The past few weeks have been intense in helping some of my clients finalize their book proposals, and providing some book publishing advice.

I’m also planning my next book and getting a new certification, so I’m super excited about it.

Helping moms create a business and life they love that allows them to spend meaningful time with their kids means that I get to plan lots of books because publishing a book is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field; after all, the book writing process helps you become it!

If you’ve been thinking about sharing your life story and expertise by writing your own non-fiction book, you may be wondering if you need a book proposal or not. 

Whether you decide to self-publish, go with a traditional publisher, or partner with a hybrid publisher, I recommend working on your book proposal. Your book proposal journey starts as soon as you start writing your non-fiction book, or even better yet: before you sit down to write.

Based on my experience publishing my own books, coaching authors, and discussions with literary agents, editors, and publishers, I decided to share how to write a nonfiction book proposal. So keep reading, so you can get started without having to do crazy research or waste your time.

What is a Book Proposal and Who Needs One?

A book proposal is like a business plan for your book, with the objective to present your book as a compelling, marketable non-fiction idea.

You’ll create a book proposal to impress an agent or publisher and land a publishing deal. Yes, most traditional publishing houses require a book proposal in their submission guidelines.

If you’re planning to self-publish, the book proposal will give you the knowledge, clarity, and focus you need to write a winning book. I highly recommend it!

There is really no right way to write a book proposal:

it can be simple or complex,

short or long,

and vary in approach and presentation style…

However, all proposals require research and thoughtful development.

The 10 Essential Elements Of A Non-fiction Book Proposal

Let’s take a deeper look at a book proposal and what elements you need in it to get the book deal:

1. Cover letter ~

Your book proposal cover letter is a brief, friendly query letter that has the purpose to get the agent or editor’s attention. Including a query letter increases the odds of the publisher or agent actually reading the book proposal. It will include a short hook for the book: one or two sentences that sum up the book’s contents and a compelling pitch telling them why they should acquire it.

2. Title page ~

This section lists the author’s name and contact information (such as e-mail and mailing addresses, URLs, and phone numbers). You want to include the book specs:

• your working title and subtitle,
• the approximate word count,
• the estimated completion date,
• cover size,
• and interior format: will you include illustrations, charts, or graphs? Color or black and white?

3. Book Overview ~

Your book synopsis is like an executive summary, and it is best when written last. The description must be enticing, creative, and compelling, just like the back cover copy. Answer these questions:

• What is your book about?
• Why are you so passionate about it?
• Why would people buy it, read it, and recommend it to their friends?

4. Author Information ~

Include your legal name, a recent professional headshot, and your relevant bio written in the third person.

Make sure you provide information that makes clear why you are qualified to write this book and how you already reach the audience for which you are writing it.

5. Market Overview ~

Please don’t ever tell a publisher your book “will help everyone!”

You want to describe in this section who your intended readers are (including both demographics and psychographics).

Who will buy this book?

Why will it sell?

Do you have any special bonds with this market?

The answers to these questions will establish the audience’s need for your book, why they need it now (current trends, timely nature), and why they need you to write it for them.

6. Competitive Analysis ~

List at least three recent successful books that are similar to yours – title, author, publication year, and publishing house.

Publishers dismiss proposals that claim “there’s no other book like this,” because if there isn’t, a need for the book may not exist.

By showcasing how your book is different and better – in a positive manner – the publisher will know you’ve done your homework and understand the market.

Don’t limit your research to just titles in print, but also online communities, viral articles, and videos that fill a similar need with digital content.

Your job is to demonstrate how a print book is viable and how you bring a new take to an already commercially successful idea.

7. Marketing Plan ~

Your promotion plan must be concrete, measurable, bold, confident, and extremely specific.

Publishers want to know the solid reach you have right now, without their help, and how you plan to grow that reach to market your book, rather than ideas of what you “would” do or are “willing” to do should your book be published.

As they say, people like to jump on a moving train, so decide: what are the action steps I can start taking to make my book a success?

8. Table Of Contents ~

The first thing I do before writing a book is make up my table of contents, listing each chapter’s title, and then I write a short argument for each chapter.

You want to add your most polished version of this outline to your proposal, because it serves as a book-at-a-glance, revealing just how strongly thought-out your book theme is.

9. Sample Chapter ~

Many agents and publishers will request several chapters or even the final edited manuscript. However, most literary agents and publishing houses will ask for just one sample chapter, to see a glimpse of your narrative skills, and a sense of your writing style and tone.

You don’t need to necessarily send the first chapter, but do send the most compelling, surprising, and strongest content. Think of a movie trailer – leave them wanting more!

10. Accompanying materials ~

You may add a few “exhibits” that may be relevant, such as manuscript reviews, supporting documentation, copies of photos or illustrations you would like to include in the book, etc. Start brainstorming what those could be.

Start with your Book Proposal

If you are considering writing a nonfiction book, start with your book proposal (although they work for fiction books, too!).

A book proposal is not only it is a great marketing tool to secure a contract with potential agents and publishing companies, but it is also a blueprint that allows you to clarify your core message, and organize your ideas. This process is paramount if you want to make an impact with your book.

They say everyone has at least one book in them. What book would you write? Let us know below! And when you write your proposal, if you need it reviewed, let’s talk!

Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results and help others do the same. Dr. Elayna Fernández is a single mom of 4, an award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 5x TEDx speaker. She has spoken at the United Nations, received the President’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected as one of the Top Impactful Leaders and a Woman of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine. Connect with Elayna at thepositivemom.com/ef and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

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