You are ready to put together your proposal for the book God has laid on your heart. You know you need to write it. But how should you approach the topic? What makes your take on the topic a unique one? This is very important to consider before you start writing your proposal.
We receive hundreds of query letters each year and many of them are on the same topics. We get books on marriage, prayer, dating, anxiety, trusting God, divorce, grief and many other very important topics that apply to each of us in our lives at one time or another. And many of these books are not books we can take on because they have already been done. The angle isn’t unique. The writing isn’t special. The book doesn’t grab the reader or provide anything new in a crowded book market. So how can you find a unique angle? Here are a few tips to help you dig deep.
- Think of your idea in reverse. Remember the movie How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days where the lead character decides to write a “how to” dating article in reverse by doing a social experiment to drive a man away instead of attracting him? Can you apply the “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days treatment” to your book topic? Instead of writing about being a good friend, write about how you have failed as a friend in the past. Or if you have faced grief, talk about what went badly in your approach to grief and encourage others that they don’t need to make those same mistakes. Try to approach your topic from a different angle.
- Think about what YOU bring to the topic. What experiences do you have that are different from what others have? What expertise do you have that others don’t? What makes you the one to write this book? Focus in on the unique angle you can bring because of who you are and what you have experienced in your life.
- Make sure your writing is strong. By being a good writer, you will surpass many others who are trying to get a book published. Many writers haven’t taken the time to master the craft and beautiful writing really does stand out. It can make the difference with getting an agent. And great writing can be the thing that pushes a publishing committee to decide to publish a book.
I hope this helps you as you start in on your next proposal! Remember to do your best to showcase how your book will be unique.
Threads is Here! Is it Right for You?
Angle, angle, what’s the angle?
Just what am I headed towards?
Right now it just seems a tangle
of cliches and hackneyed words.
What is special, what’s my game?
Why should you read what I’ve written
when it might be more of same,
and there I lie, the biter bitten.
I thought this might be something new,
the story God placed in my soul,
but now I wonder if it’s true
when I look out at the whole
world of words whirling through space;
can there be, for me, a place?
Thank you, Rachel! I loved “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and it certainly sparks some ideas about slant. As our family barrels through the summer camp season (my husband has a 100-hour work week this time of year) what comes to mind is a book titled “Surfing the Waves of Ministry Madness: Mental Health Hacks from the Deep Chaos of Summer Camp” not really sure this is a viable idea but it certainly reflects our life, ha! My tip for today … pause for a mental health chocolate! Yes, indeedy. I purchased a giant box of 99% cocoa chocolates with a raw honey center that was actually advertised as “a healthy snack” yeah baby! Dark chocolate boosts four different brain chemicals. We need every boost we can this time of year, ha!