A detailed document used to sell a nonfiction book to publishers before it's written, covering the concept, market, your qualifications, and sample chapters.
A book proposal is the standard way nonfiction books are sold to traditional publishers. Unlike novels, which typically need to be finished before submission, nonfiction books are often bought based on a proposal alone. A strong proposal includes an overview of the book's concept, a chapter-by-chapter outline, an analysis of competing titles, a marketing plan, your author bio and platform credentials, and one or two sample chapters. It's essentially a business case that convinces a publisher your book will sell.
If you're writing nonfiction and want a traditional publishing deal, the proposal is your ticket in. It's also genuinely useful even if you're self-publishing, because it forces you to think through your book's structure, audience, and market position before you spend months writing. The discipline of answering 'why this book, why you, why now' will sharpen your project whether or not a publisher ever sees it.
Cain's proposal was so thorough and her platform so established that it reportedly sold for a seven-figure advance. The proposal itself became a model taught in publishing courses.
Skloot spent years researching before crafting her proposal, which demonstrated both deep reporting and a compelling narrative structure that blended science, ethics, and family drama.
Clear's massive email newsletter and blog audience made his platform section incredibly strong, demonstrating built-in demand before the book existed.
The point of a proposal is to sell the book before you write it. If you've already written it, you're pitching a completed manuscript, which is a different process. Build the proposal early so you can course-correct based on editor feedback.
This tells publishers you haven't researched the market. There are always comparable titles. Identify them honestly and explain what makes your angle fresh.
Publishers want to know you can help sell the book. If your platform is small, be honest but show a growth plan. Start building your audience now, not after the book deal.
Fiction (with rare exceptions for established authors) must be completed before submission. If you're writing a novel, you need a finished manuscript, a query letter, and a synopsis instead.
Draft a one-page overview for a nonfiction book you'd love to write. Include: the central question or argument, who the target reader is, why you're the right person to write it, and why now is the right time. Don't worry about it being perfect. The goal is to practice condensing a big idea into a compelling pitch.