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Q&A With AJ: Should fiction writers create a book proposal to attract agents?

The conventional answer is “no” since book proposals are an exercise typically undertaken by nonfiction writers. However, when we consider that the entire point of a book proposal is to explain why your book will sell (above all others), why wouldn’t you want to create one to promote your fiction book? This is not to say that the finished manuscript shouldn’t be your priority when it comes to selling yourself as a professional writer. For heaven’s sake if you’re a novelist, finish your masterpiece before querying an agent or editor.

But with that in mind, the one way to impress those industry professionals during a live pitch or at the end an introductory letter is to offer a Fiction Book Proposal. Why? Because with such information in hand, you are signaling to the agent or editor that you clearly understand your book’s target audience, the benefit readers gain from your work, and the novel’s place in today’s market—all of which translates to an easier sales for both you and the publisher. Win! Win!

The first step in putting together a fiction proposal is to understand what current books act as your competition or comparison works better known as “comp titles.” Examine those books and take notes on the sales records, publishers, publication date, genre appeal, price, length, format, et cetera. Learn how the books are marketed and how visible each are within the current marketplace. Then work to develop a strong idea of where you book fits within a specific niche…but also look for a way to set yourself apart so that you’re not mistaken having written more of the same ho-hum material. Being able to articulate this information is crucial because it lays the foundation for how you’ll direct your marketing to reach readers.

On the other hand, if you’re having trouble finding comp titles, be aware that you may not have solidified a specific genre for your work. Genre is key in commercial fiction because it’s how most writers find their audience. While popular fiction writers are free to straddle genres, there’s always one that prevails over the others to shape the novel so that readers have a satisfactory ending—and for the sake of this proposal, reader satisfaction is the goal since the next step is to identify your audience.

To find your audience, look for organizations, publications, or websites who may be devoted to the type of work you’re writing. A connection by subject is ideal but a linkage through locale, profession, or ideology may work just as well. Your aim is to understand how you can fulfill the audience’s need and to determine how to claim those readers as your target market…or at the very least, how that audience could convey word-of-mouth praise for your work.

Remember, the modern writer cannot afford to claim that her book is a universal text destined to be adored by all because there are too many books released each year (1.68 million self-published books in 2018 alone) for anyone to succeed with such a tactic.

Other logistical components for the Fiction Book Proposal include:

Overview – This is the hook that defines how your book is unique—whether it is subverting typical genre tropes or the use of a unique profession. Be sure to highlight why your book is needed now and how readers will be enticed to buy it. Show that there is a hole in the marketplace that your work will fill.

Author Bio – Do your best to tailor the bio to the book you’re proposing, especially if you write in several genres. Present yourself in a manner that speaks to future success. Include any credentials that place you as the best person to write such a book or find a legitimate way to connect yourself to corresponding experts or authorities. This includes work, education, awards, previous publications, or personal experiences. If you’re a member of an organization that would support your work then highlight that information in the biography to make an explicit correlation between you and that entity.

Target Audience – We’ve already covered this, but now that you’ve made a specific determination this is the place where it should fall in the ordering of your proposal. Do not pitch a book expecting the publisher to supply an audience. In today’s industry, it’s your job to find and cultivate an appropriate readership. Once again, things to think about here: Who and what defines this audience? How large is this group? Consider socioeconomic status, age range, congruent interests, and purchase habits as they may influence how you approach this audience. Researching your audience and having a plan to connect with them maximizes your potential for success.

Comp Titles – This is another area previously covered, but it is essential to list three to five titles in this proposal along with the correlations to your work as you see it. While I would also recommend listing one or two of these titles in your query letter to spark interest, this is where you will provide the reasoning behind your choices. Include title, author, publisher, date released (stay within four years), price, page count, and a compare/contrast paragraph.

Marketing Potential – Be specific and honest about the promotional efforts you are willing to undertake. Attach numbers where possible. For example, instead of saying, “I have a large social media following,” make statements that speak to your genre and/or salability. Prove the power of your platform. In other words, a better response would be, “I have 6,000 followers on Goodreads, which is twelve times more than fellow knitting-focused cozy mystery writer Maggie Sefton.” This shows publishers that you have a built-in market for your work. Even if you don’t have that kind of support behind your writing just yet, there are several areas to explore.

For example, what is your access to traditional media like local radio or television? Do you have a website or blog? Are you active on other social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram? Do you have a mailing list? Do you teach and, if so, can you translate that into potential speaking engagements? Are there any professional organizations or groups who may be interested in your work? Answer all of these questions to the best of your ability and include links, numbers, and names where possible.

Statistics – These include genre, length (in words), possibility for celebrity introduction or endorsement (cover blurbs), and potential sequel titles with short summary and/or hook. All things that you should have briefly included in the cover letter that precedes such a proposal, but it is essential to include them here as well and to go into more depth if possible.

Synopsis – A compelling novel synopsis should encompass all the major beats of the story from beginning to end. And yes, you must reveal the conclusion. Format the information in the present tense with a complete narrative arc. Name and define your major characters, but keep this section brief. This should be no more than two to five pages for the purposes of this proposal since the overall document will be double-spaced. Although if asked to submit a synopsis separate from the proposal, the format is always single-spaced and should take up no more than two pages unless specified otherwise.

Sample Chapters – Depending upon the agent or editor’s request, you may need to submit this information in a separate document. However, this should always be consecutive chapters, and be sure to proofread the work.

Now much of this may feel like a marketing proposal—and in many ways it is—so if it makes you feel more comfortable to think of it that way, that’s fine. But unlike a marketing proposal, this format is designed to be presented to others, so it is important that you are as specific as possible with the responses to each category.

Put it all together in a double-spaced document topped with a coversheet that includes the title of your manuscript, your name, and contact information centered on the page. The second page should be a table of contents listing each section: Overview (i.e. Hook), Author Bio, Target Audience, Comp Titles, Marketing Potential, Statistics, Synopsis, and Sample Chapters.

Be advised, that each proposal you write will vary in content, length, and approach, but these are the main elements that will pique an agent or editor’s interest because they answer the questions a professional would ask upon reading the manuscript. While I think a book proposal is an excellent idea for fiction writers, I should caution you about sending the proposal in lieu of a query letter or manuscript. Please follow submission guidelines outlined by an agent or editor. Be professional and send a letter first asking if they would be interested in learning more about your work through sample chapters (and the book proposal) and be sure to have a complete manuscript ready in case they’d like more from you. Remember, a “complete” manuscript means one that is revised and edited.

Having a plan in hand will set you apart from the competition. And in today’s market, that may make the difference between publication and oblivion.

Have questions about how to create a book proposal?

Still not convinced it’s worth the time? Leave a comment below.