a Bookish Retreat in the catskills of new york
Bethany’s Bookish
Retreat for Women
What’s that voice you hear?That’s your book calling.
Please join me for a very unique four-month program, where you and a group of like-minded bookish women will use my step-by-step process for writing a book proposal that sells.
In this challenging, intimate program, you’ll have support and friendship with monthly coaching circles and a book-buddy.
And you’ll have an expert mentor (that’s me!) excited to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and give your proposal the shine it needs to get attention it deserves.
And trust me—I know what it’s like to throw EVERYTHING you have into the deep desire (ok the need!) to write and sell your book. I spent years toiling over several proposals that didn’t sell, building my platform, and teaching myself how to be a professional writer in the world.
And then one August day, stepping off the tennis court, my phone rang.
That call from my agent changed my life.
It would be my honor to to share everything I’ve learned with you.
And best of all, this one-of-a-kind accelerator ends with a luxe, catered workshop and retreat in my home in the Catskills. Keep reading below for all the amazing details.
So, is today the day you’re gonna stop nervous-laughing when you talk about “your book,” shaming yourself for “overthinking,” and start getting serious about yourself and your work?
Is today the day you start calling yourself a writer?
Your book is calling.
Will you listen?
Book Proposal Retreat for Women
THREE MONTH PROGRAM
April-June 2024
Join me and a cohort of bookish women for a truly one-of-a-kind experience where we’ll turn the story you can’t stop telling into a book the world needs to hear.
Spots are limited to keep the workshop intimate and connected.
Accepted applicants will receive:
Step-by-Step Guidance
Monthly Coaching Circles
Accountability Partner
(2) 1:1 Coaching Call
Expert Mentorship
Networking
Personalized and Responsive Feedforward via Slack
Client Testimonial
“I’ve had a book that I’ve wanted to write for so long. For the past several years I’ve procrastinated, started many times but never got traction, made New Year’s resolutions until I finally stopped kidding myself. Discouraged and ready to give up, I discovered Bethany. Her guidance has been magical. It’s happening! I’m writing my book! I’m even enjoying the process! Thank you, Bethany!”
— JANET LANSBURY
Bestselling author of Elevated Childcare, No Bad Kids and many others
Bethany’s book proposal accelerator experience—the very first of its kind!—is the perfect way to combine your love of being with other strong women, developing your confidence, and learning how to write a book proposal that sells.
Plus, you’ll get to spend four, catered, luxe days in a beautiful tree-house-ish home in the Catskills. 🌲
Apply for the BOOKish Cohort for priority access to the retreat!
Client Testimonial
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“Bethany was a crucial resource while working on my book proposal which led to a deal with Penguin Random House. She helped facilitate my work in a way that elevated and focused my writing. She challenged and pushed me in ways that helped me form a proposal I felt confident with. At the end of the process I had a better understanding of the publishing world, felt confident about what I had to offer, and had a completed proposal, which I was then able to sell.”
— TODD BARATZ*
Certified sex therapist, licensed individual and couples psychotherapist, podcast host, author of Instagram’s “yourdiagnonsense,” and a forthcoming, very exciting book
the VIBE
This is how we’ll spend our time:
Understanding the purpose and goal of book proposals
Auditing your authority, i.e your accomplishments, certifications, degrees, etc
Setting goals and breaking them down into bite-sized tasks
Inviting five of your heroes to be your guide and inspiration
Creating a writing and studying schedule that works in your life
Meeting a book-buddy to keep you company and accountable to your stated goals
Studying successful book proposals: overview, table of contents, marketing, comparables, and sample chapters
Refining the story you can’t stop telling into a book topic the world needs to read
(2) 1:1 Coaching Sessions
Book Proposal Review
Bookish Virtual Accelerator Vibe
VIRTUAL
APRIL-JUNE 2024
Every non-fiction book begins with a book proposal—essentially your book in miniature. In 30-70 pages, you're tasked with selling your idea, your writing, and yourself, to an agent and/or an editor.
This three-month online coaching program is devoted to walking you and a cohort of bookish women step-by-step through the process. The accelerator will include monthly zoom calls, a moderated Slack channel community, book-buddy introductions and all materials.
Client Testimonial
“Working with Bethany resulted in much more than a book contract. Bethany helped me write a strong and organized book proposal which has impacted all aspects of my business. My intellectual property is more organized, defined, and better communicated since working with Bethany. This has improved my marketing as well as the workshops and keynotes I regularly offer. Bethany was as committed to my book proposal as I was. I only submitted my book proposal twice before being offered a contract, and I received extremely positive feedback from both regarding the quality of the proposal. Working with Bethany is one of the best investments I’ve made in my business and myself.”
—ROBYN GOBBEL
B.S. Psychology, MSW, therapist turned educator, community creator, podcast host, and author of What You See Is Not What You Get A Practical Guide to Parenting Kids After Hard Things Happen and Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work
Bookish Big Picture Deliverables
A glimpse at what’s included with the Bookish retreat
01
Support to do the Hard Work
Book-buddy assigned to you prior to the retreat to share pages, doubts, aspirations, and travel plans.
Private Slack channel for accepted participants for accountability and writing prompts.
Like-minded, bookish women in community.
Founder-status in a brand new digital community devoted to building women’s inner + outer authority.
After working with me, you can consider me a friend, mentor, and champion of your work for life.
02
Expert Mentorship to Guide Your Journey
Personalized proposal review before the retreat so we’re prepared to polish your idea, outline, marketing section, and comps.
Monthly mentorship group coaching on how to build your inner + outer authority for three months before the retreat
A one-hour 1:1 coaching call with me either before or after the retreat—your call (literally!).
Networking opportunities including potential intros to agents, pros and other bookish friends.
03
Step-by-Step Path to a Polished Proposal
An exclusive guide on how to write a proposal, which includes a template and private collection of proposals I’ve worked on that have sold (some for six figures!).
A step-by-step roadmap for getting yourself and your proposal ready for the retreat.
Personalized expert review by moi.
Guided workshop in small groups.
A polished proposal! All depends on you, of course, but we’ll do whatever it takes
Client Testimonial
“Bethany Saltman is a dream-maker. From fleshing out the idea, working on the proposal, managing our anxiety in the process and eventually connecting us with a literary agent she has delivered beyond expectations. With her help and guidance, we now have a book deal through Harper! We have appreciated Bethany so much we are seeking to continue working with her on this and other writing projects. She is professional, quick, calm and calming, but mostly she's an excellent editor, writer, and book midwife.”
—SUE MARRIOTT, LCSW CGP
Co-host Therapist Uncensored Podcast and co-author of upcoming Secure Relating: Using Modern Attachment to Grow the Relational Security you Deserve (Harper Wave)
About Me
There are lots of book proposal bootcamps and academies out there, but what I bring to the table is pretty unique, if I do say so myself.
First of all, I have a proven track record selling bestselling proposals. But so do lots of other folks!
However, not too many book coaches are also critically acclaimed authors with a major publishing house in their own right. But even for those who are, they don’t also happen to be a trained professional leadership coach, results-driven soulful business strategist, meditation guide and ex-pat academic with over ten years of teaching college-level writing.
And they definitely aren’t inviting you and a small circle of other women into their beautiful home in the Catskills for a weekend!
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE:
Bestselling book coach with a proven track record of helping clients SELL proposals
Critically acclaimed author with Random House whose book, Strange Situation, has been published in six countries, celebrated by experts, taught in classrooms, and translated into three languages
Self-taught, internationally recognized expert and thought leader in the science of attachment
Brown University/ICF trained leadership performance coach
Expert writing professor with a decade of experience teaching undergraduates and graduate students
Results-obsessed authority coach for women
Soulful business strategist for successful creatives, visionaries, and entrepreneurs
Longtime Zen-student, and mindfulness guide—at your service
Client Testimonial
Bethany has a special knack for creating sacred, yet practical spaces for writers to own their authorship, deepen their relationship to the story they can't stop telling and encouragement to bravely share this work with the world. It's invaluable for those looking to take what's inside and make it visible, with authenticity and potency.
–JESSICA PLANCICH SHINNERS, MA, MFT, Ed.D.
social architect, community builder, leadership expert, founder of Fierce Grace Consulting, and author of Advancing Leadership Consciousness: Integrity from the Inside Out
The answer is yes if you are:
Actively at work on a non-fiction book—at any stage. Perhaps you’re at the very beginning of the process, or maybe your agent has sent you the third round of edits and you need another set of eyes.
Determined to write your book. Nobody can stop you. This book is happening.
Prepared to package and pitch yourself to potential agents and editors. Marketing is part of the deal. No more hiding.
Delighted by the idea of a luxe, slightly rustic environment that might even include a black bear sighting 🐻, where you will be pampered like the queen that you are. No dish crew for you, My Lady!
Jazzed by the idea of working in a collective of other smart, bookish women like you.
The answer is no if you are:
Still looking around outside of yourself for your book topic. The story you can’t stop telling has to come from deep inside. Keep listening and you’ll hear it.
Hoping you’ll get discovered and be able to skip this proposal step (FYI even if your viral essay or tiktok inspires an agent’s or editor's interest, you’ll still have to write a proposal).
Frustrated by the time and effort it takes to get a book published. Hold on to your hat, sister cuz this book business takes time! Check out Dorie Clark's book The Long Game.
Just not ready to invest money in yourself. I get it! Next time :)
Looking for a super tidy, private, cookie-cutter learning experience. You’ll have plenty of time to process solo, but this accelerator is a collective experience.
Is this the bookish experience for you?
value and pricing
Writing a Book Proposal That Sells!
Step-by-step guide to writing a book proposal
Exclusive workbook with samples that SOLD (some for six figures!)
Course Value: $1250
Proposal Review
Proposal Review
Value: $2,500
Online Community
Book-buddy accountability partner
Community support via Slack
Monthly coaching circles
Value: $400
Expert Mentorship
Four month program of cohort based proposal coaching
One-time 1:1 coaching
Access to my network of agents and editors
Value: $3725
In a Nutshell
For this one price of $5,250.00 you get TWO ways to work with me:
3-months of small-group personalized coaching on your proposal with a small cohort of bookish women.
(2) 1:1 Sessions
Value & Pricing
First round of applications is closed, but please apply to be on the waiting list.
This Bookish Proposal Accelerator is more than a simple ‘how-to.’ It’s a woman-only cohort-coaching *experience* supporting you in creating a polished book proposal ready to sell.
If you don’t currently have the resources to work with me privately, this is the perfect way to take full advantage of my many years of platform building, proposal polishing and book editing at a reduced rate and with a group of women.
Not to mention, you won’t need to hire a ghostwriter to write your proposal which can cost up to $15,000.
And if you decide to go the self- or hybrid-publishing route (which costs up to $50,000), going through the rigorous process of writing your proposal will put you *firmly in your authority* when it’s time to write your book.
*For more info on the differences between self, hybrid, and traditional publishing, download this table I made just for you.*
In other words, regardless of where you go from here, spending four months deep-diving into your topic and crafting your proposal will only help you and your book in the long run.
Ok, so here’s a breakdown of the value and pricing:
I know how lonely and challenging the book writing process can be, especially for women. Trust me, I get it. It’s been one helluva long, windy, and process for me too. But here’s the thing: If I can do it, you can do it. And you don’t have to do it alone.
XO B
PS I can’t wait to read your book!
PPS: Space is very limited! Get your application in now!
Client Testimonial
“I have had the unique privilege of sitting in the spiritual holding space Bethany cultivates, both as a writer and for business coaching. In both, I was met with Bethany’s unicorn skill: Her capacity to foster safety so that you can journey inward and find the story you can’t stop telling, followed by her practical guidance and pointed inquiry which lead to well-developed plans. With Bethany, both seasoned and emergent writers, new and experienced professionals, can find confidence in their own minds, ideas and desires and bring them to life.”
–DR. TANYA COTLER, PhD CPsych
Clinical Psychologist, writer, speaker, co-founder RENNI
Join the Waitlist
The Spring 2023 Cohort is Closed. But please join the waitlist for Spring 2024!