How To Write A Non Fiction Book Proposal That Sells

Gary Smailes
Gary Smailes | 3 December 2025
How to Write a Non-fiction Book Proposal That Sells

Essential Components of a Winning Book Proposal

Think of your book proposal as a business plan wrapped in a love letter. You need both the hard facts and the emotional pull. Skip either, and you lose the sale.

The seven pillars that hold up every proposal

Every winning proposal follows the same architecture. Publishers expect these elements, in this order:

Overview (2-3 pages): Your elevator pitch expanded. Hook, thesis, audience, and promise.

Market Analysis (2-3 pages): Who buys books like yours. How many. How often. What they spend.

Competitive Titles (2-4 pages): Four to six books that share your shelf space. What they do well. What they miss. How you fill the gap.

Marketing Plan (3-5 pages): Your promotional strategy with specifics. Names, dates, budgets.

Author Platform (2-3 pages): Your credentials and reach. Why you. Why now.

Chapter Outline (8-15 pages): Detailed summaries that show your book's flow and structure.

Sample Chapters (15-25 pages): Your best writing. Usually the introduction plus one strong representative chapter.

Total word count stays between 30-50 pages. Less feels thin. More feels indulgent.

Lead with the problem you solve

Your overview leads the entire proposal. Get this right, and editors keep reading. Get it wrong, and the rest won't matter.

Start with the problem your reader faces. Make it specific. Make it urgent.

Weak opening: "Productivity is important in today's fast-paced world."

Strong opening: "The average knowledge worker checks email 74 times per day and spends 28% of their workweek managing their inbox, according to McKinsey research. Meanwhile, 67% report feeling overwhelmed by their daily tasks. The productivity advice flooding the market focuses on time management tactics, but misses the real issue: decision fatigue from information overload."

Now you have their attention. Your book becomes the bridge between problem and solution.

Position your book as the answer to a question readers are already asking. Reference surveys, studies, news events, or cultural moments that prove the need exists. Then explain how your approach differs from everything else out there.

Answer the three crucial questions

Every editor evaluates proposals against the same three tests:

Why this book? Your unique angle or approach. The gap you fill. The perspective only you bring.

Why now? The cultural moment, trend, or urgency that makes this topic timely. Connect to current events, shifting attitudes, or emerging research.

Why you? Your credentials, experience, or access that qualifies you to write this specific book.

Answer all three in your overview. Support each with evidence.

Example: "Why this book? While most financial advice targets high earners, 43% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, including households earning $100,000+. Why now? Inflation and housing costs have made traditional budgeting obsolete for middle-income families. Why me? As a certified financial planner who spent five years counseling families through bankruptcy, I've seen which strategies work when resources are tight."

Connect your personal story to the larger need. Show the intersection of your expertise and the reader's problem.

Length and format matter more than you think

Aim for 35-45 pages. This length signals serious preparation without overwhelming busy editors.

Page 30: Too brief. Suggests you haven't done the research.

Page 55: Too long. Shows you don't respect their time.

Page 40: Perfect. Comprehensive but focused.

Professional formatting means:

Create a table of contents. Number your pages consecutively. Use the same font throughout.

Print a test copy. Does it look like something you would want to read? Fix what feels off.

Submission guidelines are non-negotiable

Every agent and publisher posts specific requirements. Follow them exactly.

They want email? Send email.

They want postal mail? Print and post.

They want PDF attachments? Convert everything.

They want pasted text in the body? Copy and paste.

They want specific subject lines? Use their exact format.

Ignore their preferences, and you signal that you don't pay attention to details. Not the impression you want to make.

Check their client list or recent catalog. Reference specific titles they represent or publish. Show you've done your homework.

"I'm reaching out because you represent Sarah Wilson, whose 'I Quit Sugar' helped millions change their relationship with food. My book takes a similar practical approach to financial wellness for families living paycheck to paycheck."

This proves you understand their taste and market position. You're not mass-mailing every agent in the directory.

Tailor without overthinking

Personalization works, but keep it simple. Mention one specific title they represent that connects to your book. Explain the connection in one sentence. Move on.

Research their recent sales, client interviews, or wishlist posts. Look for clues about what they want to see.

Agent tweets: "Looking for prescriptive nonfiction with strong hooks and built-in audiences."

Your response: Reference their tweet and explain how your book fits.

Publisher announcement: "Expanding our wellness list with practical guides for busy professionals."

Your response: Position your book within their wellness strategy.

One personalized paragraph per query. Spend your time on the proposal itself, not crafting elaborate connection stories.

A simple quality test

Before you submit, ask yourself:

If any answer is no, fix that section before you send anything.

Read the proposal out loud. Mark sections that feel bumpy or unclear. Get feedback from someone in your target audience.

Your proposal competes against hundreds of others. Make every page count. Show the editor exactly why your book deserves a place on their list and in readers' hands.

The proposal is your audition. Make it impossible to ignore.

Crafting a Compelling Overview and Hook

Your overview is the make-or-break moment. Agents read hundreds of proposals. Editors juggle acquisition meetings all week. You get one shot to grab their attention before they move to the next submission.

Think of your opening like a movie trailer. Show the best scenes. Create urgency. Make them want more.

Start with a hook that stops the scroll

Skip the throat-clearing. No background context. No gentle warm-up. Hit them with your strongest material in the first sentence.

Surprising statistics work when they connect to human experience:

"American families throw away $1,500 worth of food each year, yet 38 million people struggle with hunger nationwide."

Compelling anecdotes work when they illustrate the larger problem:

"When Maria opened her kitchen cabinet to make dinner, she found expired pasta sauce, stale crackers, and three different half-empty bottles of olive oil. She had no idea what to cook. This scene plays out in millions of kitchens every night, despite grocery budgets that would have fed a family of four comfortably just a generation ago."

Provocative questions work when they challenge assumptions:

"What if the productivity advice that promises to save time is the reason you feel more overwhelmed than ever?"

Your hook should make editors think: "I need to know more about this." Test your opening on friends. If they shrug, try again.

Define your unique angle immediately

After the hook, explain what makes your book different. Not better. Different.

Every category has dozens of books. Productivity has hundreds. Parenting has thousands. Your job is to carve out your specific territory and defend why it matters.

Use this formula: "Unlike [existing approaches], this book [your approach] by [your method]."

Examples:

State your promise clearly. What transformation will readers experience? What problem will disappear? What skill will they gain?

Be specific. "Feel better" is vague. "Reduce decision fatigue by 40% within 30 days" is concrete.

Lead with your thesis, support with evidence

Your central argument belongs in paragraph two or three. Make it bold. Make it clear. Make it defensible.

Weak thesis: "Work-life balance is important for modern professionals."

Strong thesis: "The pursuit of work-life balance creates more stress than it solves because it treats work and life as competing forces rather than integrated parts of a meaningful existence."

Follow your thesis with proof points. Reference studies, surveys, expert opinions, or cultural shifts that support your position.

"This approach is supported by recent research from Stanford's Center for Professional Development, which found that professionals who integrated work and personal values reported 23% higher job satisfaction and 18% lower burnout rates compared to those who maintained strict work-life boundaries."

Build your case methodically. Each piece of evidence should strengthen your argument and increase editor confidence in your expertise.

Know your reader with precision

"General interest readers" is the kiss of death. Agents need to visualize your buyer walking into a bookstore. Editors need to know which shelf your book belongs on.

Get specific about demographics and psychographics:

Demographics: Age range, income level, education, geographic location, family status.

Psychographics: Values, interests, buying behavior, media consumption, pain points.

Reading habits: Where they buy books, how they discover titles, what formats they prefer.

Strong audience description:

"Primary readers are college-educated women, ages 28-45, with household incomes of $50,000-$100,000. They're juggling career advancement with family responsibilities, spending 6+ hours daily on screens for work. They buy 3-4 nonfiction books annually, discover titles through podcasts and social media recommendations, and prefer practical guides they finish within two weeks. Secondary readers include their partners and female colleagues facing similar challenges."

This description tells agents exactly who to pitch. It tells editors exactly how to market. It tells sales teams exactly which accounts to target.

Research your audience through surveys, social media groups, book reviews, and competitor analysis. Know their language. Understand their frustrations. Address their specific situation.

Connect to the cultural moment

Timeliness sells books. Your topic might be evergreen, but your angle should feel urgent and relevant.

What's happening right now that makes your book necessary?

Connect your book to these larger trends without being heavy-handed:

"The rise of remote work has eliminated natural boundaries between professional and personal life, leaving millions of workers struggling to maintain focus and motivation without traditional office structures. This book provides the framework remote workers need to create structure, accountability, and satisfaction in their new work environment."

Reference news events, viral conversations, or emerging research that supports your book's relevance. Show editors this topic is part of the zeitgeist.

Paint the vision of impact

Close your overview with the transformation your book will create. Think bigger than individual reader benefits. How will your book change the conversation? Influence the field? Shift behavior at scale?

"Readers who implement this system will reclaim an average of 90 minutes daily while reducing decision fatigue and increasing creative output. But the larger impact extends beyond individual productivity. As more professionals model integrated living, we'll see a cultural shift away from hustle culture toward sustainable success, benefiting families, communities, and organizations nationwide."

Connect personal transformation to societal change. Show the ripple effect. Demonstrate lasting value beyond the initial read.

Your vision should be ambitious but realistic. Publishers want books that start conversations, not just solve problems.

Test your overview against these benchmarks

Before you submit, evaluate your overview:

Hook test: Does the opening sentence make you want to read more?

Uniqueness test: Does your angle feel fresh, not recycled?

Evidence test: Do your supporting facts come from credible sources?

Audience test: Does your reader description feel like a real person?

Relevance test: Does your timing argument connect to current events?

Vision test: Does your impact statement feel achievable but significant?

Read your overview aloud. Mark any sentences that sound awkward or unclear. Get feedback from someone in your target audience.

Your overview sets the tone for your entire proposal. Make it impossible to ignore. Show editors exactly why this book needs to exist and why you're the person to write it.

The best overviews feel like conversations with smart friends who happen to have fascinating insights about important topics. Write with authority, but skip the academic jargon. Teach without preaching. Inform without overwhelming.

Get the overview right, and editors will read every word that follows.

Market Analysis and Competitive Research

Editors look for proof of demand. A sharp market analysis provides proof. Strong comps show where the book fits, who buys books in this space, and why your take belongs on the shelf.

Pick the right comps

Choose 4 to 6 titles from the last 3 to 5 years. Focus on shared audience or approach, not only shared topic. A mindset book might compete with a habits book if readers shop the same aisle.

Skip runaway outliers from ten years ago. A giant bestseller from a past cycle will not help much. Also avoid obscure self-published titles with no sales signal. Aim for books with credible publishers or clear traction.

Where to find options:

Present each comp with clarity

Give agents quick context, then show your edge. Use a repeatable format.

For each comp:

Example set for a hypothetical burnout guide for physicians:

  1. The Burnout Fix, Jacinta Jiménez, McGraw-Hill, 2021

    Positioning: Resilience tools for busy professionals across industries.

    Strengths: Evidence-based frameworks. Practical exercises.

    Gaps: Broad audience, limited medical context. Minimal discussion of hospital systems.

    Your fit: A physician-focused manual with system-level tactics and peer case studies.

  2. Why We Are Restless, Zoller and Capaldi, Princeton, 2021

    Positioning: Philosophical roots of modern restlessness.

    Strengths: Intellectual depth. Cultural analysis.

    Gaps: Limited prescriptive guidance. No clinical application.

    Your fit: Practical protocols for clinicians, informed by research, designed for daily use.

  3. The Long Fix, Vivian Lee, PublicAffairs, 2020

    Positioning: Health system reform, leadership view.

    Strengths: Insider perspective. Policy-level solutions.

    Gaps: Aimed at administrators, not frontline physicians. Limited habit change tools.

    Your fit: Bridge system insights with personal workflow change for individual clinicians.

Add sales signals where available

Numbers reduce guesswork. Use public sources and label estimates.

Example line:

The Burnout Fix, Amazon rank 14,500 overall on March 10, Health and Stress Management top 50, 1,200 reviews, 4.6 stars. Signals ongoing demand for workplace burnout solutions.

Avoid overpromising. If sales look modest, focus on positioning and gaps instead of numbers.

Explain the gap you fill

Editors need a clean contrast. Write a wedge statement for each comp.

Fill-in-the-blank template:
Where [Title] speaks to [audience or angle], this book speaks to [your narrower or different audience], with [distinct method], leading to [clear outcome].

Examples:

Map the broader market

Place your book in a living category, not a void. Show awareness of shifts and shelf neighbors.

Ways to spot trends:

Summarize a few signals in plain language:

Tie those signals to your angle in one line:

This proposal aligns with sustained interest in clinician well-being, while offering a narrower, more tactical path than broad resilience books.

Include complements, not only competitors

Editors picture a shelf. Add titles readers buy alongside yours. These do not compete, yet they validate audience behavior.

Examples for a leadership book:

List two or three, then explain shared readers or use cases.

Strike the tone: confident and grounded

A balanced voice builds trust. Use language that respects strong competition, then pivots to your distinct value.

Try lines like:

Avoid swipes at respected authors. Show range knowledge. Show respect. Then show difference.

A quick one-hour comp audit

Set a timer for 60 minutes and run this workflow:

    Building Your Author Platform and Credibility

    Editors buy authority as much as ideas. Platform proves readers listen and show up. You need proof in two forms, expertise and reach.

    Lead with proof, not a life story

    Start with the strongest credential linked to the topic. One line wins more trust than a page of biography.

    Use a tight formula:

    • Role and expertise
    • Where your work appears or who you serve
    • One measurable result

    Example:

    • Board-certified dermatologist. Contributor to The Cut and JAMA Dermatology. Treated 9,000 acne patients, with a clinic waitlist of six months.

    If your background is less traditional, anchor to outcomes:

    • Community organizer focused on food access. Built a newsletter for caregivers to 18,000 subscribers. Programs adopted by three school districts.

    Avoid long origin tales. Save narrative for the sample chapter.

    Quantify reach with clean numbers

    List audiences by channel. Keep the format consistent. Use current totals, then note growth rate if strong.

    • Email list: 14,200 subscribers. 46 percent average open. 7 percent click.
    • LinkedIn: 38,400 followers. Average 45,000 impressions per post over 90 days.
    • Instagram: 22,100 followers. Stories reach 8,000 views per week.
    • Podcast: 120,000 lifetime downloads. 6,000 per recent episode.
    • Speaking: 18 events in the past year. Average audience 350. Keynotes for SHRM, ASU, and Blue Cross.
    • Media: Features in NPR, Vox, and The Atlantic in 2024. TV segments on WGN and KTVU.

    Round numbers only if precise counts fluctuate. Provide screenshots on request, not in the proposal.

    Show a track record of publishing

    Editors want proof of voice in the wild. Lead with recognized outlets, then add niche sites that serve your exact reader.

    • Harvard Business Review, "Stop Running 1:1s Like Status Meetings," June 2024
    • Wired, "The Hidden Cost of Always-On Notifications," March 2023
    • Journal of Nutrition, coauthor, "Ultra-Processed Foods and Satiety," 2022
    • Blog, 45 posts in the past year, average 3,100 views each

    Two tips:

    • Add one line on reach if impressive. Example, HBR piece reached 180,000 views in week one.
    • Link titles in a digital proposal. For print, include a short link.

    No clips yet? Publish three targeted pieces before you submit. One major outlet. One respected trade venue. One post on your own site that earns email signups.

    Borrow trust through endorsements

    Endorsements de-risk a first-time author. Use names your audience knows, or institutional authority.

    What to include:

    Sample entries:

    • "Smart, usable, and humane." Adam Grant, author of Hidden Potential, confirmed blurb for launch.
    • "Reduced our ticket backlog by 34 percent in 60 days." CTO, Series B startup, pilot reader.

    How to ask, briefly:

    • Send a tight email, 150 words.
    • State who you are.
    • Share one sentence on the book.
    • Offer a deadline and a short excerpt.

    Make it easy. Provide a few sample lines, and permission to edit.

    Map your marketing network

    Show where you will reach readers beyond your own channels. Name names.

    Give numbers when possible. If a partner orders in bulk during launch, state volume range and past order sizes.

    Address gaps with a growth plan

    Be candid and specific. Then present a plan with time frames and targets.

    Sample six-month plan before launch:

    • Email list. Add 8,000 subscribers through a free toolkit and two webinars. Target cost per subscriber, 1.20 dollars.
    • Speaking. Book 12 paid events tied to the book topic. Focus on trade associations and health systems.
    • Media. Place two op-

      Marketing Strategy and Promotion Plan

      Publishers bet money on books they believe authors will push. Your marketing plan proves you understand this business partnership. Show tactics, not wishful thinking.

      Start with actionable tactics, not vague promises

      Editors skip over marketing sections filled with "I will leverage social media." They want to see you've done the homework. List specific actions with contact names and submission requirements.

      Media outreach sample:

      Partnership strategies with proof:

      • Corporate workshops: Piloted content with Google, Salesforce, and Johnson & Johnson. Each paid 12,000 dollars for half-day sessions. Will offer book-tied programs to 50 Fortune 500 companies.
      • Professional associations: Scheduled presentations at Society for Human Resource Management annual conference (18,000 attendees) and Project Management Institute chapter meetings (combined reach 45,000 members).
      • Online course tie-in: Partnership confirmed with Udemy. Course launches with book. Revenue split 70/30, targeting 5,000 enrollments at 199 dollars each.

      Research submission preferences and contact details

      Do the legwork editors wish all authors would do. Show you understand how media works.

      Sample research format:

      • Wall Street Journal, Work & Life section: Pitches to rachel.feintzeig@wsj.com. Prefers 200-word email pitch with author bio. Tuesday submissions get fastest response. Focus on data-driven workplace trends.
      • The Today Show: Books segment produced by Sarah Lucero. Requires 3-month advance notice. Needs compelling visual element or demonstration. Best fit during back-to-work January or productivity-focused September.
      • Harvard Business Review: Editorial calendar shows "Leadership in Crisis" theme for March 2025. Aligns with Chapter 4 content. Submission deadline: December 15, 2024.

      Add a line on warm connections when available:

      • Introduction to Forbes contributor via mutual connection at Wharton alumni network, scheduled for October 2024.

      Tie promotions to calendar events and news cycles

      Smart authors ride waves they don't create. Connect your book to predictable moments when your topic gets attention.

      Awareness month tie-ins:

      • Mental Health Awareness Month (May): Op-ed placement in USA Today on workplace stress. Webinar series with corporate wellness programs.
      • National Small Business Week (May): Podcast tour focused on entrepreneur mental health. Target shows like Smart Passive Income and The $100 MBA.

      Conference scheduling:

      • SXSW (March): Applied for wellness panel. Decision expected October 2024. Average panel reach 2,000 attendees plus online streaming.
      • TED@Work events (quarterly): Submitted talk proposal "Why Productivity Culture is Killing Productivity." Backup plan for TEDx applications at USC, University of Chicago.

      News cycle planning:

      • Annual workplace stress surveys (January-February): Prepare reactive commentary with statistics from book research.
      • Back-to-school workplace transitions (August-September): Parent-focused media angles on work-life balance.

      Map a realistic timeline with sustained effort

      Publishers want to see commitment beyond launch week. Detail specific activities with dates and metrics.

      Pre-publication (6 months out):

      • Month 1: Record 12 podcast interviews. Target mid-tier shows with 10,000-50,000 listeners each.
      • Month 2: Place 3 op-eds in target publications. Submit to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc.
      • Month 3: Speaking tour kicks off. 8 confirmed events, targeting 200-person average audience.
      • Months 4-6: Social media content calendar. LinkedIn posts 3x weekly, Instagram stories daily, newsletter to 15,000 subscribers bi-weekly.

      Launch month tactics:

      • Week 1: Media blitz. 15 scheduled interviews, 4 major podcast releases, 2 TV segments confirmed.
      • Week 2: Virtual book tour. 8 bookstore events via Zoom, 3 corporate lunch-and-learns.
      • Weeks 3-4: Partnership activations. Course launches, bulk sales push, association newsletter features.

      Post-launch sustainability (months 2-12):

      • Monthly speaking target: 6 paid events, average fee 7,500 dollars.
      • Quarterly content: Guest posts in 4 major publications per quarter.
      • Annual conference

        Chapter Structure and Sample Content

        A strong chapter plan shows editors the spine of your book. Clear flow, clear purpose, clear payoffs. Every chapter moves the argument forward.

        Design a logical arc

        Think through the reader’s journey from problem to payoff. A simple arc works well:

        • Define the problem readers face.
        • Offer a framework.
        • Prove it with research and cases.
        • Show application with step-by-step guidance.
        • Address pushback and pitfalls.
        • End with momentum into the next chapter.

        Quick example for a book on attention and productivity:

        Proposed length: 65,000 words total. Twelve chapters at 4,500 to 5,500 words each. Front and back matter not included in this count.

        Chapter-by-chapter overview:

        1. The Attention Tax, 4,800 words. The hidden cost of constant switching. Stakes, data overview, promise of relief.
        2. How Focus Works, 5,200 words. Plain-English brain science, why focus feels hard, core framework.
        3. Start With Clarity, 5,000 words. Goals, constraints, and a daily planning model.
        4. The Workday Reset, 5,100 words. Time blocking, batching, and decision rules.
        5. Quiet the Noise, 4,700 words. Email, chat, and notification protocols. Manager and team options.
        6. Deep Work in Teams, 5,300 words. Collaboration rhythms, meeting rules, shared norms.
        7. Sustaining Energy, 4,900 words. Sleep, movement, food. Practical routines, not perfection.
        8. Tools Without Overload, 4,600 words. Software choices, minimal stacks, when to switch.
        9. Leading by Example, 5,300 words. Manager scripts, policy shifts, culture wins.
        10. Pitfalls and Relapses, 4,800 words. Setbacks, travel, caregiving, crunch times.
        11. Measurement That Matters, 4,700 words. Simple metrics, before-and-after reviews, course corrections.
        12. The Long Game, 5,100 words. Integration, seasonal planning, scaling across teams.

        Each summary states purpose, method, and payoff. One sentence on evidence used. One sentence on practical tools.

        Mini exercise:

        • Write one line on purpose, one on method, one on payoff for each chapter.
        • Read them out loud. If a chapter sounds like a rerun, merge or cut.

        Choose the right sample chapters

        Most proposals include:

        • Introduction. Hook, promise, proof of voice.
        • One core chapter from early or mid book. Something with a full teachable unit.
        • Optional second chapter. Pick a contrasting mode, such as a case-rich chapter if the first leans research heavy.

        Strong choices:

        • A chapter with a clear before-and-after example.
        • A chapter with a repeatable framework.
        • A chapter with stakes and emotion, not only tips.

        Weaker choices:

        • A heavily technical chapter with no story.
        • A chapter that leans on graphics you have not produced.
        • A late chapter that relies on concepts never introduced.

        Make those chapters print-ready

        Polish like your deal depends on it. Often, it does.

        Quality checklist:

        • Opening: a scene or sharp question within the first 150 words.
        • Claim: one clear thesis sentence early on.
        • Evidence: named sources, dates, page numbers or links in endnotes.
        • Voice: active verbs, short sentences mixed with longer ones for flow.
        • Structure: subheads every 700 to 900 words. Logical breaks.
        • Clarity: no throat clearing. Cut warm-ups and repeat lines.
        • Credibility: accurate quotes, permission secured for any private stories.
        • Finish: a summary and a next step, not a vague fade-out.

        Line edit pass:

        • Replace abstractions with one concrete example.
        • Swap jargon for plain English. Define any term in five words.
        • Change passive to active where sense allows.
        • Trim 10 percent on a final pass. Tight beats clever.

        Balance research with accessibility

        Editors look for expertise, plus readability. A simple sequence keeps readers with you:

        • Hook. A person or moment.
        • Claim. One sentence.
        • Evidence. Studies, data, or expert quotes in plain terms.
        • Example. A case, with names and outcomes when possible.
        • Action. A simple step, worksheet, or rule to try.

        Example paragraph move:

        • Instead of writing, “Studies show multitasking harms output,” start with a brief scene of a manager trying to answer email in a meeting. Then state the claim. Then bring in one study with a clear stat. Close with one step for the next meeting.

        Aim for one citation every few pages, not a pile-up. Park references in endnotes. Use callouts for definitions and quick wins.

        Add value with sidebars and extras

        Non-fiction sells on utility. Show the extras you plan to include, and how they help.

        Menu of elements:

        • Sidebars with “Try this today” actions.
        • Checklists at chapter ends.
        • Case studies with measurable outcomes.
        • Templates, scripts, or email language.
        • Short quizzes to diagnose a problem.
        • Framework diagrams with plain labels.
        • Links to downloadable worksheets via a simple URL.

        Flag them in sample chapters like this:

        [SIDEBAR: Three rules for a sane inbox]

        [CHECKLIST: Weekly review in 10 minutes]

        [CASE STUDY: How Acme cut meetings by 30 percent]

        Each add-on should do one job. Teach a skill, speed a decision, or reduce friction.

        Make pacing visible

        Editors want to see book rhythm before a contract. Give approximate lengths and show variety.

        Include:

        • Estimated word count per chapter, as shown above.
        • Indicators for heavier research chapters versus lighter application chapters.
        • Notes on visual elements, such as one figure in Chapters 2, 5, and 11.

        If a chapter runs long, explain why. For example, Chapter 6 includes three team models, each with scripts and a case.

        A quick road test

        Before you submit, try one neutral read:

        • Hand your introduction and one chapter to a smart reader outside your field.
        • Ask two questions. Where did attention drift. Where did you want more help.
        • Give yourself one day, then revise.

        Strong chapters prove promise, voice, and value. Strong structure proves you know where the book goes. Do both, and you make an editor’s decision easy.

        Frequently Asked Questions

        How long should a book proposal be and what is the ideal page count?

        The sweet spot for a non-fiction book proposal is roughly 35–45 pages, with an overall range of 30–50 pages. That typically gives you room for a 2–3 page overview, market analysis, competitive titles, a 3–5 page marketing plan, a 2–3 page author platform, an 8–15 page chapter outline and 15–25 pages of sample chapters.

        Think quality over bulk: publishers want evidence you’ve done the homework, not extra padding. Format professionally (12pt serif, 1.5 spacing, consistent headers) and print a test copy to check readability before submission.

        What makes a compelling overview and hook for a book proposal?

        Start with a single sentence that stops the scroll: a striking statistic, vivid anecdote or provocative question that immediately frames the reader’s problem. Follow quickly with your thesis and the specific transformation your book delivers — use a “Unlike X, this book does Y by Z” formula to declare your unique angle.

        Support the hook with evidence and a tightly defined reader profile. Be concrete about outcomes (for example, "reduce decision fatigue by 40% in 30 days") and tie the book to the current cultural moment so editors can see both urgency and market fit.

        How do I choose and present competitive titles for a book proposal?

        Pick 4–6 comps published in the last three to five years that share audience or approach rather than only topic. For each give title, author, publisher and year, then list strengths, gaps, and one sentence on how your book fills that gap. This format makes it quick for an editor to understand market placement.

        Add sales signals where available — Amazon rank, review counts or NPD BookScan estimates — and include complementary titles readers buy alongside yours to show shelf neighbours and purchasing behaviour.

        What should a publisher-ready marketing plan include?

        Give actionable tactics with names, dates and realistic metrics: target media outlets and contact notes, podcast targets with submission requirements, confirmed speaking bureaus or corporate partners, and a calendar of seasonal tie-ins. Concrete items beat vague promises like “I will use social media.”

        Show a six-month pre-publication timeline, launch week activities and a post-launch sustainability plan. Where possible, quantify reach (email list size, average impressions, past speaking attendance) and state clear goals such as target enrollments for an accompanying course or expected bulk-sale ranges.

        How do I demonstrate author platform and credibility in the proposal?

        Lead with one tight credential tied to your subject, then quantify reach across channels: email list size and engagement, social follower counts and typical impressions, podcast download numbers, speaking history and notable media clips. Use current totals and note growth metrics if strong.

        If you lack traditional clips, show outcome-based proof such as program adoption, course alumni numbers or measurable client results. Include confirmed blurbs or advisory roles where possible and list partners who can drive bulk or institutional sales.

        Which sample chapters should I include and how should I prepare them?

        Include the Introduction plus one strong representative chapter, and optionally a contrasting second chapter. Choose chapters that contain a clear teachable unit, a vivid hook, and a strong before-and-after example. These should showcase voice, evidence and practical takeaways.

        Polish sample chapters to near-print quality: open with a scene or sharp question, present a one-sentence claim, support with named sources or case studies, add useful subheads and a short action step, and run a final line edit to tighten prose and remove warm-ups.

        How should I format and submit my proposal to agents or publishers?

        Follow each agent or publisher’s submission guidelines exactly. Use a professional layout (12pt serif font, 1.5 spacing, 1-inch margins), include a table of contents and page numbers, and deliver in the requested format (PDF, pasted text, or postal packet). Customise one short paragraph to show you know the agent’s taste by referencing a recent title they represent.

        Never assume a one-size-fits-all approach. If they ask for pasted text in the email body, paste. If they want attachments, attach. Small compliance signals attention to detail and increases the chance your proposal gets read.

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