Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn how to write a book proposal that agents and publishers will actually want to read. In this video, Martin from Reedsy guides you through the essential elements of a nonfiction book proposal, explains why they matter, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:44 What is a Book Proposal
00:56 Step 1. Know the Key Ingredients
01:18 Step 2. Identify a Gap in the Market
02:04 Step 3. Prove YOU are the Best Person to Fill It
03:23 Step 4. Create a Realistic Marketing Plan
05:01 Step 5. Outline the Structure
06:10 Step 6. Write an Overview that Hooks
07:06 Step 7. Select Your Best Sample Chapter(s)
07:47 Step 8. Present the Logistics
08:11 Step 9. Don't Forget the Cover Page and Table of Contents
08:29 Common Mistakes to Avoid
09:25 Why a Book Proposal Matters
10:00 Recap
A book proposal is more than just a pitch — it’s a business plan for your book. It shows where your project fits in the market, why readers will care, and why you are the best person to write it. Done right, a strong proposal can secure you a literary agent, a publishing deal, and even an advance.
Whether you’re writing memoir, self-help, history, or any nonfiction project, this guide will help you create a professional book proposal that stands out.
Read HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL and DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE: blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-book-proposal
FIND REEDSY HERE:
Blog: blog.reedsy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/wearereedsy
Twitter: twitter.com/ReedsyHQ
Instagram: instagram.com/reedsy_hq
RESOURCES:
Reedsy Learning: reedsy.com/learning
Reedsy Studio [Writing App]: reedsy.com/studio
Reedsy Discovery [indie book reviews]: reedsy.com/discovery
Live Streams: blog.reedsy.com/live
Bestseller Podcast: blog.reedsy.com/podcast
Prompts & Writing Contest: blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts
Plot Generator: blog.reedsy.com/plot-generator
Character Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/character-name-generator
Pen Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/pen-name-generator
Book Title Generator: blog.reedsy.com/book-title-generator
Writing Exercises: blog.reedsy.com/writing-exercises
Writing Contest Directory: blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests
Literary Magazine Directory: blog.reedsy.com/literary-magazines
Learn how to write a book proposal that agents and publishers will actually want to read. In this video, Martin from Reedsy guides you through the essential elements of a nonfiction book proposal, explains why they matter, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:44 What is a Book Proposal
00:56 Step 1. Know the Key Ingredients
01:18 Step 2. Identify a Gap in the Market
02:04 Step 3. Prove YOU are the Best Person to Fill It
03:23 Step 4. Create a Realistic Marketing Plan
05:01 Step 5. Outline the Structure
06:10 Step 6. Write an Overview that Hooks
07:06 Step 7. Select Your Best Sample Chapter(s)
07:47 Step 8. Present the Logistics
08:11 Step 9. Don't Forget the Cover Page and Table of Contents
08:29 Common Mistakes to Avoid
09:25 Why a Book Proposal Matters
10:00 Recap
A book proposal is more than just a pitch — it’s a business plan for your book. It shows where your project fits in the market, why readers will care, and why you are the best person to write it. Done right, a strong proposal can secure you a literary agent, a publishing deal, and even an advance.
Whether you’re writing memoir, self-help, history, or any nonfiction project, this guide will help you create a professional book proposal that stands out.
Read HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL and DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE: blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-book-proposal
FIND REEDSY HERE:
Blog: blog.reedsy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/wearereedsy
Twitter: twitter.com/ReedsyHQ
Instagram: instagram.com/reedsy_hq
RESOURCES:
Reedsy Learning: reedsy.com/learning
Reedsy Studio [Writing App]: reedsy.com/studio
Reedsy Discovery [indie book reviews]: reedsy.com/discovery
Live Streams: blog.reedsy.com/live
Bestseller Podcast: blog.reedsy.com/podcast
Prompts & Writing Contest: blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts
Plot Generator: blog.reedsy.com/plot-generator
Character Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/character-name-generator
Pen Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/pen-name-generator
Book Title Generator: blog.reedsy.com/book-title-generator
Writing Exercises: blog.reedsy.com/writing-exercises
Writing Contest Directory: blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests
Literary Magazine Directory: blog.reedsy.com/literary-magazines
