Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
A proposal is a ‘selling document’, rather than a creative act, and is aimed primarily at attracting a publisher. On this course you will learn how to make sure your proposal captures the form, feel and content of the intended book in a way that allows a publisher to grasp how a book will be organised, how it will sound, and who will be interested.
What will we cover?
We will cover different types of structure, how to break down a proposal into clear sections, the attention that has to be paid to commercial issues from budget to market, and how to ensure that the writer’s voice is not lost.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Organise your proposal so it appeals to a publisher. - Find the right voice or style in which to deliver your idea. - Identify the intended readers or markets.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed for writers who are currently working on a non-fiction project and are looking to attract a publisher.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is an online course taught through a mix of pair work, group work, discussion and formal instruction from the tutor.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Writing materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of courses for aspiring authors on topics such as novel writing, memoir, self-publishing and building an author platform. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Nick Barlay is the author of four acclaimed novels and one book of non-fiction. He has written award-winning radio plays, short stories and wide-ranging journalism. He has previously taught fiction, life writing and Guardian Masterclasses on writing family history.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/how-to-write-a-non-fiction-book-proposal2489281How to write a non-fiction book proposalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1762433779/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Creative non-fiction/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction228515931358113593122851358113593Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.002539720How to write a non-fiction book proposal7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1762433779/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpgInStockDaytimeSunOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-03-01T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedMar 2026WritingHW2807979How to write a non-fiction book proposal794079Nick Barlayhow-to-write-a-non-fiction-book-proposal/hw280-2526Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.0000-Available|2026-03-01 00:00:00A proposal is a ‘selling document’, rather than a creative act, and is aimed primarily at attracting a publisher. On this course you will learn how to make sure your proposal captures the form, feel and content of the intended book in a way that allows a publisher to grasp how a book will be organised, how it will sound, and who will be interested.Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.We will cover different types of structure, how to break down a proposal into clear sections, the attention that has to be paid to commercial issues from budget to market, and how to ensure that the writer’s voice is not lost.- Organise your proposal so it appeals to a publisher.<br/> - Find the right voice or style in which to deliver your idea.<br/> - Identify the intended readers or markets.This course is designed for writers who are currently working on a non-fiction project and are looking to attract a publisher.This is an online course taught through a mix of pair work, group work, discussion and formal instruction from the tutor. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.City Lit offers a range of courses for aspiring authors on topics such as novel writing, memoir, self-publishing and building an author platform. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionvirtual797940HW280NONESun01/03/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendOnlineOnlineNick BarlayAdvancedAvailable courses2026-03-01T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMar 2026Writing7979How to write a non-fiction book proposalhow-to-write-a-non-fiction-book-proposal/hw280-2526Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.0000-Available|2026-03-01 00:00:00A proposal is a ‘selling document’, rather than a creative act, and is aimed primarily at attracting a publisher. On this course you will learn how to make sure your proposal captures the form, feel and content of the intended book in a way that allows a publisher to grasp how a book will be organised, how it will sound, and who will be interested.Learn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.We will cover different types of structure, how to break down a proposal into clear sections, the attention that has to be paid to commercial issues from budget to market, and how to ensure that the writer’s voice is not lost.- Organise your proposal so it appeals to a publisher.<br/> - Find the right voice or style in which to deliver your idea.<br/> - Identify the intended readers or markets.This course is designed for writers who are currently working on a non-fiction project and are looking to attract a publisher.This is an online course taught through a mix of pair work, group work, discussion and formal instruction from the tutor. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.City Lit offers a range of courses for aspiring authors on topics such as novel writing, memoir, self-publishing and building an author platform. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionconfigurable
