Where to start? What are you pitching?

Narrative-Driven Nonfiction

• A narrative about yourself (memoir or autobiography)
• A narrative about someone else (biography)
• A narrative about something (broadly called narrative nonfiction; Hillbilly Elegy. by J. D. Vance, or In Cold Blood. by Truman Capote)

Information-Driven Nonfiction

• A prescriptive book (a book that helps the reader learn or do something better, such as a how-to, self-help, or business book)
• Reference books
• An illustrated book or photography

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How do you write a proposal letter or query for Nonfiction?

Narrative-Driven Nonfiction

• Personalization: Customize your opening introduction to familiarize the recipient.
• What you’re selling: genre/category, word count, title/subtitle
• Hook: a compelling description of the narrative and your pitch.
• Target readership: who will buy this book and why? (Be specific)
• Your bio, platform, and credentials (especially those credentials that reinforce your expertise on the topic of your manuscript)
• Thank you, and closing.

Information-Driven Nonfiction

• Personalization: Customize your opening introduction to familiarize the recipient.
• What you’re selling: genre/category, word count, title/subtitle
• What makes your book unique, or its unique selling proposition
• Target readership: who will buy this book and why? (Whom do you see as your audience? Be specific.)
• Your bio, platform, and credentials (especially those credentials  that reinforce your expertise on the topic of your manuscript)
• Thank you, and closing.

Example of a Book Pitch:

Title: A Christmas Carol
Genre: Classic Gothic Fantasy

Logline:
On a cold Christmas Eve, a miserly old man is visited by three spirits who force him to confront his past, present, and future—giving him one last chance to redeem his soul before it’s too late.

Synopsis:

The Premise: In Victorian London, where the gap between wealth and poverty is stark, Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but heartless businessman, despises Christmas and human kindness. One fateful night, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of a terrible fate unless he changes his ways.

The Characters:

Ebenezer Scrooge – A bitter, greedy old man who values money above all else.

Bob Cratchit – Scrooge’s underpaid and overworked clerk, struggling to support his family.

Tiny Tim – Bob Cratchit’s sickly but kind-hearted son whose fate depends on Scrooge’s actions.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come – Three spectral guides reveal to Scrooge the truth of his life and what lies ahead if he does not change.

The Conflict: Scrooge is forced to relive his past regrets, witness the hardships of those around him, and glimpse the lonely, doomed future that awaits him. With time running out, he must decide whether to embrace compassion and generosity or remain the cold-hearted miser he has always been.

The Story: A haunting yet uplifting journey unfolds as Scrooge navigates his spectral encounters, seeing the ripple effects of his greed and cruelty. The visions shake him to his core, leading him to a profound transformation that culminates in a Christmas morning of redemption and newfound joy.

The Unique Element: The story blends gothic horror, morality tale, and holiday magic, delivering a timeless message about kindness, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas. Its ghostly elements and emotional depth set it apart from traditional holiday tales.

Why This Book Will Succeed:

Timeless Moral Message: The themes of redemption, generosity, and the consequences of greed remain deeply relevant.

Memorable Characters: Scrooge’s transformation is one of literature’s most iconic character arcs.

Atmospheric Storytelling: The blend of ghostly visions and the rich setting of Victorian London creates an unforgettable reading experience.

Broad Audience Appeal: This book is suitable for readers of all ages, from those seeking a heartwarming holiday tale to those who appreciate gothic and supernatural elements.

Enduring Legacy: The book’s message and structure make it perfect for adaptations across stage, film, and television, ensuring it remains a beloved classic for generations.

In Conclusion:
A Christmas Carol is more than just a holiday story—it is a powerful and haunting exploration of the human spirit. With its blend of eerie, ghostly encounters, deep emotional resonance, and ultimate message of hope and transformation, it has the potential to become a timeless classic that will be read and cherished for years to come.

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A query vs a proposal:

A query letter is a brief, persuasive introduction to a literary agent or publisher, while a book proposal is a more detailed, comprehensive document that provides a deeper dive into the book’s concept, market, and author’s qualifications.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Query Letter:

Purpose:

Get an agent or publisher’s attention and interest them in your book idea or manuscript.

Content:

• A brief summary of the book.
• Your author qualifications and experience.
• A request for the agent or publisher to consider your book.
• Often includes a pitch or hook to entice the agent to read more.
• Length: manuscript word count.
• Typically short, aiming for one page or less.

When to use:

For both fiction and non-fiction, but especially when you have a finished manuscript (for fiction) or a book proposal ready (for non-fiction).

Book Proposal:

Purpose:

To provide a more in-depth overview of the book and convince the agent or publisher that it is a worthwhile project.

Content:

• A detailed synopsis of the book.
• A market analysis, including the target audience and potential sales.
• An author platform and marketing plan.
• Sample chapters or a portion of the manuscript (for fiction).
• An author bio and any relevant credentials.
• Length:
• Typically longer, ranging from 20 to 30 pages.

When to use:

Primarily for non-fiction, but can also be used for fiction after a successful query letter.

In summary:

Fiction: You usually query with a short query letter and then, if successful, submit a book proposal (or a portion of the manuscript).

Non-fiction: You often query with a book proposal attached to your query letter.

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Writing a Book Proposal That Demands Attention

A book proposal isn’t just a formality; it’s your one shot to make publishers sit up and take notice. This is your battlefield, your moment to prove why your book needs to exist in the world. Publishers don’t just invest in books; they invest in authors with vision, drive, and a market-ready mindset. So, let’s cut through the fluff and get straight to crafting a proposal that commands attention.

Essential Elements of a Winning Book Proposal

1. Open with a Powerful Overview

Think of this as your elevator pitch on steroids. Within a few lines, you must make the publisher care. Give them the title, genre, and a gripping synopsis that highlights what makes your book irresistible. If they aren’t hooked here, they won’t read the rest.

2. Introduce Yourself—And Make It Count

This isn’t just about listing credentials. Publishers need to know why you, what makes you uniquely qualified to write this book? Share your expertise, experiences, and personal connections to the subject matter. If you have previous publications, awards, or an established audience, flaunt them.

3. Sell Your Book Like a Pro

Now’s the time to dive deeper. Spell out your book’s core themes, compelling characters, and unique selling points. Answer the golden question: Why should anyone choose your book over the hundreds like it? Be bold and unapologetic in proving your book’s worth.

4. Define Your Target Audience—And Show You Know Them

Who are your ideal readers? Be specific. Don’t just say “fans of fantasy”—say millennials who crave dark, character-driven fantasy with feminist themes. Beyond demographics, tap into their emotions, desires, and reading habits. The more precise your audience, the stronger your pitch.

5. Present a Bold Marketing Strategy

A great book doesn’t sell itself—you have to hustle. Show publishers that you’re ready to promote your book like a pro. Are you planning book tours, social media blitzes, podcast interviews, and influencer collaborations? Lay it all out. Publishers want partners who understand the business of books.

6. Identify the Competition—Then Outshine Them

Your book is not the only one in its genre—so own that. List books similar to yours, but make it clear why yours stands out. Does your book offer a fresh perspective? A controversial take? A never-before-seen approach? Don’t just acknowledge the competition—obliterate it.

7. Map Out Your Book’s Structure

You need a solid roadmap even if you haven’t written the full manuscript. Provide a chapter breakdown with a summary of what each chapter delivers. This reassures publishers that you’ve thought through your book’s progression and pacing.

8. Prove Your Writing with Irresistible Samples

Talk is cheap—your writing must be persuasive. Submit your strongest chapters—ones that showcase your style, voice, and ability to hook readers. These pages must leave publishers hungry for more.

9. Seal the Deal with a Memorable Conclusion

End with impact. Remind the publisher why your book matters, why you are the only person who can write it, and why the world needs it now. Leave them no choice but to say, Yes—this book must be published.

Understanding Hybrid Publishing Contracts

What do you get from this partnership?

As there are many steps to the publishing process and definitions for those steps, we will break down the process by consecutive order and then commonly referenced services to promote simplicity and ease of understanding.

EDITING

Assessment Edit provides feedback on the structure of your book and identifies the editorial points that are needed.

Developmental Editing takes a third-person perspective on the larger structure of your book: chronological cohesion, themes, tone, and accuracy. It meets the large picture before addressing the details of each sentence.

Content Editing moves away from the content structure and onto the content itself.

• Run-on sentences
• Word repetition
• Sentence length
• Misuse of words
• Excessive use of adjectives and adverbs
• Use of language that isn’t a good fit for your audience
• Confusing text

Copy Editing ensures that the rules of grammar, syntax, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and style are followed. Copyeditors either work with the Chicago Manual of Style or the Associated Press Stylebook, but know both equally.

• Grammar rules
• Syntax rules
• Capitalization rules
• Punctuation rules
• Hyphenation rules
• Spelling
• Incorrect use of numerals
• Accuracy of quoted facts or data
• Accuracy of internal and external references

Proofreading is the detailed, fine-toothed-comb edit. Typo-hunters.

• Spelling, syntax, grammatical, punctuation, and hyphenation errors
• Caption errors
• Misnumbered lists
• Inaccurate facts and figures
• Misplaced or incorrect graphical elements

Beta Readers are critical test readers who are interested in your topic.

• We recommend having at least three beta readers, with at least one being an editor.
• Remember to set reasonable deadlines for your review.

ORGANIZATION AND APPEARANCE

Typography, Visual, and Formatting: Follows the style guide and appearance of the publishing house or press standards.

• Typography: Where font meets tone
• Visual: Placement and quality of pictures and illustrations
• Long-Form Formatting: Margins conforming to book size or digital standards, gutter, headers, footers, page numbers, paragraph form, style template development, footnotes or endnotes, indexes, and appendixes.

GRAPHIC SERVICES

Cover Design: Our designers and graphic illustrators provide PNG, PDF, and INDD graphics. Our covers are accepted on any publishing platform.

Interior Graphic Illustration: We can help you find a style that speaks to you and your work, whether for partially or fully illustrated books.

MARKETING PACKAGES: Marketing and PR efforts should be implemented in phases throughout your publishing process. Select the package that’s right for you, and let us know how much assistance you would like.

1. From the Beginning: During the editing process, take advantage of interactive surveys, social media posts, and email announcements. We also provide access to Beta Readers to assist with the process. Build your SEO: Remember that every artist is their own brand, and every brand deserves validation and flattery.
2. Before release: Line up reviewers with early release copies and create and release Press Releases for reviews and events. (Your manuscript will be ready for publication weeks before its release date.)
3. After release: Monitor your analytics and maintain communication with your audience (word of mouth has always been your best marketing tool). Chase and share your reviews, and work on your SEM and strategic paid advertisements.