What is Book Proposal Bootcamp?
Book Proposal Bootcamp is a big—and accessible—step toward bringing your book idea to life. This exclusive two-month training program is designed to walk you step-by-step through writing a powerful non-fiction Christian genre book proposal. At the end of the bootcamp, you will get a guaranteed 30-minute pitch meeting with a literary agent from the Blythe Daniel Agency. That means not only will you be ready to write your book; you’ll actually get an open door to someone who can help get your book published.
What is a book proposal?
A book proposal is a business plan for your book. It is a required tool for pitching your book to agents and traditional publishers. A non-fiction book proposal* contains two main sections: sales and marketing information, and three sample chapters (the manuscript portion). You do NOT need to write the entire book before pitching it to an agent; in fact, it’s best not to, as a potential publisher may want to have a say in the content or direction of your book.
*Please note that Book Proposal Bootcamp is designed for non-fiction book ideas; please do not apply if your intent is to write fiction, which requires a different type of proposal.
Why do I need an agent?
Agents are able to pitch your book to multiple publishers, opening doors to opportunities we authors could not generate on our own. Agents have a solid understanding of the publishing industry as a whole, including what other books are out there, and which publishers are looking for what types of material. Your agent can serve as a trustworthy guide through the publishing process. I’ve come to depend on my agent for her expertise and advice on all aspects of the publishing industry. And—an agent is priceless when it comes to contract time. Agents understand the language of book contracts and can negotiate the best deal for you. Plus, your agent can go to bat for you if any problems arise during the writing or marketing phases. Agents typically take a 15% cut of your earnings, which in my opinion is well worth every penny.
Who should enroll?
Book Proposal Bootcamp is ideal for non-fiction authors of any Christian lifestyle genre or skill level, whether or not you have written a proposal or book previously. It is not designed for fiction authors or solely secular content, as the agent opportunity is with a literary agency whose connections are primarily in the Christian literature market.
What will I gain from participating?
Book Proposal Bootcamp is designed to offer aspiring authors a step-by-step guide to developing a non-fiction book proposal. Components and benefits include:
- Industry insight from a multi-published author and book proposal expert {that’s me} on best practices for crafting an effective proposal
- Bi-weekly video training on how to research and write each portion of your non-fiction book proposal, including a thorough chapter outline
- Personalized critique per proposal section for each participant {not including sample chapters}
- Helpful “best practices for writers” — tips on how to strengthen your sample chapters
- One-on-one video or phone meeting with literary agent Stephanie Alton upon completion of the program
Where does it take place?
Bootcamp takes place from the comfort of your computer or mobile device. Bi-weekly lessons will be conducted via Crowdcast webinar sessions or over the phone/Skype one-on-one.
What kind of time commitment is involved?
Bootcamp is an ongoing program lasting eight weeks from start to finish. Plan to spend 60–90 minutes for each training session (every other week) and between 5–15 hours researching and writing each week.
Is the training self-paced?
Yes and no. Every other week we will conduct a lesson covering the how and why of each progressive section within a book proposal. Your responsibility will be to do the homework in between sessions, actively writing your book proposal section by section. I will be available to review your work and provide a personalized critique section by section as long as you meet each section’s bi-weekly deadline. The one-on-one meeting with a literary agent is guaranteed following the bootcamp whether or not you have completed your full book proposal; however, this agent meeting is a golden opportunity and you will be wise to take full advantage of it by presenting a completed book proposal.
We are delivering this training over the course of several weeks so that participants have adequate time to follow through on assignments and complete the course with a full book proposal to show for it. Whether or not you commit to that goal is up to you.
How much does it cost?
Book Proposal Bootcamp costs $1200 or two installments of $650. This includes all training sessions, personalized critiques, and a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with literary agent Stephanie Alton.
What if I want help with writing my sample chapters?
We are here to help you craft a strong proposal for presenting your book idea to industry decision-makers. That includes the comprehensive business portion and chapter outline. Book proposals also require two or three sample chapters, which should show off your authentic writing voice. These are not included in the personalized critique. However, we will provide insight and actionable tips on best practices for strong writing. And—I am available for additional editing and critique services on a case-by-case basis. Contact me for more details at becky {at} beckykopitzke {dot} com.
Is there another way to get my book published?
If you are not interested in a traditional publishing contract, you can self-publish. Contact me at becky {at} beckykopitzke {dot} com for more information on how I can help you with the self-publishing process. Book Proposal Bootcamp is designed for writers who want to get a traditional book publishing contract, in which the publisher pays you to write the book (not the other way around). For a quick explanation of the difference between traditional vs. self-publishing, read this blog post.
How do I sign up?
Simply email me at becky {at} beckykopitzke {dot} com to start the conversation. Let’s work together to get you published!