Hey reader, I know it, hey author and writer I feel your pain. To get a book out, your work something so meaningful to you is what truly makes a writer or author. I mean everyone gets to see your words bleed all over the pages, not only that how many times does the same author or writer have to bleed over and over again? Until the errors are edited, or until the entire process is cleared by the publishing team.
Practically writers or authors save you the physical pain of bleeding in the least painful way, maybe they went through it already, and maybe they’re just trying to save many more from it. Here we are, on writing a winning book proposal because I want you, along with you wanting it for yourself to have your piece said and paid for particularly when it comes to your book.
What is a book proposal?
A book proposal is a document that an author draws up for publishing houses to consider publishing a book. The proposal is written to convince the publisher why they should select the book to spend publishing costs on and why the book will be a “commercial” success. Look, there are all sorts of publishers out there today, perhaps one day I will go into that. Vanity publishers don’t have strict guidelines for an author to come on board with their book. Let me let you consider something. Why? When many books can be published without strict guidelines and only friends and family will purchase them. Get me? So, you are their customer, that’s all (hey take this as my viewpoint if you may). Saying this, it depends on how one looks at it, it is an achievement to have something that one has worked hard on finally released. It boils down to expectations and the author’s goal.
Writing a winning book proposal has to be aimed at the audience, it is a business in the end, especially if a publisher is investing their resources into it, they have to see a return on investment. My 2 cents and not 50 cent which I should claim my 1 cent on, is that there’s a point in every business owner’s or entrepreneur’s life where they have to draw the line, and for artists, you want to ensure you get paid for your work now and not after you’re dead, even though it will leave its legacy and live on.
Writing a winning book proposal requires a certain structure but not the same fit for all, there are different ways that authors prefer writing their proposals and this is what we’re going to look at. Note that there is a difference in the way publishers work when it comes to non-fiction book proposals and fiction book proposals.
The most important aspect to consider when writing a book proposal is to NOT focus on the art or creativity of the writing. Look at the book proposal as a sales offer, one that has to be factual, on a strong basis, similar to why a firm should go with your pitch as the salesperson asking to be given the job. Know that this is not going to be an easy close, no way, especially with the expenditure and time that goes into a book being selected by a publisher, especially if it’s a well-known publisher.
Consider a book proposal as a business plan. The chance to sell over the idea. The chance to sell the idea could be anything from 25 to over 75 pages long.
Elements of writing a winning book proposal
1) Header
Here is where the project title goes along with the author’s name, i.e., both the pseudonym and the real name along with contact details. Clarify the pseudonym and the real name to the publisher.
2) A short synopsis of the book
Usually, many authors keep this short. I look at the book proposal as a CV and when the publishers get to read this bit this is it. This is the elevator pitch. Having a juicy short synopsis of about 5 to 6 paragraphs of what the book is about, this is the hook.
3) A detailed synopsis of the book (author’s discretion)
At this point one goes into the project and the audience. Every publisher with the proposal will want to know why the author is qualified to write about what they are writing. This is the point when the author mentions their connections, their platform, their audience and why this book will be a success.
4) Chapter breakdown
It’s always good to have a chapter by chapter breakdown. Write the best parts of the chapter that keeps the person reading the pitch on the edge. Don’t hold anything back because what is being assessed is how the market will respond to it, and if the person who is being pitched bought into it because the story is unique compared to other authors with similar stories but not quite the same then that’s because of this proposal’s unique concept.
5) Sample chapters (depending on fiction or non-fiction, not all publishers require this)
I would say the first three-chapter samples is enough or the first 40 to 50 pages. Sometimes the publisher will ask for the entire manuscript.
6) Book details
Describe the details of the book. Add images so that the person reading the proposal can visualise the concept.
7) About the author
This part of the proposal is no place for modesty. Do not cut yourself short even if it sounds as if you are showing off. The person reading the proposal wants to know why it should be the author writing about this topic. This part of writing a winning book proposal is no place to minimise an author’s skillset or connections. The person reading the proposal wants to know what it is that the author has or the drive the author has to be able to get their book out there and reach the audience especially if they are the only person who can show that they are more than capable of writing about the subject.
Here the author must show places their work has been featured, or names, all their credentials, awards, collaborations, and even better with well-known people. Any information that shows the views or sales that will influence the proposal to reach the next step with the publisher should not be left out.
8) Platform/audience
If the work of an author who is writing a winning book proposal has been consistent over the years on social media and through their projects show the statistics on the proposal by means of images towards the decision that publishers make on the book can be influenced by this factor. All places where previous books, articles, work, collaborations, projects etc. have been getting exposure, do mention it and show the statistics.
9) Market profile
Another important aspect to writing a winning book proposal that thus far is a must for all book proposals is to find similar books that have been in the market that had success and how this book will fill the gap with its unique proposition. Be careful about comparing the book with other bestsellers though. Write the date of publication, with a synopsis mentioning similarities and differences to the book which the proposal is written for.
10) Any other information that can influence the publisher to offer a publishing contract
Does the author have a plan as to where else the book can be sold, and influencers who are ready to support this book when it comes to marketing, sales and reaching a large audience? Are the places, people, well-known or established where the author can reach an audience, build on the current platform, give book talks, or fill the spots for talks? Any endorsements or testimonials can also be mentioned.
Now writing a winning book proposal isn’t just based on the above that I’ve drawn out, have a look at the following 8 articles to help drive this topic home so that you can not only feel confident but also write a great proposal that will win you a publishing contract.
A must-read from the below links is the link What is a book proposal and why do I need one? This article provides food for thought.
How to write a book proposal – Masterclass
Start here, how to write a book proposal?
Writing routines – How to write a book proposal
Self-publishing school – Book proposals
What is a book proposal and why do I need one?
Knliterary – How to write a book proposal
Brian Tracy – How to write a book proposal
Creative independent – How to write a book proposal
I am thinking of writing this new book. Do you think I will get a publishing contract? I believe practically everyone gets it in this life, it won’t even need a marketing plan because at some point everyone has a date or a meeting with it. I believe my meeting will be with it too, but it could just as well be good. Wanna know what’s this new book called? Karma.
Cumon, I had to leave playing a bad joke… okay, if not Karma then shall I call it Karam?
You can also have a look at the Writing a winning book proposal short video.
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In the next article, I will be going into how to write a literary query letter?
Yours sincerely
T. Dench Patel
