Need help with your book proposal?
Looking for a literary agent or book deal?
If you’re an expert in your field with a nonfiction book idea, a partial manuscript, and the dream of a literary agent and publishing deal, you’ve come to the right place.
I help nonfiction writers develop and refine their book proposals to attract the attention of literary agents and book publishers. My constructive editorial feedback on proposals and sample chapters provides a level of personal engagement with your project that a group workshop or online course cannot.
As the traditionally published author of two nonfiction books, and as a former literary agent in my native Australia, I understand that it’s frustrating to be a professional in your field but not to understand how to get a book published.
My mission is to help you as an aspiring nonfiction author to get published by editing your book proposal, helping grow your author platform, and providing constructive feedback and strategic advice.
Who are my services for?
- Some of my clients are academics looking to take their message to a broader audience beyond peer-reviewed journals and the university presses.
- Others are professionals with multiple qualifications and a thriving private practice, who are understandably frustrated by how little they understand about the publishing industry.
- And sometimes they are authors who have already published a book outside the USA, but who need practical information and constructive advice about getting published in the USA.
Here’s a partial list of traditionally published books I’ve helped bring into the world. Or check out what my clients say about working with me.
Questions? Email me or schedule a no-obligation call to discuss your goals and how I might be able to help.
“Virginia is an exceptionally talented book mentor. Drawing from her experience as both a former literary agent and a published author, she has provided me with invaluable insights throughout the entire process. Her generosity in offering feedback and guidance has been remarkable, supporting me every step of the way. Virginia expertly guided me through the exciting and complex book proposal process, ultimately helping me secure a deal with a major publishing house. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and will always be indebted to her.”
Dr Olivia Ong, author of BACK ON MY FEET, a physician memoir forthcoming in 2025
Here are some of the ways I help my clients maximize the appeal of their projects to  literary agents and book publishers:
- refining your key message/ idea for the general audience (as distinct from your academic or professional peer group)
- conducting a platform audit of your existing audience/readership
- planning and executing the development of your ideal audience/readership
- researching a shortlist of target publications, websites, podcasts, and social channels that your ideal reader uses and engages with regularly
- making sure your book’s outline properly reflects your key message and tells a compelling story
- researching competitor / complementary titles in order to help define the ground of your work and distinguish the territory of your expertise
- identifying story ideas and collaborating editorially on shorter pieces for publication, whether it’s opinion pieces for newspapers, features for magazines/websites, or posts for LinkedIn
- editing to remove the ‘scaffolding’ of academic discourse and encouraging your natural storytelling voice to emerge
- agent/publishing strategy
- agent research.
I have a long history as a book editor, literary agent, social justice advocate, and as the author of two traditionally published works of nonfiction. I am passionate about helping useful ideas and driven experts get their message to a broader audience. I can help you too.
Book Proposal Edits
You have an idea for a book or have a draft book proposal, but need someone with book industry experience and a track record of client success to make it as good as it can be.
Book Coaching & Consulting
My coaching clients benefit from the accountability of regular Zoom meetings, detailed editorial feedback, and guidance on the publishing process.
My clients have been published by the following:
Schedule a no-obligation call with me to talk about your project
Recently published books from my clients
How my story helps you to write yours
There are few things more satisfying than seeing your own book available when you walk into a bookstore, or reviewed in major publications. Having experienced that profound satisfaction, I want that for you too.
As the author of two traditionally published books, as a former literary agent, and as the secret sauce behind dozens of my clients becoming published authors themselves (fiction and nonfiction books alike), I’m living proof that the biggest hurdle you have in getting published is yourself.
I can say this because I knew, from the time I fell in love with words at six or seven, that I wanted to be a writer. I spent the next 25 years talking myself out of it before life slapped me in the face and forced me to be honest with myself.
When I was 32 I fell in love with John, a wonderful Londoner with a wicked sense of humor. Turned out he also had a rare and terminal illness. Reader, I married him anyway—and by 34 I was his widow.
Beaming at the launch for my GIRLS AT THE PIANO (Allen & Unwin) with my publisher Jane Palfreyman (R) and launcher Caroline Baum.
The young widow with her mother at the launch of her first book
THE YOUNG WIDOW’S BOOK OF HOME IMPROVEMENT (UQP)
Let me tell you, I know what being a zombie feels like. For the first year and a half I remained in my solid well-paid corporate job, surrounded by well-meaning old friends and supportive but bewildered family members, moving through my days like the walking dead: still breathing, but not alive in any true sense of the word. I knew what John wanted for me, and this wasn’t it.
So I quit my job and moved to New York—where I’d always wanted to live—and started writing what became my first book, about everything I just told you. Then I wrote a second one, which took longer than I ever imagined, but for the best possible reason. (My daughter is now nine.)
The writer clients who find the most value in working with me have been through a few of life’s hurdles themselves. They know the struggle, they’ve worked so hard to get where they are. They’ve experienced loss or hardship. And they’re still standing.
They also know what book they need to write. They just need a bit of guidance through the mysteries of the book publishing business to get where they need to go.
Consider me your book sherpa. Yes, I have two books and a PhD and more publishing experience than most people hanging out their shingle online. But frankly what excites me is the prospect of helping you achieve your publishing goals, because I know I can provide you with true value.
