Prepare to Pitch Your Book

Book Proposal Ghostwriting

You'll need a ~20,000-word marketing document.

Some of my writer friends have confessed that they don't like writing book proposals and with good reason -- book proposals are a lot of work. Maybe I'm a nerd, but it's my favorite part of ghostwriting.

Before you write your non-fiction book for traditional publishing, you'll need a book proposal to secure an agent and later, a publisher. It's just how the business runs, unless of course you can prove you're Elvis' love child or you have a TikTok following in the millions.

When I'm writing a non-fiction book proposal, I start by asking the author these questions:

  • Why this?
  • Why you?
  • Why now?

Then I turn those answers into three pieces of content:

  1. a one-page overview
  2. a one-paragraph description
  3. a one-line Netflix-style logline

This becomes the foundation of a book proposal, which typically includes: overview, about the author, marketing plan, comp books, audience profile, chapter outline, and (optional) one or two sample chapters. I also include a pitch letter for agents and a spreadsheet of hand-selected 10 agents to pitch.

Let’s meet in a complimentary Zoom call to determine if we’re a good fit for each other. Contact me.

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Testimonials

Jen wrote a proposal for me that landed me a top agent and a book deal with an imprint of a Big Five publisher. She's the person you want in your corner to help you tell your story, manage the lift that is finishing a book, and do so in a way that feels authentic to you.

Mace Curran headshot

Michelle "Mace" Curran
Author, "The Flipside" (Grand Central Publishing, September 2025)

Book Proposal Writing & Editing Investment

Book Proposal Writing Fees (up to 20,000 words)

  • Ghostwriting $15,000 to $20,000
  • Editing/Reworking $12,000 to $16,000

 

Billing: ½ upon contract signing and ½ upon delivery of final proposal

Timeframe: 6 weeks to 3 months