Proposal writing for a book requires you to call upon different skills than the ones used in writing the book itself. Writing book proposals involves a bit of salesmanship, so you'll want to prepare yourself on pitching your idea on paper. These tips should get your proposal read.
Follow Submission Guidelines
Each agent or publisher will have specific guidelines for book proposals. Read up on what is expected and make sure you complete every segment of the proposal exactly as specified. If the agency or publishing house does not describe any guidelines, get a book about how to write a book proposal and follow the instructions for a standard book proposal.
Polish Your Proposal Until It Shines
While you may be tempted to dash off a proposal, remember that you have to prove your writing skill and knowledge to the agents or publishers who will read it. Edit your proposal, hand it off to a colleague to review it and then edit it again. Make sure you don't have a single typo in your proposal, and be sure it's your best work possible.
Include Sample Chapters
You've probably heard of people who sold nonfiction book ideas off an outline. While this does happen for celebrities or writers with established relationships with agents, it doesn't happen for the average writer just breaking into the market. You'll need to take the time to write out a couple sample chapters so the agent or publisher will see you are not just knowledgeable or experienced in a field, but that you can write about it in a manner that is entertaining or accessible. Include these sample chapters in your submission package.
Highlight Your Platform
If you're writing a book proposal, you need to have a level of expertise in the subject or celebrity status for a given topic. This is called your platform. You will need to make this segment of your book proposal stand out, because there are many people who want to write books on whatever topic you've chosen, and you need to show that you are the best person to write on your chosen topic.
Get Published in Known Publications
Write articles about your book's topic and submit them to journals, magazines and other news sources. For example, if you are a scientist wanting to write a book about global warming, you'll want to get your writing into scientific journals to show you are truly regarded as an expert. Cite these publications in your cover letter accompanying your book proposal. Add specific references to these publications inside the proposal itself.
Make the News
If you can get your name in the media, do it before submitting your book proposal. See if you can't land a story on your local news station or, better yet, get on the national news. Cite this appearance in your proposal and offer to send a clip of the news story.
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