How to Write a Book Proposal Cover Letter

First, let’s clarify: I’m talking about a cover letter that accompanies a nonfiction book proposal. It’s a business communication tool that you’re using to introduce your book proposal, and it’s probably actually an email to which the book proposal is attached.* If you’re a fiction writer, you’ll have slightly different goals; check out Nathan Bransford’s advice on query letters or Blair Thornburgh’s podcast The Query Show.

So what goes in your book proposal cover letter? Answer these questions:

• What is your proposed book about about?
• Who is the audience, and what benefit will your book offer them?
• Who are you, and why are you a good person to author this book?
• Why is this book a good fit for the publisher or agent you’re sending it to?

Keep it short! Your goal is to grab my attention and convince me to open the proposal. The proposal is where you’re going to shine, and where you can go into a lot more detail.

What not to include: Somewhere out there, someone is telling prospective authors to mention that their proposal is a “simultaneous submission.” You don’t have to do that. I would hope that you aren’t only sending one query at a time. Querying several editors at once is absolutely standard. Just don’t query more than one person at the same company.

Press Send!

You’ve got this. You’ve made it this far. You written a thorough, well considered proposal, you’ve researched your publishers, and you’re following your heart. Open up that email and press send. Do it! Do it now!

YES. Now write down the publishers you sent it to, and go reward yourself. Well done.

What If I Made a Grammar Mistake?

You’re suggesting that an editor should hire you to write a book, so if you have good grammar and spelling, we’ll be pretty happy. However, it’s a bonus. We’re interested in your subject matter expertise, not your semicolon usage. Do your best, but don’t go hiring a professional to edit your query letter.

After all, your future editor has chosen a whole career that allows them to drink tea, read books-in-progress, and excitedly consult the dictionary when they discover an alternate spelling. They likely have heartfelt opinions on commas. They will be more than happy to help.

What If You Don’t Hear Back?

Listen, I’m sorry, but that’s probably a no. Some agents and editors make an effort to reply with at least a no, but it’s not always possible. But the good news is, a no from me does not mean a no from every publisher, and it doesn’t mean your idea isn’t a good one. Keep pitching!

*If it isn’t, there should be a reason it isn’t. If the submission guidelines only allow hard copy submissions (perhaps the editor hates trees?), if you don’t have access to the internet, or if you have some other good reason, okay. If you’re trying to grab attention by being clever with glitter, that’s gonna be a no on your proposal. Grab attention with your awesome book idea instead! (Seriously. Don’t send me glitter.)