The Elements of a Nonfiction Book Proposal
If you want to sell your book to a traditional publishing house, you must first send a proposal to the publisher, or more commonly, to an agent who will then present your book to the publisher. Your proposal must follow the guidelines established by the agent/publisher. So be sure to always check to see what those specific guidelines are. Nevertheless, there are basic elements that are usually required for every standard, nonfiction book proposal. These are:
1. Query Letter
2. Title Page
3. Synopsis
4. Author’s Background and Promotional Platform
5. Market Potential
6. Competitive Works
7. Table of Contents and Chapter Outline
8. Sample Chapters (if allowed by Agency or Publisher)
Remember, this list is for traditional publishing houses and agents and it must be adapted to the individual guidelines of a specific house and/or agent. For more details on writing a winning Book Proposal, contact me at: sue@thewriterscottage.com.
Happy Writing Days!