Bethany’s BOOKish Proposal Accelerator for Women
Don’t just dream of writing a book. Make your dream a reality.
Please join me for a very unique five-month program, where you and a group of like-minded bookish women will learn my step-by-step process for writing a book proposal that sells.
In this challenging, intimate program, you’ll have support and friendship with monthly coaching circles and a book-buddy.
And you’ll have an expert mentor (that’s me!) excited to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and give your proposal the shine it needs to get the attention it deserves.
And trust me—I know what it’s like to throw EVERYTHING you have into the deep desire (ok the need!) to write and sell your book. I spent years toiling over several proposals that didn’t sell, building my platform, and teaching myself how to be a professional writer in the world.
And then one August day, stepping off the tennis court, my phone rang.
That call from my agent changed my life.
It would be my honor to share everything I’ve learned with you.
And best of all, this one-of-a-kind accelerator ends with a luxe, catered workshop and retreat in my home in the Catskills. Keep reading below for all the amazing details.
So, is today the day you’re gonna stop nervous-laughing when you talk about “your book,” shaming yourself for calling yourself “a writer,” and start getting serious about yourself and your work?
Is today the day the dream becomes a reality?
Your book is calling.
Will you listen?
Client Testimonial
“I loved how Bethany’s course included both practical tools for the writing process as well as space for the emotional, poetic and vulnerable aspects. Bethany created an atmosphere of safety and wonder where I felt deeply touched and inspired. Working with Bethany has helped me find and claim my voice. The combination of being deeply supported and also challenged by her taught me to take myself seriously in all my roles in life and in particular professionally and in my writing. Working with Bethany made me realize that I had to embrace my authority if I was to make my book happen.”
—Helena Vissing, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist, Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, author of Somatic Maternal Healing Psychodynamic and Somatic Trauma Treatment for Perinatal Mental Health
the VIBE
Bookish Proposal AcceleratorVibe
Every non-fiction book begins with a book proposal—essentially your book in miniature. In 30-70 pages, you're tasked with selling your idea, your writing, and yourself, to an agent and/or an editor.
This five-month coaching program is devoted to walking you and a cohort of bookish women step-by-step through the process. The accelerator will include monthly zoom calls, a moderated Slack channel community, book-buddy introductions, a shared reading list, and all original materials.
This is how we’ll spend our time:
Understanding the purpose and goal of book proposals
Auditing your authority, i.e your accomplishments, certifications, degrees, etc
Setting goals and breaking them down into bite-sized task
Reading nonfiction books by women—together
Creating a writing and studying schedule that works in your life
Meeting a book-buddy to keep you company and accountable to your goals
Studying successful book proposals: overview, table of contents, marketing, comparables, and sample chapters
Refining the story you can’t stop telling into a book topic the world needs to read
Three 1:1 Coaching Sessions
Book Proposal Review
Meet some Bookish participants
Not the right time to get BOOKish?
I get it. Let’s stay in touch for when the time is right.
“Now I have a focused book proposal concept with a clear organizational structure and a list of competitive titles. I have a far better understanding of what makes a kick-ass book proposal and how I can use the structure to authentically represent who I am and what I have to offer an agent or publisher.I have a clear sense of where my authority lies and the beginning of a plan for how to build my platform.”
—Lori Catallozzi Brown, BOOKISH Participant 2023
Bookish participant
“This program brought me friendship and energy specifically around this creative process. I have new bookish friends to help me with bookish ideas, worries, and identity questions. This sense of belonging to something larger, where I make sense and am known and appreciated for what I am creating, is like having a healthy family from which to launch out into the world. I feel like the real deal.”
—Jessica Scorci, 2023 BOOKish Participant
Value & Pricing
This Bookish Proposal Accelerator is more than a simple ‘how-to.’ It’s a woman-only cohort-coaching experience supporting you in creating a polished book proposal ready to sell.
If you don’t currently have the resources to work with me privately, this is the perfect way to take full advantage of my many years of platform building, proposal polishing and book editing at a reduced rate and with a group of women.
Not to mention, you won’t need to hire a ghostwriter to write your proposal which can cost up to $15,000.
And if you decide to go the self- or hybrid-publishing route (which costs up to $50,000), going through the rigorous process of writing your proposal will put you *firmly in your authority* when it’s time to write your book.
*For more info on the differences between self, hybrid, and traditional publishing, download this table I made just for you.*
In other words, regardless of where you go from here, spending five months deep-diving into your topic and crafting your proposal will only help you and your book in the long run.
Ok, so here’s a breakdown of the value and pricing:
WRITING A BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS!
Step-by-step guide to writing a book proposal
Exclusive workbook with samples that SOLD (some for six figures!)
Course Value: $1250
ONLINE COMMUNITY
Book-buddy accountability partner
Community support via Slack
Monthly coaching circles
Value: $2,400
PROPOSAL REVIEW
Proposal Review
Value: $1,250
EXPERT MENTORSHIP
Four month program of cohort based proposal coaching
One-time 1:1 coaching
Access to my network of agents and editors
Value: $5,725
TOTAL: 15,640.00
For you, I’m offering it all for $6,250
*This is a non-refundable fee so please be sure you’re ready! A deposit of $500 is required at time of acceptance and payment plans will be available.
IN A NUTSHELL:
For this one price of $6,250.00 you get THREE ways to work with me:
4-months of small-group personalized coaching on your proposal with a small cohort of bookish women.
(3) 1:1 Sessions
One live, in-person retreat in my home
OK, Ladies, let’s sell these book proposals!
Bookish participant
“I have been changed for the better from the intelligent, grounded, open women who have been part of this process with me, and opened up to another layer of what my book is about through Bethany's guidance and availability..”
—tracy sidesinger, 2023 BOOKish Participant
Are you wondering if you should self-publish or explore hybrid publishing?
Check out the differences here!
What you get in this accelerator:
01
Support to do the Hard Work
Book-buddy assigned to you prior to the retreat to share pages, doubts, aspirations, and travel plans.
Private Slack channel for accepted participants for accountability and writing prompts.
Like-minded, bookish women in community.
Access to growing digital community devoted to building women’s inner + outer author-ity.
After working with me, you can consider me a friend, mentor, and champion of your work for life.
02
Expert Mentorship to Guide Your Journey
Personalized proposal review before the retreat so we’re prepared to polish your idea, outline, marketing section, and comps.
Monthly mentorship group coaching on how to build your inner + outer authority for three months before the retreat
(3) 1:1 coaching calls with me either before or after the retreat—your call (literally!).
Networking opportunities including potential intros to agents, pros and other bookish friends.
03
Step-by-Step Path to a Polished Proposal
An exclusive guide on how to write a proposal, which includes a template and private collection of proposals I’ve worked on that have sold (some for six figures!).
A step-by-step roadmap for getting yourself and your proposal ready for the retreat.
Personalized expert review by moi.
Guided workshops in small groups.
A polished proposal! All depends on you, of course, but we’ll do whatever it takes
Is this the bookish experience for you?
The answer is yes if you are:
Ready to work on your nonfiction book—at any stage. Perhaps you’re at the very beginning of the process, or maybe your agent has sent you the third round of edits and you need another set of eyes because something just isn’t working.
Committed to traditional publishing—for now. Because I love to work on book proposals with women, my programs are limited to writers going for traditional deals, where proposals are an integral part of the process. If that doesn’t work, then by all means, let’s pivot to hybrid- or self-publishing. Whatever it takes!
Determined to write your book. Nobody can stop you. This book is happening.
Prepared to package and pitch yourself to potential agents and editors. Marketing is part of the deal. No more hiding.
Delighted by the idea of an exclusive retreat in a luxe, slightly rustic environment that might even include a black bear sighting 🐻, where you will be pampered like the queen that you are. No dish crew for you, My Lady!
Jazzed to work in a collective of other smart, bookish women like you.
The answer is maybe not if you are:
Not convinced you need to write a book. Writing a book is hard work! If you need more time to think about it, you should definitely take it.
Writing a book for a self- or hybrid-publisher is the right thing to do for many authors. But generally speaking, only traditional publishers require proposals, which is what I love to work on, so my coaching programs are for traditional paths.
Hoping you’ll get discovered and be able to skip this proposal step (FYI even if your viral essay or tiktok inspires an agent’s or editor's interest, you’ll still have to write a proposal).
Frustrated by the time and effort it takes to get a book published. Hold on to your hat, sis 'cuz this book business takes time! Check out Dorie Clark's book The Long Game.
Just not ready to invest in yourself. I get it! Next time :)
Looking for a super tidy, private, cookie-cutter learning experience. You’ll have plenty of time to process solo, but this bundle is a collective experience.
Client Testimonial
“Bethany Saltman’s work is not just competent, comprehensive, and extremely thorough, which would be enough. It is creative and inspired. Her remarkable enthusiasm about her work and her writers’ projects is infectious. She helped me do some of my best work.”
—Dr. Wednesday Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Untrue, Primates of Park Avenue, and Stepmonster
About Me
There are a lot of incredible book proposal coaches, bootcamps and academies out there, but what I bring to the table is pretty unique, if I do say so myself.
First of all, I have a proven track record selling bestselling proposals. But so do lots of other folks!
However, not too many book coaches are also critically acclaimed authors with one of the “Big-Five” publishing houses* in their own right. But even for those who are, they don’t also happen to be a trained professional leadership coach, results-driven soulful business strategist, meditation guide and ex-pat academic with over ten years of teaching college-level writing.
And they definitely aren’t inviting you and a small circle of other women into their beautiful home in the Catskills for a weekend!
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE:
Bestselling book coach with a proven track record of helping clients SELL proposals
Critically acclaimed author with Random House whose book, Strange Situation, has been published in six countries, celebrated by experts, taught in classrooms, and translated into three languages
Self-taught, internationally recognized expert and thought leader in the science of attachment
Brown University/ICF trained leadership performance coach
Expert writing professor with a decade of experience teaching undergraduates and graduate students
Results-obsessed authority coach for women
Soulful business strategist for successful creatives, visionaries, and entrepreneurs
Longtime Zen-student, and mindfulness guide—at your service
*The “Big-Five” include many imprints, but the top dogs are: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.
