Book Proposal Intensive
Do you want to turn your idea into a book deal? Do you know you need to write a book proposal, but you have no idea what the hell that means?
Over three and a half months, Ruthie will take you through her 12-step methodology to write the draft of the book proposal you’ve always wanted to write. By the end of the class, you’ll have developed the structure and connective tissue that will give your book its glue and you’ll be ready to pitch agents with a completed book proposal.
Over the last six years I’ve not only sold two books to Big 5 publishers, and published one to wide acclaim, I’ve helped others sell, write and publish their books and essays too. And in that time I’ve figured out the method to help you cross the finish line with a completed book proposal and come out the other side transformed.
Whether you are writing creative non-fiction, memoir, or prescriptive nonfiction, the magic will happen with Ruthie’s guidance and feedback.
Twelve weekly group classes that will guide you through the building blocks of a book proposal and offer you a tight-knit community of peers who will also provide feedback and support on your writing.
Two study hall sessions where you can ask questions, workshop ideas, and work on your proposal draft alongside peers.
Guest speakers— agents, acquiring editors and publicists—who will offer insights on the writing and publishing landscape.
Intimate group size--max 8–to ensure personal attention
Private Whatsapp Group for on-the-go engagement with your cohort
Access and intros to experts as well as publishing and media industry pros
Ruthie will have limited 1:1 on-going coaching slots for students who are looking for more personalized support.
What’s Included:
A completed draft of your book proposal with a clear structure and narrative arc
An understanding of where your book fits in the marketplace
A clear idea of what your book is not
An understanding of the gap your book fills in the market
Your statement of purpose
A draft of a sample chapter to include in your proposal
The opportunity to pitch your proposal to an agent
By the end of class, you will have:
Cost:
$3,999
Upcoming Sessions
Online via Zoom, Wednesdays 3-5pm ET starting January 14 – April 22, 2026
Testimonials
“In Ruthie’s book incubator class, not only are you taken seriously as a writer, it’s a given that you’re a writer who plans to write and publish a book. This external expectation has a way of infecting your own thinking, fostering the belief that you really do have a book in you and this group will be the catalyst to help bring it to life. Writing a book at all is hard. Writing a book alone is even harder. Ruthie’s writing class is the ideal combination of emotional support, feedback on your writing, and the authentic belief that you can and will bring your book to life.”
– Barrett Brooks, Executive Coach
Book Proposal Intensive Modules:
MODULE 1 – January 13
What’s a Book Proposal?
You know you need a book proposal, but you’ve never seen one. What are the sections and how do you go about writing them? We’ll kick off by exploring a sample book proposal that was sold to a Big 5 publisher, using it as our roadmap for our own book proposal journey.
MODULE 2 – January 21
Pinpointing Your Story
Sure, you have an idea, but how will you unpack that idea to get deep into the heart of it so you know the story you’re going to tell? In this lesson, we’ll map your idea to understand its core components, delve into what helps grab a reader’s attention and figure out the story only you can tell.
MODULE 3 – January 28
Understanding The Gap Your Book Fills
A landscape analysis is the most critical part of a book proposal. It sets the tone for your vision and lets agents and publishers know what books you’re hoping you’ll be in conversation with. This week we’ll take a look at the market and see the gaps your book can fill. You’ll leave this session with the North Star you can write toward.
You need to be clear on what you’re hoping readers will take away from your book when they close the cover on the last page. Is there a problem you’ll be solving for your reader? In this session you’ll land on your statement of purpose, which will become the scaffolding for your proposal.
MODULE 4 – February 4
Your Statement of Purpose
MODULE 5 – February 11
Who Are You Writing For?
In this session, we’ll pinpoint the intended audience for your book and differentiate between those who need the book versus those who would be interested in the topic. Where will you find your intended audience? How will you reach them? And how will you start speaking to them now?
The biggest reason readers will buy your book is because you’re an authority on the subject matter you’re writing about. “Why you?” and “why now?” This week we’ll dive into your background and experience that qualify you to write your book. You’ll leave with the permission you need to be the authority of your story.
MODULE 6 – February 25*
Author=Authority
MODULE 7 – March 4
Building Your Organizing Structure
In this session we’ll build out the roadmap for your book, making sure each chapter stands alone while building on the chapter before and after it. You’ll walk away with the secrets to a killer framework that helps you tell the story you want to tell.
MODULE 8 – March 11
Writing Sizzling Sample Chapters
Your sample chapter needs to show an agent and/or editor why your book is compelling and what your book has to say that’s new or a new take on something that’s already been said. In this session we’ll explore how your sample chapter(s) will ladder up to the larger “purpose” of your book and help develop the overall arc of your story.
Chapter summaries actually need to be miniature versions of the chapters you will write in the book with a beginning, middle and an end. This week we’ll discuss how to use chapter summaries to show your narrative’s progress. We’ll talk about why each chapter is there, what it’s meant to achieve, and most importantly, how does it connect to the chapter before and after it?
MODULE 9 – March 25*
Chapter Summaries That Don’t Suck
MODULE 10 – April 8
Marketing Your Book Like A Bestseller
An author needs to know how to market their book just as well as they need to write it. In this session we’ll discuss the most powerful marketing tools. You’ll leave this session with a draft marketing plan and a clear idea of what you’ll need to know to build a bestseller from the ground up.
MODULE 11 – April 15
All Things Agents
The two biggest questions I get are: how do I query agents and how do I know which agent is best for me? We’ll dig into both of these in this session and create an elevator pitch to make sure your idea stands out and is ready for our pitch session.
MODULE 12 – April 22
Pitch Like a Pro
In this session you’ll have the chance to pitch your book idea to a top-tier agent who’s looking for books like yours. Not only that, but you’ll get feedback on your idea so that you can revise it before you send out your query letters. And you’ll have the chance to ask all your burning questions.
Starts January 14 Wednesdays 3-5pm ET
Next Cohort
Book Proposal Intensive Logistics
This class is best suited for writers of creative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, or memoir who have at least a general sense of the themes/focus of the book they are hoping to write.
Class will meet every Wednesday from January 14 to April 22 (skipping February 18), from 3-5pm EST. All class meetings will be held online, via Zoom. Meetings will not be recorded; participants are expected to attend live. Study Hall sessions will be held 3/18 and 4/1.
Applications are due by December 12, with notifications going out mid-December. See application details here.
The total cost is $3,999, with the option to pay in full upfront or in installments. Please email ruackerman@gmail.com to discuss payment plans. Class fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.