This project was created for a midterm presentation in Book Editing 1 at Hofstra University. The assignment was to develop a proposal for a new nonfiction trade title; the purpose of the presentation was to make a persuasive argument for the publication of the book to the editorial team. I had to convince them that they should spend the money it would take to sign, develop, and publish the book by making a clear, concise, and compelling case. I was evaluated for both my nonverbal and verbal skills based on organization and development of the content, delivery, visuals, and voice. Delivery: eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and posture. Voice: enthusiasm, and vocalized pauses (uh, well, uh, um). Content: topic announced, time frame, visual aid, completeness of content, professionalism of presentation. This project has since been edited with minor adjustments (grammar, proper italicizing and capitalization, etc.) as I have learned more in my studies since its original presentation. Grade obtained before adjustments: A

1. The things you really want to know
College: 101
Proposal
Fall 2014

2. College: 101 will have a broad overview of chapters ranging from the very
beginning of the college selection process all the way through graduation. This
book will include chapters on universities and colleges and their minimum
requirements to make for easy planning, how to prepare for dorm or commuter
life, how to organize yourself once you’re in college, fun and interesting
chapters like the “Top Ten Spring Break Getaways,” and a closing chapter on
the commencement ceremony and where to go from there titled, “HOLY CRAP
I’M GRADUATING… Now What?”
“…use the humor to illustrate a concept just taught. This way, the humor helps
students remember the material, and material can’t be learned unless it is
remembered. And one thing about humor and learning is well-supported by
the research: Humor positively affects levels of attention and interest. It’s a way
to keep students engaged and involved with the course material. So if the
concept is an important one, consider incorporating some humor.”
Reference: Banas, J. A., Dunbar, N., Rodriguez, D., and Liu, S. (2011). A review
of humor in education settings: Four decades of research. Communication
Education, 60 (1), 115-144.
Brief Overview

3. • Over 25,000 students apply to Hofstra University each year.
• The Los Angeles campus of the University of California has over 70,000
applications per year.
• New York University has over 55,000 applications per year.
• As of Fall 2014 there were upwards of 2.1 million college bound
freshmen.
Market Analysis

4. College Planning for Dummies –July 1997
Cons:
• Doesn’t include
popular college’s
minimum
requirements.
• No teen appeal
Pros:
• Broad coverage
• “…hints, tips, and
facts…”
• “…disproved
many myths…”

5. Get It Together for College: A Planner to
Help You Get Organized and Get In – June
2011
Cons:
• Not enough information
Pros:
• Check list and calendar/deadline based information

6. College Admission: From Application to
Acceptance, Step by Step – August 2011
Cons:
• Only handles college
admission
Pros:
• “Written by industry
experts…”
• “…real-life advice…”
*Proves success with humor*

7. Book Content—
• The content will cover all aspects of the beginning steps to getting into college
through acceptance and culminating with graduation.
Structure—
• The structure of the book will be chapters and sub-chapters.
• The book will be roughly three hundred pages.
 College Planning for Dummies – 322 pages
 College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step – 432 pages
 Get It Together for College: A Planner to Help You Get Organized and Get In – 240 pages
• The trim size will be 7.5” x 9.2”
 College Planning for Dummies – 7.4” x 9.2”
 College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step – 7.4” x 9.2”
 Get It Together for College: A Planner to Help You Get Organized and Get In – 7.5” x 9.2”
Book Specifications

8. Design—
• The design of the book will be chapters and sub-chapters.
• The chapter titles will be ALL CAPS and bolded in order to catch the READER’S ATTENTION.
• Sub-chapters will be italicized and set in Title Case to inform the reader that there is some sort of topic change occurring within The Chapter.
Illustrations—
• The illustrations in the book, if any, will not necessarily be for informational purposes but to merely keep the reader’s attention.
Electronic Media—
• It is not anticipated that this book will be released in any form of electronic media.
Price – $14.99
• College Planning for Dummies –
• Can no longer be bought directly from Dummies (http://www.dummies.com/)
• Amazon – Prices ranging from $52.53 - $221.24
• Get It Together for College: A Planner to Help You Get Organized and Get In –
• Amazon - $14.29
• College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step –
• Amazon - $15.48
Book Specifications

9. Eric Kester graduated from Harvard University in 2008 where he wrote a bi-weekly,
humorous column for the Crimson. He is best known for his memoir, That Book
About Harvard which was published by Sourcebooks in 2012 and made the Boston
Globe Best-Seller list. He’s currently attending Columbia University and working
toward a degree in Creative Writing; he is expected to graduate in 2015. Kester is
also a featured writer for the well-known CollegeHumor
(http://www.collegehumor.com/).
About his memoir, Kester said, “… I hope anyone reading the book, someone
going into college, or an alumnus, can relate to the anxieties we all have about
college.“ Kester is humorous, young (twenty-six), a former teacher, a successful
writer, and a Harvard Alumnus.
Reviews:
"Even if you didn't go to an ultra-competitive school, you will still enjoy this book.
Eric does a great job of poking fun at himself, his school and just about everything,
without being offensive. It's a great humor book that would be perfect for any kid
who is just entering college. " - Second Bookshelf on the Right
Potential Author

10. Kester is already successful and a best-selling non-fiction author. Being that his first book was
about his, sometimes humiliating and anxiety inducing, time at Harvard, I believe potential
consumers will be excited to read what he comes out with next. His personal humor will
amplify the humor in the chapter titles and throughout the content. Additionally, being that he
is only twenty-six, he is still relatable to the younger students who are just entering college.
That Book About Harvard

11. 1. Introduction
2. Universities/Colleges and Their Requirements
3. How to: Admissions Essays
4. Keep Your Options Open!
5. Selecting a University/College
6. What to Bring, What Not to Bring. That is the
question.
7. Recommended Supplies
8. Transitioning and Saying Goodbye: Parents and
Students
9. Fact or Fiction: The Freshman Fifteen
Table of Contents
10. Midterms: Do’s and Don’ts
11. Finals: Do’s and Don’ts
12. You Failed a Class, Now What?
13. Choosing Your Life… I Mean, Major
14. Registration and the Dreaded Degree Audit Report
15. Ballroom Dancing Or Financial Skills for Life?
16. Top Ten Spring Break Getaways
17. I hereby pledge my allegiance to…
18. How many absences are we allowed?
19. How many Credits do I need to graduate?
20. HOLY CRAP, I’M GRADUATING… Now What ?

12. Cover Concept
Front Cover:
•Over-lain images
•Students walking up to a college campus
•Students at a graduation ceremony
•Author name – bottom right corner
•Title – top, centered
Back Cover:
•United States outline with
college/university mascots in
place of states
•Tagline at the bottom
•Company logo – bottom left
corner
Spine:
•Title
•Author
•Company logo