Three Ways to Submit Your Book Proposal to Publishers

submit your book proposal the right way the first timeKnowing how to submit your book proposal makes it easier for a publisher to contact you to accept or reject the submission.

Although you don’t want to receive a rejection, that’s part of the process (as is getting accepted).

Submitting your work correctly, the first time, informs you sooner than later if a publisher is willing to turn your proposal into a book.

What’s the right way to submit a proposal? Here are your three choices.

Fiction

  • Mail the complete manuscript. Publishers want the entire book in their hands so that they know the characters, plot, twists, turns, ending, and sequel potential. Unlike non-fiction, submitting a synopsis or partial chapters is not recommended. Publishers need to receive the whole book.

    • Non-Fiction

  • Mail a query letter that introduces the book’s title, audience, reasons why it will be a best seller, your credentials, and a stamped envelope for the publisher’s reply. You can do this to determine if a publisher is interested before submitting the entire proposal.

    • or

  • Submit a letter introducing the book and your background, book’s table of contents, two or three chapters (whichever the publisher prefers), competitive book list, and marketing plan.

    • Also required is a self-addressed, stamped envelope either large enough for the publisher to return your entire proposal or a business-sized envelope to receive a one-page response.

    There’s more information about what goes into a winning book proposal in this post.

    When you don’t know what to submit, it’s easy to make missteps, and that can hurt your chances when you want to make the right impression the first time you make contact.

    Follow this blueprint, and send your proposal or query in the method that results in a quick response.

    January 27, 2010 · Filed Under Submission Tips and Strategies

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