The Non-Fiction Book Proposal Template (Free Download)

Write It Great
2 days ago
4 min read

Roughly 95 percent of book proposals get rejected by the first page. Here's what the other 5 percent do differently.

Most writers have never seen a real book proposal before they try to write one. They cobble something together based on conflicting advice from the internet, miss key sections, or spend way too much time on parts that don't actually matter.

We see hundreds of proposals every year, and we can tell within the first few pages whether someone knows what they're doing. So we're making it simple: here's the exact template we use to evaluate submissions at Write it Great.

This isn't theoretical. We've used this framework to place books with respected publishers such as Wiley, Post Hill Press, and BenBella and help authors secure six deals in 2025 alone. It works because it answers the exact questions editors ask when they're deciding whether to buy a book.

What's Actually in a Book Proposal

A book proposal isn't a creative writing exercise. It's a business document that answers specific questions:

What is this book? A clear explanation of your concept, who it's for, and what makes it worth publishing.

Why you? Your credentials, platform, and what qualifies you to write this particular book.

Why now? What makes this book timely, relevant, and likely to sell.

What's the competition? What other books exist in this space, and how is yours different or better?

How will it sell? Your platform, marketing plan, and realistic assessment of how you'll help get this book into readers' hands.

What's in it? A chapter-by-chapter outline showing the structure and content.

Can you actually write? Sample chapters that prove you can deliver on the promise.

That's it. If your proposal clearly covers those points, you're already ahead of most submissions we receive.

Why Most Proposals Don't Work

The proposals that don't make it past page one usually have one of these problems:

They're vague about the audience. "This book is for anyone interested in personal growth" doesn't tell us anything. "This book is for mid-career professionals who feel stuck despite external success," tells us exactly who would buy it. Yesterday I read a proposal that said the book was "for anyone interested in productivity." That's millions of people—and also tells me nothing. Compare that to: "This book is for managers of remote teams who struggle to maintain productivity without micromanaging." Now I know exactly who would buy this book and why.

They skip the competitive analysis. If you haven't looked at what else is out there, you don't understand your market. And if you think there's "nothing like this," you're either wrong or there's no audience for it.

The author has no platform. You don't need a million Instagram followers, but you do need some way to reach your target readers. If you're writing a book about corporate leadership, do you speak at industry conferences? Write for business publications? Have experience leading teams? That's a platform.

The writing doesn't deliver. Your sample chapters are where you prove you can actually execute. If they're not polished and don't deliver on what the overview promised, we're not going to request the full manuscript.

How to Use This Template

We've created a complete book proposal template that walks you through every section with prompts, examples, and guidance. It's the same structure we look for when evaluating submissions.

Get the Agent-Approved Template →

The template includes:

Detailed instructions for each section
Prompts to help you articulate your book's value
Guidance on what agents and publishers actually care about
Tips on common mistakes to avoid

Work through it section by section. Don't rush it—a solid proposal can take a few weeks to develop properly, and that's normal. Fill in what you know, research what you don't, and be honest about your platform and market positioning.

After You Have a Proposal

Once you have a completed proposal (and 2-3 polished sample chapters), you're ready to start querying agents. That means sending a brief query letter plus your proposal to agents who represent books in your category.

At Write it Great, we represent non-fiction in:

Business & Leadership
Technology & Innovation
Self-Help & Personal Development
Big Ideas / Thought Leadership

If your book fits one of these categories and you're confident in your proposal, we'd be happy to take a look. Send it to hello@writeitgreat.com along with a short query letter introducing yourself and your project. We respond to every submission within two weeks.

A Few More Tips

Start with the overview and competitive analysis. If you can't clearly articulate what your book is and how it's different from what already exists, you're not ready to write the rest of the proposal yet.

Be realistic about your platform. We'd rather see an honest assessment of a small but engaged audience than inflated numbers that don't mean anything. A highly engaged email list of 500 people in your target market is more valuable than 5,000 random Instagram followers.

Your sample chapters should be your best work. Don't submit first-draft material. These chapters are your proof that you can deliver on what you're promising. Polish them until they're genuinely good.

The proposal is a living document. Even after you land an agent, you might refine your proposal as you pitch it to publishers. It's okay if it evolves.