(7 Book Proposal Pet Peeves From Publishers.)

Placed after your bio in your book proposal, your author platform contains everything from websites and newsletters to traditional and social media to speaking gigs and contacts. Note: Throughout this section, wherever it makes sense to put a hyperlink, do it. This includes links to your platforms and media, as well as to organizations and the influencers you mention in the contact section. The reader may not click on everything, but more information should be easily accessible in case they want to do so.

Here are 8 components you can include in the author platform section of your Book Proposal.

1. Website/Blog.

Your website is your central online hub. It’s where you offer advice, share events, and relay news. Whether you are a consultant, entrepreneur, or other professional, as a subject-matter expert, you need your own website. Share your URL(s), details about the content you share, and, if you have excellent website traffic numbers, include those too.

2. Newsletter/Email List.

Even if you do not yet have a newsletter, put some form of newsletter sign up on your website. This is your direct connection to your readers, clients, and fans. Include that you have a regular newsletter—and what content you include—in your platform section. If you have a lot of subscribers, mention that too.

Hint: The easiest way to set up a newsletter, if you have not yet done so, is through LinkedIn or Substack. When you set up a LinkedIn newsletter, it automatically invites all of your LinkedIn connections to subscribe, which is a great way to increase your numbers. The benefit to starting a Substack—and sending updates via email—is that you have the email addresses of your subscribers. It’s a more direct connection.

3. Social Media.

When starting a new venture, brand, or identity, the first thing to do is grab your user name on all social media platforms. You do not have to post on all of these, but better to have the names. For instance, I have @TheDEBMethod for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, and Pinterest and X/Twitter—even though I have not posted on those last two in years. I even have a TikTok. Plus although I am a very active personal user of LinkedIn, I also have a The DEB Method LinkedIn page.

Choose three or four social media platforms to post on consistently, to develop an online community—a place where readers can connect and interact with you. Those are the ones to include in this section, along with the number of followers and types of content you post.

4. Podcasts, Videos, and Live Shows.

Like with your website/blog and social media, the content you post is another important part of your platform. As an expert, it serves you well to host a podcast—audio or also video. Perhaps even a live show. And, when you have a new book out, it’s a great way to promote it. I actually combined all three. Every Monday, I host the GoalChat live show, broadcast on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. It is then released in audio version on the Marketing Podcast Network on Thursdays.

Share what your show is, what type, when you release new episodes, and what sort of material you share.

5. Traditional Media.

Traditional media includes guest spots on other people’s podcasts, live/video shows, and blogs. It also is where you share any TV, radio, and online/print features and interviews. Divide your media into the aforementioned categories, and list out your appearances: show/platform, title, and date with a link to the article or replay, if possible.

6. Speaking Gigs.

List out everywhere you have spoken, in person and online. If you have a lot, then choose your favorites. Include the organization, talk title, and date. 

Bonus: If you do not already have a 3-5 minute Sizzle Reel, highlighting you on stage or screen, create one that uses a mixture of different appearances. Then add that hyperlink to “See AUTHOR NAME in action.” The publisher is investing in you, so use a sizzle reel to showcase your personality and knowledge of the subject.

7. Communities and Organizations.

Are you on the board of any organizations? A member of any committees? Are you a part of—or have connections to—communities that happen to be a good audience for your book? List these out. Share their email list numbers (if you have them) and their willingness to have you speak and/or for them to share your book once it’s out. Online interaction is great. The ability to sell books within solid organizations is something that will get noticed. Include all relevant on and off-line orgs.

8. Contacts.

Finally, list the names of any contacts/influencers in your field, who are willing to endorse and/or spread the word about your book.

Final Thoughts

As an author—and an expert—you do not need to be everywhere. However, you do need to establish your presence, on- and off-line, to show agents and publishers you are an authority that they will want to invest in.

The post 8 Components of Your Author Platform for Your Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

• Concept: What the book is, how it’s unique, and why the author is the best person to write it
• Context: Its place on the shelves and in the world, as expressed through platform, marketing, audience, and comps
• Content: Detailed outline and sample chapters

While some publishers have nuances in how they like the book proposal presented—for instance, the order of the sections or exactly how many sample chapters—they all have certain pet peeves. If you display a red flag—or several—in your book proposal, it will not do you, or your book, any favors.

Here are some pet peeves from a variety of book publishers to help you navigate common pitfalls.

1. Don’t Clog Our Inbox

Some people send you their manuscript and believe you will read it … with no proposal.

When querying an agent—or a publisher who accepts un-agented manuscripts—send it with a query letter and, if applicable, a nonfiction book proposal. People in publishing are busy. We do not have all the time in the world to read 60,000 words.

Also, do not follow-up right away. Give us at least two months to get back to you. And do not follow-up for the sake of following up. If you must follow up, only do so when you have something good to share.

Rather than, “Have you read my proposal yet?” write about your recent segment on national news or a comp title that just hit the bestseller list.

Send helpful information that adds to why they should represent or publish your book.

—Brenda Knight is publisher at Books That Save Lives, a division of Jim Dandy Media

2. Don’t Jump the Gun

After 20 years in the business, I still see strange and woefully unprepared queries. For example, an author who wants a Zoom meeting right away, before she has even told us what the book is about. I find authors who are unfamiliar with the concept of a three-page outline. One even had the gall to ask me not to “share her manuscript publically.” Like I’m going to post it on Reddit or something?

Learn the process and submit a good representation of yourself and your work.

—Victor R. Volkman, is the president of Loving Healing Press and its subsidiary Modern History Press since 2003

3. Don’t Waste Our Time

Probably number one is an email pitch to every publisher’s “info” email account that someone can find; sometimes BCC’d, sometimes not. When I see a pitch has been sent to Akashic’s “info” email along with numerous other publishers, I typically do not respond. It’s fine, of course, to reuse your pitch over and over, and send it along to many publishers, but please individualize the pitches…don’t do a group blast. For me this comes off as lazy which leads to peeve #3. Usually you can find an editor’s name to address it to, even if you’re sending to an “info” or general email account.

An email that comes into our “info” account addressed to “Dear Sirs” is almost always deleted upon receipt. It’s 2025. At the bare minimum, say Sir or Madam (also sounds super dated, but is less annoying).

Don’t pitch something that is so far afield from what we’ve published for the past 2+ decades. Any time I’m advising authors, I advise (beg?) them to do research on book publishers before pitching. Don’t waste your time—and our time. Akashic has a pretty varied list, but, for example, we don’t publish self-help books. We don’t publish romance novels or romantasy. Take a few minutes to poke around on a publisher’s website to see what they are publishing. Spend time on their social media to see what they are currently promoting, excited about, working on, and then if you think your work fits, reach out.

Also, don’t tell me in your pitch that have the next New York Times #1 bestseller. It doesn’t come off as confident to us, but naive…and pompous.

—Johanna Ingalls is the managing editor and director of foreign rights at Akashic Books, where she has worked for over two decades since being rescued from the music industry by Akashic publisher Johnny Temple

4. Be Realistic

Like most editors, it makes me a little frustrated to see authors comparing their books to huge bestsellers like The Let Them Theory. It’s not very helpful when it comes to telling me what your book is; a few more realistic competitive titles would provide more insight.

Hearing authors say that their book is going to do something that no book has done before—especially when it clearly has, in fact, been done before—is always disappointing.

For nonfiction proposals, I will almost always need information on the author platform. How are you going to promote your book? You don’t need to have a million social media followers, but I’d like to hear just about anything about how you’re going to reach readers: an email list or newsletter, a podcast (with audience information attached), a schedule of speaking engagements, etc.

—Kate Zimmermann is an Executive Editor at Andrews McMeel, where she acquires illustrated gift, self-care, and humor books, as well as new projects for the Amen Editions imprint

5. Check What You Claim

My biggest proposal pet peeve is when the submitter only comps the book to the biggest properties, like ‘the next Twilight’ or ‘the next Hunger Games.’

I also get annoyed when they claim the submission is filling a need in the market that doesn’t exist, like saying that there’s a lack of strong female characters in the children’s book market.

—Alvina Ling, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Vice President and Editor-in-Chief

6. Keep Your Proposal Targeted

My biggest pet peeve is an overly long proposal. It’s almost like the author and agent are throwing everything at you. Second biggest pet peeve: saying either “there’s nothing out there like this” or “this book is for everybody.”

—Matthew Holt is editor-in-chief at BenBella Books of the Matt Holt Books imprint; he was previously SVP at Wiley, leading the trade group

7. Be Professional

A significant issue lately is people sending submissions with no cover letter within the email, only attachments. Just as bad is sending poorly written cover letters, filled with typos, poor grammar, etc. Cover letters that seem to be written by AI are also a red flag.

Be sure to get your opening right. We ask for the first 50 pages of a book in our submission guidelines. If the first line of a book is terrible, we will reject it. Once we had a submission in which the first line was, “I woke up this morning and cleared my throat.” It didn’t work for us.

It really bothers me when there are no recent comparable titles. We ask for three to four comparable books published within the past two years. If an author says it’s not like any other recently published book, it often means they are not aware of anything that has been published recently, and assume their book will be sellable in today’s market without having any idea of what that market is.

Imagine a film actor showing up for an audition without being familiar with any recent movies, only films that are 50 years old or more. Or imagine a baseball player saying that they have never seen a recent baseball game, but they really like the way Babe Ruth played. Just like baseball, the current style of books is different than it was in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. It doesn’t take much to read a couple of new books on similar themes to know how your book fits into the current environment.

Finally, don’t reach out to us with ideas for books that are definitely 100% not up our street. You could just look at our list and know whether or not that’s not anything we want. Also, don’t send us anything that would be “cringe.” Cringe meaning ones with terrible writing; racist or homophobic writing definitely is something that will be a deal breaker immediately. If it’s apparent in the cover letter or in the first three chapters, then it’s no.

We can’t accept everybody, but we do like people to resubmit if they’ve got something else. However, if you previously sent in something that was clearly not up our street—and a waste of our time—we’re going to be more hesitant to accept anything in the future from you.

—Kat Georges is co-director of Three Rooms Press and author of the poetry collection Awe and Other Words Like Wow; she lives in New York City

Final Thoughts

It all boils down to this: Be professional, do your research, and check for typos. You want to represent yourself—and your book—in the best possible light.

The post 7 Book Proposal Pet Peeves From Publishers appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal.)

However, when a proposal has too many errors—aka distractions—the reader may never even consider the content. That is why formatting is so important. You want to present your proposal as professionally as possible, so you make it easy for the decision-maker to move forward.

Here are some key “Dos” and “Don’ts” for your book proposal formatting.

6 Book Proposal Formatting Dos

Remember the basics.

Use Times New Roman font throughout your book proposal. Use one-inch margins. On all but the title page, your document needs to be double-spaced (except perhaps for bullet points), use 12-point type, and be left aligned (not justified) on the first line of each section, and then indent the paragraphs below.

Start your proposal with a title page.

It needs to include your book title and name—centered, a few lines down from the top. This can be 14 to 18 point type, Times New Roman font. If you have relevant credentials—for instance, your role in a/your company, certifications, “known” status, previously published noteworthy books, won awards, and/or appeared in mainstream media—include that under your name.

TITLE
BY, YOUR NAME
CREDENTIALS

Put your contact info—including address, phone number, email, website, and standout social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn—in the lower left hand corner. This is 12-point type, Times New Roman font and can be single spaced.

ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL
WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA

Add the splash page.

The splash is a graphic—photo or in some cases a collage—that is representative of the content in the book. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, that is your splash.

Create a table of contents.

Use the Table of Contents (or TOC) function, so all of your section headers are linked within the document. To do this, highlight each section title, go to Home and then Styles. Click on “Heading” (use “Heading 2” for sub-sections) to apply the format. 

After you have done this for all sections, create the TOC. Go to the third page (after the title page and splash). Then, go to the References tab. Click Table of Contents. Choose a style (“Automatic” or “Custom”), and Word will automatically generate a TOC using your Heading and Heading 2 styles.

After you finish your proposal, go to your TOC page and click to Update Table.

Customize your header.

You will want to start using a header on page 4—right after the Contents page. To do this in Word, insert a Section Break by going to the Layout tab. Click Breaks and, under Section Breaks, choose Next Page.

To unlink the Header from the Previous Section (since you do not need one for pages 1-3), double-click to get into the header area on page 4. In the Header & Footer Tools ribbon, click Link to Previous to turn it off. This breaks the connection between headers in Section 1 (pages 1–3) and Section 2 (page 4 onward).

With your cursor in the header on page 4, type your last name, book title. Underneath it, go to insert page number to add the page number.

NAME, TITLE
PAGE #

Send a PDF.

Unless otherwise requested, save your document as a pdf to send.

3 Book Proposal Formatting Don’ts

Rely on visuals to get your idea across.

Unless your project is photo-centric in nature, the only image you want to include is on the splash page. Book specs is where you put your bulleted list of items that are in the book. That’s where you can write down how many photos or other types of images you plan to include.

Make your book proposal difficult to read.

A book proposal can run anywhere from around 25 to 50 pages or more (depending on the length of the sample chapters). Be cognizant of page breaks and paragraph breaks.

For instance:

• Your Overview is a snapshot. It needs to be one page, no more than two. Each section builds on each other. You can go into more detail in the other sections.
• Avoid run-on sentences and super-long paragraphs. Find ways to be more concise or break up your content.
• Try to contain your sections, so they do not run one or two lines over onto the next page.

An easy-to-read proposal is something that’s also skimable. Before doing your final save, view your document at around 50% magnification, so you can catch weird formatting things, like blank pages and overlong bundles of text.

Forget to spell check.

Spell check is your friend. Use it! And then use it again.

One More Thing

Most agents and publishers accept what’s the standard for book proposals, in both order of sections and content. However, some have certain preferences. Before submitting your proposal, check the website to see if they have submission guidelines. Read them. And adjust as necessary.

Good luck!

The post 9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Comp titles—short for “competitive titles” or “comparable titles”—are the books you name in your query or proposal to show that readers are eager for books like yours. They’re a shorthand way to discuss your book’s themes, subject matter, cultural relevance, or the way readers will feel when they experience your story.

(Check out recent successful queries here.)

Finding the right comps means reading, doing market research, and understanding why people (including yourself!) buy books. Unfortunately, the process can be tricky and tedious when you first start looking, and two common feelings come up.

Ignorance Is Bliss (But Won’t Sell Your Book): “My book is totally unique! There’s nothing like it on the market!”

I have sad news: If your book is truly unlike anything ever published, it’s either revolutionary genius or (more likely) unpublishable. Fortunately, it’s more likely that your book is just fine, and you’re not looking in the right places, or with the right mindset.

Outdated & Overrated: “My book is Bestseller A (published 2002) meets Book No-One’s Heard Of (published 1998).”

These authors are trying! They’ve found a genuine connection between books that inspired them, that they want to be shelved with, and that share story elements. But markets change, and already-famous authors have a head start. Comps that are too old, or too famous, don’t tell agents and publishers how your debut novel or memoir will sell right now.

Books need context. They need friends. And just like humans, they need friends their own age, in a social class they’re ready to run with. Your book is making its way in the world as a freshman. The head cheerleader’s prom-date prospects aren’t a yardstick for your own social life—just like your mom’s dating advice from 20 years ago isn’t entirely useful now.

Good Comp Titles Serve 3 Essential Purposes

Comp titles are your book’s clique.

They tell agents where your manuscript belongs in the vast publishing world. Without comps, your book is standing with a lunch tray, wondering where to sit. Comps say, “I’ll be in the Home Ec room after school with the other cooking memoirs.”

Comps prove you’re not delusional.

Appropriate titles show you understand your place in the market. That other first-time writers were successful with books like yours. Comparing your debut thriller to Gone Girl or your literary fiction to Toni Morrison is aspirational; believe it with all your heart and keep it inside your head. Pick a cafeteria table with people who will actually talk to you (and maybe blurb your book!)

Comps are shorthand for your book’s vibe.

Your best comps telegraph tone, style, and reader experience faster than a three-paragraph plot summary ever could. “It’s HOW TO SAY BABYLON (2024) meets SOLITO (2022)” immediately conjures a specific type of memoir about personal transformation through challenging circumstances.

Find Your Book’s BFFs (Without Losing Your Mind)

Step 1: Stop Overthinking and Start Looking

The biggest mistake authors make is treating comp titles like a desperate search for the holy grail. Your comps won’t be perfect doppelgängers of your book—they just need to share meaningful DNA.

Head to a physical bookstore or library (yes, leave your house) and look for where you’ll be shelved. What else is there? Read back covers. Read opening pages. Take photos of promising titles. (And note these author’s agents as people to query yourself—check the Acknowledgements)

While you’re there, ask the bookseller or librarian: “If someone liked these books, what else would you recommend?” Booksellers are walking comp-title machines. Use them. (And buy a book.)

Step 2: Get Specific

Your ideal comps are:

• Published within the last 2-3 years (5 years absolute max)
• Moderately successful but not mega-bestsellers
• Similar to your book in at least one significant way (theme, tone, style, structure, audience)
• From traditional publishers (if you’re querying traditional agents)

Don’t get trapped trying to match your exact plot. Think laterally. If you wrote a memoir about rebuilding your life after losing your job, your comps might include books about divorce, health crises, or starting over in a new country—the emotional journey matters more than the specific circumstances.

Step 3: Dive Into the Digital Treasure Hunt

Start with those books that are too old and too famous. Look them up on Amazon and scroll down to the category rankings:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,742 in Books

• #42 in Travel Humor
• #156 in Adventure Travel
• #89 in Travelogues & Travel Essays

Click on those categories for lists of similar books. Look for titles ranking between #10,000 and #100,000 in overall Books—popular enough to show market viability but not so big they’re unicorns.

For those same books, scroll to the “Readers also enjoyed” section, and explore anything published in the last three years.

Step 4: Test the Vibes

For each potential comp, ask yourself:

• Would my ideal reader also enjoy this book?
• Does this book have a similar emotional impact to mine?
• Does this comparison make my book sound intriguing rather than derivative?
• Would I be proud to have my book next to this one on a shelf?

If you answer yes to at least three, you’ve found a comp contender.

Mastering the Comp Statement

Now that you’ve found your comps, don’t just list them. Showcase your book’s unique position in context.

Instead of: “My book is like LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY and WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING.” (Too famous, too vague, becoming dated)

Try: “My memoir of Malay childhood combines deep-dive research like Stephanie Foo’s WHAT MY BONES KNOW (2024) with the wry familial observations of Michelle Zauner’s CRYING IN H MART (2022) as I navigate discovering my father’s secret second family at my mother’s funeral.” (Specific, current, shows tone and content)

For fiction, get creative: THE BOOK OF DOORS (2024) meets THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE (2024) in my dual-timeline novel blending traditional folklore and a generational mystery.” (Specific, current, shows the book’s place within the genre)

Exceptions Prove the Rule

Querying in the UK, or just very confident in your “inappropriate” comps? Embrace it, while knowing you’re an outsider. “My book is SCREAM meets THE SECRET HISTORY”—comping mass media and a huge bestseller, both outdated, might still be what sells your book. But break those rules purposefully, because you’ve already investigated more current debut books. Remember those quirky drama nerds? They didn’t put those capes on by accident. But they, too, could see who was Trying Too Hard.

The Power of Finding Your People

Comp titles aren’t just for querying—they’re your future clique as a published author. The writers whose audience you’ll share, whose events you might appear at, who may blurb your book. Follow them on social media. See how they promote their work. Notice which publications review their books. Map your future literary neighborhood.

Your best comps are like your best friends—it’s worth the work to find them, and maintaining those connections can be powerful. Best of all? Unlike high school, the clique doesn’t choose you. You get to pick, and your book’s best friends are out there waiting to be found.

Check out Allison K Williams’ Seven Drafts here:

Bookshop | Amazon

(WD uses affiliate links)

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(How to Write a Great Overview for Your Book Proposal.)

The reason? Past sales are proof of future sales.

Book comps are bestselling titles in your genre that are similar to—but different from—yours. You need to be able to tell an agent or publisher, “This book sold, so mine will too.” And “My book is better than/different from this one for the following reasons, so there is a market for it, as well.”

You will likely put a line about book comps in your book proposal overview: “My book is this title meets that idea, but with this specific angle or differentiation.”

In the Book Comps section you really get to go into detail.

What to Look for With Book Comps

How hard can it be to find book comps? Very, especially in nonfiction. If something has been done well recently, your book may not be needed. If a title did well 10 or 15 years ago—but the subject has not been covered since—that’s a red flag. No one has bought the title in a decade, so clearly readers are not interested.

For your comp section, you need to find:

• 5 to 7 titles that are …
• Published traditionally (a large publishing house, imprint, or independent publisher) …
• Within the last five years
• That have good ratings and a substantial number of reviews

You do not want:

• Titles more than 5 years old
• Self-published books (that includes hybrid titles)
• And especially not old, self-published titles
• Low numbers of ratings and books that are poorly reviewed

The exceptions: If all of your other comp titles are good, and you strongly believe it to be a value add, at the end you may want to add:

• One older, but not ancient, highly-regarded, standard-for-the-industry-or-genre, known tile
• One recent, remarkable, well-sold and well-reviewed self-published title

One other hack: You can use the introduction to your comps section as a way to reference classic titles without going into detail. Eat Pray Love (self-actualization and memoir), 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (business), and The Artist’s Way (creativity) would fall into this category. For instance: “From TITLE to TITLE to TITLE, readers are really interested in THIS TOPIC.” Again, don’t overdo it, and include a favorite along with more relevant, recent titles.

How to Find Comps

In Person: To research comp titles, start old school. Go to a bookstore, find the section your book would be shelved in, and see what else is out there. Carefully checking the publisher—to make sure it’s a traditional one—and the pub date, make a list of books to research online.

And/Or

Go Online: Do a search for “Best of” lists in your book’s category. Then, write down which of those books are most akin to yours. Note: Save the links of your favorite “Best of” lists to put in the conclusion of your comps section. More on that below.

Research the Details: Do a search on Amazon for each book you think could be a good comp. For each title, scroll down to get to the product details. There you will find the:

• Publisher
• Publication date:

And then toward the bottom of that section:

• Bestsellers Rank
• Categories
• Customer Reviews
• Ratings

If you need more comp titles to explore, click on the categories that are a fit. That will take you to the top titles in that category. If you think you are going down a rabbit hole, you’re right. Sometimes that’s what it takes to identify the right comps.

Once you find 10 or so titles you think are best for your book, go back over them and choose the best comps.

How to Format Your Comps

For each title in the comp section, include the following information. Hyperlink each book title to the Amazon listing. Note: Typically the link will go to the trade paperback version.

This is the format:

Title by Author(s) (Publisher, Date). Plus, a one or two-line description of the book.
Next, a couple of lines about what makes your book different/better.
List of the rankings in each category
Number of Ratings and Reviews

After you detail your five to seven comps, finish the section with your version of the following conclusion line:

“BOOK TITLE could be shelved in CATEGORY, CATEGORY, or CATEGORY. It would seamlessly fit into a list of best books on any of these topics, such as LINKS TO LISTS.”

Final Thoughts

For your comp section you want to find five to seven traditionally published titles in your genre that are similar to yours—to show your concept will sell—but different enough that there is a place for your book in the marketplace.

Remember, the entire book proposal is a marketing document. The easier you make it for your book to sell—“My book is this + that, but with a twist”—the more likely an agent or publisher will want to run with it!

The post The Why, What, How of Comp Titles for Your Nonfiction Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

The nonfiction market is full of opportunity, but to succeed in selling your book, you need to master the art of writing a nonfiction proposal. Competition is fierce and publishers are becoming more and more demanding. You need to not just be able to explain your concept clearly and engagingly, but prove the demand for the book and why you’re the best writer for the job.

In Write to Sell: Nonfiction Proposals, Gina Panettieri will guide you through the process of crafting a compelling nonfiction book proposal. This live webinar will cover essential topics such as identifying and analyzing the target audience, understanding market trends, and writing a persuasive and well-structured proposal. Participants will also learn how to present themselves as the perfect writer for their book and compose the perfect pitch to grab an editor’s or agent’s attention.

Click to continue.

If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Enter Your Story #137!

Prompt: Write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo prompt above. You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Email your submission to yourstorycontest@aimmedia.com with the subject line “Your Story 137.”

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(How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal.)

In any situation, you need to make a good first impression. Your book proposal’s Overview is that first impression. Its purpose is to get your audience’s attention, so they are as invested in your idea as you are.

Start With the Sizzle

The “Sizzle” comes after the title page in your book proposal. It’s a graphic or photo that illustrates your book’s concept. This is typically not your book cover; your publisher will have their own team for that.

Here is some Sizzle inspiration, as it relates to different types of books.

• Business book: A concept, flowchart, or representation of an idea. A timer, a roadmap, a lightbulb.
• Self-help: An illustration of the transformation or end result. A before and after pic.
• Cookbook: A signature dish or collage of recipe photos.
• Activity: A photo of the hobby, sport, or endeavor.

Your sizzle can be as simple or creative as you want. Have fun with it and make sure it reflects your idea and your style.

The Elements of Your Overview

The “About the Book” section of your book proposal starts with the Overview. The other elements are addressed briefly below.

Your one-page Overview needs to encapsulate your concept—what it is, what makes it unique, and why you are the only person who can write it. You want to get whoever is looking at it interested in reading more. Before you can articulate these things, it’s important for you to identify exactly the book’s mission/purpose. Why are you compelled to write this book: What is your motivation? And how will this book help the reader?

Your motivation may be to use your book to improve your status as a thought leader, get more visibility/readers/clients, etc. Your book’s mission is to use your background/experience to inform, educate, or entertain your reader on a certain topic, so they achieve a specific result (connect to the experience, learn something, benefit from it, enjoy what you have to say).

Another important decision is to figure out how you will get that information across. Are you sharing your personal or professional journey, a methodology or concept, or actionable tips? Once you figure out the reason you are writing the book, the desired result, and how you will share that information, you can start writing your Overview.

These are the pieces of the Overview:

Hook.

Start with a one-liner that engages the reader, showing what differentiates your idea.

• Question: Did you know that _________?
• Fact
• Quote

Concept.

Support your hook with an engaging paragraph or two that explains your book idea: what it is, your unique take, and why it is relevant/that people need to and will read it.

• Share what problem it solves
• Show how it helps
• Reference trends to prove timeliness or timelessness of the topic

Credentials.

This is where you go into your bio. Include who you are—relevant professional or even personal details—and why that makes you the perfect person to write this book. Include:

• Your background/thought leadership
• What you created/discovered/survived
• Why you love this topic/need to write this book

Conclusion.

Wrap with one or two lines that reinforce the relevance of your book topic, something inspirational that is on brand for you as the writer. Reiterate in what ways this book will help which people at this time.

Click to continue.

Also in “About the Book”

You can get into a little more detail “About the Book” in the sections that follow the Overview.

• “What’s in the Book” contains the names of the sections and chapters, along with a few lines of description for each.
• “Book Specs” has the word count, as well as the types of content you plan to use in the book. This could be anecdotes, case studies, interviews, instructions, graphics, etc. You can also put names of possible endorsers or people willing to write the book’s foreword or afterword.
• If you have “Reviews” of previous books or “Endorsements” of your ability as a writer, that goes next.

One More Thing

The Overview is a snapshot. Make sure it’s clear and engaging, so you can expand upon it throughout the rest of your book proposal.

Remember, whoever reads your book proposal wants it to be good. Agents and publishers are seeking a win-win situation: a good book by a knowledgeable writer that they can sell. Give them one!

The post How to Write a Great Overview for Your Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

• Your concept and what makes it unique
• Who you are and why you are the best person to write it
• Details about your audience, why the book will sell, and your marketing plan

(17 Pros & Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing.)

It sounds like a lot… and it is. However, when you break up the sections and fill in the blanks as you are able, it feels less like a heavy chore and more like a fun puzzle that comes together, piece by piece.

What’s in Your Book Proposal?

A book proposal is comprised of the following elements:

Title Page. 

This includes your book title and contact information. Your book title may change—either through the proposal process or from your publisher. However, it’s helpful to give your project a working title. It’s the first step for making your idea concrete.

Sizzle. 

This is simply a visual cue—a picture or graphic—that catches the reader’s attention and embodies the concept for the book. This is not your book cover, it’s inspiration.

About the Book:

• Overview. This one-page description details your concept for the book, what makes it unique, and why your experience and expertise make you the perfect person to write it.
• What’s in the Book. An extension of the overview, this is where you list out all the sections and chapters; include a few lines of description for each one.
• Book Specs. Here’s where you lay out more details. Share your estimated word count (depending on the niche, it could be anywhere from 40,000 and up for business and self help to around 75,000 for memoir to 100,000 or so for history and biography), when you can have the manuscript completed (usually three to six months from an agreement or contract), and how you will share the information in your book (narrative, case studies, inspirational quotes, instructions). If you have recognizable names—people and/or companies—you plan to include in the book or are willing to write the forward or afterward—include them here, as well.
• Reviews of the Author. If you have been previously published, share some of your best reviews.

Platform:

• Author Bio. Lean into the relevant specifics of your background for your book bio. Don’t forget a professional headshot.
• Testimonials. Include client testimonials that support your expertise.
• Author Platform. Detail your website(s); social media platforms: followings and activities; podcast (if you host); newsletter and subscribers; and involvement in organizations. Also, list and link to previous media, as well as in-person and online events. Bonus points if you have some sort of sizzle reel, so the publisher can see you in action.
• Marketing Plan. What promotions will you put in place to support the release of the book? Be creative, have fun with it, and get as detailed as possible. Even when you publish traditionally, there’s still a lot for the author to do promo-wise. You want to show your commitment to making this book a success. One more thing: If you have celebrity or influencers willing to blurb your book, that goes here, as well.
• Series. A publisher would much rather invest their time and energy into developing a long-term relationship, rather than a one-book author. Include ideas for a few follow-up books.
• Audience. Who is your ideal reader? And why do they need your book? Back up your audience vision with links to articles that support it.
• Comps. Include three to five comprehensive titles. These are best-selling books that are similar to yours, but different enough to show the need for your book in the world. Include their publisher, Amazon ranking, and a hyperlink. You want the majority, if not all, of them to be published traditionally and within the last five years. Books with lots of positive reviews are good too.

Detailed Outline. 

Expand your “What’s in the Book” section to include a paragraph or two description of what’s in each chapter.

Sample Chapters. 

Depending on your genre, this could be the intro and/or one or two chapters. You are backing up your concept and marketing plan with proof of your writing ability, tone, and style.

I told you it was a lot. But here’s the great part: You do not have to do it all at once.

How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal/Book

1. Name Your Book.

2. Get Organized. 

Create a folder on your hard drive or cloud account with your book title. Then, create a document in the folder for each of the sections:

• Sizzle ideas
• Overview
• What’s in the Book
• Book Specs
• Reviews of the Author (if applicable)
• Author Bio
• Testimonials
• Author Platform
• Marketing Plan
• Series
• Audience
• Comps
• Detailed Outline
• Sample Chapters

3. Commit to a Schedule. 

Go to your calendar and set a regular (weekly or twice weekly) appointment to work on your book proposal. This can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. I know 15 minutes does not seem like a lot of time, but it’s better to commit to what is feasible within your busy schedule than to overwhelm yourself and quit a week or two into the project.

4. Brainstorm Your Book. 

At the beginning of each appointment, pick a section you are feeling motivated to work on. Open that document, and just free-write your ideas. On days you feel a little less creative, compile some of the lists—like testimonials and reviews—or do some of the research-related activities, like the audience and comps.

5. Expand Your Ideas. 

When you notice your ideas taking shape, go back through your notes. Start turning ideas into drafts.

6. Compile Your Sections Into a Complete Book Proposal Document. 

Write. Read. Revise. Repeat.

Whether your goal is to publish traditionally—so you are using the proposal to attract an agent or publisher—or you intend to self-publish or go hybrid, a book proposal is a helpful tool. It enables you to gather your ideas for writing and promoting your book into a usable roadmap, whichever route you choose. 

The post How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(8 Ways to Charge for Your Freelance Writing.)

We’ve covered many tips and strategies to break down the process in previous articles, but here I’m bringing them together to help you craft a simple and easy-to-follow checklist to make sure you have everything you need before going out on submission.

Step 1: Get Your Query Letter Out of the Slush Pile

Are you hoping to get the attention of agents and editors for your nonfiction work?

Consider writing a 300-500 word query letter that stands out from the rest and makes them want to request a full manuscript. Start with a great hook, and then make sure to succinctly explain the premise of your book, the main themes, the important plot points, the characters, and finally, why you are uniquely qualified to write this book.

Step 2: Map Out Your Nonfiction Book Proposal

Unsure what goes into a sellable book proposal?

Consider that many nonfiction manuscripts sell on proposal, so it’s important to dedicate time to making sure yours has all the necessary components, including a well-thought out narrative arc with compelling themes. Don’t rush to send out your proposal. Instead wait until you are confident that each and every section is as polished as it can be.

Step 3: Develop the First 50 Pages of Your Manuscript

Do you want to grab the reader’s attention and keep them wanting more of your work?

Consider getting your first 50 pages in tip-top shape before you go out on submission. These chapters must hook your reader from the opening lines of your manuscript and can be included as the sample chapters in your book proposal.

Step 4: Position Yourself as an Expert in Your Field

Would you like to elevate your platform and help build trust with your readers?

Consider ways to position yourself as an expert in your field, which will provide you with the credibility you need when you go out on submission for your nonfiction book. From providing interviews to engaging on social media, there are many opportunities to reach your audience, build your platform, and become an expert on the topic you write about.

Step 5: Write a Companion Piece Pitch Letter

Want to write companion pieces for your book?

Consider crafting a rock solid companion piece pitch letter. Once you have a solid foundation for a pitch letter, you can easily tweak it for each publication you plan to submit to.

Step 6: Land the Perfect Blurb for Your Forthcoming Book

Would you like to receive praise for your book from other authors even though it may feel intimidating?

Consider landing the perfect blurb by networking with others and implementing an effective fail-safe strategy that is sure to get you the praise your book deserves.

Writing your nonfiction book is the first step toward your publishing journey. Now, your goal is to focus on making the submission process a success by being prepared every step of the way. It starts with writing a stellar query letter, crafting a solid nonfiction book proposal, and getting your first 50 pages in great shape. 

Then you can focus on positioning yourself as an expert in your field, writing a companion piece pitch letter, and landing the perfect blurb. Following these simple steps will make the process so much less overwhelming, and you’ll be well on your way to a fabulous book deal.

The post 6 Successful Ways to Get Your Nonfiction Book Ready for Submission appeared first on Writer's Digest.

There will be many rejections, and they’re tough going. The mere prospect of them is sometimes enough to stop you in your typing tracks. Overcoming these fears is vital. Sticking in there takes grit. Emotional grit.

Look away now if you think you can’t handle some of my tough love tips on how to build your resilience and get published…

DON’T: Think you can write.

You can’t write. Believe me, you can’t. You might have the most incredible potential—Booker prize-winning, bestseller-churning brilliance—lying dormant inside you, but when you start out, you won’t have those skills to make it happen and you WILL. GET. REJECTED. And that’s okay. Most of us aren’t born with it.

DO: Start at the beginning.

You need to learn your craft. If you don’t, agents and publishers will see straight through you. However much potential you show, they don’t have the time to hold your hand and teach you how. There are so many practical books and courses out there to help you. Find one or two and apply their wisdom. Believe me, it really is worth the effort. My top tip would be Into The Woods, by John Yorke.

DON’T: Look down.

While writing, the thought of sending it out to agents or publishers is like looking down the side of a treacherous rock face as you’re navigating the narrow ridge of a mountain. Don’t do it! This rookie mistake has two fatal outcomes: Either it causes delusional dreams of flying to the top or mind-bending catastrophizing of rag-dolling to the bottom. Basically, don’t risk psychologically derailing yourself. It can lead to writer’s paralysis and never-ending excuses for why you never finish your manuscript.

DO: Believe in happy endings.

The best way to complete your book is to enjoy the process, live in the moment, and focus on putting one step in front of the other, one little word at a time. Trick yourself into thinking that nobody in the world will ever read it. Typing ‘The End’ is the best high ever. For writers, that’s true happiness right there, all tied in a bow. Forget that it equals crunch-time. Who cares what people think? You’ve damn-well written a book! Good job!

DON’T: Blame the industry.

It’s easy to read a rejection letter from an agent or publisher and feel the rage. It’s only natural to leap to your own defense, lambast them for making a mistake, for missing its potential, for overlooking your talent or even for failing to read it properly. They’re total bloody idiots for not giving you a 10-book deal, right? I mean, look at the other crappy books they publish! How could they reject yours? This might be true. Many editors have rued the day they turned down Harry Potter. But remember this: J.K. Rowling is the exception, the rest of us are the rule.

DO: Blame yourself.

My first four manuscripts were turned down by every publisher in London. After ranting and raving about the state of the industry, I got real and blamed myself. I listened to the criticism from trusted readers, begrudgingly accepted that the experts were probably right, sat down at my computer, and wrote a better book.

DON’T: Dream big.

Being rejected by the big names in traditional publishing doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have what it takes to be a published writer. They’re not the only arbiters of the current market or the up-to-date trends of the reading public. These days, there so many varied and exciting new ways of starting out and quietly building a writing career for yourself in the digital first or self-publishing arena.

Order Clare Boyd’s The Wedding Night today. 

Bookshop | Amazon
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DO: Think small (thumbnails).

After a rejection that might say something like, ‘We really enjoyed it, but we’re only looking for high-concept, big-hitting thrillers right now,’ I advise you to think hard about that. Be business-like about it. A practical overhaul of your ideas isn’t always a cynical exercise or a compromise. Narrowing it down and nailing your genre can be as thrilling and as ‘big-hitting’ as it gets. It can help you find your voice and transform your journey. Picture the tagline next to the tiny thumbnail photo of your book on Amazon: ‘an unputdownable, edge-of-your-seat thriller’ or ‘heart-breaking, tear-jerking romance.’ Then read every book ever written in your chosen genre.

DON’T: Believe the hype.

If you think the rejection and dejection stops when you get published, think again. You’ve got the bad reviews from readers and book bloggers to look forward to. If that isn’t enough, many authors are dropped by their publishers or agents after only a couple of books. Or maybe they fail to attain foreign rights deals or bag a TV & Film adaptation or make The Sunday Times bestseller lists. A writing career will be peppered with echoes of those original turndowns. But none of it matters. Don’t focus on the highs and lows. Instead, dig deep and remain level-headed, always checking in on why you started writing in the first place.

DO: Prove them wrong.

A mega-successful songwriter friend of mine wallpapered her attic walls with all the music industry rejection letters she received when she was just starting out. It’s a brilliant example of acceptance. Own those publisher rejections! Find a proverbial wall to stick them to and look them in the face every day! And then go write another book—if only to prove everyone wrong.

[Click to continue.]

The post The 10 Dos and Don’ts of Being Rejected appeared first on Writer's Digest.