Today, I'm joined by Chad Allen, creator of Book Proposal Academy. He is a full-time writer, editor, speaker, and writing coach. Chad has been at the receiving end of book proposals and has created proposals for his own books. We dive into a good book proposal's elements and why Chad is passionate about the Book Proposal Academy.
"A book proposal is simply a document that authors prepare to pitch their book to agents and publishers." Chad says you can think about a book as a "micro-business" and to look at your book proposal as a "business plan for your book." Your proposal's job is to show that your book is a safe bet to publish for-profit and a good ROI for the publishing company.
You can create a book proposal even if you are intending to self-publish. "A book proposal, even when self-publishing, is a great way to get your hands around your project." Make sure to have the "three C's of publishing success" when writing your book proposal.
Chad talks about the three phases to launch your book on your platform: the pre-launch, the launch, and the post-launch. "What are you going to do at each of these phases to promote your book?" You can also add a competitive analysis of your book in your proposal and a section for possible future books if they match your current book's genre.
Find out tips from Chad on how to solve the problem of starting off without a platform, why you want to build an email list, how to grow your audience. Between writing your book and your pre-launch, figure out how you are going to grow your platform. Think of the different strategies you can use to build your audience and launch your book.
Listen in to find out lessons Chad learned from working in the publishing industry, the three C's of publishing success, and the elements that create a good book proposal. Learn why your title and subtitle are significant in a book proposal and ideas on how to build your audience to sell your book.
Show Notes
[01:40] What is a book proposal? [03:25] Benefits of self-publishing from a traditional and self-publishing standpoint. [04:25] What you can learn from writing a book proposal. [06:22] When looking at a proposal, Chad first looked at buy-in. [09:13] Casting a vision for your book through your proposal. [13:00] How to include a section for possible future books in your proposal. [16:12] Create a detailed marketing plan to propose to the publisher. [22:39] How to hire a designer for your book proposal. [23:24] Common mistakes authors make in their book proposals. [25:23] Going from book proposal to book deal. [32:08] Give enough time to your book proposal process to give you the best chance of success. [34:15] What can happen in the book proposal process with publishers. [35:38] Look for your buy back discount from a publisher. [37:10] How many free books can you get from a publisher? [38:32] Tips on choosing a good publisher. [43:15] Advice that Chad would have given himself when first starting out.Links and Resources
Visit Self Publishing School Online SPS Free Training Course Chad Allen Book Proposal Academy Chad Allen on the web240: “The Empowered Woman” + Writing A Collaboration Book / Anthology with Marta Spirk
SPS 239: Launching An Updated & Revised Edition After 2M+ Copies Sold (Miracle Morning Behind The Scenes)…with Hal Elrod
SPS 238: Booking More Speaking Gigs, $40k Keynote Fees, And Bulk Book Sales with Cameron Herold
SPS 237: Rise Of The Reader & How To Market Bestselling Books with Nick Hutchison
SPS 236: Startup Santa: From Toymaker & Inventor To Author with Brad Pedersen
SPS 235: $80k/year In Royalties For 6 Years From One Book…How This Teacher Did It with Rob Plevin
SPS 234: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Unleashing the Power of Authorship
SPS 233: Be Seen: Discovering Your Voice & Booking Speaking Gigs Grow Your Brand with Jen Gottlieb
SPS 232 How I Sold 25,000+ Copies Of My Children’s Book with Delanda Coleman
SPS 231 How To Get Famous & Sell More Books By Getting On TV with Clint Author
SPS 230 Using AI / ChatGPT To Write & Publish Your Book with Jonathan Green
SPS 229 Grow An App Using A Book And Teaching Kids About Money with Scott Donnell
SPS 228 Post Pardon Me: Writing A Book About Postpartum And Other Difficult Life Experiences with Suzanne Yatim Aslam
SPS: 227 Marketing Secrets, Affiliate Book Launches, And Gorgeous Book Funnels with Julie Chenell
SPS226: The Journey To 110,000 Copies Sold & Relaunching Your Book…How I Did It with Sean Cannell
SPS 225: Why Affirmations Don’t Work & How To Use Afformations Instead with Noah St. John
SPS 224: The Engineer Approach To Millions Of Copies Sold with Todd Sattersten
SPS 223: The 2 Week Vacation Test & Scaling From 6 To 7 Figures with Austin Netzley
SP 222: How To Host An Epic Book Launch Party with Nick Gray (The 2 Hour Cocktail Party)
SPS 221: Mastering Marketing, Book Promotion and Hypnautic Writing with Dr. Joe Vitale
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Aligned Money Show
Gorse Culture PODcast : The H.R. Detective Agency!
HCI Leadership Revolution
The Ramsey Show
Planet Money