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How to Write a Book Proposal
Title Page
The working title of the book. Authors and agents names and agency, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. If the book is completed, indicate whether the work is copyrighted or not.
Proposal Contents
List each of the following sections and indicate what page they are on in this book proposal.
Concept: a narrative account detailing the origin and concept of this proposed book, including pervasive arguments for the need for this book. A verbal overview.
Author Biography: indicate your special qualifications to write this book, your previous publishing history and your publicity/media experience.
Market: What and/or who is in the market for this book?
Competition: What other books presently and in the past are comparable works? Why and how is this book better or different?
Table of Contents: Chapter title by chapter title. Indicate the major characteristics or elements.
Chapter Summaries: An expanded account, about a paragraph in length, of each chapter. Be sure to include the salient points of each chapter.
Complete Sample Chapter: This is critical or key to your proposal. It is an opportunity to show off your writing skills and how you use them to explore the subject of your book. Be sure to use good organization, good writing and to include exciting ideas.
Other Suggestions:
- Spell check and grammar check the entire proposal.
- Number each page.
- Include a header for each page.
- Be sure you are accurate in your facts.
- A book proposal is a selling document. It is your sales brochure.
