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

You're looking for one-to-one guidance and support, tailored to your 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 a proposal, offering industry insights, creative brainstorming, emotional support and more. 

You're struggling to do this alone

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 at every step along the way. 

You understand that 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 universal theme, a detailed summary of each chapter, and high-quality sample chapters that demonstrate your writing style, voice and calibre. 

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.

You don't have to write a proposal for memoir

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.

WHEN WORKING TOGETHER

We'll 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 fears and hesitation along the way.

We'll create a detailed 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, even if you sign up with a 'Big 5' publishing house. You must prove that you understand who your ideal readers are, what they need, and how you will reach out to them.

For most of my clients, this is the hardest part of the proposal to write. I  have techniques for bringing imagination, joy and a generosity of spirit into your marketing, so it never feels pushy or manipulative.

YOU WILL THINK ABOUT YOUR BOOK IN TERMS OF BOTH CREATIVE VISION AND BUSINESS PRAGMATICS

If you run into invisible barriers

I am certified in various healing methodologies to help you get back on your feet. Creative blocks will probably arise, but we'll endeavour to catch them early and work on dissolving the resistance that shows up.

If you have fears around going public with this particular topic because it's edgy for you, we can work on that too.

IMAGINE THE FEELING

By the end of this program...

YOUR PITCHING STRATEGY

If time permits, once you've finished your proposal, we'll go into your pitching strategy.

You recognise that pitching is an art: it's about much more than sending an email out to every company you can think of. It needs to go deeper than that. Your pitch must be as professional, compelling, precise and as targeted as possible.

YOU'LL RECEIVE GUIDANCE WITH:

• Writing your query letter
• How to find agents and publishers looking for a book like yours
• Avoiding common pitfalls, and
• Devising a solid pitching plan for you to roll out over time.

I'll walk you through the best way to research companies that will be a good fit, so that you are targeting agents and/or publishers that are most relevant for you and your particular project. 

I'll share ways to help you do this in the quickest and most professional way, and provide you with a spreadsheet template (XL) to help you track responses to your pitch as they come in.

You'll then be well prepared to proceed into the longer process of pitching, which can take time, because each company can take 6-8 weeks to get back to you - if they respond at all.

This process can jangle the nerves, but by rolling out your pitch with a pre-established strategy, you'll be going into this with your eyes wide open, and will be well prepared for your next steps.

INVESTMENT

Private intensive coaching program

PRACTICALITIES:

Note: This package does not guarantee that you will be signed with an agent or publisher.

Nobody can promise that. It depends on many factors, such as world events, industry trends, books about to be released that are similar to yours, luck and so much more.

Nor can I guarantee that by writing this proposal, you will make money.  

It's not unusual for a writer to send out as many as 50-80 query letters over time, or even 100+. It can be a long-drawn-out process.

The duration of your pitching process will depend upon the industry response to your proposal, your emotional stamina, and how much time and energy you are willing to invest.

Would you like to work on your proposal with me?