| If you want to prepare a winning book proposal that | | | | publication. Then show how your book is different |
| will knock the socks off an editor and make him beg | | | | and superior to each of these others. Always find |
| to publish you, count on using these seven secret | | | | something positive to say about each title, but then |
| ingredients of preparing a winning book proposal. Here | | | | show where that book falls short in some area in |
| they are in order of appearance. | | | | which your book excels. |
| 1. Cover and Table of Contents | | | | 5. Marketing and Promotion |
| Prepare a professional looking cover page. You can | | | | Most publishers want to know what resources you |
| find handsome templates in word processing | | | | have to help them promote your book. They want |
| programs. A concise and accurate table of contents | | | | to know that you will be an active part of marketing |
| will show that you're organized. And it can help | | | | your title, and they want to know what you will do |
| agents and editors find the sections that they want | | | | to help it. Tell them in this section. Describe your |
| to read. | | | | contacts, your established audience, and any |
| 2. Introduction and Overview | | | | presentations you have and will make. Identify |
| Here you give basic information like the title, subtitle | | | | institutions and organizations that are likely to |
| and author. More importantly, you'll explain the main | | | | purchase the book. Often these resources are |
| theme and sub themes, indicating their significance | | | | termed your "platform." |
| and your unique approach. Show why it is a perfect | | | | 6. Chapter Outlines |
| match for your abilities as an author and that you're | | | | The outline is very important because it shows that |
| the best writer for this title. | | | | you really have a book idea and not just a short |
| 3. Market and Audience | | | | magazine article. The outline shows the editor where |
| This section describes who your market is, who is | | | | you're going with your idea. Your detailed outline of |
| the typical reader. Use facts and details about the | | | | topics covered in your book should include chapter |
| target market--your audience. Show that you have | | | | titles, subtopics, and synopses of what each chapter |
| done the research that the publisher will undertake: | | | | covers. |
| the size of your audience, its rate of growth, and the | | | | 7. Sample Chapters |
| number of books published for and purchased by this | | | | Include two or three sample chapters, because these |
| audience in recent years. Your objective is to | | | | show that you can actually write the book. The first |
| convince the agent and editor that since there are | | | | chapter is important, and any chapters that are |
| people buying books similar to yours, readers will | | | | especially provocative, noteworthy, or well-written |
| certainly buy your book. | | | | should be included. |
| 4. Competition | | | | You already know most of the information you need |
| Of course we all think that our book is incomparable. | | | | to include in your book proposal. Now you should |
| But your book proposal should describe titles that are | | | | organize that information into a winning book |
| similar to your book in some ways. List these books | | | | proposal that will get your book published. |
| along with their authors, publishers and date of | | | | |