Take your readers on a heroine's journey

YOUR BOOK PROPOSAL

for memoir

Develop and polish a proposal for your memoir, to pitch to literary agents and publishers.

90 day package includes:

8-PART WORKBOOK

6 x SUBMISSION DEADLINES

6 x EDITORIAL FEEDBACK

6 x 90 MIN COACHING CALLS

EMAIL SUPPORT (M-F)

The book proposal is an art form unto itself. It asks you to not to tell your story, but to sell it in a succinct way. It's likely this will require a different skill-set from the one you're used to, and it's the primary reason why professional guidance can help.

I'll guide you through the purpose of each section of a book proposal, and help you write yours in detail and to a professional standard, with feedback, accountability, and the emotional support you need to carry you through any difficulties or doubt.

* Note: This service is for those who have completed my previous program, Your Book Skeleton for Memoir 

Why write a proposal?

It's important for you to know up-front that you can pitch and sell your memoir without a proposal, as long as you have written your full manuscript. However, for multiple reasons it's advisable to prepare a proposal.

Memoir is one of the most difficult book categories to sell, particularly if you aren't famous; and a proposal will help you do it.

Your proposal  gives you the opportunity to showcase your story and make a profound declaration of your voice.

By communicating your memoir's value in the proposal, you will instil faith in agents and publishers that they should invest time and resources into it (and you). Publishing is, after all, a business, and any financial risk needs to be mitigated.

If you decide to go ahead with a proposal, a lot will be riding on it.

YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU WRITE A CONVINCING ONE.

Are you daunted by the idea of writing a proposal? Perhaps you have made an attempt already, and you found the process difficult, dispiriting or confusing. Perhaps you feel you don't know what you're doing... at the very moment it matters most, because the future of your book hangs in the balance.

A book proposal can be difficult to put together if you don't understand how the industry works, or what exactly is being sought. Your proposal is a sales document rather than a creative exercise, and it might require a writing mindset that's different to the one you're used to. 

If you're struggling with your memoir proposal, or even the idea of one, this program will keep you on track. You will prepare every section necessary for a polished, professional  proposal - one you feel proud to pitch - with guidance and support at every step along the way. 

Why do agents and publishers want to see a proposal?

Because it's faster  to read than a full manuscript, while giving an impression of the whole book. It demonstrates that you are professional enough in your attitude to write a good proposal; that you can make a compelling and convincing business case for your memoir; that you would make a good client for agents and publishers to sign up with.

The proposal showcases your story, voice and writing style first and foremost (as opposed to the professional expertise you would need to demonstrate in the case of non-fiction.) The quality of your proposal - and of your sample writing in particular - will determine whether your memoir is signed up. 

If your proposal fails to meet industry requirements, it will be quickly discarded.

A proposal can be harder to write than the book itself

Writing a proposal is a big undertaking. It's rigorous and challenging, because is essentially a business plan for your book.

It provides the whole shape of the book, and how you see its role in the world. It does not make vague promises. It's not a sketch. You need to be able to summarise your memoir in a way that's beautifully written and convincing, with a transformation journey that ties into a resonant larger theme, a detailed summary of each chapter, and high-quality  sample chapters that demonstrate your writing style and calibre.

Your proposal must contain a marketing plan

In the proposal you have to deeply understand - and demonstrate - what you're putting into the marketplace. That is, the cultural context you're speaking to. Why your story matters, and matters now. How your memoir differs from those already on the shelves, especially if well-known authors are writing on the same subject. How you will put energy into the marketing of your project. 

In the past, publishers would do the marketing and publicity for you. Now, that task is mostly up to you. You must prove that you understand who your ideal readers are, what they need, and how you will reach out to them.

I offer one-to-one support tailored to your unique needs

Writing your proposal can be intensive and demanding. Momentum and enthusiasm are hard to keep up on your own, particularly if you get stuck in the sections that are difficult to write. As your coach, I will guide you through the point and purpose of all the required sections of the proposal, offering industry insights as well as creative support. 

Benefits of signing up:

  • You'll learn how to present your proposal in the way publishers and agents want to see it: carefully honed and comprehensively detailed in all the right places.
  • You'll come to understand the role and purpose of your story in a far deeper way: how it will contribute value, in specific terms, to a bigger cultural conversation. 
  • You'll identify your ideal readers, as well as the ways you intend to pro-actively connect with them. This will help you find the right readership for the duration of your book's life, and strengthen your case about why it should exist.
  • You will learn to think about your project in terms of both creative vision and business pragmatics.
  • You'lldraw up a list of marketing actions you intend to take. These will be well thought through, specific and deliverable; and we'll brainstorm together to make these as creative and interesting as possible. 
  • By pinning down the elements of your story with careful detail, any holes in your narrative will be flushed out. If you aren't ready to pitch your memoir yet, this will become evident - and that's a good thing. You can re-assess, and/or give your project more time if needed, before it's too late.
  • You'll see your story from angles you hadn't considered before. These valuable new perspectives will deepen your argument, and enhance the uniqueness of your project in the marketplace. 
  • All this will help agents and publishers to envisage your memoir in the marketplace - and this gives them the confidence they need to invest in you. 

Your proposal must follow a set of industry standards

Although requirements vary between publishers and agents, there are components that are universally sought. If you aren't accustomed to these, the industry requirements can feel overly corporate, 'salesy' or marketing oriented; but this program will beautifully prepare you for any agent or publisher scenario. With my guidance, you will draw up all the sections you need with accuracy and depth, and dispel any fears or hesitation along the way.

Proposal sections we'll work on:

  • Overview
  • Author bio & photo
  • Manuscript specifications
  • Audience analysis
  • Comparable titles
  • Chapter summary
  • Marketing plan
  • Polished sample chapters
By the end of this program:
  • You'll have a crystal-clear, detailed vision of your memoir, having solved any major problems with story, arc of change or intended readership.
  • Your belief in the value of your project will be at an all-time high, because of the hard work and research that goes into this process.
  • You'll be in a strong position to send out query letters to literary agents and/or publishers, knowing that you have an accomplished proposal at the ready if interest is shown.
  • You'll have enhanced your book's chances of success in the real world by analysing its place within the bookselling eco-system.
  • You'll have a marketing plan in place for your book (necessary these days, even if you intend to go through a traditional publishing route.)
  • You'll be able to stand behind your story and your voice in a way that's grounded and compelling. 
  • You'll have finely honed the wording required to describe, pitch and sell your memoir - and this can be used in multiple other contexts too, such as on your website, in articles, podcasts or in media interviews.
  • You'll be well prepared, and won't self-sabotage with an amateurish, ill thought-out, hasty or incomplete proposal. After all, you only get one shot at submitting to each agent or publisher.
I cannot promise that:
  • Your memoir will be signed up by a literary agent or publisher on the strength of your proposal. Nobody can promise that. There are too many variables at play, such as unexpected global events, industry trends, other memoirs coming out on a similar theme, luck, timing, etc
  • You will go on to publish a best-seller. Again, that's impossible for anyone to predict.
  • By writing this proposal, you are guaranteed to make money. That is not the case. However, by refining your story and signature journey, you'll be able to open up new and effective income streams based on the proposal work - such as public speaking, and specialised workshops and retreats. 

WARNING: YOUR STORY WILL WORK ON YOU AS YOU WORK ON IT.

You're likely to experience a journey of personal development as you refine your narrative arc, its mythic meaning, why your book needed today, and how it will fit into the marketplace. Your professional marketing and communications will grow stronger too, because all these pieces are interconnected.

SHELLEY KENIGSBERG 

WRITING IN PARADISE

writinginparadise.com

"After working so constructively on my book skeleton and manuscript with Catriona, the prospect of writing my memoir proposal loomed. I needn't have worried at all. With her exceptional guidance and clarity, this next step flowed not only with ease, but dare I say, with pleasure."

How this works, step by step

1

SCHEDULE:

When you sign up, we'll schedule your fortnightly submission deadlines and 90 minute coaching calls.

2

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

I'll provide detailed feedback on your submissions via in-line notes and rigorous editorial letters. I use Microsoft Word's Track Changes, so you can always reject or accept my changes to your document. You must have a working knowledge of this software (and a subscription.)


If you have questions between submissions, I offer basic assistance by email (Mon-Fri). 

3

COACHING:

Our coaching calls will address your progress and goals, answer any questions you have my about my feedback notes or other issues, offer brainstorming where needed, and guide you in planning your next steps.


The coaching calls are up to 90-minutes long and are dedicated to your most pressing issues.

INVESTMENT
$2997 USD
90 day package
with fortnightly contact 
This includes:
  • WELCOME PACKET
  • 8 PART PROPOSAL GUIDE
  • 6 x SUBMISSION DEADLINES 
  • 6 x DETAILED IN-LINE NOTES inside your working document
  • 6 x EDITORIAL LETTERS (5-7 pages each)
  • 6 X COACHING CALLS (up to 90 mins each)
  • EMAIL SUPPORT (M-F)  
Instance 1

PAYMENT:

I'll invoice you for an online payment before we start working together. While my prices are set in USD, payment is possible in €, AUD or GBP on request.

PAYMENT PLAN:

Available on request. Please email me at catriona@themythicfeminine.com if you are interested in a monthly payment plan (over the 3 months).

TIME INVESTMENT:

This process takes approximately 90 days to complete, depending on how far developed your ideas are already, how fast you work, and how much time you have to give to this.

The work requires a minimum commitment of 8-10 hours per fortnight. If you need more time after our package has expired, you are welcome to continue on a monthly retainer at the same monthly rate, if desired.

BONUS CALL:

Become a Creative Force 

90 minutes

During this 1:1 coaching intensive, we will explore and work through any obvious challenges that stand between you and your success. We'll place a special focus on your voice and visibility here - after all, you will need to become a public spokesperson for your memoir - but you can bring any issues to the table that may be affecting your confidence in your story or your voice.

This call is dedicated to mindset and belief work. The focus is on you here, rather than on your book.

The practicalities:

  • You submit your working proposal document to me according to a fortnightly schedule. Please submit in industry format: Times New Roman font, 12 pt, double spaced with 1 inch margins.  
  • You will receive a detailed feedback letter on each submission that focuses on what's working and what isn't in a big-picture sense; plus in-line comments inside your document with specific suggestions on you might resolve problems. 
  • My notes are rigorous and detailed on each round. I put time, energy and deep thinking into all my editorial feedback. Editorial letters will be 5-7 pages each, though this can vary according to the complexity of your submission. 
  • Coaching calls are for up to 90 minutes and are dedicated to the issues you're finding most pressing.
  • Email support is for questions about the written work (M-F) that take no longer than 10 minutes to answer. More complex questions will be addressed in our coaching calls or in an editorial letter. 
  • I provide additional resources if needed (industry tips and guidance, relevant articles, book recommendations, etc.) 
Interested in working one-on-one with me?

Click the button below. It will take you through to a questionnaire to fill out. This will help me assess whether or not I can genuinely be of assistance to you and your project. You can expect to hear from me within 1-2 business days. 

Please also read my Do We Fit page here before applying.

Apply here

FAQ

WHAT COMMUNICATION TOOLS DO YOU USE?

For edits and written feedback, we'll use Microsoft Word's 'Track Changes' function. It's important you are familiar with this.

For coaching calls, we will use Google Meet, which requires no subscription or download at your end. Video recordings and/or written transcripts can be made available if desired.

DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT?

Yes. When we agree to work together, I will provide you with my terms of service and a book coaching agreement, so that you can review these and ask any further questions before signing.

I'll also provide an invoice for your tax records.

WILL THIS PROGRAM GUARANTEE MY SUCCESS as an author?

No. I cannot guarantee any results for you such as securing a publisher or agent, writing a bestseller, earnings or sales numbers. Nor can I predict the success or failure of any editorial decisions. 

These things cannot be predicted or guaranteed (and I'd be wary of anyone making promises). They depend on many factors, such as world events, industry trends, books about to be released that are similar to yours, and so on.

What I can guarantee is that I will offer guidance to the best of my professional abilities, to enhance the viability and reader's experience of your book.

CAN I BE ASSURED OF CONFIDENTIALITY?

All communication and materials are treated as confidential, unless your permission to share with others is explicitly granted. This is stated in my terms of service.

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

My services are non-refundable, because book coaching involves deep commitment from both sides. I plan my schedule around our deadlines in advance, turning away new clients accordingly.

If you aren't sure whether this is the right step for you to take - financially or otherwise - I request that you spend some time reading this website, and particularly this page. 

Once you are more familiar with me and my approach, it should become clear whether or not you wish to make the investment.

It's also really important that you're sure you have the time to give to our work together.

WHAT IF I MISS A SUBMISSION DEADLINE OR COACHING CALL?

You must re-schedule at least 24 hours in advance. I will be holding this time-slot for you and am counting on your reliability and commitment. Last minute cancellations won't be rescheduled or refunded unless there are extenuating circumstances.

If I need to cancel our call with less than 24 hours notice, I will notify you as soon as possible, and will add an extra 30 mins onto our rescheduled call at no charge.

WHAT IF I WANT TO KEEP WORKING WITH YOU AFTER THIS PROGRAM IS COMPLETE?

When this is complete, you can move directly into my next service, Your Pitching Plan, if you'd like to take that next step with me. Note: this service is not advertised on my website. Please send me an email if you'd like to sign up for this.

Alternatively, if you would like to work on your manuscript with guidance, support, ongoing feedback and accountability, you might like to sign up for my monthly retainer called Flesh Out Your Book.  

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