These items are self-evident, but I really can’t leave them off. The synopsis, or summary, and writing sample, at least, must appear in any proposal, be the proposed book fiction or nonfiction. The series potential is always a good idea to show you want a career in publishing. Synopsis (aka Summary)      Fiction: Remember these are not rules, they are guidelines. Many editors want three pages …

The endorsement section can be intimidating for the author who’s unsure if her connections in the industry are strong enough to garner endorsements. While that may be a valid concern, don’t let this stop you from submitting your proposal to agents. Often endorsements are received after the book is already contracted and moving toward publication. What we are talking about here is having an …

This section is scary for authors who, for one reason or another, had a book or two that didn’t sell well. Many times, this isn’t even the author’s fault, making weak numbers all the more tragic. However, facts are facts; and we must report them. Please don’t hide anything. No exceptions. Need to Know Book title Publisher Date of Publication Lifetime units sold to date The units sold to date can …

Lots of authors find themselves stymied by this category, but it’s essential. When I’m unsure of a book’s place in the market as I review a proposal, seeing comparable titles helps me. I define this category as answering the question: “What titles are currently on the market that are similar to the book the author proposes?” You may say, “Isn’t it the editor’s job to know the competition?” Yes and …

Your proposal is where you tell the editor and agent how you will partner with them to market your work. This can be a challenging section to write. The idea is to present the connections (platform) that you have or can create to promote and sell your book. These are things that a major publisher cannot do for you. Here are a few ideas, though this list is by no means exhaustive: Social Media Here …

The next section of a proposal is titled “Author”; and, as you can guess, it is about you. Third Person Though writing in the third person may feel pretentious and strange, compose this section this way. While sharing something like, “I love drinking raspberry herbal tea; and my cat, Sparkles, helps me write my books,” may sound friendly, save that style of writing for another time. If you do want …

Last week we talked about writing back-cover copy for fiction. As you can imagine, writing back-cover copy for nonfiction is a different exercise. The purpose here is not to hook your reader into wanting to read a story, but to show the reader why your book will be helpful specifically to him. The nonfiction reader is not looking to escape reality, but to make her life better. Life can be made …

This section is literally what the reader will see on the back cover, before purchasing the book. This copy is a useful sales tool whether the reader is perusing your book in person or on the internet, so I recommend honing this section. Since the text should be no more than what can appear on the back of a book cover, tight writing is essential. Here is a basic outline I just wrote for a romance …