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To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
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To help the author determine the next best step in their writing career. Giving counsel regarding the subtleties of the marketplace as well as the realities of the publishing community.
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Recent Posts
5 Questions Your Proposal Must Answer: Question 3
How Is Your Book Different (And Is It Different Enough)?
Originality is often misunderstood. Your book does not need to say something no one has ever said before. In most categories, that would be nearly impossible. (“There is nothing new under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9). However, it must say something in a way that feels unique, timely, or even timeless.
Publishers evaluate proposals within a crowded marketplace. They are not asking, “Is this good?” They are asking, “Why this, when we have similar books already in our catalog?”
This is where the comparison section in your proposal matters. Too many writers list bestselling books as proof of demand but fail to explain their own contribution to the topic. Naming similar titles is not enough. You must articulate how yours is different, because this is what the marketing department must do with the book as it takes it into the world. Citing older works is a common issue. It either dates the author or suggests they have not read anything recent.
The publisher is positioning the book for maximum visibility and potential for success. If the book is “just another one of those,” it could fail right out of the gate.
The difference should be easy to convey. If you have to explain it, a consumer moves to the next choice. Cosmetic distinctions are not persuasive. A slightly updated version of what already exists will struggle to find traction unless it brings a clearer, stronger, or more accessible approach.
I’ll say it another way: There is a threshold to consider. Being different is not enough. You must be different enough to justify another book entering the market. Publishers are not looking to add to the noise. They are looking to publish something that earns its place.
In the last month, I’ve had multiple clients’ proposals rejected with a statement like this one: “Not a great fit for us right now. We have something a little too similar coming out shortly,” or “We have a couple of other books in the works that are already contracted.”
A strong proposal names the competition with respect, then clearly and without exaggeration demonstrates why this book stands apart. If your answer to that question feels vague, a publisher will feel the same.
Don’t worry, this is not an exercise in self-promotion. It is positioning. The effort of sticking your book in its rightful place.
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5 Questions Your Proposal Must Answer Series:
Question 1. Is Your Audience/Platform Big Enough?
Question 2. Is Your Idea a Book or a Magazine Article?
Question 3. How Is Your Book Different (And Is It Different Enough)?
Question 4. Will Enough People Pay for Your Book?
Question 5. Why Should You Write It? Why Not Someone Else?
Fun Fridays – April 24, 2026
Today’s video is quite unusual. Watch an artist who uses a hammer on glass to create portraits. You have to see it to believe it. I am constantly amazed by the outrageous creativity of the human mind. Whether one will acknowledge it or not, we are made in the image of God. And, therefore, to quote Tolkien, we can become sub-creators in our art. To quote David Downing, from his excellent article, “Sub-creation or Smuggled Theology“: Tolkien could view sub-creation as a form of worship, a way for creatures to express the divine image in them by becoming creators. Food …
Also, Stop Doing These Things
When attending a conference, class, or seminar, I’ve disciplined myself over the years to not only take notes but also turn what I learn into action items. I’ll jot down something from the presenter, then create an action point and circle it in my notes so I don’t forget. Once in a while, I’ll even put something down that I need to stop doing. In a similar vein, fellow agent Bob Hostetler wrote this blog post in 2019 on things to stop doing as a writer. Taking action to stop doing something is difficult. It includes an admission that you’ve …
Why I Decline
Yes, the life of a literary agent is idyllic. Working with brilliant writers. Rubbing shoulders with powerful editors and publishers. And cashing the big fat commission checks. Yes, that’s how it is. Except that sometimes a literary agent has to read submissions, looking for that rare jewel that will produce another bestseller, another classic, another big fat commission check. Alas, those moments are few and far between. A disproportionate part of an agent’s task is saying, “No, thank you.” And for a nice guy like me, that’s really hard and really, really depressing. I hate saying no. As often as …
5 Questions Your Proposal Must Answer: Question 2
Is Your Idea a Book or a Magazine Article? Not every good idea is a book-length idea. This can be a challenge for any writer to accept. A nonfiction book requires breadth, depth, and durability. It must sustain a reader’s attention over 40,000 to 60,000 words (or more) without thinning out or repeating itself. Many proposals begin with a compelling premise; but when examined closely, they contain only a single strong chapter—or worse, a single strong paragraph. The question is not whether your idea is interesting. The question is whether it can be sustained and therefore carry enough substance. A …