Before you start writing. Does your book project have what it takes? ; Test-run your project -- The query letter. Query letter basics ; The e-mail query letter ; The "snail mail" query letter ; The nonfiction query letter ; The fiction query letter ; Before and after you click "send" -- The book proposal. Book proposal basics ; Pre-proposal marketing -- The nonfiction proposal. The book proposal overview ; About the author ; About the market ; The platform marketing section ; The expanded table of contents ; The nonfiction writing sample -- Fiction tips and the process. The fiction writing sample ; Using an agent or not ; While you are waiting to hear.