Part Seven of “How to Find a Publisher for Your Nonfiction Book”
When you send your book proposal to a publisher, it will probably go through some sort of an initial review process. This initial review determines whether an acquisitions editor will review the proposal more thoroughly. If the initial reviewer determines that the proposal is not a good fit for the publishing house, it may not even make it to the acquisitions editor’s desk.
So your first challenge is to survive this initial review process. Here are five key things that the initial reviewer of your proposal will want to see.
1. A title that is clear and compelling. A jazzy title might capture attention, but don’t forget the most important function of a title—to indicate who a book is for and what it’s about. If you have a vaguely evocative title, be sure to to include a subtitle that answers those two key questions.
2. A concept that fits the publisher’s market. The concept of a book is the overall idea behind the book. I think of a book’s concept as the hook plus the promise. The hook is what sets the book apart from all the others at Amazon. The promise is what your readers can expect to receive if they read the book. The overall concept must align with the publisher’s interests and market.
3. A proposal that follows the publisher’s guidelines. A publisher is not going to reject a great proposal on a technicality. But by following a publisher’s guidelines, you can be sure you’re providing everything the publisher needs to make a decision. You make it easier for them to review it and make a decision, and that’s a good thing.
4. A document that is error free. Again, a publisher is not going to reject a great proposal for a couple of typos or grammatical mistakes. But a proposal that is riddled with minor errors will probably not survive. This is your opportunity to impress. Be sure to put your best foot forward.
5. A writing sample that reveals your talent. I’ve heard some editors say that, even though the other parts of a proposal are important, they skip to the writing sample first. If they aren’t immediately captured by the quality and readability of your writing sample, the rest of the information likely won’t be enough to salvage the proposal.
The initial review process is, of course, only the first hurdle to getting your book published, but the first hurdle can be the most important. Once your proposal makes it to the acquisitions editor’s desk, you know it’s going to receive serious consideration.
Continue the series: The Best Way to Turn an Acquisition Editor into an Advocate