Guidelines

There are a number of ways to do a good book proposal. I've met many writers that get bogged down in the details. The bottom line is whether your idea has traction and if your writing delivers. Your book proposal is like a job application, you want to present yourself in the most professional manner possible. Your proposal will be a simple vehicle to convey your idea to us, and ultimately to a publisher.

Despite the gains in the electronic world we prefer to receive unsolicited proposals via the mail. The danger of an e-mail proposal is that it can get very easily lost in the deluge of daily author/publisher communication or intercepted by anti-spam software. And despite vigorous virus safeguards we are very wary of opening an attachment from an unknown person.

Send proposals to:
The Steve Laube Agency
5025 N. Central Ave., #635
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1502
krichards @ stevelaube.com

We are looking for quality Christian fiction in all genres.
For non-fiction, we are looking for fresh, new Christian ideas in all areas of material for adults.

No poetry, personal biographies, personal stories, end-times literature, children's picture books, and very little YA (young adult) fiction. Both young adult fiction and young adult non-fiction can be a difficult sell in today's market, thus we rarely take new clients writing for this age group.

Please give us 6-8 weeks for a response. We literally receive dozens of new proposals each week.

GUIDELINES

Please read below this section as well for specifics about the difference between non-fiction and fiction proposals.

Try not to obsess over the minor details of your proposal. There are far too many different ways to create one. Remember, in a sense, this is your job application. Present yourself as a professional and let your idea and your writing speak for themselves.

COVER LETTER
The cover letter should include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. It should sum up the plot or idea in a single paragraph, as well as giving the book's title and estimated word count of the entire manuscript (not page count). If the book is not completely finished, estimate when you might be finished. The cover letter should not be more than one page.
Click here for some help with your cover letter.
 (We HIGHLY recommend that you read this article!)

SAMPLE CHAPTERS
The sample should be the first three chapters or fifty double-spaced pages, printed single-sided and unbound. Please make sure the pages are numbered. (Please use Times Roman 12pt font or a similar very readable font.) Do not print out the pages so they look like actual book pages. Print double-spaced on one side of the page in black ink on 8" x 11" white paper, use 1" margins all around and don't justify the right margin.

SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE
We will not reply to you unless you include an appropriately sized SASE with sufficient postage. A letter-size SASE for a written response is preferred. There is no need to include a large envelope for the return of the entire proposal, unless you want the whole thing back. Do not expect us to track down your email address to send a rejection letter. However, if we are interested we may either call or contact you via e-mail for more information.


NON-FICTION Proposals

Your non-fiction book proposal could include the following:

1) A one-sentence summary of your book:

2) Create a 75 word summary of the book. Imagine that this is what will go on the back cover of the book.

3) A half page to one page overview of your book including (a) an identification of its uniqueness (the distinguishing “hook” that will draw your reader in: What will motivate a person to pick up your book?) and (b) what you hope to accomplish in the way of transformation in the life of the reader:

4) A brief profile of your reader with a clear explanation of the problem he or she faces and how your book provides a solution. Also, list any additional audiences you expect your book will attract:

5) A listing of other books available that are similar to yours and a brief explanation of how yours is both different and/or better:

6) A description of potential marketing channels to which you have access (e.g., contacts you have in key organizations, groups you speak to regularly, key people you know who might endorse your book, etc.):

7) Your qualifications to write on this topic and a list of your writing experience and educational/career background. If you have published previously, what are the titles and approximate sales to date of your books?

8) A chapter-by-chapter annotated outline that clearly summarizes the overall content and key ideas of each chapter:

9) Projected word length of the manuscript:

10) Expected completion date of the manuscript:

11) Three sample chapters of your book:
 

Below is a link to one of the finest articles on how to create a non-fiction book proposal. It is written by Mike Hyatt, the current President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers:
Writing a Winning Book Proposal by Michael Hyatt

Plus, we highly recommend that you read and study Book Proposals That Sell by W. Terry Whalin. It is one of the best books on the subject you can find anywhere! The above article from Michael Hyatt is reprinted as an appendix in Mr. Whalin's book.

 

FICTION Proposals

Follow the basic information above in the non-fiction proposal section, but realize that the biggest difference between the fiction and non-fiction proposal is the synopsis. While the non-fiction proposal requires a chapter by chapter analysis, the fiction proposal should be a maximum of three single spaced pages that present the entire story. Don't worry, your synopsis will be the worst writing you've ever done. That is okay. Just tell the story in quick form so we can know what happens after your sample chapters.

Create a Promo Sentence and a Sales Handle (these are the bits you see on the front cover of a novel or as a headline across the back cover. In addition create back cover copy that tells the story without giving it away (back cover is usually around 75 words) Examples (from the cover of the novel Oxygen):

Promo sentence:
A mission gone desperately wrong - and no way out short of blind faith...

Sales handles:
A tragic accident or a suicide mission?.

Back cover copy:
In the year 2012 Valkerie Jansen, a young microbial ecologist, is presented with an amazing opportunity to continue her research as a member of the NASA corps of astronauts. When a sudden resignation opens the door for her to be a part of a mission to mars, her life dream becomes a reality.

Dreams turn suddenly to nightmares for NASA and the crew as an explosion cripples the spacecraft on the outward voyage. The crew's survival depends on complete trust in one another - but is one of the four a saboteur?

Since fiction can be entertaining and taps the emotional center of a reader here are some other helpful things to include in your proposal :

In a single sentence, state your purpose for writing this novel. Why did you write (are you writing) this story? What are you trying to prove about life with this story?

Describe your protagonist’s quest. What does he want or need? What is his goal? For what does he yearn?

What is at stake in this story? If your protagonist doesn’t attain his goal, so what? Why does it matter and why should the reader care? What are the consequences?

What is the "takeaway value" of the story. How will the reader be changed for having read it?

If this is a Christian novel and you had to choose a scriptural foundation for the book what verse would you use?