New Course: The Nonfiction Book Proposal Intensive
June 2026
A live, small-group Zoom course for writers ready to shape, strengthen, and position a nonfiction book idea for agents and publishers.
5 Tuesdays in June
June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
6:00–8:00 PM ET + Optional informal Q&A for up to 30 minutes immediately following each session.
Course Description
Most nonfiction books are sold on proposal rather than completed manuscript, yet many strong writers are never taught how that process actually works.
This five-week live Zoom intensive is designed for writers who are ready to turn a nonfiction book idea into a stronger, more market-facing book proposal. We’ll cover concept positioning, proposal overview, audience and platform, competitive titles, chapter outlines, sample chapters, and practical next steps.
Each week, participants will be invited to complete short assignments designed to help develop their proposal materials. These assignments are intended to support progress and may be used as the basis for discussion and optional live feedback during sessions.
This course is designed for memoirists, journalists, experts, thought leaders, and writers with strong nonfiction ideas. Writers at all stages are welcome, though those with a developed concept will often benefit most.
Enrollment is limited to 8 participants maximum and admission is by application.
Tuition
$1,495
Founding cohort pricing
What You’ll Gain
Participants can expect to leave with:
- stronger positioning for their book
- draft materials for key proposal sections
- clearer audience and comp-title strategy
- practical next steps toward a finished proposal
- insight into how agents and publishers evaluate nonfiction
Why This Course Is Different
Many excellent writing courses focus on craft from the author’s perspective. This course focuses on judgment: how nonfiction ideas are evaluated, positioned, and presented to agents, editors, and publishing teams.
Taught by a working literary agent, it offers a practical, market-facing perspective on what makes a project ready to move forward. The goal is to create a stronger case for your book.
Curriculum
Week 1 — June 2
Why This Book?
Concept, positioning, category, and marketability
Week 2 — June 9
Make Them Care
Writing a compelling proposal overview
Week 3 — June 16
Who Will Read It — and Why?
Audience, platform, and promotion
Week 4 — June 23
Prove the Market, Map the Book
Competitive titles and chapter outline
Week 5 — June 30
Show the Writing, Shape the Strategy
Sample chapters, agent submission strategy, and next steps
To Apply
To apply, please email consulting@leshneagency.com with the subject line: Proposal Intensive Application. In the body of your email, include:
- Your name
- A short bio
- Working title, if any
- A 1–2 paragraph description of your proposed book
- Current stage: idea, partial proposal, active draft, or other
- Why you’d like to join this cohort now
You may also share existing proposal materials if you wish, but this is not necessary or required.
Application Deadline: May 18, 2026
Applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Participants will be selected based on concept strength, seriousness of purpose, readiness to participate, and fit for the cohort. A waitlist will also be maintained.
Accepted applicants will be notified by May 20. Payment must be received in full by May 22 to secure a place in the course. If a spot is not confirmed by the payment deadline, it may be offered to someone on the waitlist.
Important Note
This course is a standalone educational offering and is separate from The Leshne Agency’s representation activities. Participation does not create an agent-client relationship and does not provide any preference or expectation in representation decisions.
Private Literary Consulting
Lisa Leshne offers private consulting for writers seeking strategic guidance on book proposals, manuscript materials, query letters, positioning, platform, publishing strategy, and the broader publishing process. Consulting may also be helpful for writers weighing whether traditional publishing, self-publishing, or another publishing path is the best fit for their project.
Consulting is offered subject to availability and at Lisa’s discretion, based on whether the project appears to be a good fit for the kind of guidance she can provide.
For pricing and to request consulting, please email consulting@leshneagency.com with a brief description of your project and the type of guidance you’re seeking.
Private consulting is separate from representation by The Leshne Agency. Participation does not create an agent-client relationship and does not provide any expectation of, or advantage in, being considered for representation. The Leshne Agency does not charge reading fees or other upfront fees for representation; agency representation is commission-based.