Faculty in academic medicine may wish to develop a book as a scholarly project in order to define, characterize, and advance an area of importance to the missions of the field. The content of a book in academic medicine may relate to science and research, clinical care, education, public policy, leadership and professional development, or other areas. Books are properly viewed as educational in their intention, and serve to demonstrate the expertise of a faculty member in a specific area. To author or edit a book typically entails engagement with a potential publisher. Potential publishers, as a first step, will ask for a book proposal. A book proposal is a valuable document that provides a rationale for a book, capturing the central idea and structure of a book. The proposal allows the publisher to perform an initial assessment of the idea to determine whether the book project is worthy of the resources required. Authors and editors must answer a number of questions before undertaking a book project. Why is a book needed? Who would buy the book? What is the best format for the book? Although different publishers use different formats for book proposals, the essential elements of the book proposal remain the same. This chapter proffers general guidance for strategizing and preparing an academic book proposal. A compelling book proposal serves as the initial impetus for the impact of a book. Done well, a book can inform readers, influence a field, and impact beneficiaries, whether individual patients or entire populations, now and in the future.