One thing that surprises most authors is that publishers hate to see a manuscript. They often receive thousands of manuscripts a year and do not have the staff to read through them all. What book publishers want is a book proposal. A book proposal answers several key questions for a publisher:
- Why will people buy this book?
- Who will those people be?
- Why are you qualified to write this book?
- What are your credentials?
- How will you help promote and sell this book?
- What is your platform?
A book proposal contains several parts:
- A cover letter
- An overview of the work
- Book details
- A table of contents for the book
- One or two sample chapters (double-spaced, traditional manuscript format)
- Your profile and resume
- Relevant background clips (reviews of your previous work, related articles you've written)
- A postage paid large return envelope
What shouldn't be with your proposal are any props or cute things you think will get your proposal notices. I know book agents who have received "murder props" with a mystery novel, lingerie with a romance novel, and a video with the author acting out one of the main scenes in the book. You think these items will make you stand out - instead, it gets your proposal pitched out.
One of the problems book publishers and agents have is a deluge of book proposals and manuscripts. The first pass is an easy one - Is there anything about this proposal which I can justify pitching it out immediately? Misspellings in the cover letter, poor grammar in the manuscript, off-topic books, or missing materials immediately will get your manuscript tossed to the "no thanks" pile. Your goal is to minimize these problems and get your manuscript read!
Your Book Proposal's Mission
What's consistent between all book proposals is the central mission: it has to sell the work to agents and editors. Your book proposal has to pique the interest of the reader. The editor typically isn't an expert in your topic so you need to sell them on your ability to write and that you are the right person to write this book.
Fiction vs Non-Fiction Book Proposal
There are several key differences between Fiction and Non-Fiction book proposals. A fiction book proposal is designed to convince the editor that you can write. A non-fiction book proposal is designed to convince the editor that you are the right person to write this book. Both proposals need to convince the publisher that this is a topic people will read and is capable of being written in book length versus a long magazine article or short story.
Non-Fiction Book Proposal Outline
- Cover Sheet: Title and subtitle of the book; author's name and contact information
- Table of Contents
- Book Concept Statement: brief summary of target audience, why they need this book, why your book is unique, why you are an authority on the topic, what your book offers that others do not
- Overview of the Book
- Purpose of the Book
- Description of the Book: page length, target price range, trim size
- Market/Audience Information
- Competitive Books
- Marketing of the Book
- Promotion and Publicity
- Author's Promotion
- Completion of the Book Timetable
- Sequels
- About the Author
- Chapter Outlines
- Two Sample Chapters
- Attachments: exhibits showing why you are the right author
Fiction Proposal Outline
- Cover Sheet
- Table of Contents
- The Market/Audience
- Marketing of the Book
- Promotion and Publicity
- Author's Promotion
- About the Author
- Synopsis
- Chapter Outlines
- Two Sample Chapters*
- Attachments: exhibits showing why you are the right author
* With a fiction book, many publishers and agents do not want to see two sample chapters initially but prefer just a synopsis. Check submission guidelines before submitting sample chapters.
Follow the steps below to submit your book proposal.
Steps
Prepare your book proposal according to the outlines provided above.
Submit the proposal with a SASE, the correct size to hold the return materials.
Check submission guidelines on the publisher or agent's website. Determine any pieces or parts to add or leave out of the package.
Send your book proposal in.
Tips and Tactics
When asked about competitors, don't just list titles. Be thorough in a comparison of why your book will be better than the competitors - publishers don't want to publish a "me too" book, they want a successful book.
Don't discuss royalties or an advance in your book proposal. Money will be discussed later!
Don't include any props with your book proposal.
Pay attention to how you will promote the book. Many publishers do not offer significant marketing support but instead rely on the author to promote the book. The publisher will want to know you will be motivated and have a plan on how to sell your book.
