Linda Cashdan’s Comments on a Basic Nonfiction Book Proposal Outline

Excert fromAmerican Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc. , May 2002 Newsletter

Linda Cashdan’s Basic
Nonfiction Book Proposal Outline

Writing is not self-indulgent; we do it to be read. If you need help getting your book or proposal into shape, Kelley recommends D.C. book doctor Linda Cashdan, one of two partners in The Word Process, (202) 234-7116, e-mail: Wordpro@wizard.net, www.bookdoctoring.com. Here is Cashdan’s basic outline for a nonfiction book proposal.

Part One – Summary

This is your pitch, the kernel that explains precisely what this book is. You can lead into the subject creatively (a personal anecdote that caused you to come up with the concept, teasers that might provoke interest in the subject matter itself, etc), but it is best to get to the point quickly and clearly. Agents and publishers are impatient.

Part Two – The Market.

Why is your book needed, and what types of people will rush out to buy it? Include demographics on the age, sex, or racial group to which the book will appeal, or the demographics for books somewhat similar to the one you are writing that have done very well (and therefore point to a solid market). This section calls for research (at the library or on the Internet). It’s important to check out the competition to find out just how many books on the same or a similar subject are already in print, and why yours will add something special to the mix.

Part Three – Bio.

Here you explain why you are the perfect person to be writing this book. Include only those experiences and prior publications that illustrate your expertise on the subject matter at hand or your ability to write. (You can include a full résumé at the end of the proposal to underscore the impressive details of your life that are not relevant to the proposal). You can write this in either the first person or the third. Cashdan thinks the third person reads better. If your fame, reputation in the field, press connections, or proven on-camera TV or radio experience would make you an asset in selling this book, by all means stress that here.

Part Four – Table of Contents, followed by Chapter Outline.

The Table of Contents (chapter title, one sentence embellishment) gives an agent/publisher a quick map of the book. The chapter outline adds context and color to that map. For each chapter in the Outline, you need to include a fairly detailed abstract (i.e. substance over generalizations like “Here I will examine”). These can range in length from a paragraph or two to several pages each.

Part Five – Chapter sample.

This is not essential, especially if your chapter outline has succeeded in showing off your writing prowess, but if there is a chapter you are especially proud of, this is where you put it. Book proposals can range from 5 to 100 pages. Most are from 15 to 30 pages long.