? on Book proposal 'table of contents'

[aussiedee]

I am wanting to submit a book proposal and the publisher requests the following:

A. Detailed outline of the book (please do not send spiral bound manuscripts)
B. Table of contents.
C. Introduction.
D. Two sample chapters.

My question is; with the Table of contents do you simply write;
Chapter 1; eg; The Beginning.....
Chapter 2; eg The Past

Or do they want a detailed/one paragraph description of each chapter?
Thanx in advance for your advice.
dee

[johnrobison]

The detailed outline should tell what each chapter is about.

The table of contents simply gives the chapter names.

They've asked you for both.

[aussiedee]

thanks john so much...I am only a beginner here. So thanx for your input.
dee

[the bunny hugger]

I agree a table of conent only needs to give the chapter headings, in order.

[johnrobison]

They ask for the description to see what's in the chapters and how you put the book together.

They ask for a table of centents to see if you can think up good chapter names.

That's why there are two requests, and not just one

[aussiedee]

One last question, John as you said below:


The detailed outline should tell what each chapter is about.

So........do I set out the outline in chapter form e.g; chap1, chap 2, or just do an extensive chronological outline, set out like a syopsis??
Thanks again,
Dee

[johnrobison]

In my opinion, the outline should tell what happens, in the order in which it happens in the book. I don't think the outline needs, "In the next chapter . . " passages. You should just summarize the story from beginning to end.

Then your table of contents should showcase your clever and insightful chapter titles. They may all change if you get published, but your titles will still be a starting point. For example, I had a chapter called "A Visit From Management" that my editor suggested changing to "Young Executives."

Neither title means much on its own, but in the context of the book, the second is a better fit.

And for what it's worth, I didn't do what you are doing. I wrote the whole book and submitted that. So I have never tried to write a summary of my story.

[aussiedee]

thanx again john...will follow your advice. I have written the whole book but this publisher is asking for outline etc only...so it should not be to difficult as I have a completed manuscritpt.
thanks again.
dee