Why Every Author Needs A Proposal—Even If You Self-publish

A New Year always brings a chance to start over and begin in a new direction. This year (2020) is especially different because everyone begins a new decade. Self-publishing is growing in leaps and bounds with 1.6 million self-published books last year. What is often NOT said about these books is that on average they sell 100-200 copies during the lifetime of the book.         

            Many people wrongly assume book proposals are only written to find a literary agent and go the traditional publishing route. From my experience after years in publishing, every author needs to create a book proposal—whether they are writing fiction or nonfiction—whether they are going to a traditional publisher or going to self-publish.

            I understand self-publishing is throughout the publishing community. Authors can take action with no screening or review process. Nor do you have to create a book proposal or find a literary agent. Yet the average self-published book is competing for attention with thousands of other authors. Penny Sansevieri, CEO and Founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. in San Diego, said, “Remember there are over 4,500 new books published every day.” She got this number from several sources including R.R. Bowker (that issue ISBNs for books).

            Even if you self-publish, you need a book proposal to create the business plan for your book. As you write the various proposal elements, you will pinpoint the audience for your book, your marketing strategy how you will reach them, and why you are the best to write such a book. There are more details to a proposal included in my free Book Proposal Checklist. I write about this aspect in much more detail in my new book, 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. In fact, self-publishing is one of my chapters in the book: Myth: Self Publishing Is the Best Way to Get My Book Out into the Market. You can get a taste of the book and the 11^th Publishing Myth (not in the book) at this link.   

Many writers resist the hard work to craft an excellent proposal. I’ve written many proposals and understand the hard work that goes into creating each one. When completed, you will have a solid plan for your book and a path to success. If you do the work, you will be equipped with your plan to write and sell your book to a specific hungry audience.

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. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. He answers to your proposal questions at: www.AskAboutProposals.com.

Check out 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.