Now that I'm finally over Covid and can focus on preparing a proposal for the publishing house representative who requested it during my appointment at the Realm Makers Conference, I thought I'd share with your what is involved with putting one together.
First of all, it takes a lot of work. The publisher you're trying to impress needs to know more than what your book's about. They want to know about the author. How much have you invested into your writing career? Do you have a website? Are you on social media? Your fans will want to find you online. And they want to know what you can bring to the table when it comes to marketing. Are you willing to put together a blog train and do author signings? What other marketing techniques can you offer based on your unique niche in the world and niches related to your book?
A proposal is the whole package. You introduce both the author and the book and let the publisher know what you bring to the table. Beyond that, they will want a synopsis and the first several chapters of your book.
IMPORTANT - Whatever you do when you prepare a proposal--and I can't stress this enough--make certain that you follow the specific guidelines set forth by the publisher. If you're sending your proposal to four different publishers and the guidelines for each are slightly different, then you need to prepare four different proposals with tweaks in each to meet the specific requests of each publisher. Reading proposals takes time as well. They don't set up their guidelines just to be different from everyone else and make authors do more work. Each part of a proposal that a publisher asks for, in the specific way they ask for it, is there because it fits their needs and the way they operate.
Most guidelines for a proposal will include the following items (although they sometimes have different names):
Cover Letter - This is your chance to make a good first impression. It is your introduction. Be honest and don't try to oversell yourself or your book, but if you have something related to your writing or your book that's extra-special, make it shine!
One Sheet - Think of this as a brochure for your and your book. Include a very short synopsis as well as your own bio. Many will want to see a picture of you. You will also want to highlight the wordcount and genre and a few endorsements. It's the one page they can go to for a quick overview of your book.
Biographical Sketch - You want to focus on your writing-related experience only! You may be the best realtor or plumber or attorney in your state for multiple years in a row, but that's not likely to help you sell any books. So other than stating your educational background, only include items here that have something to do with writing.
Market Analysis - You need to zoom in on the specific readers who would be interested in your book. Saying that all women who have children would like your book is WAY too broad. Urban women or rural women? Women in the south or women in the north? Find the niches, like quirks about the protagonist (is she a painter, a zookeeper, a daycare worker?) Then provide statistics for each of these niches. For my Fast Track Thriller series, I zoomed in on the NASCAR aspect, the fact that heroes with unusual abilities are very popular, and that the Christian suspense market is growing.
Uniqueness - Let them know why a reader would want to read your book. What is different about your book than what is currently on the market?
Any potential for a series - If you plan to write sequels, tell them your ideas here.
Endorsements - If you've got some really great endorsements, let them shine here!
Competitive Analysis - Find several books that have come out within the last five years or so which are similar to your book. Show how your book is similar but offers something more or something different.
Marketing Strategies - At a minimum, you need to be on social media. A website is great too, because it is your space for people to find you online. Beyond that, they want to know how broad your reach is. How many Facebook "friends" do you have, etc. List the type of marketing techniques you are willing to organize: book signings, blog tours, give-aways and freebies. Think outside the box. Are you willing to approach church librarians across your state and ask them to include your book? Will you create questions for book clubs to use to talk about important aspects of your book. The sky's the limit! (but make sure that your really willing to do the activities that you list)
Synopsis - Types of synopsis: 1-page, chapter-by-chapter
First Several Chapters - Most often they will ask for the first three or five chapters. Make sure they are polished and free of grammatical and typographic errors. Write a hook in the first paragraph or two that will pull them in and make them want to read more.
Suzanne Hartman
Author of the Fast Track Thriller series:
