Book Proposal Depot

Your stop for nonfiction book proposal and publishing success.

What is in The Nonfiction Book Proposal?

By Lori Lisi

A nonfiction book proposal should be written for every nonfiction book. An agent or publisher will expect it, but it should also be your business plan for publishing success, even (and especially) if you intend to self-publish. The basic contents should include (not necessarily in this order):

1. Cover Sheet: display the author's contact information and the title of the book.
    
2. Table of Contents: outline the contents of the book proposal.
    
3. Overview: include the selling pitch for the book, highlight the strongest aspects of the manuscript project, detail the format of the book (number of pages, proposed dimensions, illustrations, time to completion, etc.), and may describe how the idea for the book came to fruition.
    
4. Competitive Books: show a researched list of books on the market of similar interest, sales information (if available), positions on bestseller lists, and how the proposed book differs from existing competition.
   (See Report #2 from the How To Write A Book Proposal Library:
   How To Write The Competitive Books Section.)
    
5. Target Markets: explain the criteria of at least two different markets interested in the type of book you are proposing. This will help you to define how you will reach this market in the Promotion Plan section.
    
6. Promotion Plan: plot a publicity and marketing plan that will establish or develop the author's platform (ability to attract an audience) and create opportunities to increase awareness of the book and generate sales.
    
7. Author Bio: exemplify why the author is a credible source for writing the book proposed, show the author's proven ability or potential for promotional efforts, and present aspects of the author's personality or life that may be appealing to readers.
    
8. Ancillary Products: present possible ideas for products that would complement the promotional aspects of the book or present opportunities for additional income sources.
    
9. Subsequent Books: describe follow-up books that may appeal to the audience created with the author platform and the first book. It's very good to show that you won't be a "one-hit wonder."
    
10. Table of Contents (of the book proposed).
     
11. Chapter Summaries (of all chapters in the book). Depending on the length of the chapters, I usually suggest about a paragraph to one-half of a page for each chapter.
     
12. Sample Chapters (usually first two chapters).
     

For more tips on books proposals, check out the Tips and Hints article.

Direct any requests for reprint rights of this article to the Contact Page.

Free Proposal Consultation or Sample Edit

After reading the articles (or even before, if you'd like), I'd be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation or provide a sample edit for a manuscript. To set up either, simply:

1. Fill out the Contact Form to request a phone appointment (from Lori Lisi).
    
2. Include the status of your manuscript and any submission materials.
    
3. Include several possible time frames to set up a phone appointment.
    
4. If you have a draft of your proposal and/or the first two chapters of your manuscript, please upload that into the form as well.
    

You will be contacted within 24 to 72 hours. This will allow me the time to review the materials and information you might send before we set up the phone appointment. Please be sure to include times you might be available to set up the appointment.

I'll look forward to speaking with you!

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