7 Steps to Mapping Out Your Nonfiction Book Proposal

Writing a nonfiction book proposal can feel almost as daunting as writing an entire book. However, most nonfiction books sell on proposal, so even if you already have a complete manuscript, it’s a good idea to have a 30- to 50-page book proposal ready to submit to agents and editors.

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As a developmental editor for WitchesofPitches.com, I often explain to clients that this can be one of the most difficult parts of the publishing process. The good news is that once you’ve completed your proposal, you will have likely further developed the narrative arc and themes of your story. It will also provide an opportunity to begin thinking about marketing and publicity for your book.

Follow these seven steps to map out your nonfiction book proposal.

This is the first, and maybe only, opportunity to hook a potential editor or agent. Your goal is to wow the reader from the very first sentence and make them want to find out more.

In this section you will introduce the important themes in your book and explain the narrative arc clearly and succinctly. Make sure to include major characters and plot points. Match the tone and voice of the proposal to your book so readers get to know who you are and what they can expect.

One way to think of the overview is to write it as though it were part of the synopsis that will appear on the jacket of your book. Begin with punchy text and end with a compelling summary that drives home the essence of what your book is about. The overview should be anywhere from a page and a half to two pages.

The “About the Author” section is no more than one double-spaced page that highlights how amazing you are. This is not the time to hold back on your accomplishments. Sing your praises and make sure the reader knows why you are uniquely qualified to write this book.

Before getting started, ask yourself what makes you an expert in this subject and then craft this section to highlight your experience. Include previous publications such as books and relevant clips and add links for easy accessibility. Discuss public speaking experience, especially if you’ve appeared on radio shows, podcasts, and television, and include awards and other accolades.

Make sure that the information is truthful and relevant. Don’t forget to include your author photo in this section!

One of the goals of publishing a book is to get it into the hands of as many readers as possible. The Marketing and Publicity section is where you show agents and publishers just how you plan to accomplish this. Discuss how you will reach out to the media, including editors of big publications. Mention people you’ve worked with and the relationships you’ve formed, and then discuss how they might help promote your book.

For example, perhaps you plan to contact an editor you’ve previously published with to see if you can submit an excerpt of your forthcoming book. You might have the name of a book reviewer that you’ve worked with in the past, or maybe you have a connection to a radio host. Think about all the networking you’ve done up until this point and how it will help you sell books.

If you have a big social media presence, or a monthly newsletter, make sure to include stats about engagement and the number of followers you have. If you are part of organizations where you can land big speaking engagements, or if you know people in the field you are writing about that will help you promote your book, this is the place to include it. This is also where you will list the people you plan to reach out to for blurbs, making sure to include their most recent publication.

In this section you will focus on identifying who your readers are and where your book will sit on the shelf in a bookstore. My book, Knocked Down: A High-Risk Memoir, is about motherhood, marriage, and a high-risk pregnancy. This covers a wide demographic of readers who have had similar experiences. In my proposal I break down my readership to women of childbearing age, mothers, people considering marriage, midwives, doulas, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.

Think about who your ideal reader is and why they will be interested in your book. Make sure to list similar books that your audience has read, so an editor can envision where yours will fit in the marketplace.

Including approximately five comparative titles in your proposal shows editors and agents that you’ve done your research and you know which books are already out there. List titles that are similar in theme to yours and have been published in the last three years. Use big author names, but don’t shy away from new authors whose books have done well, because this shows there is room for debut authors.

Respectfully include what these books are lacking if anything, and what yours does differently. In other words, make sure to explain how your book fills a gap in the market and why it’s an important addition to your genre.

In this section you will write one- or two-paragraph summaries for each chapter to show editors and agents that you have a well-thought-out map of your book. Your chapter summaries should focus on the most important and compelling information in each chapter.

Summaries should be concise and illustrate how the narrative arc of your story moves forward. Writing chapter summaries takes time, but it’s a great exercise that will ultimately help you tighten your storyline.

This section is where you finally get to show off your writing to editors and agents! Include about 20 pages of polished sample material that will highlight your narrative arc. These should be your most gripping action-packed chapters, so choose wisely—and remember, the goal here is to keep the reader turning pages and wanting more! Start with your opening chapter and then choose additional material that can stand on its own.

Writing a book proposal takes time, so don’t rush the process. Follow this step-by-step guide and share your proposal with others to get feedback before you submit. Be prepared to do a few rewrites! With a good proposal, you will not only have a better sense of your project, but you will be well on your way to selling your book to the right publisher. 

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