For prescriptive, we advise that you submit your most impressive chapters, those that you are proudest of.

It’s common for book proposals to include two to three chapters usually not surpassing more than ten thousand words total.

With the exception of your sample chapters, this should be your longest section. Publishers want to know that you will be an equal partner in promoting the book.

Social media, email list numbers, and website hits. Influential connections you might have that are willing to promote and endorse the book. Podcasts you have/can go on, local news stations, You-Tube channels, print or digital publications that will feature you, and so on. Speaking engagements. Ads or any kind of paid marketing campaigns. Members

Creative nonfiction writers, if you find your audience or positioning hard to describe, you can often make the best case for your book here.

Keep it professional and simply say how your book is similar and different, and make the case that there is an audience for your book because of the audience for these books.

A word of advice here: do not say anything negative about the books. You do not know the opinions of the editors and agents who will see your proposal, and if they really like a competing title that you trash, you may instantly disqualify yourself.

Write about one to two hundred words for each book.

For each comp, note the title, subtitle, author, publisher, the publisher, and ISBN number. Then for each book, briefly summarize its approach to the topic in relation to your own angle.