In August 2010, after graduating from the Table Rock Freedom Center, I sat with my laptop in hand, after a year of no internet. I don’t remember how, but I stumbled upon the blog of this guy named Michael Hyatt. I was hooked from the moment I landed on his home page.
Something on the right side of the page stuck out to me. Hyatt was offering the opportunity to write a winning book proposal. Well, of course I wanted to write a winning book proposal.
I knew I was meant to write. I’ve known it since I was a kid. But there was something different about it this time.
I was done dreaming about it and ready to do it.
I knew I had a hard road ahead of me, getting publishers or agents to recognize I even existed, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. That was until I laid eyes on Hyatt’s Writing a Winning NON-FICTION Book Proposal.
There was only one problem. I was broke and living on a dream.
But just like God always does, He showed up. Someone blessed me with the book two days later and I was on the road to writing that winning book proposal.
Fast forward to January 2012, and the assistance of Michael Hyatt, I have a book deal! He was right on. Do what he writes about in the book and you will attract people to your book.
Don’t get me wrong. You still have to write compelling content, but your proposal is the first thing publishers and agents see. If they don’t move past that, your content won’t be seen.
I asked my publisher just how important my book proposal was in choosing to pursue me as an author.
“It was the book proposal that sold me in the first place. I look at the subject matter before all else. You, as an author, were the ‘icing on the cake’ when I got to know you.
If you want to write a book, Writing a Winning NON-FICTION Book Proposal is a must have. It will be one of the best investments you make.
Here are just a few things Michael Hyatt covers that will help you write that winning proposal:
- Write a killer query letter that gets the agent or editor to actually read the proposal.
- Get the publisher’s attention in the first paragraph.
- Answer the three questions every publisher asks next.
- Create a unique selling proposition that explains what the reader will gain by reading the book and how the book will deliver it.
- Explain why you are qualified to write this book—even if you are a first-time author.
Go get it!
Question: Are you working on your book proposal now? What snags have you hit in the process? Comment below…
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Thanks for the kind words, Sundi Jo. But, honestly, you did the heavy-lifting. Obviously, it was your content that attracted the right publisher. I’m proud of you!
Thanks Michael. I appreciate the encouragement.
Congratulations, Sundi Jo! I agree that Michael’s book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to make sure that they have all the bases covered with their book proposal. I’m still working on my proposal, and am very glad to have the book as a guide. Kudos to you for already applying the wisdom found in the book and reaping the rewards!
Thanks Larry. Excited for your book proposal to come together. Let me know if I can help by sending you mine as a guide.
Hi Sundi,
I stumbled up on your blog while researching for Michael Hyatt’s book proposal reviews. Your review made me sure to buy it.Can you please also forward your book proposal to help me as a guide.My email id is mlkgpt555@gmail.com
I am also a Platform University member.
-Molika