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WLT Crash Course: “The Art and Strategy of the Nonfiction Book Proposal” with Jan Baumer and Lauren Hall

April 29 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT

$35.00 – $45.00

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$35 for Members
$45 for Non-Members

Registration for the live class is now closed. 

In today’s publishing landscape, a great idea isn’t enough. Publishers are making acquisition decisions earlier and faster than ever, and they need to see—clearly—why a book deserves their investment before it’s even been written. That’s where a strong proposal comes in.

This class demystifies the art and strategy of writing an effective book proposal. You’ll learn how to translate your idea into a compelling case for publication—one that speaks the language of editors, sales teams, and marketing departments without flattening your voice or vision. We’ll break down what publishers are truly looking for right now: a sharp, timely concept, a credible and growing platform or proven expertise in your field, and writing that is compelling. We’ll share our personal formula for a great proposal, breaking down each section in a way that will feel manageable and easy to digest.

More than a pitch document, your proposal is a business plan for your book. It’s your opportunity to show how the project functions not only as a product, but as a catalyst—sparking conversation, meeting a real cultural or reader need, and creating long-term visibility. By the end of this class, you’ll understand how to position your idea strategically, articulate its value clearly, and present it in a way that makes decision-makers lean in and say yes.

TUNE IN IF: 

  • You’re a nonfiction writer interested in querying agents.
  • You’re working on a nonfiction book proposal.
  • You have questions about how to write a nonfiction book proposal.
  • You have questions about how to query agents.

The deadline to register for this class is Wednesday, April 29 at 5:00 PM CDT.

CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY

Featured Presenter(s)

Jan Baumer, from the start of her career in publishing as an acquisitions editor at HarperCollins to her agenting practice at Folio, has remained constant in her belief that books have the power to create profound change on levels large and small. Jan has had the pleasure of working with some of our world’s leading nonfiction voices – from PhD psychologists to award-winning journalists to business leaders to parenting experts, and beyond. Jan is particularly interested in authors who are measurable experts in their field (i.e., impressively credentialed or come with a built-in following) and are looking to change minds, change the world, and change the way people think, interact, and live day-to-day. 
The categories she represents are solely nonfiction, specifically smart self-help, psychology, expert and research-driven health, narrative, memoir, parenting, and business, but is open to well executed nonfiction proposals outside of these lanes as well.

Lauren Hall is a literary agent, executive producer, and multiple #1 New York Times bestselling writer who partners with sharp thinkers and storytellers to bring compelling ideas to life. With over a decade in publishing, Lauren has played a key role in 26 New York Times bestsellers, working alongside both emerging voices and established authors. Her experience spans every stage of the publishing process—agenting, editing, designing, promoting, and co-writing—giving her a deep, holistic understanding of what makes a book both culturally impactful and commercially successful. As a creative collaborator, she thrives on shaping ideas into books that resonate. Previously, Lauren served as Editorial Director for a full-service literary agency, where she developed proposals and provided editorial guidance for high-profile clients. She later co-founded a 360-agency, building out in-house divisions for podcasts, television, and film while leading a team of writers, editors, and designers to take projects from concept to completion. A seasoned collaborator, she has also ghostwritten several bestselling books for select authors. Before entering literary and talent management, Lauren worked at The Village Voice and the literary nonprofit 826NYC. She joined Folio in 2022 and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Details

Venue

  • Online via Zoom