What is in a Book Proposal? - Publishing - Writing

What Is in a Book Proposal?

Self-help books are different from all others. Publishers do not want you to submit a completed manuscript. They want a proposal.

So the next question is "What is in a book proposal?"

A solid proposal has three parts: 1) one to three page proposal summary sheet, 2) writing sample and support documents, and 3) a press kit. This article covers what to include in your proposal summary sheet. Here's a template for what to include:

Title: Your hook.

Subtitle: Your promise the reader.

Reading line #1: Longer than the title or subtitle, reading lines give the reader more information about what they will get from your book, or a description of the kinds of problems your reader wants to solve. Reading lines are usually included on the front and back cover.

Reading line #2: Just like #1

Author(s): List your name the way you want it to appear on the book cover. If you're working with one or more collaborators, such as co-authors, contributors, or ghost writers, list their names here with yours.

Benefits to the reader or takeaways: List two to three things that readers will take away from your book that will benefit their lives.

Summary of content: In one or two paragraphs, summarize what your book's about. Why do readers need this information? What problem does it solve?

Category: List two topics your book would fit, like psychology/women's issues or arts and crafts/children's activities.

Audience: Describe your audience in detail, including gender, age, ethnicity, characteristics, and so forth.

Market survey: Let the publisher know that you know who your competitors are. Summarize other important books that have been written on your topic. Describe why your approach is new, different and superior.

Author bio: Summarize your expertise and experience in one paragraph.Endorsements: Locate experts in your topic area, top-selling authors, celebrities, and others who will endorse you, and allow their endorsements to be used on the book cover and in promotional materials.

Approximate number of words: Publishers think in terms of words, not pages. Pick out a book that's the size you imagine yours will be and do a rough word count.

Time frame of completion: Give an estimation of how long will it take to write the book after the contract is signed--3 months to one year is common.

Book layout and format description: Describe how you envision your book in final form. Will your book be a large workbook with many pictures and illustrations? Maybe it's small and mostly print.

Promotion: Describe what are you doing now and what will you be willing to do to promote your book, such as expanding your Web site or blog, giving seminars, writing articles, giving radio or television interviews, and similar publicity activities.

Agent contact information: Name and contact info of your agent.A proposal overview, like the one I just described, is usually between one to three pages long. The shorter and more concise, the better. You might not have more than five to six seconds to impress an agent or a publisher, so try to make every word count.

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