Live Zoom Workshops on Crafting a Nonfiction Book Proposal

DRAFTING A COMPELLING NONFICTION BOOK PROPOSAL with Amy L. Bernstein

START DATE: Monday April 28, 2025

END DATE: Friday, June 6, 2025

DURATION: 6 weeks

LOCATION: Live Zoom Classes and Email

MEETING TIME: Mondays, 5 pm - 6 pm EST

FEEDBACK: Detailed written feedback from the instructor on every draft proposal will be provided.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This six-week sprint is an opportunity to draft a proposal for your nonfiction book—the required calling-card for nonfiction authors pursuing traditional or academic publishing, with or without an agent. In this fiercely competitive industry, your proposal needs to stand out, which means you need a compelling hook along with well-reasoned chapter summaries and convincing marketing and audience analyses, among other things. We’ll review in-depth all the elements of a great nonfiction book proposal. At the end, you’ll receive detailed feedback on your draft proposal, excluding only sample chapters.

This course is for authors currently drafting a nonfiction book, getting ready to pitch a manuscript, or who have a clear idea for a book. First-time authors and academics pursuing commercial publishing are most welcome.

Format:
6 weeks for 60 minutes in person via Zoom each week: Mondays, 5 pm - 6 pm EST. Dates: Live Zoom classes on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, and June 2, with the course ending on Friday, June 6.

Overall, it was great value for such a low cost! Thank you Amy for making yourself available to help me shape a podcast pitch a few times; and for the live interview practice. ~ Alice

The Concept class was so useful. I highly recommend doing the exercises. The instructor offers amazing and quick feedback. When I saw her name, I knew the class would be useful, since I've previously had classes with her. The knowledge, experience, insights and feedback one receives is priceless. ~ Lina

Amy's class lays out succinct techniques to use for research while passing along a few examples. I found the examples extremely helpful so that I began to broaden the things I considered for my book. She also provided feedback on my work to get me to think deeper and advice about just the right amount of material to add to make it authentic without being too heavy. ~ Karla

This class far exceeded my expectations. First person POV can be more than difficult. Amy offered lessons with to-the-point homework and feedback that worked for me. ~ Vickie

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week One: Overview of the Proposal Process

In this live Zoom class, we will review all the key nonfiction proposal elements and highlight what authors should do to prepare to write their proposals and what the publishing marketplace is looking for. Includes a PowerPoint presentation and Q&A.

Assignment: Students will answer three key questions about their book to create context for the proposal.

Week Two: Researching Comp Titles

There’s both an art and science to selecting a short list of comparable titles to include in your proposal.

Assignment: Research and curate a list of up to six comp titles to include in the proposal. Specific guidance will be provided.

Week Three: Audience Analysis & Marketing Plan

Authors must be able to define, segment, and possibly quantify their readership and craft a marketing plan that they can execute. Specific guidance will be provided.

Assignment: Identify and describe at least two or three tiers of readers for your book. Separately, draft a marketing plan for your book outlining what you can do to promote. Specific guidance will be provided.

Week Four: The Annotated Table of Contents

Succinct chapter outlines for the entire book are the lifeblood of the proposal.

Assignment: Draft numbered or titled chapters for your book, showing how the story logic flows throughout the book. Specific guidance will be provided.

Week Five: The Curated Author Bio

You need to tweak your bio to make your relevant expertise and experience shine through.

Assignment: Draft a succinct bio that shows why you’re the best person to write this particular book.

Week Six: The Proposal Overview

The overview is the “sales letter”—the equivalent of a fiction query letter—that sells the sizzle, making a clear case for why this book needs to be published.

Assignment: Draft a narrative overview for the book, no longer than three double-spaced pages. Specific guidance will be provided.

At the end of six weeks, you’re invited to submit your draft proposal for feedback, critique, and suggested next steps.

Materials needed: Computer with Internet. Access to Zoom and email. The instructor will provide all materials.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Amy L. Bernstein runs Wordfirst Book Coaching Services, which supports aspiring and experienced nonfiction authors as they develop long-form projects from the raw-idea stage to polished, market-ready book proposals, and points in between. Amy’s efforts revising a promising proposal and sample chapters recently helped a client land a very nice publishing deal. Amy’s own nonfiction proposal landed her latest deal for her forthcoming book, Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration. Amy is also a novelist and leads workshops on writing and creativity, bringing compassion and insight to the challenges and joys of the artistic process.

COST: $185, which includes six live Zoom classes, instructor feedback, and discussions.

BUY NOW: Drafting a Compelling Nonfiction Book Proposal with Amy L. Bernstein (6 weeks, starting April 28, 2025) Limit: 12 students. Early registration is recommended.

For Course Starting 4/28/2025

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Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor.

Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com

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