Psst!
Get access to my exclusive private training when you're accepted
"Bring Your Book Idea to Life and Pitch It to Agents & Editors with Ease"!
Apply Now!
JOIN US FOR
Book Proposal Academy
Book Proposal Academy is my practical and proven system to help you structure your book, write sample chapters, and create a show-stopping proposal that agents and editors are excited to buy.
Craft a top-tier non-fiction book proposal and pitch it to agents and editors with total confidence!
Realize your book dreams and step into authorship.
This is YOUR time!
Apply and get immediate access to my exclusive private training when you're accepted!
How much longer will you wait?
(VIP seats available!)
Take a moment. Imagine yourself:
- Signing with your agent and landing your book deal!
- Knowing exactly where your book fits in the current landscape of best-selling titles, and feeling great about it.
- Knowing who you are writing for and why.
- Writing your book pages in your unique voice. Your ideas and stories shine!
- No more wracking your brain (or endlessly scrolling) for answers knowing you’ve got expert guidance, quality feedback, and a step-by-step plan.
- Knowing exactly how to start your book and where to end it.
- Feeling ridiculously confident about your book. You know it's a winner.
- Transforming from a wanna-be author to author-for-real — at last!
- Holding your published book in your hands.
Book Proposal Academy
This is my signature, in-depth program where you’ll:
✎ Develop your book idea
✎ Write and polish sample chapters
✎ Create your stand-out book proposal
✎ Prep strategically and start pitching!
- Learn from an industry expert with step-by-step guidance to craft an outstanding book proposal—no more guessing about what works.
- The pace is flexible. You are in control. This program guides you to scaffold your dream book, pitch it, and have time for your life.
It is so much more than a book proposal course.
This is your book journey.
Fair warning:
Book Proposal Academy is a transformative process.
Go from wanna-be author to author-for-real —
and experience the tingly excitement of stepping into authorship!
You won’t be the same on the other side—and that’s a good thing.
What Is Holding You Back?
Maybe you are feeling...
Frustrated with your progress
You have a brilliant idea for a non-fiction book (memoir counts!) but you've been struggling with your book for weeks, months or even years. You want to finally move forward!
Unsure
You've wasted time and money on multiple DIY courses that promised better outcomes in less time. What will get you real results?
Nervous to start
You have no idea where to start the pitching process. Or, if you've tried pitching already, it was too soon and didn't work.
Impatient
You need to write this book, but you also need answers and expert guidance along the way.
If you're thinking, “How did Joelle get inside my head?!” then keep reading— you’re in the right place!
I Hear You.
The truth is:
You don’t need more free tips or tricks.
They only get you so far—
but not nearly far enough.
It is time to try something different.
Imagine How You'll Feel When
YOU ARE
CREATING
Learning to trust your voice and use the tools within the five phases of Book Proposal Academy helps you write intentional and meaningful chapters. Result? You feel aligned with your purpose.
YOU ARE
CONNECTED
Sharing and listening during our rich weekly coaching calls keeps you actively engaged and inspired. Feel the power of connection with other authors and the support of being surrounded by your team.
YOU ARE
MOVING FORWARD
Because you know exactly what to do at every step, your book and proposal take shape without overwhelm or confusion. Feel confident and in control as you come alive as an author.
Develop your book idea, create a stand-out proposal,
and start connecting with agents in 6 months
with Book Proposal Academy, my practical and proven
step-by-step coaching program.
Sebene had been working on a book proposal for over a year. She already had an agent,
but felt like she was getting nowhere fast. After Book Proposal Academy,
Sebene's book, You Belong: A Call for Connection, sold to HarperOne, a Big-5 publisher.
"Book Proposal Academy really helped me understand who I wanted to speak to and why,
and how to do it. Joelle was caring and expert at helping me to find my distinctive voice
and communicate it through my proposal.
I highly recommend this course!"
— Sebene Selassie, Meditation Teacher, Speaker & Author
Why I Created
Book Proposal Academy
Hey! I’m Joelle - aka Brooklyn Book Doctor 👋
As a seasoned book coach, I’ve seen countless brilliant authors go through the pain and frustration of trying to articulate their ideas, write chapters, and complete their book proposal alone.
I knew had to share my knowledge — the knowledge of a working writer, editor, and collaborator. I wanted to create a solution that would move people's life-changing books out of their heads and into the world — where they belong!
Whether you are a first-time author, or an influencer used to public attention, the questions are the same:
✎ How can we create the best book possible?
✎ How can we create the most compelling book proposal that no publisher will be able to resist?
I ask you the hard questions so that you don’t have to wonder if you’re on the right track. We do it all — all in one place.
What's Included in the Program
Take a look inside Book Proposal Academy
WEEKLY GROUP COACHING CALLS
Get your questions answered in weekly virtual coaching sessions where Brooklyn Book Doctor helps you overcome challenges and stay inspired.
WEEKLY CO-WRITING HOUR
Protect your writing time by working together. Co-writing hours profoundly and positively affect the development of your own writing
7 MILESTONES WITH FEEDBACK
You are not alone anymore! With each milestone you receive focused feedback to help you make essential adjustments and make sure you're on track.
PRIVATE COMMUNITY
Connect with other authors in the program, ask questions, and get support in our private group forum, where you'll meet friends get help, and stay inspired.
FLEXIBLE PACE
I designed BPA as a 6-month program based on my years of book coaching experience. But if you need to go faster or slower, the program allows you to set your own pace without losing out.
ACCESS TO ON-POINT RESOURCES
I have built a wealth of resources over years of working with authors and it's all available to you: pitch templates, book structure templates, precise examples, and so much more!
"Had I attempted to do this alone, I would have stopped, been derailed, or felt too insecure to continue. Going through this process with others was really valuable. I am so glad I gave my book this essential support!"
— Megan deBoer, Financial well-being coach; author, Worthy of Receiving: Transform your Capacity to EARN for Lasting Business Success
"There is no way I would ever have been prepared to write a book had it not been for this course."
— Jillian Turecki, Certified VIP relationship coach; author, WomanChild: 9 Relationship Truths to Unleash Your Self-Worth & Transform Your Love Life
What We'll Do Together
Together, we'll go step by step through the Five Phases of the program — from the seed of your book idea to your polished proposal — so that you're ready to pitch eager agents and editors.
PHASE 1
A GREAT book rests on a GREAT book idea.
Use my fool-proof framework to dig deeper:
- Make sure you're working on a book you love — and that will sell!
- Clearly define why your book matters now, and who it serves
- Quickly list your must-have chapters and see your book come to life
- Articulate the problem your book solves—even when you're telling a true story.
PHASE 2
You CAN side-step the writer's block & overwhelm.
Follow the clear guidance to:
- Know exactly where to start writing
- Break down your chapters into smaller, workable sections
- "Sprint write" one to three sample chapters
- Discover your own unique writing process
- Address any "imposter" feelings
- Uncover your writing strengths.
PHASE 3
Craft your PROPOSAL and refine your pitch.
Position your book so that agents and editors are excited to buy it:
- Use lessons & templates to draft each section of the proposal
- Learn how to talk about your book as urgent and necessary
- Place your book among best-sellers in your genre
- Write your author bio — you're the perfect person to write this book!
PHASE 4
Polish the INWARD so that the OUTWARD dazzles.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to:
- Polish up your sample chapters using our templates
- Put the final touches on your excellent proposal
- Learn what professional editors actually do so you're in the know
- Put everything together and format it for maximum impact
- Prepare to go public with your amazing book!
Other programs stop at Phase 4 — not BPA!
PHASE 5
Land Your Agent
Most programs say goodbye at this stage, but we stay with you for this KEY component of your book journey!
READY? Do the prep, be strategic, and start pitching your book to agents and editors!
In Phase 5, we work through my framework to:
- Draft an unbeatable query letter
- Create a strategic pitch plan
- Reach out to your network for connections
- Troubleshoot your book title
- Start active querying!
PLUS! THERE'S MORE:
+ Templates for tracking your pitches, queries, and agents
+ Guidance for what to do if you have multiple offers of representation
Pssst! Interested in even more 1:1 coaching at every milestone?
VIP option available!*
*subject to availability
Eileen entered Book Proposal Academy unsure about her book idea and hesitant
about the publishing process. But working with us, Eileen's book, Our Womb Loss:
A Compassionate Guide to Grieving & Healing After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
sold at auction! She now has a book deal and is writing her book (forthcoming in 2023).
"Book Proposal Academy has been absolutely invaluable! It helped me
really clarify my book idea and become much more confident as I shared it more
with the world. When I started pitching prospective agents and
publishers, I knew I was sharing the absolute best proposal I could offer."
— Eileen Rosete, Founder, Our Sacred Women
Group Coaching
& Private Community
Coaching Calls
with Brooklyn Book Doctor
Get your questions answered, share your wins and challenges, take a hot seat for laser coaching, and overcome mindset blocks in the weekly group coaching calls.
Private Community
Invite-only Online Forum
Connect with other dedicated authors in an intentional, dynamic community that helps maintain your motivation and accelerate your progress.
Kimberly had only the barest idea of how to write a book. But with the proposal we crafted
she got a book deal, published, gained a lot of enthusiastic followers,
and signed her second book in a major 6-figure deal.
"After working with a few other editors, I can say that Joelle is a technician,
a poet — and she gets it. She’s an intuitive person so she can go inside the idea
and know what the next best move is."
— Kimberly Ann Johnson, Best-selling Author & Somatic Experiencing Expert
Co-Writing Hours
& Focused Feedback
Co-Writing Hours
with Brooklyn Book Doctor
Co-write with Brooklyn Book Doctor and other members of the Book Proposal Academy. After a quick check-in, dive into the focused energy of working alongside other writers.
Milestone Feedback
from Brooklyn Book Doctor
We have seven milestones throughout the five phases where Joelle and the Brooklyn Book Doctor team will give you focused feedback on your writing and proposal.
Jennifer had attempted to write a book proposal twice before — but couldn't get it done.
At the end of Book Proposal Academy, she not only had a finished proposal,
she got an agent, too!
"Book Proposal Academy helped save me from overthinking or doubting myself.
It was so helpful to know what agents and publishers were going to want."
— Jennifer Mayer, Founder, Baby Caravan
Book Proposal Academy is for You
Whether You’re a First-Time Author — or a Pro
Whether you’ve never published before, or you’re an experienced writer, Book Proposal Academy has the essential lessons, insights and support you need to create a stand-out book proposal (and pitch!).
"I’m a first-time author"
Great! Welcome. You’re in the right place. Phase 1 helps you to decide which book you’re writing. It also helps you to hone your book idea so that you know you’re working on a book you love and that will sell. (This is key!)
Even if you’ve never written a book chapter before, or sketched out a table of contents, Book Proposal Academy shows you exactly what to do and how to do it. This means you won’t waste time doing ineffective writing prompts that don’t lead to publishable chapters or an effective pitch.
Book Proposal Academy gives you exactly what you need without any delay or detours!
"I’m an experienced writer"
Fantastic! Every author needs to get oriented to each new project. It’s much harder to do this without feedback or community— which is why experienced writers come to me for support and direction. And, let’s face it, no matter how much writing experience you have, book proposals can be challenging.
Together, we tweak your writing and your pitch so that they’re as effective and compelling as possible, and you don’t have to settle for a smaller deal or less experienced representation.
Start strong and stay in the driver’s seat all the way through your book process!
"If you want to know you did everything you could to create the best book proposal possible, you should seriously consider doing Book Proposal Academy!"
— Lucia Hawley, founder, Lean & Librated, author, Weighing on Her Mind: How to Balance Left & Right Brains for Forever Weight Loss
"Joelle does an excellent job of holding students to high standards to produce our best work while also offering grace and encouragement to new authors learning to fit this work into busy lives."
— Catherine Simone Gray, Unsilenced Woman, author, Proud Flesh: One Mother's Quest for Healing and Pleasure
You want to get started. You want to feel confident.
Together, we can do this!
"What an amazing journey! I could not have asked for a program that was more aligned with what I needed. Your quality of presence helped me hone in on my topic and stay engaged in the process, even when doubt threatened to swallow my momentum. Truly an amazing experience."
— Tammy LaDrew, Founder, The Featherstone Institute; author, Uncharted Territory: A Guide for Navigating Change, Challenge, and Renewal.
"Joelle gave me the push that I needed, the encouragement that I wanted, and the author smarts that I required. She drew out of me a book proposal I am proud of and feel confident to shop around to book agents!"
— Nancy Candea, yoga therapist and homesteader; author, On the Edge of the Roof
My Values
Let's make sure we are on the same page before you apply.
1
Work steadily, with support
The quickest way to get your book published is to write consistently, know your next steps, and have expert guidance all the way through.
2
Normalize the peaks & valleys
Your writing will improve and your industry knowledge will grow, but some of the biggest takeaways will happen as you navigate your own mindset. This is gold!
3
Tough questions, gentle wisdom
I value your success as an author. I also know that the publishing landscape is competitive. I ask you the tough questions so you can shine in conversations with agents and editors (and get that book deal!).
"I’m so glad that I signed up for the course. You don’t really know how much you need the help until you’re actually getting it. Then, it’s obvious. It became really obvious to me that I had made the right decision to join BPA. You get a great foundation and the essential confidence to go forward. And that is just so worth the investment.”
— Kathryn Bruni-Young, Founder, Mindful Strength; author, Mindful Strength: At-Home Practices to Build Capacity, Ease Pain, and Build a More Confident YOU
"Joelle is incredibly insightful and wise with her guidance. Watching her advise and guide us all with our different needs and writing styles was nothing short of magic."
– Veenus Vortex, Founder of Goldtooth Vermut; author, Landscape of Belonging: Love Letters to 13 Healing Herbs
Who is Book Proposal Academy for?
Pssst! Interested in even more 1:1 coaching at every milestone?
VIP option available!
*subject to availability
It's for you if:
- You want to get started as soon as possible (maybe yesterday?).
- You’re writing a non-fiction book: narrative, how-to, self-help, memoir, etc.
- You want to know what your next best step is — at every step — and take the guess-work out.
- You need practical answers and expert guidance on writing and publishing.
- You want to reach the people who desperately need your book.
- You’re looking for support and camaraderie as you move forward.
- You want to stay connected to your purpose and mission throughout.
- You want to grow, as a person or a business (or both!).
It's not for you if:
- You want your book done overnight.
- You have 10+ ideas for books that are all equally urgent. (If this is you—let's talk.)
- You believe you can become a best-selling author without much effort.
- You already know what your writing and publishing options are and how to pursue them.
- You’ve already got plenty of camaraderie to support you in meeting your goals.
- You’re writing a children’s book, a fine art book, or a novel.
- Having a mission is not that important to you.
- You’re not interested in transforming into an author or upleveling your business.
“I write for a living. I'm a journalist and have a PR/marketing/social media agency. But working with Joelle — who is a writer, editor and ghostwriter in the midst of the New York publishing world — just took my writing up to a whole new level."
— Colleen O’Mara Diamond, Co-founder, Hype Media; author, Raw Diamond: A Memoir
"Going from book idea to publication in today’s publishing world is daunting, but now I feel that I have the support and knowledge (and strong proposal!) to navigate it with resilience. My confidence going into the next stage of the process feels sharper and more founded on knowledge. My book’s whole concept has matured, too."
— Catherine Simone Gray, Founder, Unsilenced Woman; author, Proud Flesh: One Mother's Quest for Healing and Pleasure
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
"A"s for your "Q"s
APPLY NOW!*
*By applying you are under no obligation to join Book Proposal Academy. Pressure is not my style. If I think you're a good fit, I'll invite you to watch my exclusive private training where you'll learn much more about my approach and the program.
So, fill out the quick form below and help me learn more about you and your amazing book. This is your chance to make an impression and let us know why you would be a great addition to BPA!
I’m considering applications carefully. So, don't delay!
Chat with me
I'm ready to chat with you!
I would love to know what's on your mind. Questions, hesitations, or feelings — everything is welcome.
Click on the chat icon on this screen to message me.
Or, send me a DM on Instagram.
Or, email me at info@brooklynbookdoctor.com!
See what past Book Proposal Academy clients are saying!
Hear Sebene Selassie celebrate her high 5-figure book deal:
Meditation Teacher, Speaker & Author
Listen to Jillian Turecki on the incredible impact of the program:
Certified VIP Relationship Coach
"The break down of the proposal and the stages of work was fantastic. It really worked for me. The 16-weeks with work and examples were very well thought-out, as were the examples for us to use as inspiration."
— Jeff Masters, founder, The Masters Institute, author, The New Mind-Body Paradigm: Awakening Your Inner Wisdom to Experience True Healing
"Writing a book proposal was very daunting to me, so I put it off. But BPA’s lessons broke it down into actionable sections, so we worked piece by piece. I’m so proud of the work we did together!"
— Jennifer Mayer, Founder, Baby Caravan; author, Fully Funded by Forty Weeks: The Freelancer & Small Business Owner's Guide to Parental Leave & Financial Resiliency
Hear Jennifer Mayer's awesome success landing an agent:
Founder, Baby Caravan
"I could never have imagined the breadth and depth of the journey this course would take me on. It gave me confidence that there is a place for my words and my experience. Having the support of someone who is grounded, talented, and compassionate is the ultimate gift to a person who is just beginning. Anyone wanting to write a book, whether they are self-publishing or have their sights set on a big-5 publisher, can benefit from this process."
— Jessika Marie, The Mavenhood, author, She's Not Ashamed: A Woman's Guide to Reconciling Our Shame, Rewriting Our Stories, & Reclaiming the Heroine Within
"Joelle has a sense about when and what I can handle, like a good mom who teaches you how to do your laundry and then locks you in the garage with it. This process has helped me have a book proposal: 100% I never would have gotten there alone."
— Maggie Rintala, health and fitness coach, DNS, author, Radical Authentic Fitness: Abandon Perfection & Become Fit for Who You Are & What You Want
Hear Monisha Chandanani on why the process worked so well:
Founder, See.Love.Choose
I can't wait to see your book come to life in
Book Proposal Academy!
Pssst! Interested in even more 1:1 coaching?
VIP option available! (limited seats)
Brooklyn Book Doctor is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity for all students and attendees. Brooklyn Book Doctor does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, HIV status, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Brooklyn Book Doctor employees, volunteers, students, and attendees. Brooklyn Book Doctor operates on unceded Lenape land.
© 2022 Brooklyn Book Doctor, All rights reserved.