Things You'll Need:
- Computer with word processing capability
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Step 1
Write a title page. The top of the page should include a possible title for your book in all caps with a subtitle if you have one and today's date. Double space between the title, subtitle and date. At the bottom of the page, put your name, mailing address, email address and phone number.
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Step 2
Write a two or three sentence premise for your book in which you state what problem exists and how your book will solve it. From there, you write a selling proposition. In the selling proposition, state how your book is different than similar books on the market, who will purchase your book, and what you are willing to do to to promote your book. Then write an overview of your book. Go in to a little more detail about how the book will be broken in to sections and what each section will cover. At the end, write a section "About the Author" in which you describe why you are the one who should write this book. All of these things should be written in the form of an outline and should not take more than four or five pages.
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Step 3
Outline what each proposed chapter of your book is going to contain. Write the number or name of each chapter in caps and give three or four sentences on what you intend to cover in that chapter.
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Step 4
Complete and enclose two sample chapters of your book. That, along with everything else you are sending, will be enough for the editor to decide if they are interested in your book.
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Step 5
Make sure to write a catchy cover letter for your proposal. Even though it is going to be placed at the beginning, don't write your cover letter until the end. Your book is evolving as you write the proposal and a cover letter written at the beginning may not be completely accurate by the time you finish with everything else.
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Step 6
Proofread everything before you send it in. You will not impress an editor or publisher with errors that could have been corrected.
