Have you wondered if writing a book proposal is a waste of time?
Do you find the process intimidating and the shift from creative writing to sales writing to the best business case for your memoir a struggle?
Are you spending what feels like eons of time trying to navigate the flood of advice on writing a book proposal? And feeling defeated because accomplishing it in A WEEKEND FEELS TOO FAST and you want time + support to think it through?
If you LOVE YOUR PROJECT and SPEND HOURS scouring books, watching webinars, reading blog posts, and attending short courses on the proposal hoping to get yours right…
But no matter how much you learn, you find yourself staring at the blank page with shivers down your spine… and even when you manage to draft a few sections, nothing seems good enough… and the whole process feels like sucking on a garbage-flavored lollypop… I HAVE GOOD NEWS.
Introducing Camp Proposal: Thirty Days to Build the Best Business Case for Your Book
Camp Proposal was designed to help you understand your project at a deeper level and give you the confidence to sell it. Participants will strive to get their proposals 100% done (possibly minus sample chapters) within 2 months and be ready for querying and/or platform building in the fall.
During this thirty-day supportive group coaching intensive, you’ll:
- Build a proposal-writing success plan for this book AND your next one
- Learn how to nail every proposal section
- Discover what agents and publishers care about
- Benefit from lessons, co-working sessions, and peerspiration –– as well as more handholding support than any other proposal class out there
Here's how it works:
- This program starts on 5/31/23 and ends on 6/30/23. That's 31 days of intensive support on one of the most important documents you'll write, with the exception of your book.
- On the following five Wednesdays (5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, and 6/28) I'll teach live webinars from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT that provide in-depth instruction on every aspect of the book proposal. These sessions will be recorded so you never miss a thing.
- To hold you accountable, I'll offer optional co-writing sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM EDT for the duration of the program. Show up to as many as you like.
- And, to make sure you never feel lost or without aid, I'll hold office hours every Friday from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT throughout our class. Just pop in to ask a question and then leave when your'e ready.
That means you'll have 48 hours of my attention and support during this intensive.
Your Instructor
Hi, I'm Lisa Cooper Ellison, a writer, speaker, and writing coach, with an Ed.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a background in mindfulness.
While I've spent the past twenty years helping students and writers transform their life stories into art, I'm also a writer who struggles with the same hangups and story problems every writer faces, from doubts about the quality of my work to what in the world I'm trying to say.
It was those humble writer struggles that inspired me to create this course.
I wanted to find a way to help writers systematically see their stories, identify their narrative arcs, and learn the skills that would help them finish their current book, MARKET IT well, AND write the next one.
I spent years studying the craft of writing so I could develop, test, and then teach specific strategies that would help writers truly understand their stories and how to talk about them. I've spent the past eight years refining these strategies so I can now teach them to you.
Students and clients of mine have been published in or have books forthcoming from St. Martins Press, Hatchett, Promethius Books, APA, and Nortons; they've also been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Brevity Literary Magazine, and HuffPost, among others.
But don't take my word for it. Check out what former students have to say:
“Lisa helped me write for a general audience and gently coached me to the finish line. She is an outstanding teacher, editor, guide, cheerleader, coach, and critic. She is a fountain of knowledge and insight. Her editorial suggestions were always spot on. Without her, much of my writing would sit in a computer file, untouched.”
- Nora Demleitner, President of St. John's College, represented by Andy Ross, Built to Punish forthcoming from Prometheus Press
"Crafting an impactful book proposal seemed so intimidating at first. I knew I’d only have one chance to make a first impression. Lisa offered insight, experience, and collaboration every step of the way. The result was an impressive proposal I’m proud of, positive feedback from all 5 agents I queried, and a choice in who I want to represent me. Lisa walked me from “scared” to “signed!"
- Tia Levings, Represented by The Bindery, A Well-Trained Wife forthcoming from St. Martin's Press (2024)
Get started now!
Write a book proposal infused with confidence and “yes” energy
30% of proposal writing is knowing how to write the proposal and 70% is managing the head game that comes with writing one.
The time to begin working on your book proposal is earlier than you think. This course is ideal for the nonfiction or memoir writer with a fully fleshed out book idea, completed, or nearly-completed manuscript –– and who knows querying with a strong book proposal in hand is the next step towards publication.
PLUS you can purchase my BONUS "SECRETS TO THEIR SUCCESS" INTERVIEWS SERIES with authors who’ve written their proposals AND SOLD THEIR BOOKS, including Tia Levings, Catherine Baab-Muguira, and Denise Massar. Within each interview, you’ll receive the tips, tricks, and hard-earned wisdom that will help you take your project across the finish line. Best of all, these writers aren't famous people. They're hardworking debut authors just like you. Transcripts and essential links each author recommends will be included with each interview.
Alumni can also SIGN UP FOR MY AUGUST WORKSHOP SERIES where I’ll provide feedback on student work. This one-of-a-kind workshop is yet another bonus ONLY AVAILABLE to Camp Proposal students. During this four-session class, we’ll workshop select items from student submissions and explore what’s working and how to take your proposal to new heights. Even if your submission isn’t selected, you’ll LEARN TONS from the process. Hell, you might LEARN EVEN MORE from reviewing someone else’s work.
BETTER YET, SIGN UP FOR ALL THREE AND SAVE $$$$
Course Curriculum
About Camp Proposal
Camp Proposal is the course for memoir and nonfiction writers who are preparing to sell their work, feel blocked or overwhelmed by the process, and crave measured support spread over a month––not crammed into an intense 48 hours.
You'll save the most if you sign up for the three course bundle, which you can do by clicking here.
It is not for fiction writers, those planning on self-publication, or writers who don’t like group intensives. If you are new to memoir and creative nonfiction, get started with my group coaching sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you ready to...
Create the most attractive platform for your book?
Fall deeper in love with your manuscript?
Query with confidence?
"Lisa isn’t just a writing coach. She’s a book doula!”
- Gretchen Pianka, Pediatrician and Founder of Resilience University