(How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal.)

However, when a proposal has too many errors—aka distractions—the reader may never even consider the content. That is why formatting is so important. You want to present your proposal as professionally as possible, so you make it easy for the decision-maker to move forward.

Here are some key “Dos” and “Don’ts” for your book proposal formatting.

6 Book Proposal Formatting Dos

Remember the basics.

Use Times New Roman font throughout your book proposal. Use one-inch margins. On all but the title page, your document needs to be double-spaced (except perhaps for bullet points), use 12-point type, and be left aligned (not justified) on the first line of each section, and then indent the paragraphs below.

Start your proposal with a title page.

It needs to include your book title and name—centered, a few lines down from the top. This can be 14 to 18 point type, Times New Roman font. If you have relevant credentials—for instance, your role in a/your company, certifications, “known” status, previously published noteworthy books, won awards, and/or appeared in mainstream media—include that under your name.

TITLE
BY, YOUR NAME
CREDENTIALS

Put your contact info—including address, phone number, email, website, and standout social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn—in the lower left hand corner. This is 12-point type, Times New Roman font and can be single spaced.

ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL
WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA

Add the splash page.

The splash is a graphic—photo or in some cases a collage—that is representative of the content in the book. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, that is your splash.

Create a table of contents.

Use the Table of Contents (or TOC) function, so all of your section headers are linked within the document. To do this, highlight each section title, go to Home and then Styles. Click on “Heading” (use “Heading 2” for sub-sections) to apply the format. 

After you have done this for all sections, create the TOC. Go to the third page (after the title page and splash). Then, go to the References tab. Click Table of Contents. Choose a style (“Automatic” or “Custom”), and Word will automatically generate a TOC using your Heading and Heading 2 styles.

After you finish your proposal, go to your TOC page and click to Update Table.

Customize your header.

You will want to start using a header on page 4—right after the Contents page. To do this in Word, insert a Section Break by going to the Layout tab. Click Breaks and, under Section Breaks, choose Next Page.

To unlink the Header from the Previous Section (since you do not need one for pages 1-3), double-click to get into the header area on page 4. In the Header & Footer Tools ribbon, click Link to Previous to turn it off. This breaks the connection between headers in Section 1 (pages 1–3) and Section 2 (page 4 onward).

With your cursor in the header on page 4, type your last name, book title. Underneath it, go to insert page number to add the page number.

NAME, TITLE
PAGE #

Send a PDF.

Unless otherwise requested, save your document as a pdf to send.

3 Book Proposal Formatting Don’ts

Rely on visuals to get your idea across.

Unless your project is photo-centric in nature, the only image you want to include is on the splash page. Book specs is where you put your bulleted list of items that are in the book. That’s where you can write down how many photos or other types of images you plan to include.

Make your book proposal difficult to read.

A book proposal can run anywhere from around 25 to 50 pages or more (depending on the length of the sample chapters). Be cognizant of page breaks and paragraph breaks.

For instance:

• Your Overview is a snapshot. It needs to be one page, no more than two. Each section builds on each other. You can go into more detail in the other sections.
• Avoid run-on sentences and super-long paragraphs. Find ways to be more concise or break up your content.
• Try to contain your sections, so they do not run one or two lines over onto the next page.

An easy-to-read proposal is something that’s also skimable. Before doing your final save, view your document at around 50% magnification, so you can catch weird formatting things, like blank pages and overlong bundles of text.

Forget to spell check.

Spell check is your friend. Use it! And then use it again.

One More Thing

Most agents and publishers accept what’s the standard for book proposals, in both order of sections and content. However, some have certain preferences. Before submitting your proposal, check the website to see if they have submission guidelines. Read them. And adjust as necessary.

Good luck!

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The post 9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(How to Write a Great Overview for Your Book Proposal.)

The reason? Past sales are proof of future sales.

Book comps are bestselling titles in your genre that are similar to—but different from—yours. You need to be able to tell an agent or publisher, “This book sold, so mine will too.” And “My book is better than/different from this one for the following reasons, so there is a market for it, as well.”

You will likely put a line about book comps in your book proposal overview: “My book is this title meets that idea, but with this specific angle or differentiation.”

In the Book Comps section you really get to go into detail.

What to Look for With Book Comps

How hard can it be to find book comps? Very, especially in nonfiction. If something has been done well recently, your book may not be needed. If a title did well 10 or 15 years ago—but the subject has not been covered since—that’s a red flag. No one has bought the title in a decade, so clearly readers are not interested.

For your comp section, you need to find:

• 5 to 7 titles that are …
• Published traditionally (a large publishing house, imprint, or independent publisher) …
• Within the last five years
• That have good ratings and a substantial number of reviews

You do not want:

• Titles more than 5 years old
• Self-published books (that includes hybrid titles)
• And especially not old, self-published titles
• Low numbers of ratings and books that are poorly reviewed

The exceptions: If all of your other comp titles are good, and you strongly believe it to be a value add, at the end you may want to add:

• One older, but not ancient, highly-regarded, standard-for-the-industry-or-genre, known tile
• One recent, remarkable, well-sold and well-reviewed self-published title

One other hack: You can use the introduction to your comps section as a way to reference classic titles without going into detail. Eat Pray Love (self-actualization and memoir), 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (business), and The Artist’s Way (creativity) would fall into this category. For instance: “From TITLE to TITLE to TITLE, readers are really interested in THIS TOPIC.” Again, don’t overdo it, and include a favorite along with more relevant, recent titles.

How to Find Comps

In Person: To research comp titles, start old school. Go to a bookstore, find the section your book would be shelved in, and see what else is out there. Carefully checking the publisher—to make sure it’s a traditional one—and the pub date, make a list of books to research online.

And/Or

Go Online: Do a search for “Best of” lists in your book’s category. Then, write down which of those books are most akin to yours. Note: Save the links of your favorite “Best of” lists to put in the conclusion of your comps section. More on that below.

Research the Details: Do a search on Amazon for each book you think could be a good comp. For each title, scroll down to get to the product details. There you will find the:

• Publisher
• Publication date:

And then toward the bottom of that section:

• Bestsellers Rank
• Categories
• Customer Reviews
• Ratings

If you need more comp titles to explore, click on the categories that are a fit. That will take you to the top titles in that category. If you think you are going down a rabbit hole, you’re right. Sometimes that’s what it takes to identify the right comps.

Once you find 10 or so titles you think are best for your book, go back over them and choose the best comps.

Click to continue.

How to Format Your Comps

For each title in the comp section, include the following information. Hyperlink each book title to the Amazon listing. Note: Typically the link will go to the trade paperback version.

This is the format:

Title by Author(s) (Publisher, Date). Plus, a one or two-line description of the book.
Next, a couple of lines about what makes your book different/better.
List of the rankings in each category
Number of Ratings and Reviews

After you detail your five to seven comps, finish the section with your version of the following conclusion line:

“BOOK TITLE could be shelved in CATEGORY, CATEGORY, or CATEGORY. It would seamlessly fit into a list of best books on any of these topics, such as LINKS TO LISTS.”

Final Thoughts

For your comp section you want to find five to seven traditionally published titles in your genre that are similar to yours—to show your concept will sell—but different enough that there is a place for your book in the marketplace.

Remember, the entire book proposal is a marketing document. The easier you make it for your book to sell—“My book is this + that, but with a twist”—the more likely an agent or publisher will want to run with it!

The post The Why, What, How of Comp Titles for Your Nonfiction Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

The nonfiction market is full of opportunity, but to succeed in selling your book, you need to master the art of writing a nonfiction proposal. Competition is fierce and publishers are becoming more and more demanding. You need to not just be able to explain your concept clearly and engagingly, but prove the demand for the book and why you’re the best writer for the job.

In Write to Sell: Nonfiction Proposals, Gina Panettieri will guide you through the process of crafting a compelling nonfiction book proposal. This live webinar will cover essential topics such as identifying and analyzing the target audience, understanding market trends, and writing a persuasive and well-structured proposal. Participants will also learn how to present themselves as the perfect writer for their book and compose the perfect pitch to grab an editor’s or agent’s attention.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Enter Your Story #137!

Prompt: Write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo prompt above. You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Email your submission to yourstorycontest@aimmedia.com with the subject line “Your Story 137.”

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Join Us In England!

Writer’s Digest is heading across the pond to England with literary agent, Amy Collins this September! This unique trip is part literary tour and part retreat with an experienced literary agent and Writer’s Digest editor. Get inspired in the land of literary giants like Shakespeare and Dickens, Austen and the Brontës, Smith and Ishiguro. Pack your bags and favorite writing notebook for a trip of a lifetime. Space is limited.

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The post Write To Sell appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal.)

In any situation, you need to make a good first impression. Your book proposal’s Overview is that first impression. Its purpose is to get your audience’s attention, so they are as invested in your idea as you are.

Start With the Sizzle

The “Sizzle” comes after the title page in your book proposal. It’s a graphic or photo that illustrates your book’s concept. This is typically not your book cover; your publisher will have their own team for that.

Here is some Sizzle inspiration, as it relates to different types of books.

• Business book: A concept, flowchart, or representation of an idea. A timer, a roadmap, a lightbulb.
• Self-help: An illustration of the transformation or end result. A before and after pic.
• Cookbook: A signature dish or collage of recipe photos.
• Activity: A photo of the hobby, sport, or endeavor.

Your sizzle can be as simple or creative as you want. Have fun with it and make sure it reflects your idea and your style.

The Elements of Your Overview

The “About the Book” section of your book proposal starts with the Overview. The other elements are addressed briefly below.

Your one-page Overview needs to encapsulate your concept—what it is, what makes it unique, and why you are the only person who can write it. You want to get whoever is looking at it interested in reading more. Before you can articulate these things, it’s important for you to identify exactly the book’s mission/purpose. Why are you compelled to write this book: What is your motivation? And how will this book help the reader?

Your motivation may be to use your book to improve your status as a thought leader, get more visibility/readers/clients, etc. Your book’s mission is to use your background/experience to inform, educate, or entertain your reader on a certain topic, so they achieve a specific result (connect to the experience, learn something, benefit from it, enjoy what you have to say).

Another important decision is to figure out how you will get that information across. Are you sharing your personal or professional journey, a methodology or concept, or actionable tips? Once you figure out the reason you are writing the book, the desired result, and how you will share that information, you can start writing your Overview.

These are the pieces of the Overview:

Hook.

Start with a one-liner that engages the reader, showing what differentiates your idea.

• Question: Did you know that _________?
• Fact
• Quote

Concept.

Support your hook with an engaging paragraph or two that explains your book idea: what it is, your unique take, and why it is relevant/that people need to and will read it.

• Share what problem it solves
• Show how it helps
• Reference trends to prove timeliness or timelessness of the topic

Credentials.

This is where you go into your bio. Include who you are—relevant professional or even personal details—and why that makes you the perfect person to write this book. Include:

• Your background/thought leadership
• What you created/discovered/survived
• Why you love this topic/need to write this book

Conclusion.

Wrap with one or two lines that reinforce the relevance of your book topic, something inspirational that is on brand for you as the writer. Reiterate in what ways this book will help which people at this time.

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Also in “About the Book”

You can get into a little more detail “About the Book” in the sections that follow the Overview.

• “What’s in the Book” contains the names of the sections and chapters, along with a few lines of description for each.
• “Book Specs” has the word count, as well as the types of content you plan to use in the book. This could be anecdotes, case studies, interviews, instructions, graphics, etc. You can also put names of possible endorsers or people willing to write the book’s foreword or afterword.
• If you have “Reviews” of previous books or “Endorsements” of your ability as a writer, that goes next.

One More Thing

The Overview is a snapshot. Make sure it’s clear and engaging, so you can expand upon it throughout the rest of your book proposal.

Remember, whoever reads your book proposal wants it to be good. Agents and publishers are seeking a win-win situation: a good book by a knowledgeable writer that they can sell. Give them one!

The post How to Write a Great Overview for Your Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(6 Things I Learned From Un-Trunking My Novels and Getting Them Published.)

There is a story behind each book’s rejection. Some inspire hope, others persistence. Mainly, though, they are a testament to resiliency. It takes a lot of submissions, and a lot of rejections, to get published these days. Writers have to have faith that what they write is worth the time of other people to read it, and to keep at it.

After I completed the manuscript of my second book, a somewhat scholarly examination of suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge, I sent a proposal and sample to the executive editor of the University of California Press. UC Berkeley was my alma mater, and Golden Gate Bridge suicides were something of a local story. I don’t know whether she ever saw what I sent, however, because I received a rejection letter from someone else.

Undaunted, I submitted the manuscript to a dozen other academic presses, with the same result—12 rejections, most with form letters. I tried a few smaller, mainstream presses, as well as 20 or so literary agents, with no better luck. By this time a year had passed. One day I was browsing in a local bookstore and picked up a book that had professional interest. After thumbing through it and deciding to buy it, I noticed that it was published by UC Press. I read the book, got a lot out of it, and in the acknowledgments saw that the author credited the same woman who I queried about my bridge book. I sent a letter congratulating her and asking if, by chance, she had any interest in seeing the manuscript of a book I wrote without mentioning that I had ever contacted her before.

She wrote back promptly, thanked me for my letter, and said she would like to see my manuscript. A short time after I sent it, she contacted me and said she wanted to publish it—with one caveat. She didn’t like my title, and would only go ahead if it was changed to The Final Leap. I was naïve enough that I didn’t know the publisher had final say on a title because it was considered part of marketing, but I accepted the change because her title was, in fact, better than mine. The book came out, and more than 10 years later it continues to be referenced whenever there is an article on Golden Gate Bridge suicides or the new suicide prevention net on the bridge.

Flash forward to my fourth book, The Education of a Coroner. I didn’t have an agent, but by this time, with three books under my belt, I thought I didn’t need one. I emailed queries to 50 people, among them editors of my three previous books. They had nice things to say, but ultimately passed. So, too, did all the rest but one. The lone exception was an editor at Scribner. He emailed me within 10 minutes of my query to say that he was intrigued and to send him more information. I didn’t realize until I Googled him that not only was he an editor but he was the managing editor. We had a couple of good phone conversations, and Scribner bought the book, which subsequently was made into audio book and translated into multiple languages.

Since then I have had a fifth nonfiction book published that, like its predecessors, was years in the making and selling. I also have turned to writing fiction, and am collecting new rejection letters. Nearly all of them say variations of the same thing: “Thank you thinking of me and sharing your work. It’s well-written and the story has interest, but it’s not quite right for my list. Another editor may have a different opinion, so I wish you good luck in placing it elsewhere.”

A recent rejection I received is one of my favorites. It consisted of five words: “Not for me—but thanks.”

I had to laugh when I read it, and also admire the person’s brevity and frankness. People in the publishing world—agents and editors—receive hundreds of submissions every month, and it has to be discouraging to say no far more often than yes. At least this rejection didn’t keep me waiting long, and it wasn’t a form letter. Sometimes a writer has to derive solace wherever he or she can.

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The post Not for Me—But Thanks: How to Overcome Rejection in Book Publishing appeared first on Writer's Digest.

• Your concept and what makes it unique
• Who you are and why you are the best person to write it
• Details about your audience, why the book will sell, and your marketing plan

(17 Pros & Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing.)

It sounds like a lot… and it is. However, when you break up the sections and fill in the blanks as you are able, it feels less like a heavy chore and more like a fun puzzle that comes together, piece by piece.

What’s in Your Book Proposal?

A book proposal is comprised of the following elements:

Title Page. 

This includes your book title and contact information. Your book title may change—either through the proposal process or from your publisher. However, it’s helpful to give your project a working title. It’s the first step for making your idea concrete.

Sizzle. 

This is simply a visual cue—a picture or graphic—that catches the reader’s attention and embodies the concept for the book. This is not your book cover, it’s inspiration.

About the Book:

• Overview. This one-page description details your concept for the book, what makes it unique, and why your experience and expertise make you the perfect person to write it.
• What’s in the Book. An extension of the overview, this is where you list out all the sections and chapters; include a few lines of description for each one.
• Book Specs. Here’s where you lay out more details. Share your estimated word count (depending on the niche, it could be anywhere from 40,000 and up for business and self help to around 75,000 for memoir to 100,000 or so for history and biography), when you can have the manuscript completed (usually three to six months from an agreement or contract), and how you will share the information in your book (narrative, case studies, inspirational quotes, instructions). If you have recognizable names—people and/or companies—you plan to include in the book or are willing to write the forward or afterward—include them here, as well.
• Reviews of the Author. If you have been previously published, share some of your best reviews.

Platform:

• Author Bio. Lean into the relevant specifics of your background for your book bio. Don’t forget a professional headshot.
• Testimonials. Include client testimonials that support your expertise.
• Author Platform. Detail your website(s); social media platforms: followings and activities; podcast (if you host); newsletter and subscribers; and involvement in organizations. Also, list and link to previous media, as well as in-person and online events. Bonus points if you have some sort of sizzle reel, so the publisher can see you in action.
• Marketing Plan. What promotions will you put in place to support the release of the book? Be creative, have fun with it, and get as detailed as possible. Even when you publish traditionally, there’s still a lot for the author to do promo-wise. You want to show your commitment to making this book a success. One more thing: If you have celebrity or influencers willing to blurb your book, that goes here, as well.
• Series. A publisher would much rather invest their time and energy into developing a long-term relationship, rather than a one-book author. Include ideas for a few follow-up books.
• Audience. Who is your ideal reader? And why do they need your book? Back up your audience vision with links to articles that support it.
• Comps. Include three to five comprehensive titles. These are best-selling books that are similar to yours, but different enough to show the need for your book in the world. Include their publisher, Amazon ranking, and a hyperlink. You want the majority, if not all, of them to be published traditionally and within the last five years. Books with lots of positive reviews are good too.

Detailed Outline. 

Expand your “What’s in the Book” section to include a paragraph or two description of what’s in each chapter.

Sample Chapters. 

Depending on your genre, this could be the intro and/or one or two chapters. You are backing up your concept and marketing plan with proof of your writing ability, tone, and style.

I told you it was a lot. But here’s the great part: You do not have to do it all at once.

How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal/Book

1. Name Your Book.

2. Get Organized. 

Create a folder on your hard drive or cloud account with your book title. Then, create a document in the folder for each of the sections:

• Sizzle ideas
• Overview
• What’s in the Book
• Book Specs
• Reviews of the Author (if applicable)
• Author Bio
• Testimonials
• Author Platform
• Marketing Plan
• Series
• Audience
• Comps
• Detailed Outline
• Sample Chapters

3. Commit to a Schedule. 

Go to your calendar and set a regular (weekly or twice weekly) appointment to work on your book proposal. This can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. I know 15 minutes does not seem like a lot of time, but it’s better to commit to what is feasible within your busy schedule than to overwhelm yourself and quit a week or two into the project.

4. Brainstorm Your Book. 

At the beginning of each appointment, pick a section you are feeling motivated to work on. Open that document, and just free-write your ideas. On days you feel a little less creative, compile some of the lists—like testimonials and reviews—or do some of the research-related activities, like the audience and comps.

5. Expand Your Ideas. 

When you notice your ideas taking shape, go back through your notes. Start turning ideas into drafts.

6. Compile Your Sections Into a Complete Book Proposal Document. 

Write. Read. Revise. Repeat.

Whether your goal is to publish traditionally—so you are using the proposal to attract an agent or publisher—or you intend to self-publish or go hybrid, a book proposal is a helpful tool. It enables you to gather your ideas for writing and promoting your book into a usable roadmap, whichever route you choose. 

The post How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(8 Ways to Charge for Your Freelance Writing.)

We’ve covered many tips and strategies to break down the process in previous articles, but here I’m bringing them together to help you craft a simple and easy-to-follow checklist to make sure you have everything you need before going out on submission.

Step 1: Get Your Query Letter Out of the Slush Pile

Are you hoping to get the attention of agents and editors for your nonfiction work?

Consider writing a 300-500 word query letter that stands out from the rest and makes them want to request a full manuscript. Start with a great hook, and then make sure to succinctly explain the premise of your book, the main themes, the important plot points, the characters, and finally, why you are uniquely qualified to write this book.

Step 2: Map Out Your Nonfiction Book Proposal

Unsure what goes into a sellable book proposal?

Consider that many nonfiction manuscripts sell on proposal, so it’s important to dedicate time to making sure yours has all the necessary components, including a well-thought out narrative arc with compelling themes. Don’t rush to send out your proposal. Instead wait until you are confident that each and every section is as polished as it can be.

Step 3: Develop the First 50 Pages of Your Manuscript

Do you want to grab the reader’s attention and keep them wanting more of your work?

Consider getting your first 50 pages in tip-top shape before you go out on submission. These chapters must hook your reader from the opening lines of your manuscript and can be included as the sample chapters in your book proposal.

Step 4: Position Yourself as an Expert in Your Field

Would you like to elevate your platform and help build trust with your readers?

Consider ways to position yourself as an expert in your field, which will provide you with the credibility you need when you go out on submission for your nonfiction book. From providing interviews to engaging on social media, there are many opportunities to reach your audience, build your platform, and become an expert on the topic you write about.

Step 5: Write a Companion Piece Pitch Letter

Want to write companion pieces for your book?

Consider crafting a rock solid companion piece pitch letter. Once you have a solid foundation for a pitch letter, you can easily tweak it for each publication you plan to submit to.

Step 6: Land the Perfect Blurb for Your Forthcoming Book

Would you like to receive praise for your book from other authors even though it may feel intimidating?

Consider landing the perfect blurb by networking with others and implementing an effective fail-safe strategy that is sure to get you the praise your book deserves.

Writing your nonfiction book is the first step toward your publishing journey. Now, your goal is to focus on making the submission process a success by being prepared every step of the way. It starts with writing a stellar query letter, crafting a solid nonfiction book proposal, and getting your first 50 pages in great shape. 

Then you can focus on positioning yourself as an expert in your field, writing a companion piece pitch letter, and landing the perfect blurb. Following these simple steps will make the process so much less overwhelming, and you’ll be well on your way to a fabulous book deal.

The post 6 Successful Ways to Get Your Nonfiction Book Ready for Submission appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(3 Things I Learned While Writing My Novel)

As a developmental editor for WitchesofPitches.com, I often explain to clients that this can be one of the most difficult parts of the publishing process. The good news is that once you’ve completed your proposal, you will have likely further developed the narrative arc and themes of your story. It will also provide an opportunity to begin thinking about marketing and publicity for your book.

Follow these seven steps to map out your nonfiction book proposal.

Step 1: Start with a Compelling Overview

This is the first, and maybe only, opportunity to hook a potential editor or agent. Your goal is to wow the reader from the very first sentence and make them want to find out more.

In this section you will introduce the important themes in your book and explain the narrative arc clearly and succinctly. Make sure to include major characters and plot points. Match the tone and voice of the proposal to your book so readers get to know who you are and what they can expect.

One way to think of the overview is to write it as though it were part of the synopsis that will appear on the jacket of your book. Begin with punchy text and end with a compelling summary that drives home the essence of what your book is about. The overview should be anywhere from a page and a half to two pages.

Step 2: Write a Standout Bio

The “About the Author” section is no more than one double-spaced page that highlights how amazing you are. This is not the time to hold back on your accomplishments. Sing your praises and make sure the reader knows why you are uniquely qualified to write this book.

Before getting started, ask yourself what makes you an expert in this subject and then craft this section to highlight your experience. Include previous publications such as books and relevant clips and add links for easy accessibility. Discuss public speaking experience, especially if you’ve appeared on radio shows, podcasts, and television, and include awards and other accolades.

Make sure that the information is truthful and relevant. Don’t forget to include your author photo in this section!

Step 3: Discuss Your Marketing and Publicity Plan

One of the goals of publishing a book is to get it into the hands of as many readers as possible. The Marketing and Publicity section is where you show agents and publishers just how you plan to accomplish this. Discuss how you will reach out to the media, including editors of big publications. Mention people you’ve worked with and the relationships you’ve formed, and then discuss how they might help promote your book.

For example, perhaps you plan to contact an editor you’ve previously published with to see if you can submit an excerpt of your forthcoming book. You might have the name of a book reviewer that you’ve worked with in the past, or maybe you have a connection to a radio host. Think about all the networking you’ve done up until this point and how it will help you sell books.

If you have a big social media presence, or a monthly newsletter, make sure to include stats about engagement and the number of followers you have. If you are part of organizations where you can land big speaking engagements, or if you know people in the field you are writing about that will help you promote your book, this is the place to include it. This is also where you will list the people you plan to reach out to for blurbs, making sure to include their most recent publication.

Step 4: Identify Your Audience

In this section you will focus on identifying who your readers are and where your book will sit on the shelf in a bookstore. My book, Knocked Down: A High-Risk Memoir, is about motherhood, marriage, and a high-risk pregnancy. This covers a wide demographic of readers who have had similar experiences. In my proposal I break down my readership to women of childbearing age, mothers, people considering marriage, midwives, doulas, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.

Think about who your ideal reader is and why they will be interested in your book. Make sure to list similar books that your audience has read, so an editor can envision where yours will fit in the marketplace.

Step 5: Find Comparative Titles

Including approximately five comparative titles in your proposal shows editors and agents that you’ve done your research and you know which books are already out there. List titles that are similar in theme to yours and have been published in the last three years. Use big author names, but don’t shy away from new authors whose books have done well, because this shows there is room for debut authors.

Respectfully include what these books are lacking if anything, and what yours does differently. In other words, make sure to explain how your book fills a gap in the market and why it’s an important addition to your genre.

Step 6: Write Your Chapter Summaries

In this section you will write one- or two-paragraph summaries for each chapter to show editors and agents that you have a well-thought-out map of your book. Your chapter summaries should focus on the most important and compelling information in each chapter.

Summaries should be concise and illustrate how the narrative arc of your story moves forward. Writing chapter summaries takes time, but it’s a great exercise that will ultimately help you tighten your storyline.

Step 7: Include Sample Chapters

This section is where you finally get to show off your writing to editors and agents! Include about 20 pages of polished sample material that will highlight your narrative arc. These should be your most gripping action-packed chapters, so choose wisely—and remember, the goal here is to keep the reader turning pages and wanting more! Start with your opening chapter and then choose additional material that can stand on its own.

Writing a book proposal takes time, so don’t rush the process. Follow this step-by-step guide and share your proposal with others to get feedback before you submit. Be prepared to do a few rewrites! With a good proposal, you will not only have a better sense of your project, but you will be well on your way to selling your book to the right publisher. 

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The post 7 Steps to Mapping Out Your Nonfiction Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

My advice is simple: Keep your proposal focused on the gist of your book and the target market, with an eye toward conveying the subject matter in the most interesting and relevant fashion in order to hook the reader. Your goal is to present a professional looking and carefully drafted document that basically tells the reviewer everything they need to know about your project.

When I say “everything they need to know about your project,” of course I only mean the relevant things. I call them key elements. They are your title, word count or work status, tagline, description, audience, bio, platform, relevant promotional information, table of content, and sample chapters. This key information should be provided in clear, concise, accurate, and interesting sections that flow well into each other, and are easy for the evaluator to read, find, and understand.

Key elements in more details:

1. Title and Word Count:

The title of your book should be in the introductory paragraph of the proposal so that it’s one of the first things that the reader sees. The title says a lot about the work itself, the substance or topic of the project, the tone in which the material will be presented, the marketability of the piece, and how creative you are. If you have a great title, it might hook them right away. But don’t worry if you don’t, because they are always free to change it, and often do. So if you’re unsure about your title or want to subtly let the reviewer know that you are open to changes, you can simply state that the title is tentative.

The word count of the work should follow the title in the same introductory section. The golden number of words is 85,000—equivalent to about 300 pages when properly formatted.

If you haven’t written or finished the work yet, don’t worry. Many agents and editors consider work of nonfiction on proposal. As long as these materials look good, you can get an offer for representation from a literary agent, or an offer for publication from an acquisitions editor.

TIP: Although works of fiction come in all shapes and sizes a word count of 85,000 tells the reviewer that the work is neither too long nor too short. It’s like a Goldie Locks Zone, that’s why I call it the ‘golden’ number. But of course, your work can be shorter or longer if the substance calls for it.

[New Agent Alerts: Click here to find agents who are currently seeking writers]

2. Tagline:

The same as a catch phrase, this is the one or two line hook that describes the work in the shortest, most interesting manner. The hook is the thing about your work that will make people want to read it, or make them think that they have to read it. It should be interesting and set the work apart.

TIP: This is usually used for multiple purposes when posting the work in catalogs, tweets, ads, announcements, etc. This is the one sentence that will get their attention. So pay attention to it!

3. Blurb:

Much like the description in the jacket of a book, this is a short summary of what your book is about. It should be written in third person and describe the work. It is usually very useful to describe the work in a way that shows how the work will be useful or entertaining to the reader.

TIP: Capturing the tone of the work in these descriptions isn’t easy, but it should be your goal so that the reader connects with the work and your voice at the same time without an abrupt transition when they start reading the first few pages.

4. Structure of the Book:

In a short section, describe how you will organize your book and why, as needed. This is especially useful if you break the book down into sections or have organized the chapters in a certain way for a specific reason. You don’t need to include this section if there isn’t anything that needs to be explained.

5. Target Market:

Your audience is composed of those who the book is targeting. This should be a section describing who the book will appeal to, who it is written for, why they need this book, why they will want this book, or why they will buy it even if they don’t want it!

TIP: Be sure to discuss the reasons and the benefits. Even if the goal of the book is simply to inspire. Describe the goal in some tangible form so that the evaluator can see the value for the reader.

TIP: This section should include comp titles of similar books out in the market to show that there is a like and demand for such books. It is usually very clever to show similar titles that have done well and cleverly describe something that sets your book apart from those comps and fills a gap or need that adds value for the audience.

[Get your creative juices flowing by trying this 12-Day plan of simple writing exercises.]

6. Author Bio:

Your Author-Preneur biography should only be a nice statement of your writing credentials. The information in this section should describe your special education, skills, publications, activities, memberships, etc., that attribute to your writing experience and skillset, demonstrating that you are involved in the industry and continue to learn and grow as an author and as a professional. Because this is a bio for a factual work, it should also tell the reader who you are, why you are qualified to write this book, why you are the right person to tell this story, or share this knowledge.

TIP: Your bio is a good place to hint at your connection with the audience as part of your platform. Subtly done, this can reinforce the information you will provide about your platform. Or you can include such information about your platform in this section and segue into your marketing plan.

7. Marketing Plan:

This section is your opportunity to tell the evaluating agent or editor how you plan on reaching your audience. The marketing plan should include information about your platform, if you haven’t included it in your bio section. Your author platform is a description of your reaching power. In other words, it is your ability to reach and grow your audience and convert those connections into sales.

TIP: The marketing plan can be as detailed as you wish. The more concrete information you can provide about your promotional plans for selling your work, the more enticing it will be to the publisher who wants to publish and sell your book.

8. Endorsements or Media Coverage:

A small section added to your marketing plan should be included to illustrate any endorsements you are able to get from other people with a similar audience who are doing well, or someone who is a reputable expert in the field of the subject matter of your book. If you have media contacts that you can use to promote your book include them separately if they are significant so that they stand out, or include them in your marketing plan or platform descriptions as applicable.

TIP: Include links to all media coverage that you have received. Make it easy for the reviewer to see or access your information if they wish to see it.

9. Table of Contents:

Include a list of your chapter titles with a very short description about the contents of each chapter so that the reader can determine what will be included in the book, how it is structured or organized, how in depth your work will be, and get a little more insight about the content of the work.

TIP: A table of contents is very helpful to show the evaluator a sort of skeleton or outline of what happens in the book from beginning to end.

TIP: In a fiction proposal, the author would include a synopsis here instead. A synopsis is a summary of what happens throughout the book. However note that fiction proposals should only be submitted when requested. These are often used for subsequent books or deals when the agent or editor already knows the author. Always be sure to follow submission guidelines.

10. Sample Chapters:

The first few chapters of your book should be included in or with your proposal. Many agents ask for a different number of chapters in their submission guidelines, but generally everyone wants three to five chapters. A sample should always be provided whenever possible in order to show your writing, tone, voice, development of the work, etc. This sample will help them decide if they will like the work, if they think that it will resonate with the audience, and determine if your writing is ready and how much editing help you will need.

TIP: Be sure to look up the Submission Guidelines for each person you are submitting your work to, to see if they list the number of chapters they desire (as well as other directions on how to submit your work) before sending it. If they don’t specifically state it, then send your first three chapters. If your chapters are short, send five chapters. Don’t send more than fifty pages unless they request it.

All of the above information must be presented in a concise, clear fashion that presents your material in the most captivating light. And if you are really ambitious, it should convey the tone of your work and give agents and editors a flavor of your voice. Your goal is to make the reader a fan.

Many agents like to see the information presented in this order—or a close deviation of it—because it flows well and the information is presented in a logical manner, but you are free to get creative if you’d like.

If you’ve read this entire post, congratulations! You’re on your way. When you’ve finished drafting your proposal, have a qualified reader critique it for you before you submit it. Then make sure you submit it to the right literary agents. A lot of research and a bit of stalking are always recommended.

Putting a strong proposal together—and getting it into the right hands—will help you avoid rejections and will get you closer to a publishing deal. Good luck!

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The post 10 Key Elements to Writing a Winning Nonfiction Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.