Book Proposals Simplified

Clarity. Strategy. Results.

Create a Winning Book Proposal Without the Stress

Most nonfiction books are sold with a book proposal—a business and marketing plan for your book. A strong proposal presents your idea, shows what makes it unique, and proves why you’re the best person to write it, while highlighting its marketability. It also keeps you organized, focused, and forward-thinking. Whether you plan to publish traditionally, hybrid, or self-publish, a proposal gives you an edge.

Are you an expert, executive, or entrepreneur ready to share your experience in a book? Subscribe, listen, and work with me to create a winning proposal.

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📬 Subscribe

Subscribe to my Book Proposals Simplified newsletter on Substack for tips, updates, and resources, including links to my latest articles on WritersDigest.com. Whether you’re just getting started, building your platform, or polishing a draft, you’ll find strategies to set you and your book proposal up for success.

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🎙️ Listen

In the Book Proposal Podcast, I simplify 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, I 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.

Listen to the trailer:

Subscribe on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Submit your book proposal questions here.

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✍️ Write Your Book Proposal

If you need assistance getting your ideas out of your head, organized, and onto the page, I can help! I offer support for every stage of the book proposal process:

  • One & Done Strategy Session: A focused session to clarify what goes into each of your proposal sections and make a plan.

  • Proposal Reviews: Refine and elevate what you’ve already written.

  • Three-Session Package: Kickoff strategy session, touch-base troubleshooting, and review.

  • Done-With-You Coaching: Collaborative, step-by-step guidance through the book proposal creation process.

  • Workshops: These are available for small groups and organizations, tailored to your needs.

* All sessions are recorded via Zoom and come with the replay link.

Ready to get started? Schedule a chat with DEB or contact deb@thedebmethod.com.

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The Right Reasons to Write a Book

Writing a book takes time, energy, and patience. Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. 

There are TWO right reasons:

  1. You want to. If you are only writing a book because people keep telling you that you need to write a book – you have good stories, an interesting background, a unique system or methodology – then that is not enough. You also need to want to write it.
  2. You have something to say. Just because it is easier than ever to publish in our tech-centric world, it does not mean everyone should do it. You need to have something new, fresh, thought out, and well-executed, so it reflects well on you and your business. 

That’s it. Now, all you need is the time and tenacity to write it. And perhaps a little guidance.

Together we will:

  • Determine Your Book’s Mission and Motto: What makes it unique and why you need to be the one to write it
  • Explore What Goes into It: Map out the content for the elements of your proposal 
  • Brainstorm Your Plan for Turning Your Book Idea into Reality: Create a schedule and assign benchmarks with deadlines 

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TESTIMONIALS

At the start of writing my first cookbook, I was overwhelmed with task of niching down all of the overflowing ideas I had. I reached out to Deb who helped me hone in on what I wanted to achieve as a new cookbook author, which in return had turned into a best-selling Mediterranean cookbook! I’m very grateful for Debs professionalism and expertise in both entrepreneurship and writing.

Samantha FerraroAuthorThe Weeknight Mediterranean Kitchen

Annie P Ruggles“I wouldn’t have my book without Deb. Period. She was with me every step of the way from concept to printing. Her guiding hand knocked some sense into me more than once and I’m tremendously grateful. Under her tutelage, I made something I’m tremendously proud to have out in the world. She’s a cheerleader strategist wizard, and a damn good writer herself. I highly recommend her if your concept needs polishing or your strategy needs solidifying. Or, in my case, both!”

Annie P. RugglesAuthorThe Coach Who Would Not Sell

When I set my sights on being a serious writer with attention-deficit, I had trouble focusing and felt overwhelmed. I found Deb’s Facebook page, Write On! Online and began following her posts and podcasts. Every Sunday she’d tell us to post our weekly goals, then at the end of the week, did we meet them? If not, why? Deb has a positive, enthusiastic, infectious energy that has made a difference for me as a new writer. By following her posts and listening to her podcasts, I’ve developed the self-discipline to stay on task, complete them, and remain focused. She helped me break down the novel writing process into bite-sized pieces that moved me forward each day, no matter how small the task. I’m now revising two novels that will be published within the year. If you want to be a published author, Debra Eckerling will get you there!

Lois SimensonWriterEagle River, Alaska

I have been talking for the past year about writing my own book. It wasn’t until I met Debra at a networking event in June 2012 that I realized she would be the perfect person to help me with the process. When I saw how she works, I instantly hired her to walk me through the process.

In less than 120 days my book went from a dream to an Amazon best seller. Debra … focus[ed] my efforts on the most important parts of writing my book. If you want to write your own book, I highly suggest you sit down with Debra and consider hiring her to walk you through her plan. She’s amazing.

Josh OchsFounderMedia LeadersLos Angeles

I always knew I had a book buried deep inside me, hiding behind the layers of fat, muscle, and blood coursing through my veins. When I met Debra Eckerling, I allowed my book, the book I was meant to share with the world, to come out of the closet, just like I had.

Thank God, Debra inspired me to once again break through my false beliefs about my ability to write. I’ve since become known as an international blogger, the go-to guy for coming out with a twist of humor, and have been inspiring humans, regular old humans, to step out of the closets that hold them back from living their most authentic lives!

Rick ClemonsAuthor, Coach, PodcasterRickClemons.com

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Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD® system of goal-setting simplified. Her expertise has illuminated the path for countless individuals globally, assisting them in areas ranging from penning books and launching blogs to strategizing business projects and figuring out work-life balance. Debra is the host of #GoalChatLive aka The DEB Show and the Taste Buds with Deb podcast, and has spoken on stages for TEDx, Innovation Women, VON, California Creative Writers Conference, LA County Bar Association Lawyer Well-Being Project, and more. Debra is also the founder of  the Write On Online community for writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Since 2015, Write On Online has been listed by The Write Life as one of the best Facebook Groups for Writers.

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