Jazminn's+Book+Project+Proposal

Jazminn Jones Eng. 360 – Editing and Publishing 27 March 2012

My book is going to be called “In the Heat of Highborough,” which is a story based on the turmoil and transformation of Alyssa, a college dropout, who gave up her life for Raymond, her gang-life-loving drug dealing boyfriend. After meeting a guy named Kenneth, who was also a part of the gang life, she found herself in the middle of a dangerous love triangle that could cost her life.
 * __I. Proposal__**
 * 1.Title and basic sales point:**

Alyssa, whose life was completely turned around after her parents were killed in a car accident at the age of four, was taken care of by her grandmother, who later passed the responsibility over to her older brother Alan. Once Alyssa met Raymond, the goals that she had drastically changed, resulting in her believing that life would be better if she followed Raymond to Los Angeles, leaving her brother behind in New York. Her outlook of a happy life with him was shot down once his abusive behavior was visible and she discovered herself to be the girlfriend of a drug lord in one of the most dangerous gangs that roamed the streets of Los Angeles. Working at a bistro, she met and befriended Kenneth, who was a member of a gang, who has quarreled with Raymond many times. Their friendship took a turn for more, creating the highest level of friction between the two groups.
 * 2.Synopsis/Description**

The beginning of the story is going to start off with Alyssa, applying makeup to her eye that was blackened during a fight that her and Raymond had the night before, and Raymond returning home, trying to make what happened between them disappear by giving her a present. Alyssa accepts his apology and goes to work, where she meets with her cousin Jared (who works with her as well). The other group of guys, whom Raymond hates, decided to come into the bistro, and that was the moment when she met Kenneth. Throughout the story, they form a friendship and tries to keep it hidden but, eventually, Raymond is made aware of it and his abusive behavior towards Alyssa becomes worse. She starts to second-guess whether or not the relationship she has with Raymond is worth it, especially now, since the relationship between her and Kenneth grows into something more.
 * 3. Outline:**

I love romance stories, and the idea of conflict within romantic relationships, so the idea of a Romeo and Juliet-type of conflict intrigues me. The idea of this story was also inspired by a movie that I’ve seen when I was younger; however, I put my own twist to this story by adding romance, while keeping the sense of action and conflict present.
 * 4. Author’s background**

Alyssa carefully took the time, pressing a cool compress against the swollen skin around her left eye. Raymond, once again, landed a big one on her. The shots of vodka he knocked back the night before raided his body, causing him to wreak havoc. She trembled at the thought of his abusive ways, but grinned when she pictured their good times – together and happy. She loved him with all of her heart. “Alyssa!” Raymond called from downstairs. Quickly putting the compress away, she got up from the vanity and met him downstairs. She seen him coming through the door, holding one hand behind his back. “Hey,” he smiled at her. “Hi. You’re home early.” “The guys didn’t need me down at the harbor; they got shit under control. I got something for you.” Raymond revealed the black velvet box in his hand and gave it to Alyssa. The word, //Tiffany’s//, read in gold cursive letters on the box. “Open it.” Alyssa did so and was awed by the white-diamond necklace inside. “Oh, my goodness…” Alyssa said breathlessly. “Do you like it?” “Yes, I love it. Thank you.” She reached over and wrapped her arms around him. It’s been so long since she felt his broad arms embrace her lovingly. //****THIS IS DEFINITELY A ROUGH DRAFT OF THE FIRST CHAPTER. THIS ISN’T THE WHOLE CHAPTER, BUT AN IMPORTANT PORTION OF IT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP THAT ALYSSA AND RAYMOND HAVE.****//
 * 5. Sample chapters:**

This novel originally came out to be 93 pages long, so I may either write the entire thing over again, or I may just cut it down to 50 pages for the class. Most likely, it will be the whole 93 pages with corrections and revisions, of course.
 * 6. Materials/Apparatuses:**

The intended readers of this book is probably young adults, who love dangerous conflict within romance novels. The genre of this book can definitely be noticed as either “romance” or “action.”
 * 7. Market/Audience:**

I want my novel to be different because it will include different conflicts that many other authors probably haven’t really touched base with. At the time of me writing this novel, I was 15 years old, which really didn’t leave me with a lot of creativity. I’m 22 years old now, with a bit more experience with love and the different types of conflict that could come with it, so I’m trying to incorporate what I know, while keeping it spontaneous and eye-catching at the same time.
 * 8. Competition:**


 * __II. Publishing Plan__**

I wrote this book my sophomore year of high school, out of curiosity as to whether I had the patience to write a novel. Once I completed it, I realize that it was definitely an interesting read and that I always wanted to re-write it, but I’ve never gotten the chance.
 * 1. Where will you get the material?**

I plan on revising the original copy of the book and re-writing it as I go along, possibly switching a few things around so it would make better sense now, compared to how my thinking was when I was fifteen. I would need more assistance with publishing and submissions, since this would be the very first time I have done this with any of my work.
 * 2.What is your timeline for acquisition, editing, layout, submission, proofreading and production?**

This part actually confused me, as well, so I am not sure exactly what service I will use. I need more clarification with that.
 * 3. What service will you use? Format, cost or time you need to be aware of?**

I don’t think so. If anything, I want to use this time to revise this book, to help show myself what creative writing skills I need to improve on so it can help me with my future work.
 * 4. Does your service allow for some degree of actual marketing and sales?**