Your nonfiction book proposal is the roadmap you need to get your book idea out of your head, onto the page, and into the right hands. More than that, it helps you find clarity, develop strategy, and get the results you want: a saleable, marketable book. In the Book Proposal Podcast, host and book proposal consultant Debra Eckerling simplifies the process with short, practical episodes focused entirely on proposals. From pinpointing the right idea and building your platform to planning your promo and choosing comps, Debra answers real questions to help you create a proposal that sells your book—and you. Whether you’re aiming for traditional, hybrid, or indie publishing, you’ll get actionable advice to turn your concept into a plan.
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What does a memoir book proposal look like?” Memoir proposals are nonfiction proposals. There’s also a genre called memoir plus, where the author is including extra advice, takeaways, action items to their narrative. That way, the reader not only learns from the…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How much detail should my book proposal include?” While it’s easy to assume that more information will make a proposal stronger. In reality, however, too much detail can work against you. A book proposal is not the book — its job is…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What role does networking play in the book proposal process?” When people hear the word networking, they often think of awkward events, forced small talk, or salesy conversations. That’s not what networking means. Networking is actually relationship development. And relationships matter, both…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How does public speaking strengthen my book proposal?” If you’re working on a nonfiction book proposal, public speaking isn’t just something you do after the book is published — it’s an asset that strengthens your proposal right now. Debra explains how speaking…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How much does it cost to publish a book?” In traditional publishing, the answer is, “nothing.” You don’t pay a publisher; they pay you. If someone is asking you to spend tens of thousands of dollars to publish your book, that’s typically…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “When should I gather media for my book proposal?” The short answer is: yesterday. As soon as you start working on a nonfiction book, you need to begin building your visibility through media. One of the best things about working on a…
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On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I restart a stalled book proposal?” Whether your proposal got set aside after a break, was deprioritized under other work, or just felt stalled, it’s okay: things happen, life happens, and sometimes a project is simply “not yet.” Instead of…
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On the episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “Should I submit my book proposal in December?” The short answer is no. That’s also the long answer. Unless you get a specific request for you book proposal, wait until after the holidays to send it out. In the publishing world, especially…
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