How I work with nonfiction proposal writers
You will work for 6 months building your book proposal step-by-step with instruction, guidance, and feedback from me at every turn. At the end of the course, you will send your finished, polished book proposal to 30 agents hand selected for you, with the guarantee of feedback from at least one of them.
Instructional videos and step-by-step lessons for each part of the proposal can be watched on your own time.
Plan on spending about 4-6 hours a week building out your book idea, proposal, and sample chapters.
You will turn in written material to me every other week and receive feedback by Friday. In the beginning, this feedback will be strategic. In the end, it will be detailed line edits that will get your work into pitch perfect shape.
We will have 90-minute group calls 2x a month. I will answer all questions and send out a recording for those who can’t make the calls in person.
You will have the support and camaraderie of other writers working at the same level you are, but you will not be expected or required to spend time reading their work.
You can ask written questions in the group discussion at any time and I will answer by the end of the business day on most days.
In the last two months of the masterclass, I will help you navigate pitching and agent interactions
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, and 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.
You can expect timely replies to your questions and your submitted work.
I will give at least 24 hours’ notice if I need to reschedule a call.
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 ask for permission to share your work in my contract because if your book does well (and I expect it to do well) I would like the chance to shout it to the rooftops.
I will help you understand the publishing paths available to you and demystify the process.
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. If I don’t, I will reach out to an agent who would be a good fit. I guarantee feedback from at least one agent on your list. This is absolutely no guarantee that an agent who gives you feedback will offer you representation. Let me repeat this because it’s very important: I guarantee that you will get feedback from an agent but I cannot guarantee you will be offered agent representation or a book deal.
If you are interested in a hybrid publisher, I can introduce you to the team at Greenleaf Books and potentially some other organizations.
My clients write book proposals that get results
16 writers signed with top literary agents
14 books sold to Big 5 publishers — and more in the pipeline.
7 national awards
28 books published — many through top hybrid publishers like SheWrites and SelectBooks, others self-published by writers with a direct sales channel to an existing audience.
“OMG! Jennie, I can't believe we did another book. I am so excited, grateful, proud, relieved and other feelings that I have yet to process. Writing this book has massively changed my life. I know that I wouldn't have done it with out you. Thank you isn't enough.” — Tracy Clentis, author of The Next Happy and An Invitation to Self Care; frequently quoted media thought leader
