{"id":1124,"date":"2014-04-10T11:53:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-10T15:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.robertwlucas.com\/wordpress\/?p=1124"},"modified":"2021-12-06T08:55:41","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T13:55:41","slug":"how-to-write-a-book-proposal-for-non-fiction-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.robertwlucas.com\/wordpress\/how-to-write-a-book-proposal-for-non-fiction-books\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Book Proposal for Non Fiction Books"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a>If you are working with traditional publishers, or with some small to mid-size ones, you will likely either be using a query letter or a book proposal to get the acquisition editor\u2019s attention.\u00a0 Since many publishers no longer accept an unsolicited non fiction book proposal, it is crucial\u00a0that you provide the information that will help make them want to take a look at what you have to offer.<\/p>\n

After publishing the top-selling customer service textbook on the market (Customer Service Skills for Success<\/i><\/a>) and thirty other\u00a0nonfiction books successfully with traditional publishing companies, I thought I would share the format that I have used in my non fiction book proposals. You may want to use similar elements in any proposal that you submit along with an introductory letter about yourself.<\/p>\n

The most important thing before approaching a publisher is to be committed to the work, since writing is\u00a0a time-consuming\u00a0and solitary experience. By creating a quality proposal, you are on the way to demonstrating your determination to see your book in print to a publisher.<\/p>\n

There is no mystery to writing a book proposal<\/a>, but just in case you need one, here is my nonfiction book proposal sample format:<\/p>\n

Cover letter<\/b>: A short one page cover letter introducing yourself, highlighting any previous writing experience and explaining why you are writing (e.g. to present a proposal for a book on _______). Explain that you book proposal is attached and request that they review it for consideration. Make sure you provide any links to blogs, websites or other places where they can view samples of your articles or other written materials. Also, do not forget contact information (e.g. phone and email address).<\/p>\n

Synopsis:<\/b> Write a one or two page overview of what the book will contain. The format I use for this is to put a draft Table of Contents listing intended chapter titles (the order and titles can change with\u00a0editor approval as you develop the manuscript). I also add one or two paragraphs explaining what I will cover in each chapter under each chapter titles.<\/p>\n

Author biography:<\/b> This is a one-page overview written in third-person that highlights your professional and educational background, and shows that you are the best person to write a book on the proposed topic. List special qualifications, especially any related to writing and anything that you have published, or for which you have won awards.<\/b><\/p>\n

Intended Audience:<\/b> Who is your target audience? Do not use generalities (e.g. anyone who is employed for a large organization). Be specific and focus on large, but specific, groups (e.g. supervisors and managers in the hospitality industry or instructors in higher education institutions who\u00a0 teach courses on biology).<\/p>\n

Competition: <\/b>List the titles, authors, publishers and years of release for each. Explain how will your book will differ from each book and what will be unique about it.<\/p>\n

Marketing plan: <\/b>Since most publishers do not allocate large\u00a0quantities of money for marketing a book for a new or non-best-selling author you will expected to do the majority of marketing, advertising\u00a0 and promoting your book. That is why developing an author platform\u00a0is so important before you approach a traditional publisher with a proposal. In your proposal, explain who you know or have connections to in a one-page document. For example:<\/p>\n