Do you want to write a nonfiction book that makes an impact?
In order to do that, you have to get clear on your big idea — to own it, to visualize it, to pin it to the page. I’m a book proposal coach who helps writers serious about stepping up.
19 writers signed with top literary agents
14 books sold to Big 5 publishers
5- and 6-figure deals
8 national indie book awards
28 books published
What does this kind of intensive support feel like?
It all starts with a big idea
Writing books changes people’s lives.
It’s not just a cool thing to do, not just a feather in your cap.
It’s the gateway to a whole new way of being in the world. It’s the way to raise your voice, claim your authority, and make an impact.
My role is to help you write a killer book proposal, but that is not just about nailing the elements of a good pitch. You can learn about those elements anywhere. I help you make the transformation from someone who thinks they may have something to say to someone who is shouting their message from the mountaintop.
It’s a profound shift and there is nothing I love more than guiding people through the process.
I have found over the years that this kind of transformational shift takes time. I have a precise set of steps we will follow to do the work as effectively and efficiently as possible, but there are no short cuts to moving through the steps.
I work best with creative and generous people who are wrangling big ideas, who are ready to work hard, and who know the power of asking a professional for guidance.
You have to want it. You have to be ready for it.
PLEASE NOTE: I am currently booking clients in Q2 2021. I am changing some pricing and package structures and will have those on the site in January.
Here is what it looks like to be ready
What you can expect from me
I will be invested in your book idea, answering your questions, helping you troubleshoot nagging problems, and guiding you to make wise strategic and editorial choices for your book.
I will help you overcome your doubts, helping you understand the financial and strategic pros and cons of various decisions.
You can expect my full attention and the full weight of my 30+ years of experience.
I will tell the truth. No one has a crystal ball when it comes to publishing, and no one can say whether you will meet your publishing goals or whether your book will find commercial success. I can, however, give my honest opinion about what I think will work, when I think a project is ready to go out into the world, and what strategies I think will be most effective for you to meet your publishing goals.
I will help you understand the publishing paths available to you and demystify the process. If for some reason agent pitching for a traditional publishing deal is not right for you, we can discuss other options.
My team will put together a customized list of 30 agents hand selected for your project. If I have an agent in my network whom I believe would be a good fit for your book, I will introduce your work to that agent.
Note: I cannot guarantee you will be offered agent representation or a book deal. Publishing greatly depends on luck and timing and we can’t control those things!
What you get when you work with me
An end to the overwhelm of wondering how to write a book.
Total clarity about what you are writing — and why.
Confidence in your ability to be an industry thought leader.
A clear sense of your unique voice.
An understanding of the book publishing process and your best path through it.
An expert with 30+ years experience in the world of publishing, guiding your every move so that you don’t waste any time.
A complete, compelling, and polished book proposal that is used to pitch your book to literary agents, who will take it out to publishers to try to land a book deal. A great number of nonfiction books are sold in this way: before you write the book. You then use the document as a roadmap to complete your book under the guidance of your editor.
A killer book proposal is not just a sketch of a table of contents. We are creating a compelling argument for why this book needs to exist, why you are the best person to write the book, what exactly you want to say, and who is going to love it when it is out in the world. We are also developing a competitive title analysis, a robust and specific marketing plan, and two sample chapters — not rough drafts, but finished, polished work that showcases your voice, your passion, and your message.
When you click the button, above, you’ll open an email to my assistant, Lianne. She’ll ask you a couple questions about your project and if it looks like we might be a good fit, she will arrange a 15-minute Zoom call.
PLEASE NOTE: I am currently booking clients in Q2 2021. I am changing some pricing and package structures and will have those on the site in January. You can reach out to Lianne if you are interested in working with me but she won’t have the updated information until January.
Invest in yourself
PRICING UPDATES COMING IN JANUARY
How the process works
PACKAGE UPDATES COMING IN JANUARY
Make your best pitch
For writers who want to pitch agents
PACKAGE AND PRICING UPDATES IN JANAURY
Note: there is no guarantee that you will get an offer of representation. See FAQs below for more detailed information on what I guarantee and what I don’t.
What does a client say after working with me on three books?
The specific outcome of our work together will include:
A killer book proposal that captures your idea, lays out the structure of the book, showcases why you are the best person to write it, and puts forward a powerful business case for the project.
The proposal will include two polished sample chapters that highlight your expertise, your voice, and your authority.
The proposal will include a thorough and specific marketing plan that proves your understanding of your target reader, the competition, and the marketplace. Think of this like a business plan for your book.
The confidence to know exactly what you are writing, why you are writing it, and how you will write forward.
What happens after the book comes out? Sometimes THIS.
Emails from Beth Ricanati:
“Oh my gosh, I had to let you know that I received a starred review from Booklist.”
“I have had the privilege of speaking at over 15 events in 5 cities, have been featured on television twice, and done over 10 podcast interviews.”
“Braided was named as one of the Forward's best cookbooks of 2018!”
“Oh wow, Jennie, I just found out this morning that Braided is a finalist for a 2018 National Jewish Book Award (category: Women's Studies)!! For the book to be in the company of such august authors.... oh, I am overwhelmed.”
“I had a great time at the National Jewish Book Awards (David likened them to the Jewish Literary Oscars!) and I came home to learn that Braided was honored again, this time with the Wilbur Award (category: nonfiction book). These awards honor excellence in secular media - print and online journalism, broadcasting, motion pictures, and book publishing - that focus on religious themes and ideas. Oh wow!!”
What writers say about working with me
Praise from clients still in the middle of the development process
When you click the button, above, you’ll open an email to my assistant, Lianne. She’ll ask you a couple questions and if it looks like your project could be a good fit for me, she’ll arrange a 15-minute Zoom call so we can meet each other and decide together if we should move ahead.
PACKAGES AND PRICING UPDATES COMING SOON
FAQ
Who is this program for?
You’re an expert in your field and you are burning to share what you know with the world — to write a nonfiction book and become a thought leader. I work best with entrepreneurs and people in creative fields, but if you have an idea you think I can add value to, email lianne@jennienash.com and ask for the application.
You aren’t looking for a ghostwriter; you are ready to claim your voice, own your authority, and do the hard work to bring a book to life.
You don’t want to waste your time, and you don’t want to write something that falls flat, or fails to make an impact, or — worst of all — embarrasses you.
Please only apply if you are able to invest time, energy, and money. Your success is going to depend on that. I can give you all the information and feedback in the world, but if you aren’t ready to work hard and dig deep, you won’t stand a chance.
If you’re not sure whether or not this program is right for you, get in touch and book a 15-minute consultation call. I’ll help you figure it out. I only work writers who I know I can help — and if what I do isn’t right for you, I train book coaches and have a free matching program at Author Accelerator that can connect you with someone who is a better fit. Author Accelerator ➤
Who should NOT apply?
Anyone who needs a guarantee that they will get an ROI on their investment. There are no guarantees in publishing. Luck and timing always play a role.
Anyone who wants someone else to do the work for them. This is a coaching package where I teach you how to do the work and support you in the process — but you have to do the work.
Anyone who isn’t sure they have the time or energy to expend. This will take time and energy.
Anyone who is not ready to be coached; if you already know everything, you don’t need me.
Fiction writers. I train book coaches and have a free matching program at Author Accelerator that can connect you with someone who is taking fiction clients at this time. Author Accelerator ➤
Are there any guarantees?
Not about the outcome of the book deal. I cannot guarantee that you will land an agent, get a book deal, or make any money on your book. Luck and timing play too big a role in publishing for me to make that kind of guarantee.
I also cannot offer money back. I tend to deliver so much value to people so quickly in this program that I can’t allow people to drop out. In the first week we will do a massive amount of work. It will be truly transformative — taking your idea from vague and fuzzy to WOW. It would be unfair to me and my expertise to let people drop out at that point.
What I can guarantee is that if you do the required work, you will produce a book proposal you can be very proud to pitch. It will provide a crystal clear roadmap for you to finish writing your book. You will have two sample chapters that capture your voice and your message. You will be confident about your identity as a writer. You will have claimed your authority.
What if I am writing memoir?
If you are writing a memoir that has a clearly defined audience and a strong topical underpinning, and if you have a well-developed platform, you may be able to sell your book on a proposal and you may be a good candidate for this coaching program. Not all memoir fits this category. Email lianne@jennienash.com and she will help you sort this out.
When you click the button, above, you’ll open an email to my assistant, Lianne. She’ll ask you a couple questions about your project and if it looks like we might be a good fit, she will arrange a 15-minute Zoom call.