This document provides guidance on writing a book proposal. It discusses the structure of a book proposal, including an overview of the book publication process. It recommends targeting a publisher that publishes similar books and outlines what makes a good proposal, such as clearly explaining what makes the proposed book unique and why it should be published. The document provides questions to address in a book proposal, such as the goals of the book, intended audience, table of contents, competition, and timelines. It concludes by recommending potential reviewers for the proposed book.

1. Writing Book Proposal
G R Sinha, PhD
IEEE Senior Member, ACM Distinguished Speaker, IEEE Distinguished Speaker
Professor, Myanmar Institute of Information Technology Mandalay
Recipient of ISTE National Award, TCS Award, IEI Award, Expert Engineer Award, Young Engineer Award, Young Scientist Award
Email: drgrsinha@ieee.org, ganeshsinha@acm.com, gr_sinha@miit.edu.mm

2. Book Project
Structure
Book Publication Process
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

3. Volume Editor /
Series Editor
Commissioning
Editor
Production Users
Collates quality
research papers
Identifies and
develops new
areas of coverage
The link between the
publisher series editor/
volume editor / author
Overall responsibility
for on-schedule
publication of the book
Promotion and
marketing
Attends conferences
Deals with production
queries
Typesetting
Copy-editing
Proofs
Print
Libraries
Universities
Sales Agents
Researchers
Practitioners
contd..
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

4. Book/book series ideas are normally sold to publishers on the basis of a
detailed proposal including:
1. Why is this book/series different from other books?
2. Why should it be published?
3. Why are you qualified to write it?
Proposing a Book
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

5.  Target your proposal to a publisher who has published similar books
 Do they publish in your subject area?
 Do they publish the same type of books?
 Study the publisher's website
Right Publisher
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

6.  What is your rationale for publication?
 Is there a gap in the market?
 Will the book/series have international applicability and reach?
 What is the proposed editorial scope and coverage?
 What will make it stand out from the competition?
 What are its unique selling points?
 Who will be the target audience?
 What is the composition of the research field, in terms of number of researchers and geography?
 Where and how can the book be effectively promoted?
 How will the book position itself amongst the competition?
What makes a proposal GOOD!
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

7.  Book reviewing
 Refereeing/peer review
 Editorial advisory board membership
 Contributing editorship
 Regional editorship
 Editorship
Beyond Authorship
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

8. 8
 Draft a 1-2 page document outlining the rationale for publishing the proposed book.
 Please summarize the project.
 What are the goals you have for your book?
 Why is there a need for a new book in this area?
 How will it meet the needs of your audience?
Book Proposal Summary/Purpose
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

9. 9
 What topics do you plan to include?
 At what level will your book be written (verbally and technically)?
 What aspects of your approach will most clearly distinguish your book from others
currently available?
 Will this volume be single-authored, multi-authored or edited?
 What experience, background, or other qualifications do you (and any co-authors) bring to
the project which makes you uniquely qualified to undertake it?
Coverage and Authors
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

10. 10
 Please prepare table of contents that includes the proposed title of each chapter and a
short paragraph outlining the content within the chapter.
 This will be of assistance during the reviewing process ensuring feedback not only on
general concepts planned, but of the scope and details of the content to be covered.
Table of Contents
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

11. 11
 What is the primary audience for which your book is intended? Please be as specific as possible, i.e. if
“academics,” in what disciplines?
 Is there a course in which your book could be used? What program is it a part of?
 What books already on the market cover this subject in whole or part?
 Which one or two will most directly compete with your proposed book?
 Describe the strengths & weaknesses of those books.
 What about these books are currently not meeting your audience’s needs?
 How will your book differ from these books on the market?
Market and Competition
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

12. 12
 What published book length (printed pages) do you anticipate?
 What types and amounts of illustrations do you anticipate? Do you intend to include color figures?
 Do you want any ancillary products (CD/DVD, companion web site, etc.)?
 Please provide 5-10 key words or terms that might be used to search online for your book.
 When do you expect to have your manuscript completed in final form?
Other Information
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

13. 13
 Suggest 6 to 10 names of experts in this particular field who might be appropriate to
review this project?
Reviewers
Writing Book Proposal G R Sinha

14. 14
Thanks with Inspiring Equation
E= mc2
E=Excellence, m = Motivation,
C =Commitment
c = 0.5 (Half hearted) E = ¼
c = 2 (Doubly enthused) E =4