Your proposal should include the items discussed below. Attach them as a single file to an email with "submission: title, author’s name, and word count" in the subject line and send to Deb Haggerty.
- Proposal Cover Sheet
The following information must be included: title/genre/word count and appropriate contact information (name, mailing address, telephone(s), preferred e-mail address, and agent if you have one). This e-mail should interest us in reading your proposal. Attached to the email should be the information listed below. Note: the attachment’s file name should be descriptive—author name, title of work,
fiction or nonfiction proposal. (Please submit attachment in Word.doc or Word.docx format.)
- One-Page Sell Sheet
- The first line of a sell sheet includes the title, genre, and word count
- Tagline: one-line pitch for your book (required for nonfiction; optional for fiction)
- Back cover paragraph/description—short description of the book
- Abbreviated bio with author photo.
- Biographical Sketch
List your writing experience, your education, your achievements, and your prior publishing history.
- Story Synopsis
Prepare a one- to three-page synopsis of your story.
- Market Analysis
Identify your novel's audience (the specific categories of readers your book is designed to attract).
- Competitive Analysis
Identify two to three novels published within the past five years similar to your proposed work. Tell us how your book is superior and/or provides a new slant on your topic.
- Marketing Strategies (what will you do to sell your book in cooperation with us.)
Increasingly, fiction and non-fiction authors are encouraged to promote their novels themselves through writers' conferences, book signings, and websites. ELP suggests you establish a website to promote yourself and your book. You'll need to create promotional giveaways, arrange your own book signings, and/or attend writers' conferences. Think outside of the box as to venues or events where you can sell your books.
- History of the Manuscript
Please tell us if the manuscript has been submitted to other editors and/or publishers by yourself or your agent.
- Three Chapters
For fiction, send the first three chapters. Nonfiction can be your choice of the first three chapters or which three chapters you feel best showcase your book.
