Why It’s Important to Write a Proposal for an Academic Book
A good proposal has eight basic elements. After you've determined that the press publishes in your area, your book proposal is pretty straightforward. Naomi Schneider, executive editor of the University of California Press, described the basic template:
- A synopsis/overview.
- An annotated table of contents.
- A list of comparable books on your topic.
- The potential market of readers.
- The book's methodology and timetable for completion.
- Your author platform (i.e., your social-media accounts, contacts, and outreach plans).
- Your CV.
- A sample chapter or two (not ones lifted from your dissertation).
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-It-s-Important-to-Write/248810