Many academics want to publish a book. Or are told they have to publish books in order to advance their careers.

Yet the academy provides virtually no formal training on how to get a book published.

It feels as if there's a lot riding on your proposal and the impression you make on publishers, and yet for some reason you're just supposed to guess about the right things to do and hope something sticks??

You ask colleagues to see their book proposals, you ask for tips on social media. It simultaneously feels as if everyone knows more than you do and no one quite knows what they're talking about.

You search the internet for advice but you're still unsure that you're on the right track.

I developed the Book Proposal Accelerator to teach scholars exactly how the process of getting a book published works and exactly what's expected of authors in that process.

I wanted to provide a space to reduce uncertainty about what editors are looking for and reduce the stress that comes from trying to navigate opaque communication norms.

And I wanted to serve as a reliable resource for honest answers and empathetic feedback because I know how hard it can be to ask for help from friends, colleagues, and mentors who are as overburdened as you are.

What is the Book Proposal Accelerator?

The Accelerator is an online program that guides academic authors step by step through the process of crafting a scholarly book proposal and pitching it to publishers.

You show up with a book manuscript or even just a book idea, and you leave with an outstanding book proposal, a list of best-fit presses, and a submission strategy personalized to your goals and timeline.

The name of the program is a loose reference to the concept of a tech accelerator that provides mentorship and a cohort of peers in order to help individuals develop a viable final product.

It's also about breaking the trial-and-error cycle and "accelerating" your book proposal development process so that, in the space of a few weeks, you can finish a presentable, professional draft that you feel confident talking to acquiring editors about.

The program is designed to support you in completing a proposal between January 21st and February 28th, 2025.

After you complete the program you will be invited to join the Manuscript Works Author Support community where you can continue to receive complimentary personalized guidance on the publishing process, including proposal submission strategy, navigating peer review, and fielding contract offers.

More than 500 scholars have completed the Book Proposal Accelerator to date. They've landed contracts with competitive presses such as Oxford UP, Princeton UP, University of California Press, Duke UP, MIT Press, and more.

How does the Accelerator work?

On January 21st, 2025, you'll get access to a library of worksheets and sample proposals, along with a series of modules to guide you through drafting and polishing all the elements of your book proposal.

Comment threads in the course platform will enable you to ask questions in real time as you work.

You will also be able to share your work for feedback from me (Laura Portwood-Stacer) and my talented colleague, developmental editor Elizabeth DeWolf. There's no pressure to share your work for feedback if you'd prefer not to, though you will get the most value out of the program if you do. All feedback is given inside the course community on individual components of your proposal as you complete them.

There is no group-work involved and no obligation to respond to others within the cohort. However, you will be welcome to connect with others if you'd like to exchange drafts privately, form writing groups, or discuss your submission strategies among yourselves.

We will kick off the program with several days of live co-working and Q&A sessions via Zoom to help you build momentum on your book proposal and publication plan. We’ll then have weekly live check-in sessions throughout the remainder of the program to help you keep your progress up and get all questions answered about the scholarly book publishing process.

Live attendance is always optional, since participants come from varying time zones, have other work and personal obligations, etc. I will always be accessible to answer direct questions in the course community throughout the program if you can’t attend the live sessions.

Transcripts and recordings of the Q&A sessions will be provided to all.

If the informational aspect of the Book Proposal Accelerator appeals to you but you aren't looking for personalized feedback or cohort-style support, you may want to check out my Book Proposal Shortcut for Busy Scholars. The provided materials in that course are identical to those in the Accelerator, but the Shortcut is fully independent and does not include opportunities to receive feedback on your work.

Schedule

Week 1: January 21-24

January 21, 2025: Live coworking and Q&A, 11am-1pm PST (2-4pm EST, 7-9pm UTC)  

January 22, 2025: Live coworking and Q&A, 11am-1pm PST (2-4pm EST, 7-9pm UTC)

January 23, 2025: Live coworking and Q&A, 11am-1pm PST (2-4pm EST, 7-9pm UTC)

January 24, 2025: Live coworking and Q&A, 11am-1pm PST (2-4pm EST, 7-9pm UTC)

Note: Live coworking will take place during the first hour (11am-12pm PST) with the Q&A taking place in the second hour (12-1pm PST).


Weeks 2-6: January 27-February 28

January 27, 2025: Check-in and Q&A, 12–1pm PST (3-4pm EST, 8–9pm GMT)

February 3, 2025: Check-in and Q&A, 12–1pm PST (3-4pm EST, 8–9pm GMT)

February 10, 2025: Check-in and Q&A, 12–1pm PST (3-4pm EST, 8–9pm GMT)

February 17, 2025: No meeting this week

February 24, 2024: Check-in and Q&A, 12–1pm PST (3-4pm EST, 8–9pm GMT)

Your Guide

Hi, I'm Laura Portwood-Stacer, creator of the Book Proposal Accelerator.

I'm a professional editor and publishing consultant and the author of The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors (Princeton University Press, 2021).

I've helped hundreds of academic writers navigate the proposal writing and book publishing processes, with clients landing contracts at competitive university presses such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of California, University of Chicago, MIT, Duke, Oxford, Cambridge, and many more.

As an author of two books myself (with a third under contract), I know how difficult the process can be, on both practical and emotional levels. I aim to bring empathy and honesty to demystifying the norms of scholarly publishing so that everyone who goes through my programs leaves feeling energized and empowered to make their publishing goals happen.

To learn more about me and the other programs I offer, check out ManuscriptWorks.com.

What past participants have said about the Book Proposal Accelerator

"The most valuable professional development experience I've done in my academic career"

Assistant Professor, Illinois

The Book Proposal Accelerator is the most valuable professional development experience I've done in my academic career. The Accelerator's clear structure and Laura's consistent guidance demystified the publishing process, sharpened my ability to articulate the ideas and goals of my project, and helped me receive an advance contract far sooner than I would have working on my own.

"Turn a good idea into a winning proposal"

Associate Professor, Texas

The Book Proposal Accelerator provided the structure and Laura's feedback provided the guidance (and confidence) to turn a good idea into a winning proposal. I was able to repurpose the book proposal description into a successful fellowship application. Now I have the time to work on my book for an entire year! I cannot recommend the Accelerator enough to anyone looking to jumpstart a book project.

"I not only have a first draft of the proposal, but also a much better idea of where I would like to go with my book"

Postdoctoral Researcher, Germany

I tried to write a proposal last year, but quickly felt overwhelmed by the task, simply because I did not know how the process worked. The Accelerator broke the proposal down in smaller, manageable units so I was able to follow through without getting stressed out. Now I not only have a first draft of the proposal, but also a much better idea of where I would like to go with my book. And, most importantly, I found back my enthusiasm for the topic!

"Laura's insights and guidance made all the difference"

Associate Professor, Minnesota

I was just offered an advance contract (based on my proposal and 2 sample chapters) with a competitive university press. I could not have accomplished this goal without Laura's Book Proposal Accelerator and other offerings. Truly, Laura's insights and guidance made all the difference.

"The anxiety is gone"

Assistant Professor, Pakistan

I feel like I have a better handle on my project and the pit of anxiety over it is gone.

"Really helps you envision your project as a real book"

Assistant Professor, Ohio

I can't say enough good things about this Accelerator! Laura guides you through not just the proposal, but really helps you envision your project as a real book. If you are an early career scholar trying to write a book, I highly recommend.

"Pushed me to think deeply about a book I haven't even written yet!"

Independent Scholar, New York

The Book Proposal Accelerator pushed me to think deeply about a book I haven't even written yet! As I prepare to write the manuscript, I feel much more confident and clear about my purposes and arguments.

"Gave me the structure and motivation I needed"

Lecturer, Australia

Laura's Book Proposal Accelerator gave me the structure and motivation I needed to get through the process in seven weeks. Her modules made me think about the argument and audience of my book at every stage, which was enormously clarifying in terms of the direction the writing will take. I now have a book proposal that covers everything editors need to see, and thanks to Laura's guidance and feedback I feel confident about pitching it to prospective publishers.

"Well worth every dollar"

Associate Professor, Canada

The Book Proposal Accelerator is a fantastic platform and experience, and well worth every dollar. I’ve begun sending out the book proposal, and after going through the process I'm much more confident in my ability to articulate what makes my manuscript different and, hopefully, publishable. Just as importantly, my manuscript’s introduction is already a bit stronger, and I’m more confident talking about it. I’ll certainly be spreading the word to colleagues.

"A safe online learning space where folks from all different levels of experience could learn from one another"

Assistant Professor, New York

I was hesitant at first to sign up for the Accelerator because I had flashbacks to creative writing workshops gone awry, but Laura truly created a safe online learning space where folks from all different levels of experience could learn from one another. And I've learned so much in a short period of time. I appreciate the opportunity to read the interdisciplinary in-process writing of other participants and to engage in exercises that helped me to plan the skeleton of my manuscript. I will be recommending the Accelerator to my colleagues and peers.

Who is the Book Proposal Accelerator for?

The Book Proposal Accelerator is for scholarly authors who are ready to do the work of writing a book proposal—and want to be sure they're doing the right work.

First-time authors and authors with multiple books on their CVs will find the Accelerator's structure useful in expediting the proposal writing process.

The nuts-and-bolts advice and step-by-step format will appeal to practical-minded writers who don't want to spend time overthinking.

The ongoing support from January 8th through February 16th is designed for writers seeking partnership, encouragement, and strategic perspective during the publishing process, which can often feel confusing and isolating.

Participants do not need to have a full manuscript written in order to write a proposal using the Accelerator. You can even start with just a book idea and use the program to map out the manuscript for yourself and get feedback at an early stage.

The Accelerator was specifically created to support authors with advanced academic training (i.e. a PhD) who are writing for an audience of other scholars and hope to publish with a scholarly press. Other great resources exist to support those who are writing for nonscholarly audiences and publishers.

The Accelerator is not intended for scholars who are still completing a dissertation. The information may be illuminating for dissertation writers but you will see better results if you let your diss rest for a while before trying to pitch it as a book.

The Accelerator is designed for scholars who are working on a single book project. You are welcome to apply the lessons to multiple proposals on your own, but I only have capacity to provide direct feedback on one project per person.

If you have any questions about whether the Accelerator is a good fit for you and your project, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]!

No refunds or postponements will be offered, so please ensure that the Accelerator is right for you before enrolling. I am always open to questions and will answer honestly if I don't think the program is a good fit for you. I want all participants to get as much value out of this program as possible because I know that it is a significant investment.

Pricing Information

Read this before choosing a checkout option below

The cost to enroll in the Book Proposal Accelerator is $1975.

Your enrollment includes

  • lifetime access to the course curriculum

  • live support from January 21 to February 28, 2025

  • direct feedback on the components of your book proposal that you complete during the program and post to the course platform

  • complimentary membership in the Manuscript Works Author Support community following your completion of the program

Precariously employed and underfunded scholars who do not have institutional support to cover their enrollment cost may enroll at a 25% discount ($1481.25).


How to Enroll

Click here to be taken to the Manuscript Works checkout page. 

Before enrollment opens on January 1, 2025, please note that the purchase links will say "SOLD OUT." 

Once enrollment opens on January 1, checkout can be completed with a credit or debit card. You may use an institutional credit card if you have access to one.

If you will be using institutional funds and need to arrange vendor registration for Manuscript Works, please email [email protected] to get the process started as soon as possible. Your spot in the program will not be secured until payment is received.

All payments are nonrefundable and once enrolled you cannot transfer your enrollment to a later session. Please be sure the timing for this year’s Book Proposal Accelerator is right for you before registering.


Questions about enrollment?
Email [email protected]