The 8-Week Trade
Book Proposal
A Step-by-Step Bootcamp for
Academics Who Want a
Commercial Book Deal
You have a book inside you.
Not a monograph. Not another journal article.
A book that could reach thousands—or even tens of thousands—of readers beyond the academy.
The problem is that trade publishers don't buy book ideas the way university presses do.
They buy book proposals.
And for most academics, the proposal is where everything falls apart.
You know your subject. You know your evidence. You know your field.
But no one has ever taught you how to:
Position your idea for a general audience
Demonstrate commercial potential
Write a compelling overview
Craft a persuasive chapter outline
Develop a market analysis
Create a writing sample that excites agents and editors
As a result, many brilliant scholars spend months or years, trying to figure it out on their own.
This course changes that.
What You'll Learn
The 8-Week Trade Book Proposal is a practical, step-by-step program that walks you through the exact process I teach my private coaching clients.
By the end of the course, you'll understand how to create a professional proposal package that can be used to approach literary agents and trade publishers.
The course is divided into seven concise modules, each followed by a practical exercise designed to move your proposal forward.
Course Curriculum
Intro Lesson: The Mental Shift
Before we touch a single section of the proposal, we address the biggest obstacle facing most academics: approaching trade publishing with an academic mindset.
This lesson lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Lesson 1: The Overview
The most important section of the proposal.
If this doesn't work, almost nothing else matters.
Learn how to present your idea in a way that immediately captures attention and creates momentum.
Lesson 2: The Bio Sketch
Why should you write this book?
This lesson shows you how to position yourself as the ideal author for the project—and why credentials alone are rarely enough.
Lesson 3: The Chapter Synopsis
One of the most misunderstood parts of the proposal.
Learn how to present the structure of your book in a way that builds confidence and keeps readers engaged.
Lesson 4: The Marketing Plan
Most academics get this section completely wrong.
Discover what agents and publishers are actually looking for—and how to make a compelling case for your book's audience and reach.
Lesson 5: Comp Titles
A deceptively simple section that often undermines otherwise strong proposals.
Learn how to position your book within the existing marketplace and demonstrate its commercial potential.
Lesson 6: The Writing Sample
Ultimately, the proposal gets people interested.
The writing convinces them.
Learn how to showcase your voice, your expertise and your ability to connect with readers.
Bonus Lesson: Finding an Agent
Once your proposal is complete, what's next?
We'll walk through the process of identifying, approaching and securing literary representation.
Two Ways to Participate
Option 1: Self-Paced Course
$97
Perfect for independent learners who want a proven framework and the flexibility to work at their own pace.
Includes:
All seven video lessons
All course exercises
Lifetime access to course materials
Option 2: Live Bootcamp Cohort
$697
For scholars who want accountability, feedback and direct access to me as they build their proposal.
Over eight weeks, we'll move through the material together, meeting regularly to discuss the lessons, workshop participant work and tackle challenges as they arise.
Includes everything in the self-paced version, PLUS:
Live group sessions after each module
Structured feedback on your work
Opportunities to workshop ideas with peers
Direct guidance from me throughout the process
Accountability that helps you actually finish
By the end of the cohort, you'll have completed a first draft of every major component of a professional trade-book proposal.
Enrollment is limited
COHORT BEGINS: 18 September 2026
REGISTRATION CLOSES: 15 September 2026
LIVE MEETINGS: Every Friday, 12pm Eastern
Why Learn from Me?
I'm John Ghazvinian, founder of Scholars to Storytellers. Over the past several years, I've helped hundreds of scholars navigate the world of trade publishing, develop commercially viable book ideas, secure literary agents and bring their work to broader public audiences. Before launching Scholars to Storytellers, I served as Executive Director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania and built my own career as a historian and trade author. Everything in this course comes directly from the same process I've used with private coaching clients, workshop participants and published authors.
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for:
Professors
Researchers
Public scholars
Academic authors
Advanced graduate students
Independent scholars
It is especially useful if you have a book idea but aren't sure how to transform it into a proposal that agents and publishers will take seriously.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Do I need a complete manuscript?
No. In most cases, trade publishers and agents evaluate a proposal before a manuscript is completed.
Is this only for humanities scholars?
No. The principles apply across disciplines, though examples often come from the humanities and social sciences.
How long will I have access?
You will receive lifetime access to the course materials.
What if I want feedback?
Choose the Live Bootcamp Cohort option. That's where you'll receive guidance from me and your fellow participants as you develop your proposal.
What if I have to miss one of the live sessions?
All participants will receive access to the video recordings.
Ready to Start?
If you've been thinking about writing a trade book for months—or years—but feel stuck on the proposal process,
this course will show you exactly what to do next.
The information contained in this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any kind of guarantee.