Book Proposal Checklist
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1Book Proposal Check List
Is Your Idea Saleable?
Who is your target audience?
Why would they want to read your book?
Research large bookstores to see if anything is already available.
Check a large major library for competitive titles
Look at but understand it’s not always accurate.
What makes your idea significantly different than the competition?
Proposal Mechanics
Most book proposals range from 15 to 30 pages. These proposals are always 100% typo-
free and double-spaced with generous margins. Also include your basic contact
information: name, mailing address, phone and email. Common elements include:
Overview. This is the most important part of your proposal and should be 1 to 3
pages long. In clear and succinct style it covers: Why the book is important, useful and
necessary? Who is the audience? Who will buy this book?
Chapter Summaries. These summaries are an outline of the book. They can be as
long as you desire but no less than 150 words for each chapter. For fiction, your synopsis
is in this section—and make it highly engaging—since most are not.
About the Author. Don’t be shy. Why should the editor give you this project? Of
everyone in the world why you? Specifically show how you are the most qualified
individual for this project. Every editor is investing at least $50,000 so show your worth.
The Competition. Everyone believes their book is unique. It’s not so please detail
five or six books in direct competition, give the details and why your book is different.
Manuscript Delivery and Length. This information is crucial and many people do
not include it. Your vision for the book is very important.
Promotion and marketing plans/ Special Markets/ Volume Buy Backs (anything
over 5,000 copies)/ Endorsements
The Sample Chapters The sample chapters are in addition to the proposal. You will
need at least one sample chapter and probably two chapters (if a chapter is less than ten
pages). These chapters should give the reader a strong sense of the book’s tone and style.
Resources for Every Book Writer
Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success
(Over 130 Five Star
reviews and now discounted to only $8)
Write A Book Proposal Course My FREE Teleseminar on Proposals
Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success
Ebook version
Editor Reveals Book Proposal Secrets
(over 3 hours of book proposal teaching)
A FREE List of over 400 literary agents
(addresses, phone, emails).
2016 W. Terry Whalin ( ) Also subscribe to Terry’s Blog:
with over 1,300 searchable entries. Follow Terry on Twitter at:
Also look for his latest
book—Jumpstart Your Publishing
Dreams, Insider Secrets to Skyrocket Your
Success.
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