Book Proposal Guideline
1. Title Page
On the title page of your book proposal, include the complete title of your book along with your name.
2. Overview
The overview serves as a compelling summary of your book, offering readers a bird’s-eye view of its content and purpose. Both nonfiction and fiction authors should consider this section as the “hook” of their proposal, designed to captivate potential publishers. Imagine if a prospective reader encountered this overview on the book’s back cover – would it convince them to make a purchase?
3. About the Author
This section should feature a concise author biography, a list of any previously published works, and any pertinent experience. It plays a vital role in convincing publishers that you are the ideal author for this book. Don’t forget to include a photograph of yourself.
4. Chapter Outline and Table of Contents
Present a proposed chapter list, including titles and brief summaries of their content. Each chapter summary need only be a few sentences or a short paragraph.
5. A sample of 5000 words
A book proposal typically includes a complete chapter from your forthcoming book. This chapter should exemplify your writing style and fulfill the book’s promise. This is especially crucial for debut authors as it aims to persuade potential publishers of the book’s worthiness. For instance, if your book is meant to be humorous, include the chapter with the most humor. If it’s a self-help book, choose the chapter that best introduces your theories or analysis.
6. Competitive Titles Analysis
Compile a list of five to ten previously published books that cover similar subject matter, accompanied by concise comparisons to your own approach. The objective is to demonstrate why your book appeals to the same audience as those similar books while highlighting what sets your book apart. In essence, the competitive titles analysis establishes why your book is uniquely positioned for success in the market. Ensure you provide details like title, author, publisher, publication year, price, page count, and ISBN for each of the listed books.
7. Target Audience
Dedicate a section of your proposal to identifying and describing the target market for your book, along with the reasons they will be motivated to purchase it. Be as specific as possible in defining the type of readers likely to buy your book and estimate their numbers.
8. Marketing Plan
Your marketing plan should outline concrete strategies you intend to implement to promote your book. This is your opportunity to highlight any connections you have within the literary world, past speaking engagements that expanded your audience, or previous media appearances that can be replicated after the book’s release. If you’re a new author without extensive reach, consider mentioning your newsletter’s audience, monthly website visitors, or the number of clicks on a previously published article. The goal is to demonstrate that publishing your book will provide access to an established author platform, increasing the book’s chances of success.