So, you have a great book idea—whether it’s a memoir, a nonfiction deep dive, or a fresh take on a familiar topic—and you’re ready to get published! But how do you convince a publisher (or a literary agent) to take a chance on it? You write a book proposal.
It might seem daunting, or maybe even unnecessary, to write a book proposal, but it’s an important step in making your publishing dreams a reality.
A book proposal is your pitch document, business plan, and marketing tool all rolled into one. It’s not just about the story you want to tell. It’s about showing there’s an audience who wants to read it, that you’re the right person to write it, and that there’s a good chance of getting your book into your audience’s hands.
Even for writers who want to self-publish, writing a book proposal can be extremely helpful. Self-published authors aren’t just authors. They’re business owners, and their author brand is their business. A book proposal can help you focus your writing, plan your marketing strategies, and tailor your elevator pitch.
Fiction and children’s book authors aren’t usually required to write a book proposal. Instead, they typically submit query letters.
In this post, we’ll go over all the basic elements of a proposal, including:
Of course, every agent, editor, or publisher may have slightly different requirements. Be sure to check their submission guidelines carefully. You don’t want to spend valuable time writing your proposal only to miss a key element—or pitch a self-help book to an agent who only takes memoirs.
Read on for a detailed breakdown of each book proposal section.
This is a half-to-full-page elevator pitch for why your book matters. First of all, it should hook the reader. After all, you are an author, and you want to show off your great writing skills. Start with a bold, intriguing, emotionally resonant, or relevant statement that will make the reader want to learn more.
Explain what your book is about, that there is a market and audience for it, and why you are the right person to write it. That might take the form of relevant experience, education, or platform.
Pro tip: Write the overview last. It will come easier once you’ve worked on all the individual parts of the proposal.
Be specific about who this book is for. Not just “moms” or even “moms with children under the age of 13.” Dig deeper. What other books does your target audience read? What problems does your book fix or desires does it speak to? What income level are they?
Example:
Pieces of You is written for Christian women—primarily middle-aged and older—who are navigating questions of identity, purpose, and spiritual wholeness. Many of these women are from middle-income backgrounds and are active in their local church communities. They are often balancing family, work, and caregiving responsibilities and are seeking affordable, meaningful resources that speak to their faith and life experiences. This book is ideal for women’s Bible studies, small group discussions, or individual devotional reading. It will especially resonate with women experiencing major life transitions, such as becoming empty nesters, going through divorce, or preparing for retirement. Comparable titles include You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst.
For more about finding your ideal reader, check out our blog post.
Pro tip: Include relevant stats, demographics, or even trends that show your audience is out there, reachable, and would want this book.
You’ve outlined your target audience. Now, it’s time for you to show why your audience needs this book now. Will this book fill a gap, tap into a trend, speak to something timely or relevant, or reflect or challenge current iterations of the genre?
While the ‘need or hook’ explains why your audience wants or needs this book, comp titles show how your book fits into—and stands out in—the current market. Together, they prove your book has a place on the shelf.
Choose 2-4 recent successful titles (within the last 5 years or less) and contrast your book with these. Show how your book fits market demand but also brings something fresh and unique.
Your bio should be short, relevant, and show your personality. You don’t need to be famous, but you do need to explain why you are the right person to write this book. Include any relevant credentials, previously published books, speaking or media appearances, or platform reach.
You could write the best book in the world, and still, no one will read it if they don’t know it exists. That’s why it’s important to realize that your book needs to have a solid marketing plan. To help publishers and agents get a good idea of how they could build a promotional plan for your book, they’ll need to know…
Pro tip: Don’t exaggerate. Not everyone has a million Instagram followers, and that’s okay. Instead, showcase that you are committed to your book’s success and how you plan to practically help achieve that.
This is a detailed summary of your book, usually 1-2 paragraph summaries per chapter. This section should not only describe what happens in each chapter, it should demonstrate how the content flows and progresses. Chapters should build on each other, and the manuscript should have a clear structure, purpose, and direction.
Agents and publishers typically want to see the first 1-3 chapters of your book, not including the introduction, unless it is vital to understanding your book. These chapters should be highly polished, showing off your writing ability, voice, and mastery of the subject matter.
Depending on your genre or the agent or publisher, you might want to include a few other sections. These could include endorsements or testimonials, expanded platform data (if your numbers are strong), or additional planned content, such as workbooks, video content, or study guides that you envision going along with your book.
Writing a book proposal can seem overwhelming, but it will be so worth it. A good proposal will pay off in so many ways, helping you refine your message, define your audience, and discover your book’s place in the world.
Not only that, if you create your proposal before finishing your manuscript, it will help bring clarity to the writing process and drive the direction of your book. In the end, your book will be stronger for it.
Whether you’re pitching to agents, publishers, or going the hybrid route, your proposal is your first impression—so make it count!
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