The Ten Most Common Reasons Book Proposals are Rejected — and What These Reasons Really Mean

by Marcia Yudkin

1. The market is too small.

Translation:  We don’t know how to make money publishing your book.

Remedies: 

• Add market numbers to your proposal. 

• Add specific marketing suggestions.

• Try a smaller, niche publisher.

2. It doesn’t fit our list.

Translation:  We haven’t published a book in your category, of your format, or for your audience, and aren’t about to try.

Remedy:  Try elsewhere.

3. This type of book doesn’t sell.

Translation:  Books like this haven’t sold in the past.

Remedies:            

• Research this assertion through Publisher’s Weekly.

• Compare your book to something that has sold.

• Try a more specialized publisher.

4. It’s not right for us.

Translation:  We didn’t like it.

Remedies:        

• Get your proposal reviewed professionally — it may be sloppy or unpersuasive in ways not obvious to you.

• Keep trying.  Tastes differ.

5. It’s too narrowly focused.

Translation:  We sell more general books to the general public.

Remedy:  Try a more specialized publisher.

6. It’s already been done.

Translation:  You didn’t convince us your book differs enough from what’s out there.

Remedies:  

• Re-research your competition.

• Differentiate your book better in the proposal.

• More carefully define your readers.

• Change the angle, audience, approach of the book.              

7. It’s an article, not a book.

Translation:  You didn’t persuade us that you can fill 150-250 printed pages with meaningful material.

Remedies:  

• Lengthen the book to at least 60,000 words.

• Write it as an article.

• Approach publishers specializing in short books.

8.  There’s too much competition.

Translation:  You didn’t convince us there’s an unfilled niche out there waiting for your book.  

Remedies: 

• Do/cite market research on the need for your book.

• Rewrite your proposal’s analysis of competition.

• Try a publisher without any titles on the topic.

9.  It’s too costly to produce.

Translation:  We can’t make a profit publishing your book.

Remedies:   

• Reduce requirements for photos, unusual format.

• Cite evidence that your market will pay more.

10. You’re not an expert in your field.

Translation:  We can’t book you credibly on talk shows.

Remedies:  

• Find a co-author with the credentials you lack.

• Get more credentials.

Copyright 2001 Marcia Yudkin. All rights reserved.