Course Catalog / BMU 350 / Lesson 1 of 7
BMU 350
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Lesson 1: Is this the book? Reader, promise, and scope
New to this course? Read Getting started first. Key words are in the glossary.
Your Course Project: this lesson builds Part 1: Book plan. After the Try it, add it to your Course Project and press Check this part.
Warm up
1. Think of a book that helped you. Who was it written for, and what changed for you after you read it?
See the answer
Helpful books are written for a clear reader and keep one promise.
Why this matters
Many people want to write a book, and few finish. Often the book was never defined, so it keeps growing.
This course takes you from idea to a publish ready package. You do not have to publish to finish.
First you decide who the book is for, what it promises, and how big it is.
Start with what you already do
When a friend asks for help, you size up what they need and skip the rest.
Common belief: A book should cover everything I know about my topic.
What is actually true: A first book works best when it keeps one clear promise to one kind of reader. Amazon's help pages tell authors to describe only the book's main idea.
In this lesson you will
- Describe your reader in two or three specific sentences
- Write a one sentence promise that says what changes for that reader
- Set the scope: what is in, what is out, and a target length
- Draft a one page book plan
Key words
reader, promise, scope, book plan. Find what each one means in the course glossary.
Start with one reader
Picture one real kind of person, not everyone. Write down their situation, what they have tried, and what keeps them up at night.
| Too broad | Specific |
|---|---|
| People who like cooking. | A food truck owner in year one who keeps running out of cash by the 20th of the month. |
| Veterans. | A veteran's grown kids, who never heard what their dad did in the Gulf War. |
Make one promise
Your promise is what changes for the reader. Write it as one sentence: After reading this book, my reader will be able to...
- Nonfiction guide: After reading this book, new caregivers will be able to set up a week of care without burning out.
- Memoir: After reading this book, my grandchildren will understand why I left home at 17 and what it cost.
- Fiction: After reading this book, readers will have spent a summer in 1985 Detroit with a girl who refuses to give up.
Keep the promise honest. Amazon's content guidelines bar descriptions that mislead customers or do not match the book.
Set the scope
Scope is a fence. Make two short lists: In this book and Not in this book. The second list keeps you from writing forever.
Next, estimate length. Count the chapters you think you need, then guess the words per chapter. Ten chapters of 3,000 words is a 30,000 word book.
KDP's paperback guidelines (Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing) set a minimum of 24 pages.
Why you?
Write one or two sentences on why you can keep this promise. It might be 20 years on the job, or the fact that you lived it. You will use this later in your author bio.
Your one page book plan
Put it all on one page and update it as you go.
- Working title (it can change).
- Reader: two or three sentences.
- Promise: one sentence.
- In this book: three to six items.
- Not in this book: three to six items.
- Target length and format.
- Why me: one or two sentences.
A word about money
Many first books sell modestly, and that is fine when the goal is to serve a reader, leave a record, or build your work. Be wary of anyone who promises you big income from a book. Lesson 4 shows how to spot publishing scams.
Worked example: Denise drafts her book plan
Denise, a retired nurse, first planned a caregiving book for anyone caring for anyone. She narrowed it.
- Reader: Adult children who just became the main caregiver for a parent with memory loss. They work full time and feel lost.
- Promise: After reading this book, they can set up a weekly care routine and know when to ask for help.
- Not in this book: medical treatment, legal forms, nursing home reviews.
- Length: 10 chapters, about 2,500 words each, so about 25,000 words. Paperback and ebook.
- Why me: 30 years as a nurse and three years caring for my mother.
Her not in list saved her from three extra chapters. Denise is a made up example.
Strong and weak examples
Two made up situations. Decide which example is stronger, then check.
Situation 1
Example A: For adult children who just became the main caregiver for a parent with memory loss, while working full time.
Example B: A book for anyone caring for anyone.
Check your answer
Example A is stronger. One reader, one situation, one promise.
Why the other one falls short: No clear reader, so no clear promise.
Situation 2: A money book
Example A: A book about money for people who want more money.
Example B: For first time renters in their 20s who live paycheck to paycheck and want $1,000 saved in six months.
Check your answer
Example B is stronger. A specific reader, a clear problem, and a promise with a number.
Why the other one falls short: Everyone wants more money, so no one sees that it is for them.
Guided practice: Narrow a plan
Answer first, then check.
Text version of this figure
- A book for everyone is a book for no one.
- Too wide. Reader: Anyone caring for anyone.
- Specific. Reader: Adult children who just became the main caregiver for a parent with memory loss.
- Promise. After reading: They can set up a weekly care routine and know when to ask for help.
Use it when: your book idea feels too big.
Your turn, with support: Made up plan: "A book about money for everyone." The writer is a retired Army finance NCO who helped young soldiers fix their budgets. Write a two sentence reader, a one sentence promise, and two things that are not in the book.
- Who, what situation, what feeling.
- Promise: after reading, they can ___.
- Two outs.
Check your answer
- Reader: Junior enlisted soldiers in their first two years who live paycheck to paycheck. They feel embarrassed to ask for help.
- Promise: After reading, they can build a monthly budget and save their first $1,000.
- Not in this book: investing, and buying a house.
Why: A specific reader tells you which examples, words and chapters to use. Saying what is out keeps the book short enough to finish.
Your answer is strong if:
- The reader has a situation and a feeling.
- The promise names a change.
- Two things are out.
- Your one page plan has a target length.
Common mistakes
- A book for everyone. Name one reader. Others will still find it.
- Two books in one. If the promise needs the word and twice, split it.
- Skipping the not in list. The not in list is what lets you finish.
Try it: Write your book plan
Pick your scenario:
- A nonfiction guide from your work or skills
- A memoir or family history, maybe the story you wrote in BMU 250
- A short novel or story collection
- Start a file or notebook called Book Notebook.
- Describe your reader in two or three specific sentences.
- Write your promise: After reading this book, my reader will be able to...
- List three to six items in the book and three to six that are not.
- Estimate your length: chapters times words per chapter.
- Write one or two sentences on why you.
- Put it all on one page and date it.
Do it by: tomorrow
Reflect
Which item on your not in list was hardest to cut, and why?
Check your understanding
1. Which reader description is most useful for planning a book?
- People who want to be happier this year.
- New truck drivers in their first year who sleep in their cabs every week.
- Anyone who has ever thought about travel.
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. It names a specific person and situation.
A: This is too broad to guide choices.
C: This is everyone.
Review: Start with one reader.
2. A book plan's promise says: Readers will learn about budgeting and also about raising teens. What is the best fix?
- Add more chapters so both topics fit.
- Pick one promise and save the other for a second book.
- Remove the promise and let the chapters decide.
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. One promise keeps the book finishable.
A: More chapters means a longer, less focused book. Review Set the scope.
C: Without a promise, the book has no compass. Review Make one promise.
3. Which statement about a first book is accurate?
- A paperback on KDP must be at least 24 pages.
- Every first book earns back what it costs.
- A book must cover everything you know.
See the answer and feedback
A is correct. KDP's paperback guidelines set a 24 page minimum.
B: No one can promise that. Review A word about money.
C: A focused scope is easier to finish. Review Set the scope.
Recap
- Write for one specific reader.
- Make one honest promise about what changes for them.
- Fence the scope with an in list and a not in list.
- Put reader, promise, scope, length, format, and why you on one page.
You now have: a one page book plan.
Next up
Next you will turn your plan into a chapter outline. Lesson 2: From idea to outline. BMU 350 is part of BMU All Access. All Access is $9.99 a month and gives you unlimited access to the course catalog. Sign up free as a Founding Member to continue. Public enrollment opens Nov 9, 2026.
Sources
- Amazon KDP Help: Make your book more discoverable with keywords (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Amazon KDP Help: Write a book description (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Amazon KDP Help: Content Guidelines (section on artificial intelligence content) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Amazon KDP Help: Paperback submission guidelines (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
Please read
This course teaches a process. It does not promise sales or income, and nobody honest can.
