Book proposal: How to write a book proposal

Book Proposals

The first step in getting your book published

A book proposal is essential for getting your nonfiction or how-to book published by a traditional publisher. A high quality book proposal needs to be a thorough document that convinces agents and publishers that your book is right for their needs. A book coach can help you with each step of creating a successful book proposal.

Successful book proposals must show:

There is a significant market for your book.
You have a viable way of reaching this market.
Your book has something significant to add to books already on the market.
Your book will appeal to your market.
You have a “platform,” or following, in this market.

Write a Book Proposal That Sells Your Book…

Lisa and her colleagues will work with you in the way that suits your needs:

You can write the book proposal with guidance, feedback and editing by Lisa.
You can write the majority of the book proposal, but have Lisa write challenging parts of it, such as the marketing plan or the competitive analysis.
You can have your book proposal written for you, but you can write the sample chapters (and possibly) chapter outlines.
You can have the book proposal and sample chapters ghostwritten. Lisa has a select group of ghostwriting partners from skilled authors who can meet a moderate budget to authors of 20 (plus) books with by-lines in the Washington Post, the New York Times and major women's magazines. She will help you choose the individual who best meets your needs

Contact Lisa to see how you can write a winning book proposal

Book Proposal FAQ

“I already wrote my book proposal. Can I just get feedback?”

One of the things that Lisa does as a Writing Coach is provide feedback on proposals. If there are sections that need to be expanded or polished, Lisa can provide expert guidance; she will point out what the proposal needs to be comprehensive and attractive to literary agents and publishers.

“My book proposal was rejected by a number of literary agents.” Or “I never heard back from the agents I contacted. What am I doing wrong?”

First, did you send a query letter or meet the agent before you sent your book proposal? An unsolicited proposal will go right into the slush pile (to be read by an intern when, and if, work lets up) or the circular file (their trash can), or, if you’re really lucky, the agent may save you time with an outright rejection. Send a query letter or look to meet agents and pitch your book in person at a conference, first. Then, when you send the proposal, you can write “Requested materials enclosed” in the bottom left corner to remind the agents that they requested the book proposal.

Second, your proposal may not be thorough. Read Michael Larsen’s How to Write a Book Proposal for clear instructions on what you need to include in your book proposal and how to write each section. You can also hire Lisa to provide feedback on your book proposal and how to improve it.

Third, it’s a competitive market out there. Your book doesn’t just need to stand out—publishers need to be convinced that you will be great at promoting your book. That means you need to develop a following. Lisa tailors her brainstorming techniques to specific projects and helps clients find innovative ways to create an audience. She and her team of writing coaches can help you create a powerful media presence through social media on the Internet, large mailing lists, publication in major magazines and TV and radio appearances.

How do I research the potential interest for my book?

Check Amazon.com to determine how many books are published on your topic. Look inside the book while on Amazon and check out the table of contents and features of the book. Determine how yours will be different in content, tone and features. You may also want to go to a real live book store; open the books and skim or even buy them. Get information on your potential audience by watching who is picking up those books. Also, does your background make you an expert on this topic, and what do you have to offer that is new to the field?

Here's what clients are saying...

Vint Virga “Lisa helped me fine-tune my book proposal and cultivate my style and voice as a writer. She knows what agents and publishers are looking for. She understands what readers desire and has a strong, instinctive sense for balancing syntax and style.

“Through it all, Lisa has been insightful and gracious -- a pleasure to work with and a tremendous asset.”

– Vint Virga, DVM, DACVB, author of The Soul of All Living Creatures (Broadway Books / Random House, Summer 2011)

“With Lisa’s expert guidance, I finished my book proposal in August 2008 and got a green light from the publisher of my choice within a few days. By December 2008 I had a contract with Simon and Schuster’s Atria Books/ Beyond Words (Publisher of The Secret).”

- Kathy LeMay, President, Raising Change, Author of The Generosity Plan (Simon and Schuster’s Atria Books/Beyond Words, January, 2010)

“Lisa Tener provided clarity on what makes a successful book proposal stand out and a book get published. She offered her insight and wisdom throughout the process and I landed a terrific agent and signed a contract with Prometheus Books, who is publishing my book in 2010.”

- Dr. Ellen Weber Libby, author of The Favorite Child (Prometheus Books, 2009), www.ellenlibby.com

Let's Connect

Lisa Tener: Bring Your Book to Life

Promote Your Page Too

According to FCC rules, it’s important that I provide you full information about these testimonials and results of my other clients. Click To View Information

Let’s start with book proposal services: the majority of my clients who start book proposals do finish them. The majority of my book proposal clients (over 90%) sign a contract with a literary agent and/or sign a contract with a traditional publisher. A small percentage (under 10%) decide to rework their book and work on their platform more either before submitting to agents and publishers, or after submitting and getting feedback. Two clients decided to self publish after receiving feedback. A very small number of book proposal clients have put their book and proposal aside completely (two at this point) for personal reasons. One client, after receiving an offer of representation from an agent, realized she wanted more control and decided to self publish.

Students who attend my 60 day book writing programs experience very different levels of completion—from completing their first draft in the book writing class, to taking the writing course a second time to complete a first draft, to gaining clarity on the book concept and making some headway (anywhere from one chapter to the majority of the book) to changing their book concept several times.

Those who are successful at completing their first draft in the 60 day program, or shortly thereafter, generally have several things in common: 1) They take the time before the first class to prepare by completing the majority of the chapter 1 exercises 2) They schedule at least one consultation with me prior to the start of class to gain clarity on the book concept and develop a structure for the book. 3) They gain clarity on how to make the time to write their book—what habits and/or projects are they giving up temporarily? What will they say “no” to? How will they become more efficient in life and work to create the time? 4) They schedule writing time in their calendar or PDA and treat it like an important meeting. It is.

Of those who complete their books in the book writing program, most choose ahead of time to self publish for various reasons (speed, control, platform, etc.). A small number decide to write a book proposal and find a traditional publisher. Of those who complete book proposals (in addition to, or instead of the full book) after the book-writing class, 50% got picked up by a major publisher and 50% are in process (again, this is from small numbers—most book proposal clients do not take the book writing courses).

In terms of editing clients, many are in process of writing, editing, becoming better writers, so it’s much more subjective (there’s not a particular milestone in publishing that they have reached or even attempted. They are in process).

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how representational the testimonials are. I also plan to interview these clients to share with you what they felt they did that made them successful. Such recordings will be on the website as soon as they are available.

Website by Boomtown Internet Group

Writing Coach Lisa Tener