Overview for Book Proposal

Each year more than one million children experience their parents’ divorce. Why is the timing for this book perfect right now? Just like Rick Warren’s national best-selling Purpose Driven Life answered adults’ questions about the meaning of life, It’s Not Fair will infuse teenagers with a sense of purpose despite desperate circumstances. Counselors and therapists who work with teens asked them, “What do you see as the major stresses/problems facing today's teenagers?” 72% of the respondents listed, ‘Problems arising from parental divorce.’ In addition to the normal challenge of adolescence, divorce activates a vast array of difficulties that, without the proper guidance, can lead to damaging results—both now and later in life. “Children of divorced parents are . . . twice as likely as others to have poor relationships with their parents, drop out of high school and receive psychological help.” The book will show teens where to go for help, how to regain control over their lives, what the facts are concerning the tough issues they face and how to deal with them successfully.
Furthermore, teenagers with divorced parents are more likely to feel that no one really understands them. The authors—Linda Jacobs, a divorced, single mom who now runs a national divorce care program for kids and Ben Wilcox, an adult child of divorce with years of experience working with teenagers from divorce situations—will connect with readers on every level by including real stories from teens who went through their parents’ divorce and adult children of divorce who prove that success in life is possible. Through fresh encounters with key Bible characters, relevant applications, and Scriptural references for life skills, the teenaged child of divorce will be doing something that will give new verve to their spirit, mind, body, and soul. In the United States alone, there are approximately 20 million teenagers living with just one parent. By reading It’s Not Fair, they have the chance to discover the power found in only Jesus and the critical opportunity to not only survive their parents’ divorce but also thrive in the midst of it.

Sell, sell, sell

Non-fiction writing means that you sell a proposal THEN write the majority of your book. Didn't know that. It's hard to be salesy about yourself and your ideas, too, but I think, out of necessity, I am getting over that.

I have learned so much over the past few weeks about the book writing process.

Agents have responded, and I am crapping my pants a little.

Sell, sell, sell

God is good, and I am loved. Let's hope people love our book!