{"id":3769,"date":"2015-12-08T06:58:59","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T14:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3769"},"modified":"2015-12-08T06:59:24","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T14:59:24","slug":"whats-the-most-important-part-of-a-book-proposal-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3769","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Most Important Part of a Book Proposal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most authors, as they strain and stress through the development of their book proposal, will wonder, Where should I put the most effort? What is the most important part of this darn thing? What aspect of it will impress a publisher most? These are valid questions and concerns. But you should also be asking, What do I need to know in order to produce a successful book?<\/em><\/p>\n

As I wrote my second major book on how to write a successful book proposal, these questions were foremost on my mind, because I know they are (or should be) foremost on yours. But the answer isn\u2019t all that straightforward. Just as there is no simple response to the question, \u201cWhat\u2019s the best way to publish a book?\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s the best way to promote a book?\u201d the answer depends on the project and the author.<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s all on you. I stress that you\u2014the author\u2014must consider yourself the CEO of your book from start to finish and beyond. Sure there\u2019s help, but it\u2019s still up to you to find it, digest it, and make decisions based on what\u2019s right for you and for your project.<\/p>\n

So what is the most important part of a book proposal? Which section is most instrumental in swaying an agent or publisher? Which aspect of the book proposal will help the author experience publishing success? It depends. Not the answer you wanted, is it? But if you hang with me, you might discover the keys to your particular, specific, and personal publishing success.<\/p>\n

First, the fact that you\u2019re interested in writing a book proposal is an excellent step in the right direction. The book proposal is to an author what a business plan is to an entrepreneur. And it\u2019s just as important. But you already know that. And there may be a section in your book proposal that is more critical or significant than the others, but it may not be the same for all authors and it might not even be what you think it is. Here\u2019s a concept I want you to embrace.<\/p>\n

If you are developing a book proposal for a publisher, keep in mind that he is most interested in his bottom line.<\/p>\n

He wants you to demonstrate, through your proposal, the elements that might ensure the success of your book. He wants you to show him the money\u2014or to show him where it\u2019s going to come from. What makes your book a potential success? And don\u2019t waste his time with your wishful thinking and guesstimations. This is where your power as the CEO of your book should be evident through stringent research, accurate statistics, and smart decisions. You need to make a case for your book in a way that will be meaningful to that particular publisher.<\/p>\n

For example, if this is the first book of its kind and you can prove that it is wanted\/needed by a specific group of people, you may get his attention through the market analysis section of your book proposal. That might be the strongest section of your proposal.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you are a professional in the topic of your book\u2014you have a huge following both through social media and personally throughout the US (or world). Then your platform will be the standout in your book proposal. Just be sure to embellish it with a concrete promotional plan\u2014don\u2019t leave anything to the publisher\u2019s imagination.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a first-time novelist, the focus may be in the storyline. You need to strut your stuff in the synopsis, but I\u2019d urge you to also do a whole lot of homework when it comes to marketing. Since you don\u2019t have a built-in audience who knows you as an author, it\u2019s important that you wow the publisher with your knowledge of the publishing industry and what it takes to market a book. Again, be specific\u2014no rambling about promotional possibilities. Research the best way to market a book in your genre, hone your skills in these areas, even practice these skills before completing your book proposal and bring the results to the table when you approach the publisher.<\/p>\n

I always recommend that an author write a book proposal before writing the book. If you don\u2019t plan to approach a publisher, that\u2019s even more reason to devise a book proposal. Remember, you are the CEO of your book. The book proposal will help you to determine if you have a book at all, who the primary and secondary audiences are, the best way to market a book of this type and some of the things you need to do to prepare. And it will help you to write the right book for the right audience.<\/p>\n

Do you want your book to go viral in the world of publishing? Then take charge. You are the only one who can make it happen.<\/p>\n

Patricia Fry is the author of 53 books, several of them are for authors. Her latest book, touted as \u201cvaluable,\u201d \u201ca must read,\u201d and \u201csubstantial,\u201d is Propose Your Book, How to Craft Persuasive Proposals for Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children\u2019s Books<\/em> (Allworth Press). This book features chapters specifically for memoirists, novelists and authors of self-help, travel, cookbooks, how-tos and more.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Propose-Your-Book-Persuasive-Nonfiction\/dp\/1621534677<\/a><\/p>\n

Learn more about Patricia here: www.matilijapress.com<\/a> and www.patriciafry.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most authors, as they strain and stress through the development of their book proposal, will wonder, Where should I put the most effort? What is the most important part of this darn thing? What aspect of it will impress a publisher most? These are valid questions and concerns. But you should also be asking, What […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t