You have a book in you. But first, there's the proposal.

Support for nonfiction authors navigating the path to traditional publishing

If you've never written a book proposal before, the whole thing can feel daunting, because it's not just a summary of your book. It's a business case, a positioning document, and a demonstration of your credibility, all in a very specific format.

Maybe you've already written a draft of your proposal, but you're not sure if it makes your case as clearly or as strongly as it could.

Or maybe you simply don't have the time or mental bandwidth to write the proposal and want someone to take it off your plate.

Or maybe you have a solid proposal that you want to have polished by a professional before you submit it.

Wherever you find yourself, I'm here for you!

"Jane has helped me to organize the definitions, organize some of the structure and concepts that I felt were needing better placement. . . . She has the type of brain that can hold so much information. Zoom out and zoom in, micro and macro. I appreciate her intelligence on a level I can hardly put into words. Jane is the best to work with."

— Hope Ray, LPC CSAT CHFP CCPS, Therapist & Theoretician

How I work

I've spent 18+ years editing nonfiction, and I bring that same care and precision to book proposal work. Where many coaches focus primarily on process and accountability, I lead with editorial thinking: how to sharpen your argument, clarify your language, and structure your proposal so it makes a compelling case on the page.

I work from a proven framework for proposal development, and I adapt it to your book, your expertise, and the readers you're trying to reach.

What you'll end up with is a proposal that reflects your best thinking, shaped into a form that agents and publishers recognize and take seriously.

Choose your tier

Book Proposal Editing

You've already written a draft. You want a careful editor to go through it, strengthen the language, and help you bring it into alignment with what agents and publishers expect.

I'll refine your prose and offer suggestions where the proposal could make a stronger case.

$350 for proposals up to 6,000 words

Request Editing

"Jane provides thorough, knowledgeable, and elegant editing. She gave suggestions that made my manuscript far more fluid and cohesive, greatly enhancing the overall style. Jane's services are a tremendous value."

— Barbara Hayes, MFT, Author of Beware of Dogs

Book Proposal Coaching + Editing

You want to write the proposal yourself, but you'd like some guidance along the way.

Over three one-hour Zoom sessions, I'll walk you through each part of the proposal so you understand what to include and why it matters. Between sessions, we'll stay connected through a shared Google Doc where you can draft, ask questions, and get feedback as you go. Once you've finished, I'll edit the completed proposal so it's polished and ready to send.

(Up to 6,000 words. Sample chapters not included.)

$850

Request Coaching + Editing

Book Proposal Writing

You'd rather hand the crafting of the proposal over to someone else and focus your energy on the book itself.

Through interviews, a detailed questionnaire, and ongoing collaboration via a shared Google Doc, I'll write a complete book proposal for you. It will capture your expertise, position your book clearly, and make a strong case for publication.

$1,750

Request Writing

"Jane has a unique talent of being able to ask questions and probe to bring out 'the story' and eloquently document in such a way that is so detailed and organized. Jane's listening skillset and accuracy is so on point and the finished product is amazing. She captures the truth."

— Keith Byrd, Founder & Board of Directors, TransImpact

A little more help

If you need your query letter edited or want editorial support on your sample chapters, I can help with that too. Please get in touch for pricing.

Get in Touch

Is this right for you?

This service is for nonfiction authors who are working toward traditional publication and already have a clear concept for their book. You should have at least a working sense of where your book fits in the marketplace and who it's for.

I work with authors across a wide variety of nonfiction subjects, though I don't take on memoir projects for proposal support.

If you're still in the earlier stages of developing your idea, or you're weighing up whether traditional publishing is the right path, that's okay too. A discovery call can help you figure out whether now is the right time to begin.

"I have had a lifetime love and appreciation for 'you people' who can clearly organize subjects which are probably new to you, and put them into easily readable form. It has been a pleasure working with you."

— Peter Sagues, Writer

Jane Mackay

I've spent the past 18+ years editing nonfiction for authors, publishers, and peer-reviewed journals, working on everything from scholarly research to trade books by experts bringing complex ideas to wider audiences. For proposal support, I combine this editorial foundation with a proven framework for developing a proposal that presents your book clearly and persuasively.