2-DAY SEMINAR | The Quest for Clarity: The Blueprint Method to Structure Your Nonfiction Book
2-DAY SEMINAR | The Quest for Clarity: The Blueprint Method to Structure Your Nonfiction Book
June 7 @ 2:00 pm – June 14 @ 4:00 pm EDT
Writing a nonfiction book with authority requires command over your material and your ideas. Learn how to focus on what matters most, so you’re prepared to craft a compelling book proposal.
Narrative Nonfiction —with a focus outside of Memoir
Even before you write a proposal, distilling a book’s core is an essential first step in understanding what you’re writing about, how you’re telling the story, and who that story is for. These foundational structural elements help capture the attention of agents and publishers.
In this two-session course, you will complete a mini-blueprint to help you clarify and strengthen several key aspects of your book’s structure. You’ll learn how to articulate why your book is needed and why you’re the right person to write it, define its central point, and craft a compelling killer sentence or early logline.
You’ll also develop book jacket copy, brainstorm multiple draft titles and subtitles, and determine your book’s dominant style—whether it’s an exposé, a reinterpretation of history, or something else. In addition, you’ll identify the structural “container” for your book, such as a collective or chronological narrative, and create (or make a good start) on an outline for the book that conveys a sense of momentum from one chapter to the next. It’s a summary of the story’s logic.
Participants will complete most or all of the mini-blueprint before our second class, and we’ll review selected examples of participant work to highlight what’s working well and why, along with common pitfalls to avoid. You will gain a much deeper understanding of your book—bringing you one step closer to writing a strong commercial nonfiction book proposal.
In this insightful four-hour live seminar, you’ll learn to:
- DISCOVER the elements of a blueprint that will help organize your research and ideas and nail the thesis of your book.
- ACTIVATE the blueprint’s tools to uncover your ‘why,’ the point of your book, and your ideal reader.
- DRAFT an outcome-based outline that begins to reveal your chapter flow.
- EXPLORE the power of drafting titles, jacket copy, and other succinct elements that reveal your book’s purpose and focus.
- UNLOCK your book’s sense of urgency, timeliness, and undeniability.
This seminar is ideal for writers who have a rough idea for a nonfiction book and no idea how to develop it, as well as writers who have already produced many words but don’t know how to continue and have no discernible structure or outline.
This seminar is NOT for writers working only on memoir. We’ll be focusing on narrative nonfiction.
Closed captioning is available. ✔
All registrants receive the recording. ✔
ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER
Amy L. Bernstein is a professional nonfiction book coach helping subject-matter experts and memoirists to develop sellable manuscripts. Amy’s reputation as a results-oriented coach is growing, as senior literary agents and publishers send authors needing direction and polish her way. She is a former award-winning journalist, executive speechwriter, and communications director in the George W. Bush and Obama Administrations. Amy is also a published author, poet, and essayist. Her new nonfiction book is Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration.
Testimonials from past students:
“I love your enthusiasm, your clarity, your compassion, and your humor! Great presentation. And it didn’t feel rushed at all. I look forward to the recording.”
“It’s like you got inside my head and told me everything that I’ve been wondering about for the past 6 months. Thank you Amy!”
“Thank you for the Master Class on how to write a book proposal for a nonfiction book. The class was absolutely first-rate! Your approach really helped take the edge off the process for a first- time book writer.”
“Amy Bernstein is a wizard. I entered her workshop with a proverbial problem – something was missing from my writing. Within 30 minutes of her instruction, the words came. Don’t walk to her workshop, run!”
THE FINE PRINT
We understand that life can get in the way of your plans. We want you to be able to get the most out of your course, and our refund policy is designed to balance your need for flexibility with our deadlines and obligations to our teachers.
Before the class, you may request a full refund.
Please keep in mind that no refunds or credits will be issued after class begins.
Questions? Please email Info@craft-talks.com
