The Book Proposal Lab

A 10-Week Intensive to Create a Proposal That Sells

March 17 - May 19, 2026

If you want a nonfiction book deal, you don’t start with the manuscript. You start with the proposal.

In this 10-week small-cohort intensive, you will build a complete, professional, agent-ready book proposal, designed to clearly position your idea in the marketplace and make a compelling case for why you are the person to write it.

This is not a generic writing class. It’s a working lab with a small cohort.

Each week includes live instruction, structured assignments, co-working hours, and real-world examples—including my actual book proposals for We Are The Luckiest and Push Off From Here. You’ll also hear directly from my literary agent and a veteran editor about what actually makes them say yes.

This course is limited to 20 writers.

Overview

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By the end of 10 weeks, you will have…

A clear, differentiated book concept

  • A defined target audience

  • A sharp competitive analysis

  • A strong author platform strategy

  • A compelling overview

  • A high-level chapter outline

  • Strategic clarity on next steps with agents and submissions

This course is for nonfiction writers ready to move from idea to professional execution.

Curriculum

10 Weeks: March 17 - May 19, 2026

We clarify your core idea and shape it into something marketable. You’ll define your promise, identify your audience, analyze comparable titles, and sharpen your angle so your book stands out in a crowded landscape. By the end of this phase, you’ll know exactly what you’re selling and why it matters.

Weeks 1-3

Concept + Positioning

Here we build the foundation of your proposal. You’ll draft a compelling overview, design a strong chapter structure, and articulate why you are the right person to write this book.

Weeks 4-6

Architecture + Authority

You’ll draft or revise your sample chapters, tighten your argument, and strengthen every section of the proposal with clarity and precision.

Weeks 7-9

Writing + Refinement

In our final week, you’ll assemble the complete proposal and learn what happens next. We’ll cover formatting, querying agents, handling feedback, and navigating rejection.

Integration + Pitching Strategy

Week `10

How it Works

This program runs as a live, small-cohort experience.

Each week includes:

  • Live teaching and discussion sessions each Tuesday from 12-1 pm ET. Recordings are available for those who cannot make it live.

  • Open Q&A on publishing, agents, editors, and positioning

  • Live proposal reviews and group feedback

  • Weekly office hours & coworking sessions each Friday from 12-1:30 pm ET. The office hours portion will be recorded.

You will receive structured worksheets and materials, as well as access to both of my actual book proposals, but the core value is live access, feedback, and momentum.

What Makes This Different

This is not just a curriculum. It is access.

You will:

  • Hear my candid, insider perspective on how pitching and publishing actually work

  • Ask specific questions about your project and next steps

  • Share work for live editing and real-time feedback

  • Learn by watching other proposals being shaped and refined

  • Get strategic guidance on approaching agents and positioning your work

  • Hear directly from my literary agent and a veteran editor and author

  • Writers with a clear nonfiction idea they’re ready to develop

  • Memoirists, narrative nonfiction writers, and prescriptive authors

  • Professionals, experts, and thought leaders ready to turn experience into a book

  • Writers seeking traditional publishing

Who This is For

Who This is Not For

  • Writers still searching for a book idea

  • Fiction writers

  • Anyone looking for a casual or low-commitment experience

Course Enrollment

$3,250, payable in-full or in two payments of $1,625.

Note: Enrollment is intentionally limited to 20 writers to ensure meaningful discussion, individualized attention, and a high level of connection inside the room.

Registration is open.

Investment

Enroll Now

About Laura

Laura McKowen is the bestselling author of We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life (over 150,000 copies sold) and Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else), which was acquired in a six-way auction by a Big Five publisher. She is the founder of The Luckiest Club and writes the Substack newsletter Love Story, ranked among the top publications in the Literature category worldwide.

Before becoming an author and entrepreneur, Laura spent 15 years in digital marketing and advertising, representing some of the world’s largest brands. She has led thousands of students through courses, workshops, and retreats—and understands both the craft of storytelling and the strategy required to position and sell a book in today’s marketplace.

Your Questions, Answered

  • Refunds are available, minus a $200 deposit, within 14 days of the course start.

  • Live instructional calls are from 1-2 pm ET every Tuesday during the course. Office hours and coworking sessions are from 12-1:30 pm ET every Friday.

    Tuesday calls and the office hours portion of Friday calls will be recorded.

  • Yes, Laura will be teaching every live call.

  • There will be multiple opportunities to ask specific questions and submit parts of your proposal for feedback during live calls. Laura will not have the capacity to read & provide feedback on your full proposal.

  • This course is focused on preparing an excellent book proposal. While this is a huge step in securing representation, it does not guarantee it.

    You will learn strategies for getting an agent, and hear directly from Laura’s literary agent on what they look for in a proposal/author and what makes them say ‘yes’ vs. ‘no’.

  • You will have access to the recorded live calls and class materials for 6 months from the start of the course.

If you have additional questions about the course, please email Laura.