What is a project proposal?
The project proposal is a summary of your ideas about your proposed book: the markets at which it is aimed, the topics it should cover, how it is to be organised, the features it should include and the competition it will face. After review and, in most cases, minor amendment, it will become the agreed template for the book itself.
When should the proposal be prepared?
In most cases, potential authors will be preparing a proposal after initial discussions with ICSA Publishing. This is always preferable. Please contact Clare Grist Taylor (see details below) for further guidance.
What should the proposal include?
The proposal should always include the following:
- Working title/sub-title and, where relevant, series
- Author details: a brief biography, including details of any previous publications
- Readership: who will read this book? Think carefully about the target market/s and which are the most important. Why would these people take the trouble to buy the book and read it?
- Competition: what other books are already available on this topic for this readership. How will your book be distinguished from the competition?
- Brief overview: a one-sentence overview of what the book is intended to achieve.
- Coverage: what topics will the book cover and how will they be organised? This is the core of the proposal – your outline of the scope and structure of the book. Do make clear why you have decided to select and organise the content in the manner indicated, and how this will appeal to the market/s for the book. Give enough detail to provide an overview of each chapter, but no more than 1-2 paragraphs.
- Give careful thought to how the book will begin and end. For example, the preliminary pages should probably include a Preface which will set out your rationale for the organisation and style of what follows, and outline your chosen structure. In some cases, a separate How to Make the Most of the Book section might be appropriate. At the other end, don’t forget about Further Reading/Directory pages (see below) and/or index(es).
- Text features: what features will be used to illustrate the text include (e.g., checklists, model wordings, examples, case studies, tables, figures, hints and tips) and how will they be used (integrated into the text of each chapter/grouped at chapter ends/mix of both)? What about further reading and useful contact addresses (including website addresses)? Will these be placed at the end of each chapter or at the end of the book in a single Directory section?
- Appendices: the need (or not) for extensive appendices will obviously depend on the book and its intended audience. Wherever possible, essential material should be integrated into the text itself. Appendices can be located at the end of chapters or at the end of the book.
- Precedents/sample wordings: where relevant, the inclusion of draft wordings/templates can be an important selling feature. These can be integrated into the text, appear at chapter ends or in a separate section.
- Physical features: how many pages will your book comprise?
- Status and schedule: what is the current status of the project (eg., idea only, proposal, sample material available) and when will the first complete draft be available? What software package will you use to prepare the manuscript?
Where should I send my proposal?
Send your completed proposal, plus any other relevant material (eg, cv and bibliography, sample material, previous publications) to:
ICSA Publishing
16 Park Crescent
London W1B 1AH
Tel: 020 7612 7020
Fax: 020 7612 7034
E-mail:publishing@icsa.co.uk |
