Do you have a book manuscript almost ready to go? Do you have a book idea, but you haven’t started the writing, yet? If you haven’t done so already, it is time to write a book proposal.
Why do you need a book proposal? Many publishers—I would venture to say that most publishers—require a book proposal today. But even if you don’t plan to go the traditional publisher route, you really should write a book proposal for yourself.
You may not have come to terms with this concept, yet. But publishing is a business and your book, if you hope to sell more than a few copies, must be considered a product. A book proposal, then, is a business plan for your book.
You need to determine, for example, if there is a need for a book like yours, if it is a valid product, whether or not there is a solid audience for the book, where this audience is and the best way to approach them. You need to know the market—what other books are out there like your book? How does yours compare/differ? You must be aware of your platform—what you can bring to the table to generate sales. And you need a viable marketing plan.
You want to know that your book idea actually is a good idea and not a bulldozer book (one written for an audience who really doesn’t care). You need to make sure that your nonfiction book is not too unique (is there actually a market for it?) and that it offers something other similar books do not (it hasn’t been overdone). For fiction, you need to know that there are readers out there for a book in this genre and style.
The book proposal process will help you to make better decisions on behalf of your book. In this competitive publishing climate, it is crucial that authors understand and can navigate the whole complex world of publishing and book marketing.
I am starting my 8-week, online Book Proposal Course TODAY. Sign up this week and I’ll email class number one immediately. The second class will arrive in your email box on Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
Learn more about this popular and successful course here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm
It’s $200. At the end of the 8 weeks (or sooner, if you want to take the accelerated route), you could end up with a complete book proposal to start showing around to agents and/or publishers. And you will definitely have a better grasp of your book project, how it will fit into the market (or not), what you have going for you as far as marketing skills and which skills you need to develop and so much more.
Sign up today.