Turn Your Book Idea Into a Real Plan in Two Days
A hands-on workshop designed to help aspiring authors clarify their idea, define their audience, and begin shaping a publishable book proposal.
THE PROBLEM
Most people don’t fail at writing a book. They fail before they start—because they never stop to answer the questions that determine whether a book will actually work.
Who is it for?
Why does it matter?
How will readers find it?
This two-day workshop is designed to help you step back, examine your idea carefully, and begin building a roadmap that moves your book from concept to publication.
WHAT YOU’LL LEAVE WITH
A realistic plan for moving forward.
A clearer understanding of whether your idea works as a book
A defined audience for your book
An outline or roadmap for your project
A clearer picture of your author platform
An introduction to book marketing strategy
The beginnings of a book proposal
WHO THIS IS FOR
You don’t need a completed manuscript to participate.
Professionals and entrepreneurs considering writing a nonfiction book
Experts who want to share their knowledge with a wider audience
Writers who have an idea but aren’t sure how to shape it
Anyone curious about how publishing actually works
WORKSHOP MODULES
Two days. Seven Modules. One Clear Plan.
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Stress-test your idea and determine whether it has the foundation needed for a full book.
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Clarify what you want your book to accomplish—professionally and personally.
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Start outlining the structure and content of your book.
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Explore how your experience, knowledge, and perspective position you as the right person to write this book.
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Learn how audience, niche, and positioning influence a book's success.
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Understand the differences between traditional, hybrid, and independent publishing.
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Learn how a book proposal works and why it matters.
The Agenda
Two Days
Day 1 | April 23, 2026
Idea to Positioning
Goal: Validate your book concept and author positioning
8:00 - 8:30 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 9:30 am Keynote with Jennie Phillips
9:00 - 10:15 am Is It a Book? Stress-test your idea
10:15 - 10:30 am Yellow Light Moment & Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:00 am Building Your Author Roadmap (Goals and Outcomes)
11:00 - 12:00 pm Building Your Book Project Roadmap (Outline Your Book)
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch on Your Own
1:00 - 2:00 pm Am I the Expert? Author Platform Assessment
2:00 - 2:45 pm Positioning Your Book (Your Audience and Niche)
2:45 - 3:15 pm Yellow Light Moment & Movement Break
3:15 - 4:00 pm Publishing Pathways (Traditional, Hybrid, Self Publishing Options)
4:00 - 4:30 pm Q&A and Day 1 Reflection
DAY 2 | April 24, 2026
Turning the Idea Into a Proposal
Goal: Begin building a real book proposal
8:00 - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 am Going from Pitch to Print: Intro to writing a book proposal (The anatomy of a proposal)
9:00 - 9:45 am Telling Your Book's Story Workshop (The book sections of the proposal)
9:45 - 10:00 am Selling Your Book's Story Workshop (The marketing sections of the proposal)
10:45 - 11:30 am Sharing Your Book's Story Proposal (Open mic and Q&A)
11:30 - 12:00 pm Closing Thoughts and Happy Trails
WORKSHOP DETAILS
The logistics.
Dates: April 23–24
Day 1: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Day 2: 8:00 AM – Noon
Includes: Continental breakfast both days, a copy of From Pitch to Print, writing materials
The Morris University Center | Missouri Room
6 Hairpin Drive, Southern Illinois University,
Edwardsville, IL 62026
LIMITED SEATS (25 only, really!)
Reserve Your Spot
This workshop is intentionally small to allow time for discussion and feedback. Secure your place before seats fill up.