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    • Our Authors Books
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    • Proposal Guide
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Dancing Word Group

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Non-fiction, Self-Help and some Fiction

Guideline for a good proposal

Please use this MINI PROPOSAL guide:

12pt text 1.5 spaced
Remember your proposal is to be written in third person. 

And please keep sections in the order below.


On the first page

Title/Subtitle

Author name

Author contact info

Approximate word count

Category - Non-fiction, Self Help, Fiction


The Intention of a Proposal is: 

To quickly generate publisher interest in a book idea. A more detailed version of the outline may be required afterward.

Length should total 3-8 pages - please don't be long winded.

Include the following items by the sections that are in italicized below:

Synopsis or Concept of Book 


This is a description of your book that includes the following information. 

  • What's it about? (subject, problem or issue) 
  • What are your credentials as an expert? (for non-fiction)
  • “Why is this book needed?” You should go into some detail about the topic. 
  • What will your readers take away from having read your book?

Author Biography (this must be strong but not your life story) 


In a few paragraphs, communicate your previous credits and credentials that are pertinent. Publishers look at your platform. Do you have degrees, teach classes, and do book signings? Don’t be modest. This section should answer the question who you are and why anyone would anyone listen to you. It’s best if you can convey that you are a source of authority in the subject matter you are writing about. If you have a personal story relating to what you are writing about, people will identify with. 

This section should be the about one full page.


List of your previously published book(s): 


Title, Authors name, publisher, the year published and total of number of copies sold.

Marketing (your platform)


The information in this section should contain where and how you would assist a publisher in promoting the book. Do you have plans to hire a publicist? Most publishers today are very limited financially in this area and expect authors participation. 

List the numbers of contacts/followers on all of your social media pages with links for facebook, Linkedin, twitter, Youtube channel or a blog and other online services. 


Include the live links as well as number of followers (as a list)

Format like this:

Social Media                        Link                       Number of Followers


If you have published articles or done talks, list those by title and year.


Comparative Titles 


Go to Amazon or a bookstore and find several books that are similar to yours. Make sure you lay it out like this sample below. Only use three titles!


Book Title  - Author - Publisher - Year Published  
One short paragraph on what makes your books similar and one paragraph on what makes your book different? 


If submitting non-fiction or self help include an annotated Table of Contents.
(Provide a brief table of contents of what is contained in each chapter.)  


Sales Tags


Most publishers will ask you to provide information about the market for the book.  Use one liners, something like:  Finally a book that makes you think, do, and become more!


Future Work


If you are considering a future book publishers would like to know publishers like to know that they are investing in your future as an author.




When you have completed your proposal, send it to me digitally at: devra@dancingwordgroup.com 


Please email me first to make sure I am interested before spending time and money to mail your pages. All manuscripts must be submitted on printed pages (first 50 pages only), not less than 12point text, in Times New Roman, 1.5 spaced, and one sided and not bound in any way.  


Mail to this address:

Devra Ann Jacobs

Dancing Word Group

717 Shady Heights Rd. #A

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas 71901




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