Book Proposals
Ink Blotter's book proposal guidance session is designed to help non-fiction authors hone their project and message
Clarity and Confidence
Book proposals can feel mysterious. Ink Blotter's intensive feedback sessions are designed to help you present your argument, structure, and contribution with clarity and confidence — and in a way that will resonate with your acquiring editor or agent.
Not only will you receive personalized feedback on how to shape and hone your project description, you will emerge with critical insight into the submission process itself. The goal? To position you for a successful pitch and a smooth publication process.
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FOR NON-FICTION AUTHORS ONLY.
Book Proposal Submission Package
Developing a strong, clear book proposal is not only the best way to land your manuscript in front of publishers, it's also a powerful way to develop and hone your own understanding of the project before you send it out.
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This intensive one-on-one process helps you transform your draft book proposal and sample chapters into a clear, effective book proposal submission package that represents the best of what your book has to offer. You will receive actionable feedback and clear revision guidance on the three core components of your submission package: your book proposal and two sample chapters.
Who it's for:
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Scholars and authors feeling stuck or unsure in their book proposal development process.
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Scholars and authors preparing to submit their first (or next!) book project to agents and/or publishers.​
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How it works:​
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Elena will review your book proposal draft, leaving margin notes and in-text suggestions to strengthen and clarify your ideas, arguments, and significance of your project.
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We will meet for a 90-minute one-to-one virtual feedback session* to review recommendations and discuss actionable steps for clarifying the core components of your document.
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Then, while you are revising your proposal based on your feedback session, Elena will review your two sample chapters using the same developmental process: she will offer margin notes and in-text suggestions in the documents, and we will hold a 1-hr virtual meeting per chapter to discuss feedback and recommendations.
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We will end the process with a second-round review process for your book proposal document only (additional rounds of review for proposal and sample chapters are available upon request).
*Recordings of all feedback sessions are made available to help you through the revision process.
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​​​Pricing: $2250
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Additional round(s) of review for any/all components are available on an hourly basis upon request
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Sliding-scale pricing available based on academic rank and when paying out of pocket
"Elena's guidance was invaluable during the development of my book proposal. As a scholar from the Global South, I particularly appreciated how she helped me navigate the unwritten rules and intangible aspects of publishing with a prestigious academic press. She helped balance the equation, showing me how to maintain my authentic academic voice while meeting North American publishing expectations. Her developmental editing went beyond mere language polishing - she helped me articulate my book's unique contribution and potential market impact with clarity and confidence. Her deep understanding of academic publishing, combined with her cultural sensitivity, made what could have been an overwhelming process feel manageable and even enjoyable. I'm deeply grateful for her support in helping me transform my manuscript into a compelling book."
—Francisco Urdinez, Associate Professor of Political Science, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Book Proposal Evaluation Session
If you're looking for clear, actionable guidance on how to strengthen and clarify your book proposal before sending it out, you're in the right place.
This intensive feedback process can be used as a last step to ensure everything is working on all fronts, or it can be used as a "rinse and repeat" revision and review exercise to help you develop your proposal document over time.
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Get unstuck in your thinking and see your work through fresh eyes
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Hone your articulation of your book's argument, organization, and significance
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Glean critical insight into the submission process, including what the different sections of your proposal are intended to showcase
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Present your proposal as effectively as possible to connect with an enthusiastic agent or acquiring editor
Who it's for:
-
Scholars and authors feeling stuck or unsure in their book proposal development process.
-
Scholars and authors preparing to submit their first (or next!) book project to agents and/or publishers.
How it works:​​​
-
Elena will review your book proposal draft, leaving margin notes and in-text suggestions to strengthen and clarify your ideas, arguments, and significance of your project.
-
We will meet for a 90-minute one-to-one virtual feedback session to review recommendations and discuss actionable steps for clarifying the core components of your document.​
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​​​Pricing: $475
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Additional round(s) of review are offered on an hourly basis
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Sliding-scale pricing available based on academic rank and when paying out of pocket
Looking for help earlier in the process?
When first developing a book project, things can feel a bit hazy.
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Perhaps you have some idea of where things are going but don't yet feel clear on what your book is about, who it's for, or how best to organize it.
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Maybe you've been drafting for a while but you're still not sure how it's all going to come together or if you're moving in the right direction.
Ink Blotter's Build Your Book Coaching Intensives offer an efficient and empowering way to figure out your book’s direction before you waste your time, effort, and sanity.
"Wow, thank you so, so very much - this is all truly just incredible! Your insights, questions, and analysis uncovered the argument and its stakes with a clarity and vigor that has escaped me for years! Honestly, thank you so much. I am immensely grateful."
—Associate Professor at an Ivy League Institution