What if one of the largest publishers called you today and said, “We just reviewed your book proposal, and it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen. We want to publish your book!”

 

Well, that call doesn't have to be a far-away dream any longer!

 

Number one New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, and the COMPEL Book line team alongside Proverbs 31 Ministries has joined forces with Thomas Nelson Publishers to bring you this incredible opportunity to participate in the Book Proposal Bootcamp. 

  The details:

  • The Book Proposal Bootcamp is a 10-week course (We are finalizing plans for our next semester dates.)
  • The cost is $2,500. (The value for this program is over $13,000!) Click here to see more about this.
  • Each week you will watch a 30-40 minute teaching video from Lysa TerKeurst and her literary agent Meredith Brock.
  • Each week you will have homework assignments that by the end of the 10 weeks will build up to a completed, top-notch book proposal ready for submission to be considered by the publisher! We estimate these homework assignments will take between 1 and 8 hours, depending on the section of the book proposal you are working on, how quickly you write/research, and how much you may have already completed on your own.
  • Every other week you’ll join your writing coach in a 90-minute group virtual coaching call where you will receive feedback and process what you’ve been learning in the teaching videos. 
  • At four strategic points in the course, you will submit sections of your proposal for written feedback from your coach. This will include one chapter of your proposal.
  • At the conclusion of the 10 weeks, all participants will submit their completed book proposals in order to be considered for a chance to be published under the COMPEL book line with Thomas Nelson Publishing House. 
  • The top book proposal finalists will be chosen to be taken to the Publication Board at Thomas Nelson Publishing House and we anticipate 2-4 contracts will be awarded under the COMPEL book line. 
  • Thomas Nelson is only taking non-fiction writers interested in partnering with a Christian publisher for the COMPEL book line (No memoirs, devotionals, fiction books or solo Bible studies without an accompanying trade book please).
  • The Book Proposal Bootcamp is specifically designed for single author trade book development. We are not accepting co-authored applicants at this time.

We are cheering you on and can’t wait to see your writing dreams come true!

JOIN OUR LIST NOW

  Understanding the value of the program:

The tuition for this program will require an investment on your part. Is it worth $2,500? Absolutely! 

The training you’ll get from Lysa TerKeurst and her literary agent, Meredith Brock, during this program is the same training other successful authors have paid over $10,000 to receive. 

Plus, personal writing coaches cost between $100-$200 per hour. The coaches we’ve chosen to be part of our team have extensive experience and success in writing and editing. You’ll get SIX, 90-minute small group calls with your coach plus written feedback from them on the writing assignments that will turn into your book proposal. This part of the program is valued at over $2,000. 

And attending a writing conference with the hopes of being considered for a publisher appointment can cost over $1,000. 

When you add all of this up, the Book Proposal Bootcamp is valued at over $13,000! 

But we are committed to providing this to you for only $2,500 to give you maximum value for as reasonable of a cost as possible. Our team thinks you and your writing are worth every bit of this investment! Our commitment to every person accepted into our program is to give you every fighting chance to grow into the author you’ve been dreaming of becoming.

  Increase your chances of being accepted:

 

Send in your application early. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. 

  • If you have ever been a COMPEL member, attended She Speaks, been published before, or have a message that people have told you should be a book one day, please indicate that in the appropriate places on your application.
  • Include in your application why you are interested in this program. We’d like to hear a short summary of your writing goals.
  •  Please note that no payment is required to process your application. However,  you do need to acknowledge that payment is due in full within 48 hours if you receive an acceptance email (Unfortunately there are no scholarships available.) 
  • When filling out your application, please only pitch your very best book idea. Stay focused on that one book idea throughout your application. Each participant accepted into the Book Proposal Bootcamp will have the opportunity to complete one full book proposal for one book idea as part of the program. 
  • Make sure you indicate on your application that you have reviewed the time commitment for the Book Proposal Bootcamp and that you are able to be an engaged and committed participant. Our team will be giving you our very best so we want to make sure you are bringing every bit of your best to each part of this as well.

  Considerations to be chosen for a publishing contract with the COMPEL book line:

  • Quality of completed book proposal and writing samples.
  • Recommendation from the writing coaches based on attendance and engagement with the group in their coaching calls as well as their private facebook group
  • A biblically-based message with solid scriptural insights that are both relevant and taught with accuracy and clarity.
  • A fresh idea that will meet a clearly defined and urgent felt need for a large number of readers.
  • An outline that clearly shows how you will take a reader through the logical progression of a message. 
  • An author’s promise that feels hopeful and realistic, clearly showing the reader what the benefits will be if they follow the advice given in your book.
  • A title that is clear, concise and memorable.
  • A subtitle that provides the depth of understanding a potential reader needs to discern this book has the potential to help them with a right-now issue.
  • Strength of the author’s platform. 
  • Thomas Nelson is only taking non-fiction writers interested in partnering with a Christian publisher for the COMPEL book line (No memoirs, devotionals, fiction books or solo Bible studies without an accompanying trade book please).