Five Secrets of Winning Book Proposals

Working in the publishing industry comes with a high expectation, especially from complete strangers. After the causal 'hello' progresses to 'what do you do,' and my answer is 'I am a publisher,' the words, like fairy dust, work magic; and in the eyes of my conversation partner, I'm transformed into a glamorous Advice Goddess-would I mind reading this stranger's book proposal?

Cornered in frozen foods at the grocery, black-tie events or at the bus stop, I've been 'pitched' as we say in the business, with such book proposals as: A Cat's Tale of Christmas; Old Testament Aphrodisiacs; Break Out (after being committed to a mental institution by jealous relatives, the story of one man's quest for revenge); and Suck it and See: A Guide to Tropical Fruits.

Admittedly, I chose to share with you the more colorful examples. My point being that the purpose of a proposal pitch is not to motivate the publisher to love the idea as much as you do. That's the misconception. The publisher is listening for signals that you understand the process of transforming a book concept into a business plan. It's not just about your passion for the topic: it's how well you filter your passion through the publisher's prism of marketing and distribution. That's the difference between a contract and a polite rejection letter.

Let's take a look at five typical questions that an agent or a publisher will ask in their submission guidelines.

Question #1: Please provide the title that best captures and conveys the essence of your book and briefly explain why you chose it.

What the publisher is really thinking:

Will the book buyer for Barnes & Noble recognize the section to shelve the book by its title alone?

Is the title's message succinct and snappy so the publisher's sales representative will remember it easily?

How does the rest of proposal support what the title says?

Question #2: Briefly describe the primary audience for your book and how they will benefit from reading it.

What the publisher is really thinking:

The book cannot be all things to all people. Do you demonstrate focus?

Are you confident about who the customer is and the primary (most appropriate) category where the book should be placed in the bookstore?

Do you provide three distinct benefits that relate to the book's core premise?

Question #3: List competing books that you are aware of on this topic and explain how your book differs.

What the publisher is really thinking:

How do you demonstrate that your premise is solid in relation to existing books?

Will the publisher's sales representatives understand where your book fits among five other books in the same category?

Do you contradict what the book is or is not elsewhere in the proposal?

Question #4: What are your expectations for the project?

What the publisher is really thinking:

Do you sound like you expect to make a million dollars and plan to retire on your royalty earnings?

Is your goal to raise the level of topic discussion and to advance your profile as a thought leader?

How realistic are you about the work involved to write the book from start to finish?

Question #5: Describe your qualifications for writing this book and include your latest curriculum vitae or other relevant factors.

What the publisher is really thinking:

Several proposals are discussed during a publisher's editorial board meeting. Why say 'yes' to yours?

What is your media platform? How are you going to be an asset in marketing and promoting the book?

What's your track record?

If you are now thinking about you book concept as a business plan, bravo! This is the foundation for a solid beginning; and, I encourage you to continue forward. High-quality books written by people who are committed to excellence (in any sphere of living) are in short supply. Adopt the publisher's perspective-how will it sell and to whom-and you will not only become a published author. You will make a difference in the world.

Melissa Rosati is a co-active coach, whose clients are writers, authors and creative artists. Prior to her coaching career, she was the Director, Editorial & Production for McGraw-Hill International (UK). She now resides in New York City. Her forthcoming book, The Essential Publisher's Handbook shows readers how to publish profitably. Register for a complimentary subscription to her newsletter, The Essential Publisher at http://www.melissarosati.com

© 2005 Melissa A. Rosati. All rights reserved.

What would Jesus read?
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 8 hours ago
Tim Franklin has a handy way of checking when the Northwestern Bookstore he manages in Edina has its marketing finger on the pulse of the reading community. ...

Hindu
Magical terrains
Hindu, India - 2 hours ago
Readers should not be hustled into buying a book because of marketing spiel! I think that literature is really a conversation between a writer and a reader. ...

Jill Burcum: 'Little House' endures
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 18 hours ago
Long before Kit, Kirsten and their American Girl doll-and-book sisters, there was Laura Ingalls Wilder. If you were a little girl in the '50s, '60s and '70s ...

Say it, don't spray it
Houston Chronicle, United States - 16 hours ago
This 1999 comedy not only was a spoof of superhero movies but also an indictment of excessive marketing in the culture at large. Mr. Furious' super power? ...

Marketers urged to catch up, use online digital media tools
Manila Bulletin, Philippines - 5 hours ago
Conceptual discussions in the book are supplemented by best practice examples culled from OgilvyOne Worldwide, a one-to-one marketing network with over 110 ...

New York Times
Electronic Papyrus: The Digital Book, Unfurled
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
The price is not yet set, but Thomas van der Zijden, vice president for marketing and sales, said the Readius would be more expensive than the Kindle, ...

Publishers eye online sales in digital era
Jakarta Post, Indonesia - Jul 2, 2008
Erik said there were various forms of online book marketing available on Google, including author or book websites, contextual advertisements, author blogs ...

Book now for Cambridge Digital Marketing Conference
Cambridge Network, UK - Jul 4, 2008
Make sense of the digital marketplace by joining leading practitioners for the Cambridge Digital Marketing Conference next week (10 July 2008). ...

Chefs prep food for new cookbook in York
York Daily Record, PA - 6 hours ago
She didn't get paid for her time or the time of her pastry chef Sharon Folkenroth, but Saunders said a mention in the book is a marketing tool for her ...

Immigration Issues, Baseball, and the Queen Discussed on Podcast ...
PR.com (press release), NY - 15 hours ago
Writers in the Sky Podcast has all three components covered as four guests are interviewed on this writing, publishing, and book marketing show. ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

A First Time Authors Publicity Kit Materials