ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR WRITING A BOOK PROPOSAL

By Nicky Hackett

Is your book idea so commercially viable that a traditional publisher might catch your vision and invest in it? Then you need to write a convincing book proposal, persuading them your book has economic potential.

Writing a book proposal also helps you develop clarity and talk about your ideas smoothly and succinctly. This ability is essential, whatever your publishing path.

It’s a lengthy process, but don’t be intimidated! You’re not afraid of work: you’re already writing a book! This is just a small mountain—grab a shovel and get moving!

Warning! A book proposal is NOT a description of a lofty idea! It is a concrete business proposition that shows why a book idea is commercially viable. It should describe how readers will benefit and why they will care.
Think about your book proposal audience. What do they know about your subject? (often nothing) How can you explain your idea, making it interesting and compelling enough to convince an agent or editor to go and convince others?
Before you start, talk to several people about your book. How do they respond? When do their eyes light up? What excites them? What falls flat? What do you end up saying over and over in response to their questions and feedback? What do you leave out? How can you use this info to strengthen your proposal?
There are many variations of an acceptable book proposal. Use a template you like that suits your book idea and fits the publisher. Add, remove and reorganize at will. Your goal is always to be as clear and compelling as possible.

Some basic elements of a book proposal:

Header: working title, author, contact info, date

Brief Description: This is the elevator pitch, like the back cover. It’s typically 100-500 words or 1-5 paragraphs, including why it should be published, and why you are the person to write it. Some authors start with a one-sentence summary.

List of Chapters, including a brief summary of each chapter (as you envision it now, it’s understood that chapter plans often change). You can include some images.

Sample Chapters: This varies by publisher and for fiction versus nonfiction. For nonfiction, write the introduction and 1-2 sample chapters. The concepts and quality of writing are important, but the concepts are most important. For fiction, submit the equivalent of the first 40-50 pages of the manuscript. The concepts are important, but the quality of writing is imperative, and your first few pages must grab the reader and make them want more.

Book Details: What is the anticipated length, how will it look, what illustrations, charts, appendixes, etc.

Author Bio: Tell them who you are and how you can reach a book-buying audience with your idea. Include any previous work with accompanying sales and marketing data, and any related public speaking or teaching. The publisher needs to know that you can effectively complete and publicize your book. Check out our blog post on how to write Creating a Compelling Author Bio.

Target Audience: Our blog post Identifying Your Target Audience will help with this. Include how you already reach your target audience, including data from social media accounts and your website, blog, mailing list, etc.

Market Profile: What is the market for this book and other books like it? If you are writing non-fiction, you will need to include a competitive title analysis. Be specific to show you’ve done your research and know your market. Beware of saying your book is completely unique! It could mean there’s no market for it!

Marketing Plan: What will you do to promote your book independent of the publisher’s resources? Be clear and specific, not tentative and vague. Explain who follows you and you influence them. Already have a website, blog, social media sites, etc. Who else might endorse or promote your book?