Write Your Book Proposal

Sun Jun 28 2026 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm UTC-07:00

Cross & Crows Books | Vancouver

Mel Cassidy
Publisher/HostMel Cassidy
Write Your Book Proposal
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A class for queer writers: workshop everything your book proposal needs to include; learn best practices for pitching to publishers; & more!
About this Event

Are you a queer writer whose heart and soul are yearning to write a book?

Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of self-publishing? (you're not alone!)

Have you been scribbling down your ideas on scraps of paper, notes in your phone, and corners of your journals for years already?


If you answered YES to any of these questions, then this class is for you!

My name's Mel, and I'm a somatic relationship coach and published author. I'd wanted to write a book for YEARS, but kept getting stalled. I thought I had to have a finished manuscript to pitch to publishers, and for over a decade, I would draft chapters, get hit with imposter syndrome, and then throw it all away.

Turns out I didn't need to have a finished book to sign a book deal, and I didn't have to do much pitching. What I did have to do was get clearer on my ideas and be more unapologetically my sassy self.

Now I want to support others in the queer world to dream big and get their words and ideas into the world.


In this class we'll cover:

  • What you need to prepare for your book proposal before pitching to publishers,
  • An overview of the timeline you can expect: from pitch, to contract, to manuscript, to publication — and beyond!
  • Information about the publishing industry, what you can expect for royalties, and your responsibility regarding marketing and promotion,
  • The importance of having a following and creative ways to build and demonstrate your following to publishers,
  • Tips for how to organise your time and writing process,
  • Time to network and practice pitching your book to the group!


This class is being hosted by Cross & Crows Books, East Vancouver's favourite queer bookstore.
Please visit their website for full accessibility information.


Agenda

🕑: 02:00 PM
Welcome and orientation
🕑: 02:20 PM
What's In a Book Proposal?
🕑: 02:40 PM
Your Book Timeline & Industry Expectations
🕑: 03:00 PM
Writing Your Bio
🕑: 03:20 PM
Your Table of Contents, Choosing Your Sample Chapters & Workshoping Your Ideas
🕑: 03:40 PM
Organising Your Time
🕑: 04:00 PM
Self Promotion
🕑: 04:30 PM
Q&A
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cross & Crows Books, 2836 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada

Tickets

CAD 61.13 to CAD 86.73

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