Why a book proposal?

Publishers receive many unsolicited manuscripts, and time does not permit them a close reading of every one. For this reason, one of the most important aspects of the publication process is the Book Proposal. Even if you are submitting a completed manuscript, unless the publishers have indicated they don't require one, you must include a detailed and compelling proposal. Your proposal is a kind of summary that enables editors to evaluate your project quickly and to determine their ability to market your book. Your proposal represents the promise of your book.

What does a book proposal look like?

It's typed, single-spaced (except for sample chapters, which are double-spaced), on standard white paper with consecutively numbered pages. If you are submitting to U.S. publishers, use American spelling.

What is included in a book proposal?

The Sell Sheet. The first page of your proposal should include the title, the general subject area, and the proposed length of the manuscript. Below this, in a few paragraphs, write an upbeat description of your book and its purpose. Write this in the third person active voice, present tense, and give it the look or feel of something you'd read on the back of a book jacket.

About the Book. The next 3 to 5 pages should be an overview of, and introduction to, your project, titled About the Book (or something similar), where you present the argument for your book. This section is part jacket copy, part synopsis, and should include an account of your qualifications and some account of your book's market. Be certain you answer these questions:

• What are the problems, the reasons, or the situations that prompted you to write this book?
• How does your book address these problems, reasons, and situations?
• There are a lot of books out there on the non-fiction shelves. What makes your book unique?
• What are the new approaches and special features of your book?
• How are you uniquely qualified to write this book?

End this part of the proposal with a compelling summary:

"For thousand of readers hungry for the inside story on Canada's Intelligence Agency, here is the detailed and documented first-hand account of..."

Scuttling the Competition. List leading competing titles (if there are any) by author, title and date of publication. Briefly explain why your book is better, or how it is different. Competing titles might be out of date, poorly written, incomplete, overly technical, overly 'popular', inaccurate, boring...

Chapter Outline. Now describe in greater detail how your book will deliver its promise. Under each chapter title provide a 100 word paragraph describing the chapter. Be positive and vivid, as if the book were already written.

Sample Chapters. Not more than two, not necessarily consecutive, and preferably not the introduction or the first chapter.

Publishing Details. Include any information on illustrations, photographs, or special formats that might be required. Include your estimate of the time you need to deliver a completed manuscript. The standard publishing contract gives you 12 months to complete a book.

About the Author. This short, third-person biography states your credentials and any other credits or favourable reviews you might have. These need not be book reviews; perhaps you have a track record as a journalist?

Appendix. An appendix is optional, usually used only in the event that there is other information which endorses either your credentials or the market for your book (statistics, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, letters, and so on).

When do I send a book proposal?

Occasionally with your manuscript, but usually ahead of it. The proposal, in most cases, becomes the basis upon which the editor contracts you to complete the manuscript for the publishing house. You must also send a proposal to an agent, if you want one to sell the book for you. If you are trying to find an agent, you must preface the submission of your proposal with a query (not more than two pages which state your credentials, briefly describe the book, and ask for permission to submit the proposal). If you don't have, or don't want an agent, call the publisher to whom you are submitting and get the name of the selections editor in order to make the submission personal.

This information is based on material provided by the late Peter Livingston, of Peter Livingston Associates of Halifax and Toronto, and has been edited and updated for us by professional writers who have had success with non-fiction book proposals.

Copyright 1999 Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia. All rights reserved. These documents may only be reproduced for personal or non-commercial use, in their entirety, with this copyright notice attached.