Winning Book Proposals Need These 3 Things
When you seek traditional publishing for your nonfiction book, you don\u2019t just write the book and send it off.\n\n\n\nInstead, you craft what\u2019s called a book proposal\u2014an essential business document expected by publishing professionals like agents and editors.\n\n\n\nWith this document, you\u2019re hoping to attract the attention and interest of industry gatekeepers so they\u2019ll partner with you to publish your book.\n\n\n\n\nhttps://youtu.be/OqJNmiicPEQ\n(Watch, read, or listen\u2014whatever works best!)\n\n\n\nBefore the Book, the Book Proposal\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re seeking traditional publishing for your nonfiction book, you do eventually have to write an entire manuscript.\n\n\n\nBut before that, you have to land a book deal.\n\n\n\nTo land a book deal, you need to attract agents and publishers to your project with a pitch that convinces them to request your proposal for review.\n\n\n\nA convincing pitch followed by a polished, professional book proposal will do the work of \u201cselling\u201d your book to these decision-makers. Its job is to convince these agents and publishers you have what they\u2019re looking for.\n\n\n\nThat\u2019s why you craft a compelling proposal. In it, you\u2019ll describe your project, of course. But as you do, your proposal has to pull off three big things.\n\n\n\nWhat a Winning Proposal Needs to Convey\n\n\n\nLet's cover the three things your proposal must convey to attract the attention of industry gatekeepers like agents and Acquisitions Editors (AEs).\n\n\n\n1. A Concept That Pops\n\n\n\nWhen someone's reviewing a stack of proposals\u2014whether that's a literal stack on their desk or a list of virtual files on a computer\u2014you want yours to stand out. The way to do that is to have a book concept that pops out from all the others.\n\n\n\nThese agents and acquisitions editors are flipping through maybe 20 or more proposals a day. They\u2019ve seen the same types of projects over and over; writers pitch similar topics time after time.\n\n\n\nBut these industry professionals keep reading and reviewing proposals because they're hoping to discover promising new books. They\u2019re on the lookout for an author who brings a fresh angle.\n\n\n\nDevelop a concept that proves you know your audience\u2019s problems, struggles, and issues.\n\n\n\nIn the proposal, show them you have a book that offers a promise\u2014and delivers on that promise.\xa0\n\n\n\nDemonstrate you\u2019ll contribute something valuable to the broader conversation on this topic.\n\n\n\nDo all that, and the agent will stop and say, \u201cWow, this is different\u2014and it looks like it could sell. I\u2019d better dive in and take a closer look.\u201d\n\n\n\nWhen you nail your concept and convey it clearly in the proposal, you\u2019re on your way to attracting an agent or editor.\n\n\n\nBut when you land on a concept that pops, it\u2019s not enough.\n\n\n\n2. Writing That Sings\n\n\n\nThe second thing this project needs in order to attract decision-makers is captivating, quality writing\u2014writing that sings.\n\n\n\nThe agent or editor reviewing your proposal will hear hints of your writing voice in the various elements of the proposal\u2014but where you'll shine is in the sample chapters.\n\n\n\nThey can tell if you\u2019ve landed on an appropriate voice for the project and its intended readers. They want to see if you know what your reader responds to. After all, the tone and style of writing you\u2019d use for a leadership book for CEOs will differ from the tone and style meant to engage a stay-at-home mom of preschoolers.\xa0\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t have to write like Annie Dillard to land a book deal, but editors appreciate solid, clear writing appropriate for that project. And be sure your proposal is error-free so decision-makers feel confident you\u2019re a professional writer who handles words well.\n\n\n\nWith a concept that pops and writing that sings, you have two out of three things in place for your proposal. Decision-makers who see that ingenious concept and sense your compelling prose will flip through your proposal, excited to find out something else.\n\n\n\nThey\u2019re hoping you have in place one more major element.\n\n\n\n3. Personal Brand & Platform