Create a Stand-Out Proposal

             It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you consider over 4,500 new books are published every day (including the self-published books). This number is especially challenging when you understand the average self-published book sells 40 to 200 copies during the lifetime of the book. On the traditional side of publishing, it has been estimated that a million proposals and submissions are in circulation at publishers and agents. Throughout my decades in publishing, I have reviewed thousands of submissions from authors. This is not an exaggeration.

            I believe you can break through these statistics, get a literary agent and a traditional publisher, if you pour the right work and effort into creating a book proposal. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction or children’s books or self-publish, every book needs a book proposal or business plan. Some of my agent friends receive hundreds of submissions each week. What makes a difference in your proposal to cut through the clutter and stand-out? Here’s four ways:

1 Excellent writing

It sounds “cliché” but it’s true excellent writing for any type of book is easy for any editor or agent to identify. In fact, as experienced readers of submissions, we can tell if your book is worth our time and effort in a matter of seconds. It sounds cruel and impossible but true. To stand apart from the others, you need to produce excellent writing and get professional feedback from others. One free way to process your writing is to become active in a critique group and process your writing before sending it to the editor or agent.

2 A memorable title

You can’t copyright a title but with Google and Amazon, it’s easy to research and see if others have used your title. Create one to five words which are unforgettable. Within your proposal, I recommend you include several outstanding titles and not just one. Writers will often not put much energy into their title because they believe the publisher will select the title. My experience has proven if you create a memorable title, it will make it through the entire publishing process. I’ve been in publishing title meetings where a whiteboard is filled with possible book titles, and group will select your book title. The author is not present in this meeting and your only input on the title is the work you put into your book proposal.

3 An author who can reach to their market

Every publisher expects the author to take 80% of the marketing responsibility for their book. How are you building your market presence in social media or with an email list or a blog? If you have a large email list (50,000) then your proposal will be separated from others on the editor’s desk. It takes author effort to gather such a list, but it can be done.

4 The unexpected proposal “extra”

Your proposal can include a foreword from someone well-known or endorsements from recognized celebrities. While these elements are rare in a proposal, if you have made this effort, your work will stand-out.

Get additional ideas using my free Book Proposal Checklist: http://terrylinks.com/bookcheck After creating your stand-out proposal, persist to reach the right editor or agent who will champion your book and snag you a publishing deal.    

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s recent book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief at Midwest Book Review wrote, “If you only have time to read one ‘how to’ guide to getting published, whether it be traditional publishing or self-publishing, “Book Proposals That Sell” is that one DIY instructional book.” At the book website, get a free book proposal checklist. Get his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.