Write Your Book Proposal This Fall

Yes, you.

Do you have an idea for a book but don’t know what to do with that idea?

Do you feel imposter syndrome when you think of yourself as a “real” writer?

Do you imagine your name on a book cover… one day?

That was me, too.

I knew I had a book in me. I knew my book could help people. I also felt like a massive imposter, often saying to myself, Who are you to write a book?!?! Who would even buy it?!?! Go back to folding yoga pants at your day job and occasional freelance writing where you belong.

I tucked away my book idea on and off for years, only for it to bubble up with more tenacity each time. I finally enrolled in book proposal classes and eventually hired a book proposal coach.¹

Asking for help gave me the accountability and information I needed to turn my book idea into a tangible document I could show a literary agent, which eventually got me a book deal.

Now, I teach the very book proposal classes that helped bring my book to life because I want to bring your book to life, too. I combine my experience with publishing, marketing, journalism, internet literacy, DIY publicity, mental health advocacy, and a business degree into a course I call Book Proposal Boot Camp.

Together, we’ll write the business plan for your book, AKA a book proposal.

If you’re author-curious, join me (and guest speakers!) for 6 weeks this fall.

Book Proposal Boot Camp Sept 5-Oct 10th (VIRTUAL)

(Guest speakers: Hilary Sheinbaum and (Gemma Hartley). Sign up here.)

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Why Me? and Why Now? - Each book proposal needs to answer two questions: Why Me? and Why Now? You'll define why you're the person to write your book and why the world needs your book right now.

Week 2: Introduction and About the Author - Every book proposal needs a hook. Together, we'll identify what makes your book proposal unique. Then, we'll spruce up your author bio by creating a full-page About the Author section that further expands on why you're the right person to write this book.

Week 3: Target Audience and Comp Titles - Identifying your target audience(s) can help you visualize your readers, which then helps publishers (and you!) know how to market your book. In addition to identifying your target audience(s), you'll also identify your comp titles (existing books that are similar to yours) and discern how your book is different.

Week 4: Marketing, Promotion, and Platform - Everyone hates this part. You're not alone. We'll discuss how to feel comfortable with self-promotion without cringing (OK, cringing less.) Together, we'll identify your platform (it's not just social media!) and create an outline for your book's marketing strategy

Week 5: Chapter Overview - Chapter titles and summaries help future agents and publishers understand your book idea. You'll learn what to include in those summaries to be as efficient as possible.

Week 6: Sample Chapters/Q&A - Based on the chapter titles from the previous week, you'll choose two chapters to include in your proposal. This class time will be spent outlining those sample chapters.

SPECIFIC COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Structured Learning & Personal Guidance: Engage in a structured six-week program where each session focuses on a specific component of your book proposal, complemented by personal guidance and a weekly Q&A with me.

• Professional Proposal Crafting: From articulating your unique perspective to detailing your marketing strategy, learn to craft a compelling book proposal that answers critical questions like "Why Me?" and "Why Now?", and effectively presents your author bio and book concept.

• Marketing and Promotion Mastery: Overcome the challenge of self-promotion through targeted strategies to identify and engage your book's audience, and create a robust marketing plan that goes beyond just social media.

• Practical Writing Exercises: Progress from conceptual outlines to writing sample chapters, with practical exercises designed to refine your chapter titles and summaries, ensuring your proposal resonates with agents and publishers.

Additional Classes

• Book Proposal 101 Oct 1st. Sign up here.

• Be Your Own Publicist October 9th. Sign up here.

• Book Proposal Boot Camp Oct 22-Nov 19th (Guest speakers: Leigh Stein

  and Jordyn Taylor) Sign up here.

XO,

Tawny

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I’m Tawny Lara, author of Dry Humping and co-author of The Sobriety Deck, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the NA botanical spirit, (parentheses)

1. Shout out,

Irina Gonzalez (she/her/ella)

, who is also my lovely assistant for this course!