A book proposal is the marketing document that sells your book to a publisher. The following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Marketing plans alone can be brutal much less pitching them to potential clients or top company brass. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal jeanne. The main purpose of the book proposal is to convince literary agents and publishers that there is a market for your book and that you are the best person to write the bookand help them sell it. Four books sold to publishers, one client decided to selfpublish and my own memoir is currently agented and should be sold to a publisher soon. Weve written extensively about the importance of book marketing, how to promote a book and marketing a self published book. Below is a sample book marketing plan outline for your proposal, to give you some ideas of what to include in the marketing plan for your book. Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. Author platforms, business of publishing, writer resources agents, marketing strategy, nonfiction book proposal, publishers.
The very first thing i look at in your book proposal and why. How to finally write your nonfiction book the new york times. Following are examples of two successful book proposals. A book proposal has a title page also called a cover page, a table of contents for the proposal, and several sections. How to write a book proposal that agents will love. The marketing section is the sweetener for your book description, and it does more than satisfy a publishers desire to make money. How to write a book proposal that will keep you out of the. Web editing, and curriculum, flyer or book proposal development. Our editors are always keen to consider proposals for new books. Once you start working on developing your platform. The proposal is the key to making your really book.
Some authors get grandiose ideas about how theyll build their platform after they get a book deal, and spend most of the marketing section in their proposal detailing all of these ideas. Developing a marketing strategy for your book proposal swenson. In the simplest of terms, a book proposal is a document you submit to an. Swenson book development llc offers expertise in writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and the business of books and serves as mentor, coach, collaborator, curator, advocate and literary manager. For example, the publishing platform reedsy includes detailed explanations of whats included in a book proposal on their blog, along with a template you can download. Oct 03, 2018 the best marketing proposal template that will get a yes 78.
Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. Competitive analysis an essential part of every book proposal. Once you start working on developing your platform daily, your writing. Theyre detailed and indepth, and they show full spectrum of what a proposal can and should be. If a publisher likes what he or she sees, youll be commissioned to write a full. The more thorough your research, the more sophisticated your strategy, and the more evidence you deliver proving that there is profit to be made on your book, then the more likely your proposal will undergo serious consideration by a publisher. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal. If you have a platform, make sure that you leverage it for marketing the book and explain in. With selfpublishing becoming more widely accepted and amazon waging wars with publishers, more and more i get the sense from aspiring authors that they dont think landing an agent means as much as it used to. Youll be glad to know publishers dont expect you to save their lives, but the marketing section of your book proposal should assure them that you will be a good wing man, a good partner.
A marketing section for a book proposal should be written with three things in mind. The marketing section explains who you believe will want to buy your book. This book marketing plan outline is a short form real marketing plan for indie authors meaning it goes beyond a simple, and often untargeted, list of tactics. And the worst is when the salt of losing the project. Mar 08, 2011 the following is a fictitious mini marketing plan i created for a publishing class while in university studying communication. An agent or a publisher who receives a query or proposal for a book with no discernable market, or a market that appears small, likely will send a rejection to that authoreven if the idea is a good one or the writer is skilled in his or her craft. How to write a business book proposal that works ginny carter.
We tell you what you need to know, not what you want to hear. Dont try to write a book proposal based on just blogs. Why should a publisher invest in your book, and why are you the person to write it. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. The platform section constitutes the final one in the introduction of a nonfiction book proposal. If a publisher likes what he or she sees, youll be commissioned to write. Learn how to compose and present an effective proposal for traditional publishing outlets, an e book platform, or selfpublishing. Write the majority of the book proposal, but have lisa write challenging parts of it, such as the marketing.
A book proposal serves as a brief but indepth overview of your book idea, your approach to the topic, the books organization and flow, and a sample of the writing. How will you learn and continue to learn about your readers, but still stay connected to the reasons for creating the work that you do. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. The anatomy of a compelling book proposal the bindery. Quite likely you reach that publisher via a literary agent, so the first pair of eyes on your work will be those of an agent, but either way, your final target is a publisher. This is the holy grail every publisher is looking for. The proposal is the key to making your really book come to life for your publishing partners. Some authors get grandiose ideas about how theyll build their platform after they get a book deal, and spend most of the marketing section in their proposal. May 02, 2019 your proposal is where you tell the editor and agent how you will partner with them to market your work. It might surprise you how rare a good business partner is, which is exactly what you are if a traditional publisher contracts your booknot. Youll also use this area to outline your marketing platform. Jul 25, 2016 platform is a concept that first arose in connection with nonfiction authors. Your overview starts the book proposal by introducing us to your subject in a catchy way, making us want to read more.
I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Though its written in place of an actual book, it should build a complete argument for the book idea. Sometime during the 1990s, agents and publishers began rejecting nonfiction book proposals and nonfiction manuscripts when the author lacked a platform. You cant possibly develop a marketing and book promotion plan when you have no idea who might be most receptive to your message. The insiders stepbystep guide to proposals that get you published, by jody reine and michael larsen book creating a killer book proposal with barry fox 30min webinar. The right book proposal opens the traditional publishers door. Think of your book proposal as a business plan that you would present to a potential investor. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho. First, assert confidently that certain markets for your title exist. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency.
When written effectively, the book proposal persuades editors that 1 there is a need for your proposed book by a sizable audience, 2 your book will be different and better than other published books on the subject, 3 you are highly qualified and motivated to be the author on the subject, and have already established a marketing platform, 4. How to write a compelling bio for your book proposal. Learn how to write a book proposal that convinces agents and acquisitions editors your book is a viable product and that you make a good business partner so they are eager to work with you and to help bring your book to market. Your pitch offers the publisher the opportunity to acquire a nonfiction book, authored by you.
How to write the marketing section of your book proposal chad r. We offer professional author services specific to your needs and budget. How to make your memoir stand out two agents and publishing veterans share insider tips for pitching in this popular genre. Writing a winning book proposal a communications program. This is a book marketing plan outline that you can use. Platform is a concept that first arose in connection with nonfiction authors. William cane has a helpful website for writing proposals. I knew my agent would choose to say something about me to the publisher but hed just say, look, this guy isnt an academic, but he writes really well and i think youll love his material. Proposals are offbrand and inconsistent, but sales cant afford to wait for marketing to design one for every deal. How to write the marketing section of your book proposal. Marketing plans alone can be brutal much less pitching. To learn more writing book proposals visit lisa teners website now. Digital marketing proposal template get free sample. Its still necessary to prove theres a market for that story, but you.
Company and the various digital marketing services we offer, along with information and pricing for a custom digital marketing solution based on your needs. There are several books available on writing book proposals. Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer by. A platform and promotion plan will not save the idea. It needs to persuade its reader that your idea has enough commercial potential that the publisher should take the risk of putting money and resources into your book. Six book proposals written, five for ghostwriting clients and one for my own travel adventure memoir. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a book length work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale.
Everything you need to know to start writing a book proposal for your nonfiction book. In all that time, ive found that there isnt one, perfect book proposal format, though some agents or publishers or editors would like to make you think this is the case. Lisa tener and her team can help you write your book or book proposal, as well as guide you with the platform. That means you should be working on your marketing efforts before you submit your book proposal. How to conduct a market analysis for your book write.
This begins with a brief dramatic anecdote which is meant to get the reader, in this case the editor at the publishing company, interested in the material. The best marketing proposal template that will get a yes. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. The idea is to present the connections platform that you have or can create to promote and sell your book. May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product.
Include any subhead or taglines that your book s title may contain. How to write a book proposal the creative independent. Aug 26, 2011 the platform section constitutes the final one in the introduction of a nonfiction book proposal. In fact, for my travel adventure memoir, ive been working on the proposal onandoff for the last two years, and even then, my agent is asking for a rewrite. The book proposal is both a sales document and a plan. This is an outline of the contents in the marketing strategy portion of your book proposal. Oct 15, 2014 continuing with this weeks series on book marketing plans, its time for a freebie. The best marketing proposal template that will get a yes 78.
What you need is a book proposal, which you send to publishers in hopes that theyll accept your idea and platform. The most common reason those insights dont make it to the bookstore and online platforms is that most writers dont have industry knowledge about how to get from the thought process, to writing your book, to writing a book proposal. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. Aug 20, 2016 home book marketing how to write a book marketing plan the road map to your publishing success is guided by your book marketing plan. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. How to write a great marketing plan for your book proposal ask.
Get help with your book, book proposal, creativity, author platform, marketing and more. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. No one really knows who will buy a book, so you might as well estimate optimistically. It might surprise you how rare a good business partner is, which is exactly what you are if a traditional publisher contracts your booknot at the expense of being an artist but certainly in addition to that role. And the approval process is either nonexistent or creates dealkilling bottlenecks. It takes me months to finish writing a book proposal. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal first. How to compose your selling book proposal uw madison. How to write a nonfiction book proposal become a writer today. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen the golden rule of writing a book proposal is that every word in your proposal should answer one of two questions. We want to help you understand the perspective of literary agents, to show you what agents and publishers are looking for, and provide you with tips to make your book proposals. The platform section can make or break an aspiring authors chances of getting a publishing deal.
Your submission should include a letter of introduction, your cv or resume, a sample chapter or two, and a proposal that gives uc press editors and marketing staffmost of whom will not be specialists in your areaa clear and detailed idea of what your book. Nonfiction pitches have to include a marketing plan and platform. Jul 29, 2011 you will be highly unlikely to have a winning book proposal if you try to write one based on a few blog posts you find online. Swenson book development grow your good idea into a great book. To sell your work in the nonfiction arena, you need a powerful book proposal. A 6week course on how to write a business plan for a successful book. Let me guess, youre writing a marketing proposal right now. I thought it would make a great sample of a mini marketing plan for businesses looking to develop one for themselves, especially book businesses. I would love to hear from you and give you a free book. Its all about the numbers when we agents submit proposals to publishers, we pay special attention to the part of the proposal that explains who the author is and what makes up their platform.
In addition to answering questions about the inherent value of your asyet unwritten. Aug 04, 2014 how to craft a proposal for a book that sells. Here you prove you have done what it takes to create a builtin readership for your book. The following is my book proposal template you can use to write your proposal.
Writers know this intuitively, which is why they often ask me, whats the best way to format a book proposal. The rule of thumb for your marketing plan is to talk about what youre already doing, not what you plan to do or will try to do. How to write a book marketing plan for publishing success. Instead, let me offer what just might be the killer app for writers who dont yet have a big platform. Immediately after this anecdote, you should describe in two or three sentencesno morewhat the book will be about. Stand up right on the platform that you introduced in your author bio and show that you can add value to the publishers marketing efforts. If a word doesnt help answer one of those questions, delete it. It also provides an overview of you as a potential author, with a focus on your expertise and qualifications to write the book you are proposing and your author platform within the. Thats why i listed the jeff herman and mary demuth resources. If youre not interested in selfpublishing, then my biggest piece of advice is to spend some time building your platform so you can flesh out your marketing plan before writing a proposal. Immediately after this anecdote, you should describe in two or three sentencesno morewhat the book. So all authors should consider some or all of the following online social media marketing activities as they prepare their fiction book proposal. Often, they take tons of time, brain power, and busy work. A book proposal is a document intended to convince a publisher that your project is economically viable for their publishing house.
Dec, 2018 a book proposal serves as a brief but indepth overview of your book idea, your approach to the topic, the book s organization and flow, and a sample of the writing. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. Oh, and since i had neither platform nor authority, my book proposal for that book didnt include a personal bio at all. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency it is a lot of work to create a good book proposal, but it is one of the most important aspects of landing a reputable publisher michael christian penname. Based on our previous discussion, i feel like we are a good fit for one another.
Jul 20, 2017 as such, business planning software such as business plan pro from palo alto software can be very effective in helping you outline and fill in the book marketing plan for your fiction book proposal. Book proposal guidelines university of california press. A book proposal without a marketing section is like a cup of coffee without sugar. Developing a marketing strategy for your book proposal.
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