Show agents and editors why your story MUST be published
— and why you're the writer for the job!
The center of your vision board is a book with your name on the cover.
But if landing a traditional publishing contract is your dream scenario, you must first write a book proposal.
The proposal is a big document — 40 pages or more! — with a lot riding on it. No traditional royalty-based publisher will consider acquiring a book without first reading a proposal.
Why?
Proposals exist to "sell" your book to publishers or agents. They thoroughly explain your idea, position the book for a target audience, and establish your clear authority.
The Harsh Reality
A proposal doesn't just describe your book — it proves you can deliver a marketable product that readers will actually buy.
Publishers aren't just buying your book. They're investing in YOU. They need to know you understand your market, have a platform to reach readers, and can write with the skill and consistency their brand demands.
What Makes Publishers Say "Yes"?
After reviewing thousands of proposals, publishers and agents look for these non-negotiables:
- A crystal-clear value proposition: What unique perspective or solution does your book offer that doesn't already exist?
- Market positioning expertise: You know exactly where your book fits in the current landscape and why readers need it now
- Platform credibility: You have genuine authority and a way to reach your target audience
- Writing excellence: Your sample chapters prove you can deliver on your promise for 200+ pages
- Realistic marketing savvy - You understand how books actually sell in today's market
Miss any of these elements, and your proposal joins the 98% that get rejected, no matter how brilliant your core idea.
The Proposal Writing Nightmare Most Authors Face
You know your book idea is solid. You're passionate about your message. You have a story worth sharing.
But then you sit down to write the proposal and suddenly you're drowning in questions:
- How do I prove there's a market for my book without sounding like everyone else?
- What if I don't have 50,000 social media followers? Can I still get published?
- How do I write about competitive titles without making my book sound redundant?
- What exactly counts as "platform" and how do I make mine sound impressive?
- How long should each section be? What tone should I use? What format do agents actually want?
The Stakes Are Higher Than You Think
A mediocre proposal doesn't just get rejected — it can close doors with specific agents or publishers for years. They'll remember your name, and not in a good way.
But a compelling, professional proposal? That opens doors.
Why Most Proposal "Help" Falls Short
Generic templates and online courses can't address what makes your book unique. One-size-fits-all advice ignores the nuances of your specific genre, audience, and personal platform.
You need someone who understands:
- The current publishing landscape and what agents are actually looking for right now
- How to position your unique background as the perfect qualification for your book
- The subtle difference between confident expertise and off-putting arrogance
- How to make your book sound both commercially viable and personally meaningful
- The unwritten rules that separate amateur submissions from professional ones
If only you had an expert to guide you through the process and be with you every step of the way... A collaborative partner to provide editorial support and accountability... A veteran editor with a keen eye for clear, compelling, engaging writing... Someone who ensures your words get you the best possible chance for that publishing contract you're dreaming of...
The Transformation You'll Experience
The Book Proposal Blueprint
(Looking for Helene to provide editorial feedback on an existing proposal? Contact to inquire!)
Foundation & Strategy
- Clarify your book's unique angle and value proposition
- Identify your true target audience (not "everyone who likes good books")
- Develop your author platform story that positions you as the perfect person for this book
- Create a competitive analysis that shows market opportunity without diminishing your book's uniqueness
Authority & Positioning
- Craft an author bio that showcases your credibility without arrogance
- Develop your book's overview that hooks readers from the first paragraph
- Position your book within current market trends and reader demands
- Identify and address potential publisher concerns before they become rejections
Content & Samples
- Write (or refine) sample chapters that demonstrate your full writing capability
- Create chapter outlines that prove you can sustain reader interest for an entire book
- Develop section summaries that show logical flow and compelling progression
- Refine your voice to match your target audience's expectations and needs
Marketing & Submission Ready
- Build a realistic, achievable marketing and promotion plan
- Identify specific agents and publishers who are the best fit for your project
- Polish every element until your proposal reads like the professional document it needs to be
- Prepare for the submission process with confidence and clarity
How it works:
We’ll begin our partnership with a focused clarity call to develop and fine-tune your specific blueprint and map goals with monthly milestones and assignments/plans of action/deliverables.
We’ll work together to develop all sections of your proposal, including:
- The Overview
- Target Audience
- Competitive Titles/Market Analysis
- Author Bio
- Chapter Outline/ Annotated Table of Contents
- Sample Chapter(s)
- Marketing and Promotion Plan
- Any additional sections specific to your book's niche needs
You can expect:
- Extensive, personalized feedback, notes, and suggestions
- Project management with clear, doable steps; accountability to keep the writing on task; motivation and support for your project at every stage
- Unlimited questions by email
- An optional 30-minute pocket call to review progress, set goals and strategy, discuss edits, and receive focused support on your project, PLUS the one-hour clarity call, PLUS a project wrap-up call
- Query bonus: Because you will also need to write a 1-page pitch/query, we'll work together to develop and refine this piece of your submission package.
Investment: Pricing is determined on a case-by case-basis, depending on the needs and readiness of each project.
Timeline: You’ll have a finished, submission-ready proposal in 3-16 weeks, depending on your own availability to do the research, writing, and revision.
