GETTING READY TO WRITE THE BOOK!

 

TITLE:

SUBTITLE:
 
The Concept:  Give me a 1 sentence handle for your book. (a one-sentence summary of what this book is all about.  Central Idea:

The Contents: Show me your 25-50 word synopsis. In 1 paragraph, describe the contents of your book.  Include the central theme, key points, structure or format, any pertinent information.

Put your summary statement into 250 words.  Summary Statement (sometimes called the overview): this portion of a book proposal is a terse statement of your overall concept and mission.  It sets the stage for what’s to follow. Short, concise paragraphs are usually best.  Finding the right “FOCUS” for your book—neither too broad or too narrow—is essential.

Platform: Who else might be interested in this topic? Who do you most want to reach with this book?  (potential audience and target audience)

How do you want your message to change your reader?

What specific need(s) or problem(s) among the audience prompted the project? (Felt Need)

What do you want them to learn or become? (Take-away Value)

How will you get your target readers interested? (Hooks)

What benefits will the reader gain from reading the book? Be specific.

How do you plan to reach your audience and market/sell your book?
Do you know your reader and the size of your audience — inside and out?
What can you do to exactly peg (identify) your audience/reader (establish the market), create a platform.  Answer the questions:

How large?

Why you?  What motivated you to write the book?

Write a one-paragraph author bio.

Survey your competition—other books on same topic for same audience. (Don’t forget about using Amazon.com and other online sources.)  Note how these books are similar to or different from yours. 

Where do you fit?  What is unique about the book?

What will your book offer that others do not?

What Category?

TEST: What evidence is there to indicate a real need for your book?  Who will use it?

Pattern/Format: What will your book look like?

Make sure that you understand WHY your book needs to be published.

Pay particular attention to the popular reader friendly formats of the publishers of your choice.

What unique approach or sources of material do you want to use? (slant/format)

TEST: NAME 5 BOOKS (author, publisher) THAT ARE MOST SIMILAR TO YOURS: