Take your readers on a heroine's journey

YOUR BOOK PROPOSAL

for non-fiction

Develop and polish a 60-80+ page non-fiction proposal 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 Non-fiction 

Have you been trying to write your book proposal?

Have you found the process difficult, dispiriting or confusing?

Do you feel you don't really know what you're doing... at the very moment it matters most, because the future of your book hangs in the balance?

While Your Book Skeleton for Non-fiction is a tool for outlining your book for your internal reference, the proposal work is designed for external purposes - as a sales tool. 

A book proposal can be difficult to put together if you don't understand how the industry works, or what exactly is being sought. This 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 proposal - or even the idea of one - this program will keep you on track. You will prepare every section necessary for a polished and professional book proposal that you feel proud to pitch, with guidance at every step along the way. 

Why you need a book proposal

A book proposal is the 60-80+ page package of information you send to a literary agent or publisher that presents the vision for your book, makes an argument for why it should exist, and outlines how it might take effect - much like a business plan.

You need a proposal if you want to take your book through a traditional publishing route. It's a necessary part of non-fiction publishing. Generally, you aren't required to have written a whole non-fiction manuscript before pitching to publishers or agents: you need to prepare an in-depth proposal instead.

Why? Because a proposal is faster to read than a full manuscript, while giving an impression of the whole book; and agents or publishers often want to help shape the contents and structure of your book before it's fully written.

The quality of your proposal determines whether your non-fiction book is signed up. If your proposal fails to meet industry requirements, it will be quickly discarded.

Your proposal can be harder to write than the book itself

Writing a book proposal is a big undertaking. It's rigorous and challenging.

It is essentially a business plan for your book.

You must demonstrate that you are professional enough in your attitude to do the legwork required to write a good proposal, and that you're capable of delivering a high-quality manuscript via sample chapters.

The proposal shows that you're knowledgeable about your topic by providing the whole shape of the book, your plan for its execution, and its place in the world.

It does not make vague promises. It's not a sketch. You need to be able to summarise your book in a way that's beautifully written and convincing, with a detailed summary of each chapter and a polished sample of the writing style and quality.

Your proposal must communicate your book's value

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 viewpoint matters. How your book 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. 

By communicating your book's value in the proposal, you will instill 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.

Your proposal might end up getting more attention from an agent or publisher than your finished manuscript does - it's that important!

How this program will guide you

  • 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 book in a far deeper way: how it will contribute value, in specific terms, to the cultural conversation on this subject. 
  • 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 this book 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 book with careful detail, any holes in your argument will be flushed out. If you aren't ready to pitch your book 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 book 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 book 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 them, these industry requirements can feel overly corporate, 'salesy' or marketing oriented. You might feel you're being asked to compromise your voice or intellectual/artistic integrity. These feelings can be alleviated if you learn to see this as a vital way of sharing the information that's close to your heart. Focusing on 'marketing as education' can be a useful tactic for re-framing your doubts. 

This program ensures that you put the 8 most essential and relevant parts of your proposal in place. You're then beautifully prepared for any agent or publisher scenario that follows, having prepared all the sections you need as well we dispelled 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

Writing a proposal is intensive and demanding

Having one-to-one support tailored to your needs will pull you through the sections that are difficult to do. 

Momentum and enthusiasm are hard to keep up on your own, particularly if you get stuck. 

Many writers falter when the idea for a book comes face to face with the realities of the marketplace. Did you know that 97% of people who start writing a book don't finish...?

By the end of this program:
  • You'll have a crystal-clear, detailed vision of your book, having solved any major problems with messaging, structure or intended readership ahead of the writing of the full manuscript.
  • 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 going through a traditional publishing route.) Note: the marketing plan for your book may well turn out to boost, even up-level, your entire educational platform.
  • You'll be able to stand behind your ideas in a way that's grounded, compelling, nuanced, intelligent, and backed up. 
  • You'll have finely honed the wording required to describe, pitch and sell your book - 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.
This program does not promise that:
  • Your book 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 books 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 message, framework 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 BOOK WORKS ON YOU AS YOU WORK ON IT!

You're likely to get a business uplevel because the point of your proposal is to make a business case for your book. We will define and refine your signature journey, which is a valuable business asset. You'll find that your educational platform naturally gets polished, and your marketing and communications grow stronger, because all of these pieces are interconnected.

JANE HARDJONO 

Embodiment coach

janehardjono.com

"Catriona’s book coaching is forthright, yet gentle; astute, yet friendly; delivered remotely, yet intimate. She helped shepherd a transformation within me to let go of a book project I’d been working on and to embark on a more raw and personal project. 

I believe that Catriona was the only coach who could elicit this dramatic pivot and is the one I trust to make it the book of my dreams.

She is flexible, kind, clever, generous and the most incredible listener and close reader."

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 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

60 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 book - but you can bring any issues to the table that may be affecting your confidence in your message or your feminine leadership.

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 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 you finish the work on Your Book Proposal, you can move directly into my next service, Your Pitching Plan, if you'd like to take that next step with me. This service is not advertised on my website. Please email me at catriona@themythicfeminine for more information.

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

RETURN TO SERVICES
>