Gary C. Schoenwolf, Ph.D.University of Utah School of Medicine

Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Tips on Writing an Effective Book Proposal for a New Edition of an

Existing Book

New Editions Published from Proposals that I Have Written

Fourth-Ninth Editions

New Editions Published from Proposals that I Have Written

Fifth-Seventh Editions

New Editions Published from Proposals that I Have Written

Fourth EditionFifth Edition underway

1. Convincing the publisher to publish a new edition of an existing book, with you as author

2. Convincing the publisher to publish a new edition of a book you’ve already authored

Topics to Cover

1. How Do You Convince the Publisher to Publish a New Edition of an Existing

Book, with You as Author?

Why do publishers exist? To make a profit!

Scenario A: If the book is selling sufficiently well, but the book is becoming dated and the current author cannot do a new edition, then the publisher will be looking for an

author to do a new edition

How do they find you?

Networking:

•With authors of books in your field

•With publishers

Develop your reputation in the field (as a researcher; as a teacher; as a writer)

Scenario B: If the book is not selling sufficiently well, is becoming dated,

and the current author cannot do a new edition, then the publisher may merely let the book sell out (i.e., go out of

print)

•Demonstrate to the publisher that there is a market for the book if appropriately revised

•Demonstrate to the publisher that you know how to appropriately revise the book

•Demonstrate the publisher that you have the reputation to generate interest in the book from your colleagues in the field

There is a Market for the Book that Has Not Been Realized in the Current Edition

•Intended readership (Audience): Existing market; new markets to break into

•Competition: What do they lack that I will add? = Opportunity (unmet needs); unique aspects that will be added

I Know How to Revise the Book to Realize this Market

•Unique characteristics: unique aspects and strengths of your revision; unique value not provided by the competitors; unmet needs to meet

I Have a Reputation that Will Generate Interest in the New Edition

My expertise and reputation: I am known in the field because of my following qualifications

It’s all about sales!

2. How Do You Convince the Publisher to Publish a New Edition of a Book You’ve

Already Authored?

A Hard Sale if Sales are Not Strong Enough to be Profitable (13th Slide)

•Demonstrate to the publisher that there is a market for the book if appropriately revised

•Demonstrate to the publisher that you know how to appropriately revise the book

•Demonstrate the publisher that you have the reputation to generate interest in the book from your colleagues in the field