How to Brainstorm Your Book Proposal
Most nonfiction books sell by book proposal, which is basically a business plan for your book. It incorporates:
- 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.