| Once you have invested time (and maybe resources) | | | | Book Promotion |
| in writing the nonfiction book you've always wanted | | | | Is your nonfiction book a natural for talk radio or |
| to write, it's time to take steps toward publishing | | | | Oprah (be realistic)? Can it be promoted through |
| your book. First step in catching the interest of a | | | | seminars or speeches to associations and clubs? Give |
| book agent and the book publishing company is to | | | | the publishing agent some of your ideas on how the |
| make them want to publish your book. | | | | book can be marketed. (Note: Phrase these as |
| You can accomplish this with your book proposal. You | | | | suggestions, not demands. The publisher will be |
| want to make it easy for your book editor to | | | | interested in your ideas but probably won't use most |
| identify, in a glance, what your book is about, how | | | | of them.) |
| long it is, its target audience, who you are (credibility), | | | | Competition |
| etc. Your successful book proposal should contain the | | | | Here you list books that compare with yours. Include |
| following elements: | | | | the title, author, publishing agent, year of publication, |
| Title Page | | | | number of pages, price, and format (hardcover, trade |
| This is your cover sheet. The book's title and the | | | | paperback edition or mass market paperback). |
| name of the author are centered in the middle of the | | | | Describe each book briefly, pointing out weaknesses |
| page. In the upper left corner, type Book Proposal. In | | | | and areas in which your book is different and |
| the bottom right, type your name, address and | | | | superior. |
| phone number (or, if you have one, your book | | | | Author's Bio |
| agent's). | | | | A brief biography listing your writing credentials |
| Overview | | | | (books and articles published), qualifications to write |
| Summarize what your nonfiction book is about: the | | | | about the book's topic (for instance, for a book on |
| topic, who will read it, why it's important or | | | | popular psychology, it helps if you're a therapist), and |
| interesting to your intended audience, and what | | | | your media experience (previous appearances on TV |
| makes your book different from others in the field. | | | | and radio). |
| Specifications | | | | Table of Contents/Outlines |
| Specify approximate word length, number of | | | | A chapter-by-chapter outlines showing the contents |
| chapters, types of illustrations or graphics to be | | | | of your proposed nonfiction book. Many editors tell |
| included and any unique organizational schemes or | | | | me that a detailed, well thought-out table of contents |
| formats (for example, is your book divided into | | | | in a proposal helps sway them in favor of a book. |
| major sections or do you use sidebars?) | | | | Although a solid idea and an excellent book proposal |
| Market | | | | which include all 8 essential element do not assure the |
| Tell the editor who will buy your book, how many of | | | | success of the book or even that the book publishing |
| these people exist, and why they need it or will want | | | | company will accept it, they no doubt increases the |
| to read it. Use statistics to dramatize the size of the | | | | probability of getting a book published. If either the |
| market. For example, if your book is about infertility, | | | | idea or the book proposal is weak, the chances of |
| mention that one in six couples in the US is infertile. | | | | the book sale are slim to none. |