| name | book-outline |
| description | Outlines non-fiction books with chapter structure, key arguments, supporting evidence, and word count targets per chapter. Use when a user wants to write a non-fiction book, needs to organize their expertise into a publishable structure, or is pitching a book proposal to publishers or agents. |
Book Outline Builder
When to Use This Skill
- Planning a non-fiction book and don't know where to start
- Have lots of ideas but need structure and sequencing
- Preparing a book proposal for a publisher or agent
- Self-publishing and need a roadmap before writing
- Turning a course, blog, or speaking content into a book
Core Principle
EVERY CHAPTER MUST ANSWER ONE QUESTION THE READER HAS. If a chapter doesn't answer a specific question, it doesn't belong in the book.
Workflow
Phase 1: Book Discovery
Ask the user:
- What's the book about in one sentence?
- Who is the reader? (their role, situation, and what they're struggling with)
- What will the reader be able to do after reading this book?
- What's your unique angle or framework? (what makes YOUR take different)
- What's the target length? (default: 40,000-50,000 words for business non-fiction)
- What's the publishing path? (self-publish, traditional, hybrid)
Minimum needed: questions 1, 2, and 3.
Phase 2: Structure the Arc
Non-fiction books follow this arc:
- The Hook (Chapter 1) — Why this matters NOW. The problem, the stakes, the promise.
- The Foundation (Chapters 2-3) — Context, backstory, the framework introduction.
- The Core (Chapters 4-8) — One chapter per key concept, principle, or step.
- Advanced Application (Chapters 9-10) — Edge cases, scaling, going deeper.
- The Close (Chapter 11-12) — Putting it all together, action plan, inspiration.
Phase 3: Build the Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
For each chapter, define:
- Chapter title (compelling, not generic)
- The question it answers
- Key argument (one sentence)
- 3-5 sections within the chapter
- Stories/examples to include
- Word count target
Phase 4: Validate and Sequence
- Read the chapter titles in order — does the progression make logical sense?
- Could any two chapters be combined without losing value?
- Does each chapter build on the previous one?
- Is there a clear "aha moment" in the first 3 chapters?
Examples
Example 1: Business Book for Freelancers
Book: "The $10K Month: A Freelancer's Guide to Consistent Income"
Reader: Freelancers earning $3-5K/month who want to hit $10K without burning out
Unique angle: It's not about more clients — it's about better systems
Outline:
| Ch | Title | Question Answered | Word Count |
|---|
| 1 | The Feast-or-Famine Trap | Why do talented freelancers stay broke? | 3,500 |
| 2 | The $10K Math | What does $10K/month actually require? | 3,000 |
| 3 | Your Minimum Viable Offer | What should I sell and at what price? | 4,000 |
| 4 | The Pipeline That Runs Itself | How do I get clients without cold pitching? | 5,000 |
| 5 | Pricing Without Apologizing | How do I charge $150/hour without flinching? | 4,000 |
| 6 | The 20-Hour Work Week | How do I make more while working less? | 4,500 |
| 7 | Clients You Actually Like | How do I stop attracting nightmare clients? | 3,500 |
| 8 | Systems Over Hustle | What should I automate and delegate first? | 4,500 |
| 9 | The Retainer Model | How do I create recurring revenue? | 4,000 |
| 10 | Scaling Past $10K | What comes after $10K/month? | 3,500 |
| 11 | Your 90-Day Action Plan | Where do I start tomorrow morning? | 3,000 |
| Total | | | 42,500 |
Chapter 4 Detail:
Chapter 4: The Pipeline That Runs Itself
Question: How do I get clients without cold pitching every week?
Key argument: The best freelancers don't find clients — clients find them. Build three inbound channels and you'll never cold pitch again.
Sections:
- Why outbound-only is a trap (the hamster wheel)
- The three inbound channels: content, referrals, partnerships
- Building your "content engine" (one post → five formats)
- The referral system that runs on autopilot
- Strategic partnerships: how to get recommended by people with bigger audiences
Stories: Sarah the copywriter who went from 0 to 4 inbound leads/week in 90 days using LinkedIn content. Marcus the designer who built a referral network with 12 agency partners.
Word count target: 5,000 words
Example 2: Personal Development Book
Book: "The Overthinking Cure"
Reader: High-achievers who get paralyzed by analysis and self-doubt
Outline (condensed):
| Ch | Title | Question Answered |
|---|
| 1 | Your Brain Is Lying to You | Why can't I just stop overthinking? |
| 2 | The Overthinking Inventory | What am I actually overthinking about? |
| 3 | The 2-Minute Decision Rule | How do I make decisions faster? |
| 4 | Good Enough Is Perfect | How do I stop perfecting and start shipping? |
| 5 | The Worry Audit | How do I tell real risks from fake fears? |
| 6 | Building Your Action Bias | How do I rewire my brain to act first? |
| 7 | Relationships and Overthinking | How do I stop replaying conversations? |
| 8 | The Evening Shutdown | How do I stop thinking about work at night? |
| 9 | When Overthinking Returns | What do I do when I relapse? |
| 10 | The Thinker's Advantage | How do I use my analytical mind as a strength? |
Recovery & Fallbacks
- User has too many ideas for one book: Help them identify the ONE transformation the reader needs. Everything else is a second book or appendix.
- User can't articulate their unique angle: Ask: "What do most people get wrong about this topic?" Their answer is usually the angle.
- Book outline feels too long: Business non-fiction sweet spot is 8-12 chapters, 35,000-50,000 words. If above 60K, split into two books or cut the weakest chapters.
- User wants to write a memoir, not non-fiction: Adjust the framework — use chronological structure with thematic chapters instead of topic-based chapters.
Constraints
- EVERY chapter must answer a specific reader question — no filler chapters
- Chapter titles should be intriguing, not academic ("The Feast-or-Famine Trap" not "Chapter 2: Income Challenges")
- Include word count targets per chapter to make the writing process manageable
- The first chapter must hook — never open with backstory or definitions
- Include stories/examples for every chapter — non-fiction without stories is a textbook
