What is an agent looking for in a proposal? Well, they want to see your platform, your purpose, and your great writing.
Platform
Your platform is your reach and the number of readers you already serve. Are you blogging? Do you have a newsletter? If so, how many subscribers do you have? Do you share most of your writing on social media? How many followers do you have? Your platform should also include the communities you reach organically through speaking and teaching. It can also include your audience reach through podcasts or other media channels. These numbers represent your platform and are a determining factor as publishers consider new authors.
Purpose
Why do you write, and who are you writing for? For example, I am a Bible teacher and a military missionary. My area of expertise is biblical exposition, teaching, and Christian leadership. I write books and Bible studies for women looking to learn more about God and how He meets us in the everyday mess. What is your passion? Friendship? Community? Career? The proposal is where you share your passion and purpose with the prospective agent or publishing house.
Great Writing
The sample chapters you include in your proposal indicate your writing skill. Publishers are looking for your ability to communicate well-written and captivating content to your reader. They are searching for professional composition and comprehensive crafting.
When I turned in my first proposal, I was so nervous and green that I misspelled my first name. The cover letter read “A Proposal: by Megegran Brown.” Needless to say, I was not offered a contract from that proposal. Your proposal must be well-prepared, precise, and perfected. I advise having a capable friend or professional editor review your work. Make sure to go through it with a fine-tooth comb, removing any errors and making it as clear as possible. Everyone needs a quality editor.
The book proposal sets you, the author, up for successful writing. It is the map you will follow as you journey through writing your book, the guide that will light the way during your scheduled writing time. Honestly, writing the proposal is my favorite part. It is composing the music that I hope to “sing” to those who will listen.
Bestselling Books in 1988
I don’t have a platform,
and neither speak nor teach.
Being published is a unicorn
that glides beyond my reach,
but nonetheless you’ll find me here,
my rhymes at your employ
in hope that you’ll find something dear
in this art I so enjoy,
that lives beyond renumeration,
beyond the recognition and the fame
that I once saw as compensation
for the skin-scrapes of the Writer’s Game.
No, what makes this all worthwhile
is the unknown reader’s fleeting smile.
Consider this a far-from-fleeting smile!
Karen, thank you. One thing that I have learned is that there is a need for entertaining ephemera. It’s fun.
Here’s the question … does what you write make YOU smile, Andrew? Because that’s a blessing, as well.
I always look forward to seeing what you come up with. I don’t have that gift … but I sure enjoy yours! 🙂
Pam, thank you. I’ve found my niche, and I do have fun.
Look at you! I come to see you.
I am glad you win.
Andrew, you give us something to smile about quite often. Thanks! That’s a worthy platform right there.
Beautifully said Andrew. The present approach of publishers is so dry, unemotional, money oriented that they are bound to miss great books. Why can’t a great book that does not initially appear to promise great financial reward be published? The world is a money driven society and we see where it is headed
Great post, Megan. One thing I’ve noticed in a few proposal submissions: It looks like they’ve been thrown together as fast as possible with very little thought or care. Like the author is in a big hurry to just get it sent. I can understand nerves and even a typo or two, but honestly, anything “more” than that, well, it’s not a great first impression. When you said, “Your proposal must be well-prepared, precise, and perfected. I advise having a capable friend or professional editor review your work. Make sure to go through it with a fine-tooth comb, removing any errors and making it as clear as possible. Everyone needs a quality editor.” That is so true. I really pray people heed this excellent advice! 🙂
Dear Megan,
This is excellent advice. Too bad I just mailed off my proposal literally yesterday! But I have been working on it for a couple of months so hopefully, I might have covered most of your excellent tips. I don’t think I’ve ever heard any author say writing the proposal was their *favorite* part! Amazing! The writers in my cohort uniformly consider it the most excruciating step in the let’s-get-published dance. My hat’s off to you!
Ah, the dreaded platform. I think that’s the hardest thing for authors to achieve. Most of us simply want to focus on the writing craft. We understand it’s important, but so much of what’s required of authors these days are out of our skill sets.
Still, we work to learn it. It’s good to learn new stuff.
Thank you for sharing! This has been quite helpful! 😉 I do have a question or two. Is it good for an author to post a good portion of her manuscript (book) writing on her website? And where should I put my sample chapters on the proposal? Thank you so much for your time!
Sincerely,
Michala Woodruff 🙂