Book Proposal Generator

Generates a professional nonfiction book proposal in four sections: hook, market analysis, chapter outline, and marketing plan with agent-ready query letter.

Category: Writing & Publishing
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 45-90 minutes per section
Pricing: Free tier (Prompt 1) | Full skill $29 one-time | DFY $197/proposal

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What This Skill Does

Generates a complete, agent-ready nonfiction book proposal in 4 modular prompts. Each prompt produces one major section of a professional proposal — the same format expected by literary agents at top agencies (CAA, WME, Curtis Brown, Writers House).

Who This Is For:

• Nonfiction authors (business, self-help, memoir, narrative nonfiction)
• Thought leaders, coaches, consultants building authority
• Executives with a story to tell
• Journalists pitching narrative books
• Anyone who has been told "write a proposal first"

What You Get:

1. Hook + Overview (the pitch) — FREE
2. Market Analysis + Competing Titles
3. Full Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
4. Author Platform + Marketing Plan + Publisher Pitch Email

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The 4 Prompts

Prompt 1 (FREE) — Hook & Overview

Produces:

• Title + 3 subtitle options (SEO-optimized, benefit-forward)
• One-sentence pitch (the "elevator hook" agents read in 10 seconds)
• One-paragraph summary (250 words — the query letter core)
• Why this book, why now, why you (the narrative hook section)
• Estimated word count + format recommendation (trade/hardcover/paperback)

Input you provide: Topic, your core argument, your background, intended reader

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Prompt 2 — Market Analysis & Competing Titles

Produces:

• Target reader profile (demographics, psychographics, buying behavior)
• Market opportunity statement (with real market size framing)
• 5 comparable titles analysis: title, publisher, pub year, Amazon rank, how yours differs
• Positioning statement: "For [reader] who [need], [your book] is [category] that [differentiator]. Unlike [comp title], it [key advantage]."
• Bookstore placement guidance (section + subsection)

Input you provide: 3-5 comp titles, your key differentiators, market context

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Prompt 3 — Chapter-by-Chapter Outline

Produces:

• Introduction outline (hook, premise, chapter roadmap, reader promise)
• Full outline for every chapter:
  • Working chapter title
  • 2-sentence description of content
  • Core argument or insight delivered
  • 1 story/case study/research anchor per chapter
  • Word count estimate per chapter
• Conclusion outline (synthesis, call to action, lasting insight)
• Total book structure (chapters × estimated words = full manuscript scope)

Input you provide: List of chapters, core argument per chapter, key stories/examples

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Prompt 4 — Author Platform + Marketing Plan + Publisher Pitch Email

Produces:

• Author bio (3 lengths: 50-word, 150-word, full bio for proposal)
• Platform section: speaking history, media appearances, social reach, email list, podcast, online courses — formatted for agents
• Marketing plan (what the publisher doesn't have to do):
  • Pre-launch: ARC strategy, podcast tour, newsletter announcement
  • Launch: press targets, speaking engagements, virtual events
  • Post-launch: course upsell, DFY consulting, evergreen SEO content
• Comparable author marketing models (how similar authors built their platforms)
• Complete query letter (250 words — ready to paste into agent submission portals)
• Publisher pitch email (for direct submissions to editors via referral)

Input you provide: Your platform stats, media history, speaking experience

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Pricing Strategy

Tier	Price	What to Charge
DIY skill	$29 one-time	Use prompts yourself
DFY proposal	$197	Max writes all 4 sections
DFY + revisions	$297	Two revision rounds included
Agent query package	$97 add-on	10 personalized query letters to specific agents

Market context: Literary agents charge $0 (work on commission), but book proposal consultants charge $2,000-$8,000. Top ghostwriters charge $15,000-$50,000 for a full proposal + sample chapters. This skill delivers agent-ready output for $29.

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Example Output

See example/ folder:

• Book: "The Human Firewall: How IT Leaders Build Security Culture Without Fear"
• Author: Marcus Rivera, IT Director → Cybersecurity Consultant, Las Vegas
• Target Publisher: Wiley, AMACOM, Berrett-Koehler
• Complete Hook & Overview, Market Analysis, 10-chapter outline, full Author Platform + query letter

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Quality Standards

• Comparable titles must be published in the last 5 years (agents dismiss outdated comps)
• Word count targets: trade nonfiction 60,000-80,000 words
• Platform numbers must be current — agents fact-check
• Query letter must be under 300 words — agents read hundreds per day
• No academic language — proposals should read like the book: clear, direct, urgent

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DFY Delivery Process

1. Client fills out intake form (10 questions, 20 min)
2. Max runs all 4 prompts with client's inputs
3. Delivers Google Doc with all 4 sections + query letter
4. Turnaround: 24-48 hours
5. Pitch: "For the cost of one agent consultation, I'll write your entire book proposal."