Book Proposal 101: Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

For every aspiring author, a moment comes when you must choose: will you seek the seeming prestige of traditional publishing, or take the reins of creative control by self-publishing your book? Traditional publishing often dazzles with the possibility of fame and fortune lingering on the horizon. Self-publishing offers the allure of creative freedom and retaining all your rights, with the possibility for a bigger cut of royalties. So how can a book proposal help achieve your publishing goal?

No matter which route you choose, a book proposal can be beneficial to getting started and getting published. 

So, with such strong opinions and benefits for each side of the coin, how do you know which publishing path is the right one? Are book proposals really necessary? Does traditional publishing really mean your work has cleared the high standard of quality writing? And can self-publishing really offer you the monetary return you put into it? But most importantly, no matter which route, how exactly do you even get started on achieving the dream of publishing your book? 

Fear not, author-in-transformation. Keep reading as we dive into the differing publishing paths, and what you need to do to get your book published. 

What Is Traditional Publishing? 

For most aspiring authors, traditional publishing represents the holy grail – getting your book printed and distributed widely by an established publishing house. Signing a book deal with a major publisher like Penguin Random House seems to imply that your writing has passed a quality litmus test. 

The lure of traditional publishing stems from its promised broader reach. Publishers leverage their distribution networks to get books into more physical and online bookstores. A traditional deal also brings a perception of prestige and validity over self-publishing, where there is no gatekeeper to participate.

However, there are trade-offs. Traditionally published authors earn a smaller royalty percentage, usually around 10 to 15 percent. The publisher almost always acquires the rights and controls both the editing and the design aspects.  

To land a traditional contract, you’ll first need a literary agent. Agents function as a liaison between you and publishers. They only represent writers they believe are commercially viable. To sign with an agent, you must wow them with a book proposal. 

Think of a book proposal as a business plan for your book. It should contain key details on content, target audience, comparable titles, and marketing strategy. It tells the agent and publisher how you’ll help sell books to make back their investment. Without a strong proposal, agents will pass on representing you, making a traditional deal unlikely. But come prepared with a book proposal that details how exactly you’ll help sell as many copies as you can, and you just might walk away with one of these lucrative deals.  

What Is Self-Publishing? 

Just like traditional publishing, self-publishing has its ups and downs. Whereas traditional publishing has many gatekeepers, self-publishing is open to all. Meaning that those voices that are often barred from the industry can actually have a chance at sharing their ideas. 

The major downsides of this DIY route is that an author handles every aspect of bringing a book to fruition themselves, without going through a traditional publisher, who will often control much of the creative process. This approach gives authors total creative liberty over their work. You choose everything from the title and cover design to the editors and marketing. While liberating, keep in mind that self-publishing requires being highly organized to finish without a publisher’s structure. 

Having a plan in place is key, just like you need a blueprint before building a house. You can’t start decorating a bathroom that doesn’t exist. That plan? A book proposal.

What Are the Advantages to Writing a Book Proposal?

The short answer? A book proposal is the key to success when writing a book, no matter the publishing path you decide to venture down. 

The long answer? Let’s dive in. 

1. Creating a Content Outline 

First, a proposal requires defining a clear outline for your book before writing. If your instinct is to go straight into writing without outlining your book, it’s likely you’ll find yourself with writer’s block or losing steam. Don’t let that be you! By outlining your book in a proposal, it will help you to summarize each chapter so you have a solid game plan for executing the manuscript. To bring it back to the house-building analogy, an outline prevents wasting effort or getting overwhelmed once building is underway.

2. Defining Your Target Audience and Market

Next, a proposal prompts you to identify your target reader and how to reach them. Without understanding your audience, you risk pouring passion into a manuscript that never finds its readers. If you go the traditional publishing path, then your publisher will want to know up-front what kind of market already exists that would be interested in your book. If you go the self-publishing route, you’ll want to know this information once it comes time to market your pride and joy. Even if we were able to get Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad all in the same room, and then we were able to get them to agree that your book is the world’s greatest book ever written, if readers have no way of learning about your book, you’ll never sell a copy. 

3. Considering Your Platform

A proposal also assesses your existing platform and channels for spreading the word about your book. Do you have an engaged email list of followers eagerly awaiting your next project? A large Instagram or Twitter/X presence? Speaking gigs at relevant conferences? A close relation to Oprah Winfrey? Whatever your assets, if you go the traditional route, your publisher will want to know your existing platform and how they (and you) will be able to leverage it to sell books. If you go the self-publishing route, you will want this information readily available with an actionable plan to tap into these platforms. 

So How Do You Write a Winning Book Proposal, Anyway? 

Crafting a solid book proposal is no small feat. You need both strong business acumen and writing chops. But with the right guidance, any eager author should be able to craft a proposal that gets them excited to write, while planning the best route forward. At Difference Press, we guide our authors through a four-week program called Expert Book Blueprint, which helps authors go from idea to book proposal to ensure we cover all the critical elements. These include:  

• An Overview: A high-level summary of what your book is about and why it will appeal to readers. Get the hook and core concept down in a few sentences.
• A Market Analysis: Demonstrate a clear understanding of your genre, competing titles, authors, and why your book fills an unmet need. 
• A Chapter Outline: Break down each chapter with a short summary of key points covered. This serves as your road map for writing.
• An Author Bio: Detail your credentials, achievements, media appearances, and platform. Prove you are the right author for this book.
• A Marketing Strategy: Explain how you will reach your readers through your website, social platforms, speaking gigs, affiliates or other channels.    
• Manuscript Expectations: Provide an estimated word count, number of chapters, timeline for completing the draft, and your plans for editing.
• Comparative Titles: Include two to three successful books that are similar to your proposed book and why yours stands apart.
• Potential Endorsements: Any credible industry experts, brands, or influencers who can provide an endorsement for your proposal.
• Sample Chapters: One to three sample chapters showcasing your writing skills.

Self Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: The Necessity of a Book Proposal

If you’re going the traditional publishing path, polishing each of these elements in your proposal will demonstrate how you can create a market-viable book and sell it successfully. If you go the self-publishing path, working out these key details will provide the strategic road map to maximize your book’s impact and sales through your own marketing efforts.

Does crafting a book proposal seem daunting? Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream of publication. Through programs like Difference Press’s Expert Book Blueprint, it’s possible to get support and accountability, coupled with deadlines, so you can finally write and publish the book you’ve been dreaming of and make a difference in the world. 

Ready to stop dreaming and start writing? Learn more about Expert Book Blueprint by going to www.CanIWriteABook.com.