How to Write a Popular Science Book Proposal
About the course
Have you been thinking about writing a popular science book but have no idea where to start? Then look no further! This one-hour video course is a practical guide to writing a popular science book proposal.
Contents
Part 1: The Industry
This is the industry from the perspective of a writer. It aims to demystify the process of getting your work published, including the role of the proposal in non-fiction writing, agents, offers, editors and publishers.
Part 2: Planning: Aims, Audience and Finding the Story
This part takes you through the planning of a popular science book, from defining our aims and audiences to identifying your book’s unique angle.
Part 3: The Proposal
The course comes with a downloadable book proposal template, and this part of the course takes you through each section of it, giving you the inside scoop of what agents and publishers are looking for.
Part 4: Making it Personal
I’m a big believer in telling human stories in science writing. So, this part of the course helps you think of yourself as the protagonist of your book, emphasising certain aspects of character to find your human story.
Part 5: Advanced Popular Science Writing
Having planned the book proposal, you’ve now just got write the thing! In this final part of the course, I’ll be taking you through some advanced popular science writing techniques to help make your prose sparkle, including dialogue, multiple narratives and point-of-view.
About the trainer
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, writer, presenter, podcaster, trainer and storyteller based in London. She has a PhD in Materials Science and channels this passion by storytelling with materials on the screen, radio, stage and page; her first book, Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making, is out now.
Having developed her own unique blend of autobiographical and technical science communication, Anna now trains professional scientists, engineers and school students in the art of scientific storytelling. She has won numerous prestigious industry awards for her work, including Young Engineer of the Year by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Silver Medal from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). In 2022 she was made a Fellow of the IOM3.
In her spare time, Anna plays the trumpet in a funk and soul covers band called Don’t Freak Out and is an ultra-endurance open water swimmer; she swam the English Channel in July 2018. Oh, and it’s pronounced “Por-shy-ski”.
FAQs
How long is the course?
60 minutes
How much does it cost?
£45
How many times can I watch the course?
As many as you like! Once you sign up and pay, you’ll have unlimited access to the course. Just log in and away you go!
Who’s this course for?
STEM professionals and journalists who want to write a popular science book.
Is there further support available after I’ve watched the course?
Yup, I offer storytelling training online and in-person to groups or individuals (prices vary), and also offer individual feedback on draft book proposals for a flat rate of £500. Get in touch to enquire.