Florida Christian Writers Conference 2009



Manuscript Submissions for FCWC 2009 Editorial Review Manuscripts: You may submit two (2) manuscripts (includes book proposals or query letters) of previously unpublished material for critique by a publisher or editor of your choice. Never send your only copy – keep your original and send photocopies. If you want help in choosing an editor leave Editorial Review by: blank and the manuscript processing staff will choose the editor that seems most appropriate for your work. Please send your manuscripts in prior to the conference so that we may give them to the publisher/editor you have selected. After the editorial review your manuscript and critique will be returned to you. Should an editor want an appointment to discuss your manuscript this will be noted on the critique sheet attached to your returned manuscript. Manuscript CPR has a new “look”: You may bring two (2 ) unpublished manuscripts for consultation with freelance writers (See “Consultation” on website). Manuscripts in this category include those that may have been rejected, need a final polish, or seem “flat” and need suggestions to improve them to “wow” a waiting editor! For Manuscript CPR you sign up for an an appointment with freelance authors in every genre. They are available to read your manuscript on the spot, meet with you and give you their expert critique and marketing advice. Please note: Participation in the Manuscript CPR program is limited to full-time participants. All manuscript submissions should be typed on white paper with your name, address, email, and phone number in the upper left-hand corner. Manuscripts must be double-spaced while query letter, outline, synopsis, and market analysis may be single-spaced. For the conference all submissions need to be limited to 20 pages. Non-Fiction Book Proposal Think of the book proposal as your sales brochure. It should show your idea in the best light beginning with your query letter. 1. Query Letter - Your query letter introduces your book proposal, yourself and hooks the editor immediately. It contains the book title, author name, your idea in ONE topic sentence, a paragraph developing your topic and answers the following questions: Who is the intended buyer of the book – your audience? Men, Women, college-age, pastor, singles, mothers, etc. Why is there a need for your book? How does your idea or slant differ from other books already on the market dealing with similar topics? What are your credentials or qualifications for writing the book? What is the projected length, and when can you have it completed? 2. Table of Contents – actual table of contents. 3. Chapter Outline – a brief statement on each chapter summarizing the idea and your approach. 4. First Chapter 5. Marketing, Publicity, and Promotion outline your plan for selling your book along with marketing ideas to reach your audience. 6. Endorsements are a list of endorsements, contacts, associations, or community involvement that could help promote the sale of your book. If the editor says your manuscript is not right for his house, determine not to get defensive or discouraged. This same editor may be able to give you some excellent pointers on how to improve your manuscript and/or market it. Fiction Book Proposal A fiction book proposal is a query letter with a paragraph developing your topic, market analysis, target audience plus the genre you are writing and how it fits into the current fiction market. Brief summary of the entire book should be 6 to 8 pages maximum. Sample Chapter can be one or two chapters. Your entire submission is limited to 20 pages. Marketing, Publicity, and Promotion - outline a plan for selling your book along with marketing ideas. Endorsements - a list of endorsements, contacts, associations, or community involvement that could help promote the sale of your book. Magazine Article The title should convey the essence of your topic with a strong opening paragraph. State your idea (narrow focus) and explain your approach (how-to; first-person experience; a survey of opinions). Cite sources, estimate word length and indicate your writing experience. Submission is limited to 20 pages. You may submit either a complete manuscript or query letter. A query letter sells both your idea and yourself as the person qualified and able to write it. A query is one to two pages in outline form or letter – typed, double-spaced on white paper with your name, address, and phone number in the upper left-hand corner. The title should convey the essence of your story with a strong opening paragraph. State your specific idea (narrow focus) and explain your approach (how-to; first-person experience; a canvas of opinions). Cite sources, estimate length/word count and indicate your writing experience. Some editors will want to read your complete manuscript on the spot while others will ask to take your manuscript for further consideration. You may be asked to mail it with their business card attached. Other editors will like you but can’t use your idea so they may talk to you about other possible manuscripts that you might author and submit for their publication.

Manuscript Submissions for FCWC 2009

Editorial Review Manuscripts: You may submit two (2) manuscripts (includes book proposals or query letters) of previously unpublished material for critique by a publisher or editor of your choice. Never send your only copy – keep your original and send photocopies. If you want help in choosing an editor leave Editorial Review by: blank and the manuscript processing staff will choose the editor that seems most appropriate for your work.

Please send your manuscripts in prior to the conference so that we may give them to the publisher/editor you have selected. After the editorial review your manuscript and critique will be returned to you. Should an editor want an appointment to discuss your manuscript this will be noted on the critique sheet attached to your returned manuscript.

Manuscript CPR has a new “look”: You may bring two (2 ) unpublished manuscripts for consultation with freelance writers (See “Consultation” on website). Manuscripts in this category include those that may have been rejected, need a final polish, or seem “flat” and need suggestions to improve them to “wow” a waiting editor! For Manuscript CPR you sign up for an an appointment with freelance authors in every genre. They are available to read your manuscript on the spot, meet with you and give you their expert critique and marketing advice. Please note: Participation in the Manuscript CPR program is limited to full-time participants.
All manuscript submissions should be typed on white paper with your name, address, email, and phone number in the upper left-hand corner. Manuscripts must be double-spaced while query letter, outline, synopsis, and market analysis may be single-spaced. For the conference all submissions need to be limited to 20 pages.

Non-Fiction Book Proposal

Think of the book proposal as your sales brochure. It should show your idea in the best light beginning with your query letter.
1. Query Letter - Your query letter introduces your book proposal, yourself and hooks the editor immediately. It contains the book title, author name, your idea in ONE topic sentence, a paragraph developing your topic and answers the following questions:

Who is the intended buyer of the book – your audience? Men, Women, college-age, pastor, singles, mothers, etc.
Why is there a need for your book?
How does your idea or slant differ from other books already on the market dealing with similar topics?
What are your credentials or qualifications for writing the book?
What is the projected length, and when can you have it completed?

2. Table of Contents – actual table of contents.
3. Chapter Outline – a brief statement on each chapter summarizing the idea and your approach.
4. First Chapter
5. Marketing, Publicity, and Promotion outline your plan for selling your book along with marketing ideas to reach your audience.
6. Endorsements are a list of endorsements, contacts, associations, or community involvement that could help promote the sale of your book.

If the editor says your manuscript is not right for his house, determine not to get defensive or discouraged. This same editor may be able to give you some excellent pointers on how to improve your manuscript and/or market it.

Fiction Book Proposal

A fiction book proposal is a query letter with a paragraph developing your topic, market analysis, target audience plus the genre you are writing and how it fits into the current fiction market.
Brief summary of the entire book should be 6 to 8 pages maximum.
Sample Chapter can be one or two chapters. Your entire submission is limited to 20 pages.
Marketing, Publicity, and Promotion - outline a plan for selling your book along with marketing ideas.
Endorsements - a list of endorsements, contacts, associations, or community involvement that could help promote the sale of your book.

Magazine Article The title should convey the essence of your topic with a strong opening paragraph. State your idea (narrow focus) and explain your approach (how-to; first-person experience; a survey of opinions). Cite sources, estimate word length and indicate your writing experience. Submission is limited to 20 pages.

You may submit either a complete manuscript or query letter. A query letter sells both your idea and yourself as the person qualified and able to write it.
A query is one to two pages in outline form or letter – typed, double-spaced on white paper with your name, address, and phone number in the upper left-hand corner.
The title should convey the essence of your story with a strong opening paragraph.
State your specific idea (narrow focus) and explain your approach (how-to; first-person experience; a canvas of opinions). Cite sources, estimate length/word count and indicate your writing experience.
Some editors will want to read your complete manuscript on the spot while others will ask to take your manuscript for further consideration. You may be asked to mail it with their business card attached. Other editors will like you but can’t use your idea so they may talk to you about other possible manuscripts that you might author and submit for their publication.