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Everyone tells you that you should write a book, right? Well, it’s not quite as simple as that, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Writing the book is actually the easy part, it’s putting the required proposal together than often stumps the would-be author. Here are the basic elements to get you started:

1. The Overview. This is where you give a general idea of what your book is about and why it’s ‘hook’ is unique from others on the same topic. Discuss the worldly environment that it will be born into and why the time is now for it to come forth. What’s more, why are you the person to do so? If you have a book idea about dog obedience, for example, and have personally tamed three crazy shelter dogs, make your case!

2. The Table of Contents and Chapter Outline: You’ll need at least ten chapters. Have you thought about the different purpose of each chapter? Once you have, write engaging titles for each chapter and then a lead paragraph to demonstrate your unique writing style.

3. The Introduction. What, exactly, is the purpose of a book’s Introduction anyway? Check a few non-fiction titles out at the library and get a feel for them. You’ll see that there’s no hard and fast rules, but generally the Introduction is the author’s chance to explain what he or she is about to tell you. Or maybe it’s his/her chance to explain why they wrote the book in the first place.

4. Target Markets. This is where you take off your author hat and become all business. Publishers want to know that you understand the audience for your message. How old are they? What is their disposable income and why would they spend it on your book? Provide statistics to support your findings (and beef up the argument that your book is needed!).

5. Competitive Titles. There are probably several books on the shelves right now that cover your material. Let publishers know that you are fully aware of that by offering two or three of the titles and then contrasting your message with theirs. Of course, prove that your book’s message is far superior from what already exists!

6. Author Background. Once the publisher is convinced that your book is marketable, you need to prove that you have what it takes to write it. What is your background with regards to the title and your work ethic in general? Granted, you may never have published a book before, but you’ve worked in business for twenty years, meet deadlines and exceed expectations on a daily basis. You also should know that a publisher seeks to sell at least 10,000 books in order to consider a book from a first-time author a success. How will you as an author support this number? Do you teach dog obedience every Saturday? Have you written a related column in your local newspaper? In short, if you can prove that you have a built-in audience; this is where you do it.

7. Promotions. The days of book tours and marketing departments are all but gone for anyone but best sellers. As such, publishers want to know if the author has any ideas on how to get the word out about their book. Would you print up book marks for your cookbook and ask local supermarkets to put them in their shopping bags? Get creative here and let the publisher know that you will do your part to make the book a success after they publish it.

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