Includes index.

Introduction: the public-facing scholar -- The general audience topic -- The trade market and the "big" book topic -- Finding the story -- From narration to narrative -- The organic illusion of narrative (and how to structure a trade nonfiction title) -- The book proposal (and caveat entrepreneur) -- The book proposal: marketing and author platform -- The sample chapter and the business of writing -- How not to write like an academic: character as narrative device -- How not to write like an academic: narrative tension -- Writing narrative nonfiction: why bestsellers sell.

"A bestselling author's definitive guide to writing and publishing research-based nonfiction for a wide audience. Writing fact-based nonfiction for large general audiences requires two different skills: the ability to conduct rigorous research and to craft engaging prose. Tilar J. Mazzeo is one of the few people with extensive experience in both arenas, as a tenured academic and a New York Times bestselling author whose books have been made into a major motion picture and translated into more than fifteen languages. She is also a sought-after writing coach with a passion for helping others communicate their expertise more broadly. In this practical how-to book, Mazzeo draws on her experiences writing and publishing bestsellers to offer an indispensable guide for anyone looking to write narrative nonfiction for a large public audience. In a series of frank and illuminating chapters, she leads readers through the entire process, from conception to publication and beyond. She covers choosing a topic, finding an agent, negotiating a contract, crafting an effective proposal, creating a compelling narrative, marketing one's work, and developing an author platform. Most importantly, she provides step-by-step advice on how to write prose that will resonate broadly. The ultimate insider's account, this book will help researchers convey their knowledge effectively so it has impact in the public sphere"--Publisher's description.