How to Get a Traditional Book Deal With a Winning Book Proposal
How to Get a Traditional Book Deal With a Winning Book Proposal
I never saw myself as a writer.
Then I met Debra Eckerling at a networking event. She dropped her link in the chat for anyone who was “publishing curious,” and I grabbed it.
Fast forward, and I have big news. My book, Your Weird Is Your Wealth, has a traditional book deal with De Gruyter Brill, a centuries-old publisher Debra connected me with. Debra helped me build my book proposal, and now she’s my editor.
On Episode 151 of Know Like Trust for Real Estate, Debra, the Book Proposal Expert, joined me to demystify traditional publishing. If you’ve ever thought, “I have a book in me,” this one is for you.
What actually sells a book
A publisher wants something similar to what’s already worked, but different. That comes down to your idea, your unique take on it, and you. Your subject doesn’t have to be new. Your perspective is the differentiator.
Self, hybrid, or traditional publishing?
Debra breaks it into three main paths, plus one to skip:
Compilation books: paying for a chapter in someone else’s book. Debra says this only makes sense if you never plan to write your own.
Self-publishing: you’re the project manager. Cover design, editing, marketing, production, and distribution are all on you.
Hybrid publishing: a one-stop shop that can range from inexpensive to $50,000. You get what you pay for, and many hybrids are built on upsells.
Traditional publishing: if you want people who don’t know you yet to read your book, you want its distribution and credibility. Publishing is their business. Your expertise is yours.
Do you need a literary agent?
In most cases, yes. Agents reach publishers that don’t accept unagented submissions; they advocate for you, negotiate, and review your contract. Look for someone who shares your vision, the same thing you’d want in a publisher.
The five sections of a nonfiction book proposal
For nonfiction, you don’t need to write the whole book to sell it. (Fiction and memoir are different. You’re selling the story, so the book needs to be ready.)
What you need is a third-person book proposal that makes the case for you and your book.
Debra organizes it into five sections.
Concept is the overview, what’s in the book, and the book specs.
Context covers comp titles and audience.
Credibility is your author bio and testimonials.
Community is your author platform and marketing.
Content is your table of contents, detailed outline, and sample chapters.
Three of those sell the book: the overview, the comp titles, and the audience. The overview is the one page where you make your case. In Debra’s words, it’s the promise of the proposal, and the proposal is the promise of the book.
Why comp titles matter so much
Comp titles were my biggest struggle. Debra recommends finding five books, ideally traditionally published in the last three to five years, with strong rankings, ratings, and reviews. Then explain why the people who bought each one also need yours. If you’re not sure of your differentiator yet, start here. Seeing what exists shows you the gap only your book fills.
How long does it take?
At minimum, a year from finished proposal to bookshelf. More likely a year and a half to four years. Much of that is waiting: for an agent, for a publisher, then for writing and production. Publishers pitch your book to their sales teams about nine months ahead, so they’re always selling two seasons out.
Your first step
Start journaling. Once a week, make an appointment with yourself to brainstorm the book you want to write. And when you say something brilliant to a client, write it down. Keep it all in one document. Then go look at comp titles.
Connect with Debra Eckerling
Website: thebookproposalexpert.com (book a chat or sign up for her ABCs of Traditional Publishing webinar on the homepage)
Substack: bookproposals.substack.com
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This episode is supported by BKeeperAI. Learn more at bkeeperai.com.
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