Book Proposal Podcast
Your nonfiction book proposal is the roadmap you need to get your book idea out of your head, onto the page, and into the right hands. More than that, it helps you find clarity, develop strategy, and get the results you want: a saleable, marketable book. In the Book Proposal Podcast, host and book proposal consultant Debra Eckerling simplifies the process with short, practical episodes focused entirely on proposals. From pinpointing the right idea and building your platform to planning your promo and choosing comps, Debra answers real questions to help you create a proposal that sells your book—and you. Whether you’re aiming for traditional, hybrid, or indie publishing, you’ll get actionable advice to turn your concept into a plan.
Episodes
February 17, 2026 • 5 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What does a memoir book proposal look like?”
Memoir proposals are nonfiction proposals. There’s also a genre called memoir plus, where the author is including extra advice, takeaways, action items to their narrative. That way, the reader not only learns from the author’s experience, they see how they can best apply their expertise. Unless you ar...
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February 10, 2026 • 5 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How much detail should my book proposal include?”
While it’s easy to assume that more information will make a proposal stronger. In reality, however, too much detail can work against you. A book proposal is not the book — its job is to sell the book. That means the goal is clarity, not completion.
In this episode, Debra walks you through thre...
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February 3, 2026 • 4 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What role does networking play in the book proposal process?”
When people hear the word networking, they often think of awkward events, forced small talk, or salesy conversations. That’s not what networking means. Networking is actually relationship development. And relationships matter, both while you’re writing your book proposal and as you wo...
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January 27, 2026 • 4 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How does public speaking strengthen my book proposal?”
If you’re working on a nonfiction book proposal, public speaking isn’t just something you do after the book is published — it’s an asset that strengthens your proposal right now. Debra explains how speaking engagements provide proof of concept, build your author platform, and create valuabl...
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January 20, 2026 • 3 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How much does it cost to publish a book?”
In traditional publishing, the answer is, “nothing.” You don’t pay a publisher; they pay you.
If someone is asking you to spend tens of thousands of dollars to publish your book, that’s typically hybrid publishing, which is pay-to-play. You’re paying for editing, design, production, distribution, an...
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January 13, 2026 • 4 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “When should I gather media for my book proposal?”
The short answer is: yesterday. As soon as you start working on a nonfiction book, you need to begin building your visibility through media.
One of the best things about working on a book proposal is that you can work on multiple sections in tandem. While you are figuring out the concept and...
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January 6, 2026 • 4 mins
On this episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I restart a stalled book proposal?”
Whether your proposal got set aside after a break, was deprioritized under other work, or just felt stalled, it’s okay: things happen, life happens, and sometimes a project is simply “not yet.” Instead of being frustrated that it’s not finished, be proud that you’re ready to jump back in.
Debra walks...
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December 2, 2025 • 3 mins
On the episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “Should I submit my book proposal in December?”
The short answer is no. That's also the long answer. Unless you get a specific request for you book proposal, wait until after the holidays to send it out.
In the publishing world, especially when it comes to acquisitions, everything winds down between Thanksgiving and New Years. Everyone is extra...
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November 25, 2025 • 4 mins
On the episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What do I put in my author bio?”
You need three versions of your bio for your book proposal. Two or three lines in the query letter, a short paragraph in the proposal’s overview, and a one- or two-page author bio with photo at the beginning of the promotion section.
Whether or not your book is related to your day job or career, your author bio...
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November 18, 2025 • 4 mins
On the episode of the Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I format my book proposal?”
One of the keys to writing a saleable book proposal is you need to make it as easy to read as possible. That means using an actual word processing program - like Word or Pages - rather than the cloud, and creating a Table of Contents, so whoever is reading it can easily navigate through the different sections. D...
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November 11, 2025 • 4 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I know if I am ready to write my book proposal?”
You can actually get started on your proposal at any time. However when you are really ready to dive in, these are the three things you must have: a unique marketable idea, expertise in the subject, and a desire to write the book.
Addressing the last thing first, Debra reminds listeners t...
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November 4, 2025 • 4 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What’s the most important part of the book proposal?”
Although every element of your book proposal is essential, there are three sections that will help you hone in on your book concept and positioning. The Overview, Audience, and Book Comps.
In the Overview, you express what the book is, what makes it unique, and what you are the best and onl...
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October 28, 2025 • 6 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How does the book submission process work?”
As you might expect, Debra says it all starts with writing a compelling book proposal. In tandem with that, research and create a list of agents and publishers you want to submit to. You can do this by reviewing similar titles - checking publishers, as well as agents mentioned in the acknowledgement sec...
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October 21, 2025 • 5 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What is an author platform?”
Your author platform is everywhere you show up on and offline. This includes your website, newsletter, online communities, social media, and traditional media. It's videos, webinars, speaking engagements, in-person activities, and involvement in organizations, as well as your notable contacts and connections.
In e...
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October 14, 2025 • 5 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I decide what book to write?”
Some professionals, whether they're a writer - and/or entrepreneur, executive, consultant - know they have a book in them, but they do not know what that book is. If you are uncertain how to find the focus of their book, try Directed Journaling.
This is how it works: schedule 3, 4, or 5 15-minute appointme...
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October 7, 2025 • 5 mins
On the episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I fit writing my book into my already busy life?”
At the early stages, even before writing your book - or your book proposal - you can start developing your book’s content, in 5- or 10-minute increments. You can set short appointments with yourself or, whenever you have a few minutes of downtime, start writing down points you want to make,...
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September 30, 2025 • 5 mins
On this episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “Why publish traditionally?”
If you are using your book to establish yourself as the authority you are, if you want to get it in front of as many people as possible, try to get a traditional book deal. Start with sending your book proposal to agents and publishers. You can always do self or hybrid-publishing as your backup plan.
When you pub...
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September 16, 2025 • 8 mins
On this episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “How do I choose which publisher to send my proposal to?”
There are different ways to go about finding the right publisher for your book proposal. The larger publishing houses, namely the big five, and their imprints, will only allow submissions through an agent. However, there are plenty of smaller publishers that accept proposals and queries d...
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September 9, 2025 • 4 mins
On this episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “What’s the difference between a pitch and a book proposal?”
A pitch is a brief summary of your book - and it is also incorporated into your book proposal - but it is just one element that you need to sell your book. You typically share your book pitch in a query email or submission, within a conversation, or through a pitch event. You are pitchi...
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September 2, 2025 • 4 mins
On this episode of The Book Proposal Podcast, Debra Eckerling answers the question, “Do I need to write the whole book to get a deal?”
If you are looking to publish traditionally, in most cases, the answer is no. For a business, self-help, cookbook, how-to, motivational, or other topic-specific nonfiction book, you do not need a complete manuscript; you only need a book proposal with 2 or 3 sample chapters. You are selling your ...
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