Writing a Book Proposal
Polished. Positioned. Published.
Crafting Book Proposals That Get Noticed
A strong book proposal is critical to the marketability of a manuscript. Literary agents and publishers need to see concise, engaging text that keeps manuscripts off the slush pile.
We’ve written many book proposals. Experience has taught us what literary agents and publishers are looking for, and we know how to pique their interest in a book.
Writers have only one chance to make a good first impression with top-tier literary agents and publishers. Don’t squander that chance by sending them an anemic or misleading book proposal. We can help you avoid making that mistake.
Let us craft a strong book proposal from your completed manuscript, and we’ll give you the names and addresses of the right literary agents for your book. We’ll also be there to lend a helping hand if you encounter a problem or need advice during the querying process.
The anatomy of an Open Book Editors book proposal
- A typical book proposal consists of four elements:
- a one-page query letter
- a two- to four-page synopsis of the book
- a chapter-by-chapter outline
- a one-page author’s bio
These are the elements you’ll need when querying literary agents and commercial publishers. Most require that you submit the query letter and brief synopsis first. If they like what they see, they’ll ask for a more detailed chapter-by-chapter outline of the book, and either sample chapters or the entire manuscript.
Editing/Book Proposal Package
No one is better prepared to write a comprehensive book proposal than an editor who has been through your manuscript multiple times. We offer editing/book proposal packages to writers who have completed their manuscript and are looking for the next step toward publication.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide packages that can help take your manuscript across the finishing line.
Book Proposal Creation:
Crafting compelling and market-ready book proposals that grab the attention of literary agents and publishers.
Literary Agent Matching:
Providing personalized recommendations for the right literary agents based on your book’s genre and target market.
Editing/Proposal Package:
Offering a comprehensive service that combines manuscript editing with professional book proposal development to ensure your submission stands out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our book proposal package includes a one-page query letter, a two- to four-page synopsis of your book, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and a one-page author’s bio. These elements are essential when submitting to literary agents and publishers.
After crafting your book proposal, we provide you with a list of the most suitable literary agents for your book, based on your genre, target audience, and overall manuscript style.
Yes, we require a completed manuscript to ensure the book proposal is tailored to your work and effectively showcases its strengths to potential agents and publishers.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your manuscript and the level of editing required, but typically, a book proposal can take several weeks to complete. We’ll provide a more specific estimate once we’ve reviewed your manuscript.
Absolutely! We offer ongoing support during the querying process. If you encounter challenges or need advice, we’re here to help guide you through the next steps.
See What People Are Saying About Us!
Shawn Inmon, Feels like the First Time
We have a special place in our hearts Shawn Inmon and his memoir about love and rock n’ roll in the ‘70s. We knew Shawn had a great story to tell after providing a manuscript evaluation, and it was clear he was targeting a specific niche of readers. What we didn’t know was how dedicated he was to completing his great story and selling the heck out of it. Shawn’s transformation from a guy writing a story into professional author has been truly incredible to watch.
Michael Robinson, The Isaac Yoryor, Giving Life MeaningOffender
Isaac’s story of his 15 years spent inside a Liberian refugee camp was one of the most tragic personal accounts we’ve ever read. We knew from the first paragraph that his story needed to be heard by as many people as possible. His commitment to turning his experience into life wisdom was something we wanted to see to its best possible conclusion. There is no doubt Isaac’s story – and that of the Liberian people – will be read by thousands eventually.
Randal Lanser, Frank Layman, Success through Logical Thinking22nd Secret
Frank is a lifelong physical therapist and Army reservist, who compiled the best of his wisdom and never gave up on his path to publication. We knew from the start that Frank’s manuscript needed sharpening and organization. But it was also clear that his homespun wisdom could benefit people from all walks of life. We were proud to help make his text as strong and lean as his message.