Most publishing houses want to receive a book proposal rather than an entire manuscript. A few publishers prefer only a query letter. An editor spends an average of twenty minutes reviewing your book proposal, so it is imperative that you provide the correct material and that your manuscript looks professional. To determine the submission format for each publishing house, check Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide, look at the publisher’s Web site, or send to the publisher for the writers’ guidelines.
A book proposal is comprised of four parts:
1. A cover letter
2. A detailed chapter outline or synopsis
3. A competition analysis
4. Three sample chapters
1. The Cover Letter should basically answer four questions:
1. Why are you qualified to write this book?
2. What is it about (told in one paragraph)?
3. Who is your audience?
4. Why will this book be marketable?
Also, make sure the publisher realizes you are familiar with his house and that your book will fit into one of his book lines. This letter should be only one typewritten page.
2. The Chapter Outline should be brief. Write a short paragraph summarizing each chapter to give the editor an overview of your book. This can be a vital tool for understanding the entire manuscript if the book proposal reaches the stage where it is considered by a publishing house committee. For fiction books, most publishing houses prefer a running synopsis of the book rather than a chapter outline. This should be three to six pages and should be in present tense.
3. A Comparative Analysis should be researched. Check with your local Christian bookstore and see what other books on the market are similar to yours. Write an analysis, showing how your book compares to these other books and why your book will sell.
4. Three Sample Chapters are normally included in a book proposal. These should reflect the quality and substance of your book. Send the first three chapters to give the editor a sense of continuity. Some authors prefer to send the first, middle, and last chapters; others prefer to include a chapter with specific significance. You be the judge regarding which is best for your manuscript.