4.0 KiB
4.0 KiB
Book Proposal Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your book proposal is complete, compelling, and publisher-ready.
Title and Concept
- Title is clear and descriptive
- Subtitle explains book's value proposition
- Title is memorable and searchable
- Title avoids overly technical jargon
- Title checked for existing books with same/similar names
Target Audience
- Primary audience clearly defined (job role, experience level)
- Secondary audience identified
- Reader prerequisites stated explicitly
- Audience size/market opportunity estimated
- Why this audience needs this book explained
Book Overview
- One-paragraph elevator pitch
- 2-3 paragraph detailed description
- Learning objectives clearly stated
- What makes this book unique
- Expected page count/length estimated (realistic)
Competitive Analysis
- 3-5 competing books identified
- Strengths and weaknesses of competitors analyzed
- How your book differs/improves explained
- Market gap clearly demonstrated
- Why readers would choose your book
Chapter Outline
- All chapters listed with working titles
- Each chapter has 2-3 sentence description
- Estimated page count per chapter
- Logical progression demonstrated
- Parts/sections organized (if applicable)
- Chapters add up to realistic book length
Sample Chapters
- 1-2 complete sample chapters included (if required)
- Sample chapters demonstrate writing quality
- Sample chapters show technical depth
- Code examples in samples are high-quality
- Samples follow any provided publisher template
Author Bio
- Professional background relevant to book topic
- Technical expertise demonstrated
- Writing experience highlighted (blog, articles, previous books)
- Teaching/speaking experience mentioned (if applicable)
- Social media following/platform noted (if significant)
- Why you're qualified to write this book
Timeline
- Realistic completion timeline proposed
- Chapter delivery schedule outlined
- Milestones clearly defined
- Buffer time included for revisions
- Availability for technical review/edits confirmed
Market Opportunity
- Target market size estimated
- Market trends supporting need for book
- Technology/framework popularity demonstrated
- Reader demand evidence (search trends, community questions, etc.)
- Long-term relevance considered
Author Platform
- Blog or website (if applicable)
- Social media presence (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Conference speaking experience
- Online course or tutorial experience
- Community involvement (forums, open source, etc.)
- Email list size (if applicable)
Technical Approach
- Programming language(s) specified
- Framework/tool versions identified
- Code repository plan outlined
- Testing approach described
- Target platforms specified (Windows/Mac/Linux)
Marketing Ideas
- Potential audiences for promotion identified
- Conference opportunities noted
- Workshop/training possibilities
- Blog tour or podcast interview ideas
- Corporate/enterprise angle (if applicable)
Formatting and Style
- Proposal follows publisher template (if provided)
- Professional formatting
- No typos or grammatical errors
- Consistent terminology
- Clear, compelling language
Supporting Materials
- Author headshot (professional quality)
- Code examples (if requested)
- Diagram samples (if requested)
- Writing samples or portfolio links
- References or testimonials (if available)
Practical Considerations
- Realistic about time commitment required
- Willing to work with technical reviewers
- Open to editorial feedback
- Understands royalty/advance structure
- Contract terms acceptable (if pre-negotiated)
Final Polish
- Proofread thoroughly
- Second person reviewed proposal
- All required sections completed
- Contact information current
- Ready to submit