrities.

Findlaw.  This site provides connections to legal experts.  You can also ask a question in their FindLaw Answers section and a lawyer will provide the information you request.

Experts Click and All Experts.  Two more helpful sites for finding experts.

Help a Reporter.  This site allows you to submit a query (with your contact information and details about your project) that is emailed to experts who can then choose to connect with you directly.

Switchboard.  Provides telephone numbers and website addresses for millions of businesses and organizations.  Just type in your keyword (such as ‘solar energy’) and you’ll get a list of resource links.