by @LynetteEason

You’ve written the book. Congratulations. Or maybe you’re in the process of writing it. Or maybe you just have a great idea swirling around in your head. Whatever the case, if you’re heading to a writers’ conference hoping to pitch to an agent or editor, you need to understand one thing before you walk through those doors:

The book proposal is your business plan and agents and editors take it seriously.

Here’s what goes into one, broken down so you can walk into your appointment confident and prepared.

What Is a Book Proposal?

A book proposal is a document that can range in length. Sometimes it’s 20 pages, sometimes it’s 50. Don’t worry about the length. Worry about the content. It’s the document that sells your book before it’s finished (in the case of nonfiction) or packages it for submission (in fiction). **If you are an unpublished writer targeting a traditional fiction publisher, please have the manuscript complete before pitching.**

The proposal answers the core questions every agent or editor is asking:

• What is this book?
• Who will buy it?
• Why are you the person to write it?
• Why now?

Think of it less like a creative document and more like a pitch deck. You’re making a business case.

The Key Components

1. The Hook / Overview (1–2 pages)

This is your opening argument. Lead with a compelling hook. That could be a statistic, a provocative question, or a vivid scene. Then describe what the book is, who it’s for, and why it matters. Think of this as the back-cover copy plus a little more muscle behind it.

For fiction, this is often called the pitch paragraph or story overview. It should convey the core premise, the stakes, the emotional arc, and the tone. This should all be in short, punchy paragraphs This is not the place to summarize every plot point. It’s the place to grab that, “I want to read this book” attention.

Conference tip: Your one- or two-sentence verbal pitch is a compressed version of this section. Nail it here, and your pitch appointment gets easier.

2. The Synopsis

The synopsis is the full narrative arc of your story. The beginning, middle, and the end. No cliffhangers allowed, no “you’ll have to read it to find out.” Agents and editors need to know the whole story works right up front.

So, I know your next question. How long should the synopsis be? Some publishers want one page, some want five. Check submission guidelines. Write it in present tense, third person (even if your book is first person), and keep the focus on the main plot, the conflict, and the emotional journey. If there’s a crime, you need to reveal the villain.

This is one of the most dreaded parts of a proposal, and for good reason—condensing an 80,000-word novel into four pages without losing the soul of the story is legit hard. Practice it anyway. The discipline of writing a good synopsis will actually strengthen your manuscript.

3. Market Analysis / Comparable Titles

Here you answer: Who else is writing books like mine, and who’s buying them?

Identify two to four comp titles. Comp titles are books published in the last three to five years that share your book’s tone, genre, and readership. Don’t reach for the mega-bestsellers. Choose books that were commercially successful. These are more realistic comparisons.

Frame it like this: “Readers who enjoyed [Title] by [Author] for its [specific quality] will find a similar experience in my book. However, while [Title] is similar in [this way], it’s different in [this way].”

This section tells an agent/publisher you understand the market. And that matters.

4. Author Bio / Platform

This is where you make the case for you.

For nonfiction, platform is everything. Speaking engagements, social media following, a blog, a podcast, credentials in your field. Publishers are making a big investment into this book and they want to know you can help sell the book.

For fiction, it’s a bit the same, just a little less about numbers than non-fiction. For fiction writers, it’s important to showcase your credentials as a storyteller—writing courses, contest wins, previous publications, conference involvement, and any life experience that uniquely qualifies you to write this particular story.

Keep it professional, written in third person, and focused on what’s relevant to this book.

5. Chapter-by-Chapter Outline (Nonfiction) or Sample Chapters (Fiction)

For nonfiction, a chapter outline breaks down each chapter by title and a short summary of its content and purpose. This shows the agent that the book has shape, logic, and momentum.

For fiction, you’ll typically include the first three chapters. These chapter should be as shiny as you can make them. These aren’t rough draft pages. They’re the best writing you can produce. Everything the agent/editor needs to fall in love with your voice, your characters, and your world should be right there in those opening pages.

Before the Conference: Your Action Items

1. Write your pitch paragraph. Two to four sentences that include the protagonist, conflict, stakes, tone.
2. Draft your synopsis. Even if it’s just a rough draft. You can refine it if you have time, but you need something.
3. Identify your comp titles. Three recent books in your genre with similar readership.
4. Polish your first pages. If they’re not ready, don’t pitch.
5. Prepare your bio. Know your credentials and be ready to share them.

A conference appointment is not a contract. It’s an invitation to submit. But walking in without a clear handle on your proposal—even verbally—leaves opportunity on the table.

Know your book. Know your market. Know why you wrote it.

If you know those things, you’re going to do GREAT!

Read the other Mentoring Moments posts here:

WEEK 1: Make The Most Of A Writing Conference

WEEK 2: Six Tips to Prepare for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

WEEK 3: Paid Mentoring – Preparing the Writer for The Blue Ridge Conference

WEEK 4: Paid Faculty Critiques at BRMCWC

WEEK 5: Business Cards for Writers: What to Include Before Attending a Writing Conference (2026 Guide)

WEEK 6: Preparing For The Conference: The Elevator Pitch

WEEK 7: Preparing For The Conference: The Fifteen Minute Appointment

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series, the Blue Justice series, and the Danger Never Sleeps series. She writes for Revell and for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, and the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. The movie, Her Stolen Past, based on Lynette’s novel with the same title, aired February 2, 2018 on the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love (FHL) chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter.