BOOK PROPOSAL SERVICES

What People Are Saying About Book Proposal Services

“With June’s help and direction, my book sold on the merits of my proposal alone. One agent even told me that my proposal was the best she’d ever seen.”

Kathy Murphy, author of Awake O Sleeper

“I don’t think I would be published today if it were not for the help I received . . . June taught me about every phase of the book proposal, and then coached me as I worked on my own proposal . . . When my query letter was sent out, I had at least eight requests from publishers to see the proposal . . . It was the best money I could have spent in my writing career.”

Molly Srode, author of Creating a Spiritual Retirement

“In my twenty-plus years of publishing, I have rarely seen more thoughtful, better executed, or helpful proposals than the ones I have received from June Cotner. Every potential author can benefit profoundly by following her example and suggestions.”

Liz Perle, Editor-at-Large

“June Cotner is a master of proposals!”

Andrea Spooner, Executive Editor, Little, Brown & Company

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Book Proposal Services?

I offer three levels of service:

1) Book Concept Analysis - $100.

Upon request, I will email you a four-page questionnaire about your unpublished nonfiction project. Your completion of this form, accompanied with a check for $100, will allow me to analyze your project and offer suggestions about the next steps you should take. For example, I will tell you whether I think a large, New York publisher would be interested in your project, whether a small to mid-sized publisher might be your best option, or whether you should consider self-publication.

A Book Concept Analysis is useful for people who have one of the following: (1) a partially completed book proposal for which they would like feedback before completing the entire book proposal; (2) a really solid book idea for which they’ve researched the competition; or (3) a brilliant “What-do-you-think-of-this-idea?” concept for which they would appreciate feedback.

2) Book Proposal Evaluation - $250.

I provide a thorough, 21-point evaluation of any nonfiction proposal. This evaluation will rate and consider 107 items covering areas such as the following:

Have you made the right pitch for the book?
Do you offer compelling reasons why your book should be published?
Is your competitive books analysis correctly done?
Have you documented the need for your book?
Have you shown how you are going to make your book successful?

Please note: If your book proposal is completed, it is not necessary to pay an additional $100 for a Book Concept Analysis. If you start with a Book Concept Analysis and decide to complete a proposal, the Book Proposal Evaluation fee would be $150.

3) Book Proposal In-depth Revision -

If I feel you have a saleable project to one of the top publishers and if you would like more help with your proposal, I will provide you with an estimate of how much Book Proposal Services will charge to strengthen and augment your proposal to get it in top shape. This service would come after the completion of your $250 book proposal evaluation. Typically, I find the audience, marketing, promotion, publicity, and competitive books sections of proposals are weak. Or perhaps the author isn’t making the right pitch for the book in the overview section. I can make great improvements in these sections. Publishers need to feel completely confident about investing their money in the author’s proposed book project.

I critique your existing proposal and look for ways to make it stronger by justifying the need for the book in the marketplace. I also give you suggestions for improving your marketing and publicity plan for the book. I work in coordination with you, giving you advice on specific things you can do to strengthen your proposal.

How quickly can you produce a Book Proposal Evaluation or a Book Concept Analysis?

Please email or call me so I can give you the earliest date I can start on your project. Once I have your materials in hand, I will complete your work within ten working days (two weeks).

What is your experience with book proposals?

June Cotner, President of Book Proposal Services, is the author of 20 books that have sold more than 685,000 copies. My books are published by major publishers such as Random House, Harper Collins, and the Time Warner Book Group. I create a thorough book proposal for each of my books. I know what goes on during editorial board meetings and the process publishers go through to determine which books to publish. As a result, if I feel you have a saleable book, I will help you position yourself and your proposal so that you can receive a top-dollar advance from a major publisher.

What are your criteria for taking on new clients?

First, I need to have an opening at a mutually agreed-upon date. Secondly, for a fee of $250 (for proposals up to 25 pages in length), Book Proposal Services will provide an extensive evaluation of your existing nonfiction proposal. Then, if I feel you have a saleable project and you would like more help with your proposal, I will provide you with an estimate of how much it would cost to get your proposal in top shape. This third level of service is described below.

If I desire more in-depth work after reviewing my Book Proposal Evaluation, and your company feels I’m a good candidate, how long does it take to complete the in-depth work, and what’s involved?

Please email or call me so I can give you the earliest date I can take you on as a client. At that time, based upon the results of your Book Proposal Evaluation, I will provide you with a time and cost estimate for the work.

I like to work with authors—giving you as much as possible to write or research—using my guidance, so I can reduce your overall bill.

What does your company charge, on an hourly basis, for more in-depth work?

Please contact me at june@junecotner.com and use “BPS-Rates” as your subject line.

Can you help me with anything else?

I’ve worked with authors on reviewing and augmenting their query letters to agents. This generally takes 30-45 minutes. I only provide this service for clients with whom I'm doing the in-depth proposal work.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

While my success is dependent on making my clients successful (securing an agent, then selling a book to a publisher), there are many fluctuating marketplace circumstances that affect whether a proposal will sell at any given time (such as a subject area becoming oversaturated). While I will produce a Book Proposal Evaluation for the $250 fee, I reserve the right to turn down clients for in-depth work.

If I’m put on a waiting list, what can I do in the meantime?

+ Read and incorporate ideas into your proposal from the five following books:

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why by Jeff Herman & Deborah Levine Herman

Nonfiction Book Proposals by Elizabeth Lyon

1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer

Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons to Help You Sell Your Work by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman & Michael Larsen

+ Make sure you have thoroughly reviewed the competition.

+ Continue to improve the audience, marketing, promotion and publicity sections of your proposal.

+ Develop a one-page query letter that will be sent to agents when your proposal is completed.