(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!

Click to continue.

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.

(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.

Click to continue.

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.

• 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. 

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