Tips for Improving Your Non-Fiction Book Proposal

Writing a non-fiction book proposal can sometimes be even more nerve-wracking than writing the actual book. You know that your non-fiction book is well-written with great information, but even the best of writers aren't always experts at selling themselves. A book proposal must be sufficiently intriguing to captivate even the most pessimistic of editors.

Before you give up on your book entirely, however, there are a few ways that you can work on improving your non-fiction book proposal. Just because you've been rejected before doesn't mean that an acceptance letter isn't right around the corner, and using these tips, you can give your non-fiction book a better opportunity for success.

Introduce a Broader Market Potential

One of the major mistakes that new writers make when writing their non-fiction book proposal is limiting the market potential before the book even hits the shelves. If your book is geared toward scientists, for example, don't say in your book proposal that your book will appeal only to scientists. Instead, mention the hobbyists and students worldwide who are likewise interested in science.

Book publishers look for material that will sell to the widest possible audience. By limiting the market potential to a select group of people, you narrow the chances that your book proposal will interest an editor or agent.

Expand Upon the Material

Another mistake that young writers make with their non-fiction books is conceiving an idea that doesn't warrant book-length treatment. If you don't have enough information to fill a book (40,000 - 200,000 words), there's no way a publisher or agent will give you the time of day.

If it seems that you have scant information, consider expanding upon the original material. Branch out and find new information to include without generalizing too much. For example, a book about businesses who have trouble collecting debts might be too broad, but a book about "How to Write a Collection Letter" would be too narrow. However, with a fresh spin, a book called "Credit and Collection Letters that Get Results" might work fine.

Outline Each Chapter Carefully