Shark Tank & Book Proposal Overviews
📚 Make the first pages engaging AF
I’m Tawny, author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze, co-author of The Sobriety Deck, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the non-alc spirit, (parentheses). I also teach classes about publishing and DIY PR. And yes, I’m an exhausted Capricorn.
Happy Friday!
My book proposal and PR coaching services are officially on a waitlist. Apparently, the country collapsing is lighting a fire under people to get their work out there. Talk about a bittersweet moment.
Several clients are working on their overview, AKA the first page of a book proposal.
So let’s break down the overview of a book proposal using Shark Tank analogies.
Grab some tea and enjoy a quick lesson. Keep scrolling for upcoming class info.
CLIENT QUESTION:
I would love to learn how to approach the Overview in my Book Proposal. How do I balance making my proposal engaging while also introducing the book and connecting it to more global themes? Also, what information do I save for the chapter summaries?
This is such an important question because the overview (also called a synopsis or a quick pitch) is the first piece of material an agent and editor will see in your book proposal.
As they say, first impressions are important AF (or something like that).
A book proposal is a 60-ish-page document—written before the actual book—that answers two questions: Why Me? and Why Now?
Why me: Why am I the person to write this book?
Why now: Why is this topic so relevant that readers need my book *now?*
The overview distills those 60-ish pages into 1-2ish pages, setting the reader (agents and editors) up for what they’re about to read.
I think of the overview as the opening paragraph of an essay because it lets the reader know what they’re about to read while establishing why you’re a trusted voice to tell this story. They (agents and editors) are about to read your 60ish-page book proposal to see if the publishing house’s acquisitions team wants to write you a check in exchange for your intellectual property (your book!).
Another way to look at a book proposal is similar to Shark Tank. It’s the Google Docs equivalent of standing in front of the sharks, asking them to give you money in the form of a hopefully decent-sized advance because your idea is that damn good. The book proposal’s overview is the elevator pitch before the sharks ask a bunch of questions.
OK if that sounds like a lot of pressure, that’s because it is. But pressure’s not always a bad thing. We put pressure on ourselves allllll the time, so consider writing your overview as a contained place to apply gentle pressure so you can be extra kind to yourself elsewhere.
Including global themes is helpful because it answers the “why now” portion. The overview is a great place to include relevant statistics about your topic, quotes from experts, links to recent bylines, and any other information that backs up the importance of your topic.
The overview in my proposal for Dry Humping included my bylines and pieces *not* written by me to show that the New York Times, The Cut, and many other reputable sites were discussing the rise in dry dating. Again, this shows editors and agents that your topic is hyper-relevant (which means it can make them money), ultimately answering the “why now.”
Using these approaches to write your overview also answers your question about what to save for the chapter summaries. The sample chapters and chapter summaries should further expand your overview, solidifying your *why me.* Some folks write their overview last because writing the bulk of your proposal first can help you identify recurring themes that you can highlight in those first few pages.
Want some accountability with writing your proposal? Consider joining my Book Proposal Boot Camp this summer:
Upcoming Classes
📚Book Proposal Boot Camp May 20th-June 24th 7-9 EST. Sign up here.
🃏Create + Pitch Your Own Card Deck July 16th 6-8EST. Sign up here.
Queer Speakers Mingle on April 11th
Over the years, I've given keynotes, spoken on countless panels and podcasts, and even shared my research about sobriety and relationships in college anthropology courses. Now, I'm thrilled to be part of a speaking collective that amplifies diverse, queer voices—especially as we're being silenced all across the country.
Join me and fellow speakers on Friday, April 11th from 7-9pm. We’ll be in the historical LGBTQ Center (208 W 13th St NYC) in the very same room where ACT UP was founded, building community one conversation at a time. There will be time to mingle and network with The Collective and to learn from them, as well.
And my drink is sponsoring the event!
🗞️New Column: Behind the Pitch
My new monthly column helps you get essays published, land media placement for your books/products/expertise, and feel confident while writing the damn email.
Each issue goes behind the scenes of my pitching process (including screenshots of my pitches!) while sharing tangible tips to deal with the emotional side of putting yourself out there. Catch up on issues one and two.
Full access to Behind the Pitch costs $7 per month or $70 per year.
Monthly Topics Include:
Media Placement - Learn how to get quoted as an expert on your topic or get an essay/article published
Podcast Placement - Review my pitch templates to become a podcast guest
Store Placement - Learn how to pitch a physical product (books, card decks, food and beverage, etc.…) to bookstores and specialty stores
The Whole Confidence Thing - Mental health and ADHD-informed tips to boost the confidence needed to write the damn pitch. I’ll also share healthy coping skills for rejection, imposter syndrome, and more.
And more!
Support My Work
