Proposal Requirements

By Rick Frishman - Dec 07 , 2007

Book proposals have set requirements for a number of sound reasons, not simply because of agents’ and publishers’ arbitrary whims.

Agents and book publishers are inundated with requests from aspiring writers, and they usually can only afford to pursue those that they think will sell. According to estimates, agents accept only 2 percent of the submissions they receive, or one in fifty, so they must be able to read them quickly and immediately spot the answers to their qualifying questions.

From a book proposal, agents and publishers must get a quick, strong indication that:

• You have a viable book idea.
• Your book’s subject matter fits their list.
• You are qualified to write the book.
• You write clearly.
• You are well organized.
• You are committed to your book project.
• You have thoroughly thought through the book project.
• You will vigorously promote your book.

Unless you’re a superstar, a noted celebrity, or an established author who is a proven commodity, book proposals are the litmus tests for agents and publishers. They are the rite of passage that authors must pass in order to enter the hallowed literary halls. Book proposals are the ticket for your admission into the authors’ guild.

Author Tactics

The two most important keys to writing a successful book proposal are having a positive attitude and being disciplined.

Have a Positive Attitude.

If you want your book to reach the market, understand that the proposal is a necessary evil that you must complete. Adopt a positive attitude because your negativity could seep into or otherwise affect your writing and scare agents and publishers away.

Instead of resenting the fact that you have to write a formulaic proposal and fighting it, think of your proposal as an opportunity to demonstrate your talent and expertise. See it as the chance to strut your stuff, to wow agents and publishers and knock them off their feet, and to make them compete to publish your work.

Use your passion for your book and its concepts to sell them. Let your proposal showcase your talent and help you shine.

Practice Discipline.

Proposals are tests that you must pass in order to convince a publisher to buy your book.

Understand the purpose of the proposal and focus on demonstrating to agents and publishers that you have the ability and fortitude to write a successful book in the context they want.

Agents and publishers are wary of high-maintenance writers who don’t follow the rules and cause them additional work. They know that dealing with such writers is frequently not cost-effective, can be time consuming, and certainly isn’t fun. So have the discipline to give them what they want and shape your ideas and approaches to fit seamlessly with their demands.

Robyn Says

Fortunately, most agents and editors are open-minded; the vast majority love and seek new ideas, expressions, and talent. They also are devoted to writing and books.

However, as we have previously emphasized, publishing is a business and many voices will take part in the decision regarding whether to publish your book. Many of those voices will be from the business and marketing world, and they will be primarily concerned with sales, numbers and profits.

Help editors to serve as your advocates and champions. Give them disciplined proposals that they can use as ammunition to convince their more business-minded colleagues about the benefits of publishing your book.