Books (fiction and nonfiction) are sold on proposal. That is, three chapters and an outline, plus some ideas on how you’re going to market the book.

It’s vital that you get this information before you send off your typescript. Some publishers will only accept submissions from agents, so if you want these publishers to consider your book, you’ll need to get an agent first.

Check publishers’ Web sites for their submission guidelines

Most publishers have submission guidelines. Here’s Tor’s guidelines for example:

Your submissions packet should include:

1. The first three chapters of your book, prepared in standard manuscript format on white paper. (If your chapters are really short or really long, or you don’t use chapter breaks, you may send the first 40-60 pages of your book, provided you stay under 10,000 words.)

The submitted text must be made up of consecutive pages and should end at the end of a paragraph, not in mid-sentence.

Standard manuscript format means margins of at least 1 inch all the way around; indented paragraphs; double-spaced text; and Courier or Times Roman in 10 or 12 pitch. Please use one side of the page only and do not justify the text.

Important - complete your novel before you submit a proposal if you’re unpublished

Here’s a vital tip: while you should never complete a nonfiction book before you start looking for publishers, it’s vital that you complete your novel.

If you’re unpublished, querying publishers before you’ve completed your novel is a no-no. If a publisher wants to see your novel, the editor expects that it’s ready to send - she may have a hole in her list she needs to fill, so she wants your book right away.

Need help writing your book? Get your book on bookstore shelves.

This press release Cookbook Author Sues Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld for Copyright Infringement and Defamation states: “Attorneys for Missy Chase Lapine, author of ‘The Sneaky Chef,’ today filed a lawsuit against Jessica Seinfeld and Jerry Seinfeld for copyright and trademark infringement and defamation in Federal District Court in New York.

The lawsuit alleges that Jessica Seinfeld blatantly plagiarized Ms. Lapine’s book, ‘The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals,’ a critically-acclaimed and commercially successful cookbook with an innovative approach to improving children’s eating habits. ‘The Sneaky Chef’ shows parents how to, among other things, camouflage purees of carefully selected fruits and vegetables as ingredients in less healthy foods that kids like, such as cheeseburgers, pizza and brownies. Running Press Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, published ‘The Sneaky Chef’ in April, 2007, generating positive reviews and quickly becoming a New York Times bestseller.”

You have to wonder whether this is a publicity ploy.

PublishersMarketplace notes that “Bookscan figures for 2007 tracked sales of approximately 581,000 copies for Seinfeld’s book through mid-December; Running Press says The Sneaky Chef currently has approximately 190,000 copies in print.”

“Weird” sells, in both fiction and nonfiction books. This isn’t surprising, because books are an entertainment medium.

Unfortunately, many writers forget to make their novels offbeat, whacky and unusual while they’re writing. They leave their inner editor in charge, and this is death. Lock up your inner editor while you’re writing.

Turn on your creativity. It can make the difference between a book which sells, and one which stays on your hard drive.

For example, in PublishersMarketplace’s current book deals, you’ll read about these offbeat books which have just sold:

* Dakota Cassidy’s THE ACCIDENTAL HUMAN, about a multi-level cosmetics saleswoman who thinks she’s seen it all with her “accidentally” paranormal friends until she meets a vampire turned human…

* Judith Healey’s THE REBEL PRINCESS, the story of a princess, sister to the King of France, who battles corrupt court officials, religious fanatics and her beloved as she engages a band of underground Cathar noblewomen to assist her in the rescue of her illegitimate son…

Look for unusual twists you can give your characters and your plot

Write out a blurb of your novel - a couple of paragraphs which encapsulate your characters and plot. Where can you add twists?

In our example above, THE ACCIDENTAL HUMAN, the sales rep character is given a twist, she’s a “multi-level” cosmetics saleswoman. I’m not experienced in MLM, but I can see where this world has lots of potential for conflict. Better yet, the saleswoman meets a vampire turned human - a twist on the idea of a human tuned into a vampire.

As you’re writing your novel, ask yourself continually “how can I twist this? How can I add the unexpected”?

Adding a little weirdness to your characters and plot can lead to a book sale.

Write more - the key to your writing success

Many years ago, I wanted to be a “good” writer. So I wrote less. I became obsessive about revision - polishing the life out of my writing.

It finally dawned on me that “good” doesn’t mean slow. In fact the faster I wrote (which was my natural inclination anyway), the more quality I could winnow from the chaff.

Most of my writing students have similar experiences. For them to become better writers, they need to write more. They find that when they write more, writing is easier for them - they’re not giving in to their inner editor - and the overall quality of their writing improves.

My new writing class, “Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” is based on lessons I developed for my private coaching students to help them to write more and improve their writing.

If you’re struggling with your writing, the class will help. The techniques you’ll learn in class with help you write fiction, nonfiction, and copy for business.

I’ll see you in class.