Book Proposal Writing: How to Get Published
A course by Courtney MaumAuthor and Book Coach
A course by Courtney Maum, Author and Book Coach
Prepare to share your ideas with the world by learning to create dynamic book proposals from start to finish
Until now, the art of writing book proposals has been shrouded in secrecy. Courtney Maum, author of Before and After the Book Deal, is here to uncover the mysteries and essentials of getting a book published. As an author with five book deals through publishing houses like Random House, she's experienced in creating proposals that sell and is passionate about making the process more transparent for writers.
In this course, learn how to confidently write a book proposal that sparks interest in your readers’ eyes. Discover what editors are looking for in a book proposal and hear Courtney’s insider tips on how to best submit your work. Are you ready to let your book concepts meet the wider world?
This is Courtney’s second course at Domestika. If you are interested in learning about writing a compelling autobiography, don’t miss her previous course: Memoir Writing: Write a Personal Story for a Universal Audience.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 10 downloads
What Is a Book Proposal and How Does It Work?
7 minutes, 29 seconds
The Two-Step Chapter: Summary Approach
8 minutes, 7 seconds
Establishing Your “Hook”
5 minutes, 31 seconds
Understanding Platform
10 minutes, 16 seconds
How to Write an Overview
10 minutes, 24 seconds
Determining Comp Titles
7 minutes, 8 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know American author Courtney Maum. Hear about her inspiring story that took her around the world to getting published with some of the world’s most important publishing houses. She shares her favorite non-fiction books, and why it’s important to have a relatable voice in your book proposal.
Delve into the first part of Courtney’s writing process: the security checkpoint. This stage includes exploring exactly what a book proposal is, listing everything you need, and how to check each item off your list. Explore Courtney’s two-step chapter summary approach, and learn how to establish your “hook”. Then, understand how to use different platforms to reach different readers.
Next, start on the production phase, or as Courtney calls it: preparation for take off! Learn how to write a compelling book overview, or a teaser. Courtney shows you her creative process when researching potential book titles, and how to assure the chosen one stands out from the rest. Then, learn how to write a marketing plan that incorporates your biography.
Time for the final stage in Courtney’s writing process: lift off! Learn about the best practices when submitting your proposals, and how to find an agent and/or an editor if your proposal gets accepted. Courtney also talks about what to do if your proposal doesn't get the responses you’d hope for. Find out the three main reasons a book proposal gets rejected, and how to boost your proposal accordingly.
What is this course's project?
Write a book proposal by tackling the most challenging sections of nonfiction proposal writing.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Writers, or aspiring writers, who have a nonfiction book concept or memoir they think would perform well in the marketplace.
Requirements and materials
You should have at least one chapter of your book written and ready to go.
Reviews
- 10 months ago
muy buen curso
- 11 months ago
De los mejores cursos de escritura que he encontrado! muy feliz de haberlo tomado
- 1 year ago
Es un curso muy interesante, se desarrolla muy bien y es muy divertido, si eres una persona que te gusta escribir ya diarios, poemas, o cualquier cosa puedes aprovechar.
- 1 year ago
Muy interesante, aprendo mucho
- 1 year ago
Tengo muchas ideas y muchos diarios a los que sacarle provecho así que es por eso que me gustó este curso y quiero seguir con el otro curso que tiene la autora, tengo mucho que hacer con mis diarios y ojalá que mis libros ayuden a muchas personas a inspirarse
Courtney is fascinated with the creative process and has written and published several books with some of the biggest publishing houses and editors in America, including Penguin Random House and The New York Times. She also founded a collaborative retreat for creative professionals and has a regular newsletter, Get Published, Stay Published, in which she shares her tips for staying motivated during the writing process.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Security Checkpoint
- What Is a Book Proposal and How Does It Work?
- The Two-Step Chapter: Summary Approach
- Establishing Your “Hook”
- Understanding Platform
- U3
Preparation for Take-off
- How to Write an Overview
- Determining Comp Titles
- Writing Your Bio and Marketing Plan
- U4
Lift Off
- Best Practices for Submission
- How to Find an Agent and/or Editors
- Strengthening Your Platform
- What to Do with “No”
- FP
Final project
- Book Proposal Writing: How to Get Published
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn how to structure a nonfiction book proposal, craft compelling hooks, write sample chapters and summaries, identify comp titles, develop a marketing plan, and pitch your work to agents and publishers.
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate writers who have some writing experience and want to learn the professional process of creating and submitting nonfiction book proposals.
No, you do not need a completed manuscript. The course focuses on developing proposals, including sample chapters and summaries, before the full book is written.
You’ll need a computer, word processing software, internet access, and any drafts or ideas for your nonfiction book project. No advanced publishing tools are required.
This course teaches you how to create a professional proposal, identify your target audience, research comp titles, and pitch effectively to agents and publishers, increasing your chances of publication.
Key components include an engaging overview, author bio, target audience, comp title analysis, detailed chapter summaries, a sample chapter, marketing strategies, and testimonials if available.
Yes, the course covers pitching strategies, querying agents, submitting proposals, and professional communication to maximize your chances with publishers.