Book Proposal Generator

SKILL.md

# Book Proposal Generator

**Category:** Writing & Publishing  
**Skill Level:** Intermediate  
**Time to Complete:** 45-90 minutes per section  
**Pricing:** Free tier (Prompt 1) | Full skill $29 one-time | DFY $197/proposal

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## What This Skill Does

Generates a complete, agent-ready nonfiction book proposal in 4 modular prompts. Each prompt produces one major section of a professional proposal — the same format expected by literary agents at top agencies (CAA, WME, Curtis Brown, Writers House).

**Who This Is For:**
- Nonfiction authors (business, self-help, memoir, narrative nonfiction)
- Thought leaders, coaches, consultants building authority
- Executives with a story to tell
- Journalists pitching narrative books
- Anyone who has been told "write a proposal first"

**What You Get:**
1. Hook + Overview (the pitch) — FREE
2. Market Analysis + Competing Titles
3. Full Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
4. Author Platform + Marketing Plan + Publisher Pitch Email

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## The 4 Prompts

### Prompt 1 (FREE) — Hook & Overview
Produces:
- Title + 3 subtitle options (SEO-optimized, benefit-forward)
- One-sentence pitch (the "elevator hook" agents read in 10 seconds)
- One-paragraph summary (250 words — the query letter core)
- Why this book, why now, why you (the narrative hook section)
- Estimated word count + format recommendation (trade/hardcover/paperback)

**Input you provide:** Topic, your core argument, your background, intended reader

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### Prompt 2 — Market Analysis & Competing Titles
Produces:
- Target reader profile (demographics, psychographics, buying behavior)
- Market opportunity statement (with real market size framing)
- 5 comparable titles analysis: title, publisher, pub year, Amazon rank, how yours differs
- Positioning statement: "For [reader] who [need], [your book] is [category] that [differentiator]. Unlike [comp title], it [key advantage]."
- Bookstore placement guidance (section + subsection)

**Input you provide:** 3-5 comp titles, your key differentiators, market context

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### Prompt 3 — Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
Produces:
- Introduction outline (hook, premise, chapter roadmap, reader promise)
- Full outline for every chapter:
  - Working chapter title
  - 2-sentence description of content
  - Core argument or insight delivered
  - 1 story/case study/research anchor per chapter
  - Word count estimate per chapter
- Conclusion outline (synthesis, call to action, lasting insight)
- Total book structure (chapters × estimated words = full manuscript scope)

**Input you provide:** List of chapters, core argument per chapter, key stories/examples

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### Prompt 4 — Author Platform + Marketing Plan + Publisher Pitch Email
Produces:
- Author bio (3 lengths: 50-word, 150-word, full bio for proposal)
- Platform section: speaking history, media appearances, social reach, email list, podcast, online courses — formatted for agents
- Marketing plan (what the publisher doesn't have to do):
  - Pre-launch: ARC strategy, podcast tour, newsletter announcement
  - Launch: press targets, speaking engagements, virtual events
  - Post-launch: course upsell, DFY consulting, evergreen SEO content
- Comparable author marketing models (how similar authors built their platforms)
- Complete query letter (250 words — ready to paste into agent submission portals)
- Publisher pitch email (for direct submissions to editors via referral)

**Input you provide:** Your platform stats, media history, speaking experience

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## Pricing Strategy

| Tier | Price | What to Charge |
|------|-------|---------------|
| DIY skill | $29 one-time | Use prompts yourself |
| DFY proposal | $197 | Max writes all 4 sections |
| DFY + revisions | $297 | Two revision rounds included |
| Agent query package | $97 add-on | 10 personalized query letters to specific agents |

**Market context:** Literary agents charge $0 (work on commission), but book proposal consultants charge $2,000-$8,000. Top ghostwriters charge $15,000-$50,000 for a full proposal + sample chapters. This skill delivers agent-ready output for $29.

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## Example Output

See `example/` folder:
- **Book:** "The Human Firewall: How IT Leaders Build Security Culture Without Fear"
- **Author:** Marcus Rivera, IT Director → Cybersecurity Consultant, Las Vegas
- **Target Publisher:** Wiley, AMACOM, Berrett-Koehler
- Complete Hook & Overview, Market Analysis, 10-chapter outline, full Author Platform + query letter

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## Quality Standards

- Comparable titles must be published in the last 5 years (agents dismiss outdated comps)
- Word count targets: trade nonfiction 60,000-80,000 words
- Platform numbers must be current — agents fact-check
- Query letter must be under 300 words — agents read hundreds per day
- No academic language — proposals should read like the book: clear, direct, urgent

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## DFY Delivery Process

1. Client fills out intake form (10 questions, 20 min)
2. Max runs all 4 prompts with client's inputs
3. Delivers Google Doc with all 4 sections + query letter
4. Turnaround: 24-48 hours
5. Pitch: "For the cost of one agent consultation, I'll write your entire book proposal."