A Shortcut to Pitching Your Book This Spring

Hi Manuscript Workers,

If you don’t need to write a book proposal this semester, go ahead and close this email right now. I’ll see you on Wednesday with regularly scheduled newsletter programming. :)

If you do need to write a book proposal within the next few months, I can help. But what kind of help do you need?

If you just need a place to start…

…check out this post with my at-a-glance infographic on the key components of the scholarly book proposal.

If you want a step-by-step plan to write your proposal, and you enjoy reading how-to guides…

…check out The Book Proposal Book and the accompanying resources on this page.

If you want the step-by-step plan, and you don’t have time for a lot of reading and research about the process…

…the Book Proposal Shortcut for Busy Scholars was made for you. The Shortcut takes the key insights from my work with hundreds of academic authors and boils it down to a systematic two-hour program, presented in written, audio, and video formats (your choice). I give you the essential background info you need to know, a set of concrete tasks to complete, and curated tips on how to make your pitch stand out from the sea of submissions publishers are receiving right now. Plus pep talks along the way, because everyone could use a little extra motivation at the moment.

The program comes with access to supporting worksheets and several successful sample proposals. The Shortcut is entirely self-paced, so you can work through it whenever is convenient for you. You will be able to post questions that arise as you work through the material and I’ll respond promptly (usually within a day or two). You’ll also be invited to live Q&As every couple months if you have more extensive questions or issues you’d like outside perspective on. Recordings and transcripts of the Q&As will be provided if you can’t make it live.

I created the Book Proposal Shortcut with two kinds of authors in mind:

• First-time authors who are feeling mystified about the process of getting a book published and want to feel more confident and prepared when pitching their books

• Repeat authors who have muddled through the process before and would like to feel a greater sense of control this time around

If one of those sounds like you, do give the Shortcut a look.

Enrollment will be closing tonight until at least March. If you want to get started on your proposal sometime in the next few months, now’s the time to get in.

Bonus: for every person who signs up today, I’ll be donating $50 to the Student Workers of Columbia hardship fund.

Questions about the Book Proposal Shortcut for Busy Scholars? Reply to this email and let me know!