BARRY FOX & NADINE TAYLOR
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The Book Proposal - What's In It?
Authors & Ghostwriters of memoirs & more
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The Book Proposal
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A book proposal is the document you use to sell your book idea to a literary agent, then to a publisher. It's a combination of a blueprint of the book-to-be and a marketing document showing the book's moneymaking potential. This information applies only to nonfiction books. Fiction books have a different proposal format.
The Book Proposal
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There is no standard format for a nonfiction book proposal, and some agents have preferred formats they will want you to use. But all formats contain the same basic elements, which can be shuffled and combined in different ways. Let's take a look at each one.
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#1 - TITLE PAGE The title page is a single page containing the title of your proposed book, your name, your "initials" (such as M.D.), plus a few “selling sentences.” A selling sentence is a brief but irresistible summation of the gist of your book. It's your book's "hook."
The Book Proposal
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#2 - SYNOPSIS Also called the Overview, the synopsis is a distillation of your entire book in a couple of pages. It explains what your book is about and why people will want to read it. It's not the book's whole story. It's the story in brief, with marketing elements mixed in.
The Book Proposal
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#3 - ABOUT THE AUTHOR This is a description of who you are and why you’re qualified to write and promote this book. This may include a discussion of your previous publications, your education, your work experience, an unusual background - whatever shows that you are the perfect person to write this book.
The Book Proposal
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#4 - MARKET ANALYSIS The market analysis is an examination of the potential buyers for your book. It's a realistic examination, not a grandiose statement. It's a look at the well-defined target audience for your book; your potential buyers; and an indication of how much money your book stands to make.
The Book Proposal
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#5 - MARKETING PLAN The marketing plan is an in-depth look at how you, personally, are going to help sell your book. This may include a list of your upcoming media appearances, a list of companies or organizations that will be interested in supporting your book, and how you will contribute to the marketing.
The Book Proposal
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#6 - COMPETING BOOKS Ideally, some books have already been published in your book's general area, showing there is an audience for your book. In this section, you'll review these books and explain how your book is different, what makes it stand out from the crowd.
The Book Proposal
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#7 - TABLE OF CONTENTS The table of contents lists the chapter titles in order, just like the table of contents seen in a published book. Since most nonfiction books are sold before they are written, the table of contents in a book proposal is a promise of what the book will include.
The Book Proposal
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#8 - CHAPTER OUTLINE An expansion of the table of contents, the Chapter Outline includes 2 to 4 paragraphs on each chapter, explaining what it will cover. It should be written in the style of the book. If, for example, your book is funny or dramatic, the Chapter Outline should be written with humor or drama.
The Book Proposal
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#9 - SAMPLE CHAPTERS The Sample Chapters are 1-3 finished, polished, proofread chapters, written just as they will appear in the book. They give the agent and publisher a good idea of the content, writing style, and overall feel of the book. The sample chapters, then, should be your book's very best material.
The Book Proposal
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#10 - SUPPORTING MATERIAL The supporting material should include anything that can help you sell yourself and your book. This includes endorsements from VIPs, pictures, articles by or about you, your CV, interview clips, and so on. You can also include links to appropriate items on the web.
The Book Proposal
Contact Barry Fox & Nadine Taylor Barry@BarryFox.us
Nadine Taylor & Barry Fox
Bestselling Authors & Ghostwriters of memoirs and more
We can help you write a great book!