BOOK PROPOSAL WRITING FOR BEGINNERS by William Cane

You already know that the book proposal is your key to writing success. You know this because you’ve heard it from professionals, literary agents, and editors. And as a writer you think, “Oh, give me a break, I’m stymied enough trying to write the manuscript, and now you’re telling me I have to worry about a #2!&/!#! book proposal! All I want is to find someone to read a few chapters of my book.”

Relax. Take a deep breath. And listen to some good advice from someone who’s been in your shoes and felt the exact same way. I was annoyed at the very idea of having to write a book proposal. I had spent a lot of time thinking about my book idea, getting chapters ready, and doing research on my topic. And now I was faced with the extra hurdle of writing a book proposal. I hated the idea.

But the truth is you need a book proposal to sell your book.

THE AUDIENCE FOR YOUR BOOK PROPOSAL

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to write a book proposal -- once you know who your audience is. The key is realizing that the audience for your book proposal is vastly different from the audience for your book. The audience for your book proposal is, first and foremost, a literary agent. Your second audience is an acquiring editor at a good publishing house. And your third audience is the sales and marketing force at that publisher. These people are all professionals, and they’re all looking for one thing: proof that your book will have a big enough market to sell briskly and make them a profit. That’s their primary concern. That’s their bottom line.

YOU ARE THE EXPERT

Once you realize who your real audience is, you’re on the way to success. Remember that you’re the expert on your subject. No one knows it like you do. You can write rings around people when it comes to your book’s subject. So don’t worry about these people in the publishing world -- these literary agents, editors, and marketing people. Just shoot straight with them, tell them what your subject is, tell them who will want to read your book, explain how you’ll help the publisher publicize your book, and include some information about yourself, especially mentioning why you’re an expert on this subject or why you’re a good person to write this book.

As far as promotion goes, I always find this a very easy thing to write about. I mean, if your book is of interest to a lot of people, all you have to do is say that television and radio will be dying to get you on the air to talk about your book. It’s probably true, isn’t it? If you’re writing about anything that’s even remotely interesting to the average layman, media outlets would love to have you as a guest. Newspapers and magazines will also be eager to cover your book. Just state this in the proposal. You don’t have to prove it, all you have to do is say it. If it sounds plausible to you, it will also sound plausible to the literary agents, editors, and other professionals who read your book proposal.

By understanding your audience, you can write your proposal in no time. Just aim it at your literary agent and editor, keeping in mind a few other industry people as well, such as your marketing and promotions managers. Trust someone who’s done this numerous times. It’s much easier than it looks -- once you know who your audience is.