how do you even sell your book?
There are a lot of new folks around here these days — welcome! I have a new class that is starting this weekend, which is the subject of this email, but if this is the one of the first times you’re hearing from me, please feel free to skip.
If you’re in the mood, take a look at the last lunar newsletter (we’ve got a new one coming for the Full Moon in Libra this weekend!) or read the most recent interview in my author series, on writing as a spiritual practice with Melissa Febos.
Thank you, as ever, for being here.
Jeanna
When I was writing the first drafts of my memoir, I had no idea of how to get it published aside from, get an agent. And, yes, that was important. (Really fucking important.)
But I (blessedly) didn’t know that nonfiction books are, for the most part, sold on proposal. Like the proposals I read and sometimes helped write for different startups I worked for here in NYC, where we were just trying to convince someone to buy a product — or where someone else was trying to convince us to buy theirs.
The thing about spending your life being told you’re a “good” writer is that it can be confusing, frustrating, and heartbreaking to confront a kind of writing that doesn’t immediately “click,” that you’re seemingly not good at. But there are, in fact, a lot of different kinds of writing — and there are very few people in this world (arguably none) who are good at all of them.
Book proposals are, by and large, not artistic documents.
They are sales documents.
And therein is the rub for the writer who is an artist. For the introvert who does not want to talk about themselves. For the person who doesn’t have a marketing background, who hates social media, for whom the idea of self-promotion and selling themselves makes them want to run the other direction.
That’s where I come in.
In HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL, I will hold your hand through the whole fucking thing.
It’s easy enough to find online resources and books that will break down the different parts of a book proposal for you, but those resources aren’t a live person, someone who has sold a book on proposal for six figures, who can break down marketing terminology in concrete bite-sized nuggets that seems accessible and is tailored for you specifically in a small classroom setting conversation.
For three weeks, beginning this Sunday, we will dive deep into every part of the book proposal.
You will generate new material, or revise what you already have.
Getting out of your own way is possible.
Here’s what course alumni have said about their experience:
Jeanna not only pulled back the curtain on one of the biggest mysteries in publishing with deep industry knowledge, personal experience, and endless charm; she also empowered me to actually finish my manuscript and gave me the courage to start sending it out into the world. Her class on crafting a book proposal is easily the best investment I've made in myself and my career in years.
— Heather Hogan
For years, I have been struggling with motivation and inspiration to finish my book proposal. I didn't know where to look for advice and a Tweet from Jeanna changed everything. I took Jeanna's class on how to write a book proposal and I was able to not only connect with like-minded writers but learn the true in's and out's of the book proposal process. Jeanna's teaching style is approachable and honest. She approaches straightforward feedback with a kindness that inspires and motivates. I would highly recommend Jeanna's class to any aspiring writers looking to tackle the book proposal process.
— Alysse Dalessandro