3 reasons to write a book proposal
also, a bit of a rant on why coaches have value
As a book coach, I hear a lot of criticism and skepticism about the value of coaches. I get why that happens. It can feel like everyone’s a coach of something these days. All it takes is hearing someone say they’re a Holistic Lifestyle Empowerment Psychic Business Coach, and I’m checked out right along with you (#truestory I met one!).
On the other hand, the proliferation of coaches speaks to the fact that people have needs that aren’t being met in traditional ways (and here, I mean “traditional” in the broad patriarchal way).
I know for myself that as a coach and developmental editor, I step in as an educator and guide through writing processes that, decades ago, one might have expected from publishers or agents. Today, they have tighter schedules, greater demands, and smaller budgets, so folks like myself meet the need - the gap in support - that writers of all levels of experience encounter as they bring their books to life.
Now, why am I going on about the value of coaches in a post on book proposals?
My fabulous colleague and the host of the essential industry podcast, The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Geagea Pupa, and I are running a session on book coaching at an upcoming editors’ conference later this month. In our conversation, she shared that the criticism she hates the most is that book coaches are “just cheerleaders” who simply tell writers what they want to hear, without any real ability to educate and empower the reader.
We are not cheerleaders.
Writing a book is hard. Publishing a book can be even harder. Coaches want to see you succeed but also need to be real with you. If you need a cheerleader for your writing, that’s what friends and family are for (it’s also why friends and family make bad beta readers).
All that being said (and finally to my point), I have to admit there is one way in which I think I might just be a bit of a cheerleader - overly optimistic and encouraging where there might be less hope (and I can actually hear Nadia gasping an “Oh no!” as I type that)
I think every nonfiction writer should write a book proposal.
Perhaps worse, I think every nonfiction writer should seriously consider using a book proposal!
Yes, I said it. I’m going to encourage and cheer you on to write the book proposal and pitch it out to publishers or agents!
Some editors and coaches may disagree with me, and that’s fine. But here’s the thing... There aren’t a lot of Colleen Hoovers and Hugh Howeys in nonfiction. You can always take a short bit of time to put your book out there in the world before deciding to self-publish. You can’t, on the other hand, self-publish and then turn around later and pitch it.1
Now, you certainly need to take into account many factors. If all you want is a short book that supports your business and is part of your brand identity, then self-publishing is all you need. Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, etc. So many great options.
But if you have any thoughts of reaching a reader beyond your client network, you should think about meeting them somewhere (i.e. through a publisher). And even if you are self-publishing, I still think there’s a very good reason to work on your proposal!
In other words, it can’t hurt you to write a book proposal; it can only help.
So, as promised, my top three reasons to write a proposal:
Reason 1
Because you have to.
You want to pitch an agent or publisher with your book idea, so you need to do it on their terms.
While everyone asks for something a little different (and you should definitely make sure to send people what they ask for!), the industry basics are the same. You’re going to need to provide the powers-that-be with some version of the following:
An overview of your book and why you’re writing it
A bio that tells the reader why you are the right person to write it
The manuscripts specs, a short description of how long the book is or will be
An in-depth explanation and analysis of who your reader is.
A marketing plan that includes all the ways you are confident you can reach that reader, from podcasts to websites to publications.
A list and description of “comp titles,” recent books that your book will relate to or be in dialogue with, often what your reader would read if they weren’t reading your book.
An annotated table of contents that explains every chapter - no cliffhangers, all detail.
sample pages from the manuscript, usually a couple of chapters.
This is a business document. It’s not an exercise in creative nonfiction writing. It can be a challenge, but in some ways, it makes your life easier. You don’t have to do a literary tap-dance across a document that is likely dozens of pages long. You can be direct. You can be honest. You, simply, tell the truth.
Reason 2
Maybe you are pretty certain you’re going the self-publishing route, or you’re just not sure. You should still definitely write a book proposal.
The components of a proposal aren’t, in fact, some draconian routine the publishing industry foists upon weary authors. As I said above, they are the foundations of a business plan. And regardless of your eventual publishing choice, you are going to need a business plan.
As the author, particularly a self-published author, you are shouldering all the responsibility of selling your book and engaging your readers. If all you have to draw on is your enthusiasm and a summary of your topic, you will struggle to meet the needs of the people you want to convert from readers into your readers.
Taking the time to work out a specific analysis and understanding of your audience, for example, will help you choose where to find them. That leads to conscious marketing choices, like targeting particular podcasts or in-person events. An overview that centers your authority alongside your story gives you a strong conversational framework for discussing your book beyond “You’re going to love it!”
In short, I think the process of thinking through these components enhances your power as a writer, regardless of your publishing outcomes.
Reason 3
This is my “secret weapon” reason: Because you are planning to write a book.
Yes, you read that correctly - I think you should draft out information for the proposal before you write!
As a coach, and especially as a developmental editor, the #1 problem I see when a writer shares their draft with me is that they don’t have a clear sense of their reader. If I had a dollar for every writer who told me their book was “for everyone” or “for all women,” and then wrote themselves into a vague wilderness trying to accommodate all 8 billion of us, I would be on my way to a very cushy retirement!
On the other hand, if before they started their story, those writers had taken time - real, sincere time - to identify their target reader, they would be writing to and for them from Page One.
The same can be said for that proposal overview and bio. That, fundamentally, is built from the author’s why: Why this book? Why now? Why you?
And that annotated table of contents? Imagine knowing upfront what you wanted each chapter to do, so you could effectively and actively accomplish your why!
When I work with writers at the start of their process, this is actually what we do. Over five weeks, we hammer out the building blocks that someday become the book proposal. And by getting those foundational pieces on the page at the start, now you’re writing with guidance, guardrails, and a clear vision of your goals!
This is not to say that things won’t change from pre-writing to pitching. They definitely will. However, having the basics of your proposal out of the way at the start empowers you to write confidently toward your goals. It empowers you to see the book you’re writing towards. It empowers you to go out to those podcasts and events as you write and start that audience connection and marketing.
Oh, and did I mention that doing all this upfront means that when you finally come back around to writing the official proposal (for Reasons 1 or 2), it’s way less scary because you know where it begins.
You’ve already got this!
Of course, if you want help and support with any of this, I’m here for you. (I’ll be your cheerleader… sort of!)
When it comes to book proposals, I can help you in 3 different ways:
We can draft your proposal from start to finish. This is a 1:1, hands-on opportunity to get your proposal done right the first time. It takes at least three months, and you’ll have my editing support and industry guidance at every step. More here.
If you have a proposal and you’re not sure if it’s ready, or you’ve sent it out and not gotten the results you want, I offer developmental edits of full proposals. I review it for strengths and weaknesses, and give you a plan to take it to the next level. Find out more here.
Just like Reason 3, if you are ready to begin your book, we can work together for five weeks on that proposal outline, and get those foundations set, so that you can know your book and write forward confidently! More info here.
Bonus Proposal Content
If you want to learn more about writing proposals and what makes them (and you) awesome, join me for a LIVE webinar with book launch guru Aryn Van Dyke next Wednesday at 11am CST. Reserve your spot here.
I’m so excited! I hope you join us.
One Last Thing
There is still one spot remaining to join me and two amazing women nonfiction writers in Greece from October 30 to November 3. Reach out ASAP with any questions you might have. Let’s talk about what you can accomplish when you surround yourself with inspiring women, an inspiring location, and commit to your book like never before.
Are you ready? DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram, and let’s talk this week.
Unless, of course, you’re Brené Brown. If you’re Brené Brown, you can do anything.