Tuesday Tip: Book Proposal for Novels

A good fiction book proposal should include the following:

1. Title: Be sure your title is one that will attract readers.
2. Synopsis: This is a short summary (generally one or two pages) of the novel. If you're unable to describe the major plot points this succinctly, you don't have a clear enough vision of the story. You need to be able to describe it in order to sell and, later, promote it.
3. Details: length, completion/delivery date
4. Chapter-by-chapter outline
5. Marketing: Who is your target audience? How do you plan to reach them? Do you have ideas on how to market your book?
6. Endorsements: Who can you ask to read and review your book? Contact authors who have written similar books and ask if they'd be willing to endorse your book.
7. Competition: Are there similar novels already in print? How are they selling? Is there room in the market for another one?
8. Author information: This can include anything you wish to highlight, such as where you live, your family, education, other publications, etc.
9. Sample chapters: It's standard to include the first three chapters.

Some authors may decide to include:

• discussion chapters
• future books in the series, if applicable