Concept and Proposal Labs

Honing Your “IT”

A sweet spot of Janet’s practice is concept development–what she calls finding the “It” or the “Grape Jelly” which gives a book, idea, or launch a sense of clarity, integrity, and stickiness. She has been dubbed “the concept doctor” and is a go-to person for literary agents, writers, and experts when they want an experienced guide to help crystallize, frame, position and decide on a winning idea, whether it’s a first project, a next book by an established author, or a new venture.

Drawing on her years of experience developing best-selling books, author brands, and ideas that last, and using specific tools she’s developed in her consulting practice (such as her Daisy Model for Developing Robust Ideas and her 8 Ingredients of a Good Idea), Janet gets to the heart of what’s working, what’s not, and where the big potential lies. The Concept Lab brings the “craft” of book-making, product creation, and business launches to your idea and passion. The process provides insights and methods that can be used over and over again for future projects.

Potential Concept & Proposal Lab outcomes might include:

A Concept Title/Subtitle (tagline), a concept positioning “keynote” statement (1-2 working variations if there is more than one idea or approach being explored)
A 1-3 paragraph overview (a working “pitch” that conveys Why You, Why Now, Why This Project)
A working list of key chapter/concept titles (possibly annotated) or a working “idea set” for the book/project in process
A plan for adding heft, urgency, relevance, freshness, fun, or simple “hookiness” to your concept and your plan for execution
A “Hell Yes, Hell No, Maybe” Assessment to free your mind and focus your energy on 1-2 key projects (with a nod to Andrea J. Lee teaching at The Wealthy Thought Leader)
With the addition of a Laser “Clarity” Session (30% discount), publishing intel around publishing pathways and next steps. NOTE: A Concept Lab can also be enhanced with The Publishing Reset Home Study (a 1/2-hour bonus consult will be added).

This is a perfect starting place, especially if:

You feel a sense of urgency about publishing a book but you’re stuck with too many options or you’re confused about the “right” book to write, for which audience, and what style, format, and approach is best for you and your goals.
You have an idea for a new book, venture, offering, or service and you want to hone your concept and message–your “It.” You want to your idea to sing, to connect, to capture the zeitgeist.
You have an interested literary or media agent who says your idea has potential but it’s “too soft”-not edgy, sexy, or newsworthy enough. Or, you’ve received mixed or negative reactions from agents, publishers, or peers, but you don’t know why and you’re not sure about next steps. You’d like efficient, clear feedback, brainstorming, and expertise to help you rethink, reset, and recharge your idea.
You have a concept or draft proposal at some stage of development (and you may have paid for book coaching or editing) but you’d like current advice and recommendations from a seasoned editorial strategist before you begin pitching it.
You have some knowledge of the online and/or traditional publishing worlds and do not need the more in-depth perspective that a Publishing & Strategy Starter Project offers.

“Janet was instrumental in helping me reach for a bigger idea than I had previously imagined. She encouraged me to marry in a holistic way who I am and what I’ve accomplished with where I wished to go, rather than starting from scratch – a very powerful and motivating shift for me. Thank you, Janet!”

–Kathy Caprino, author of Breakdown, Breakthrough: The Professional Women’s Guide to Claiming a Life of Passion, Power, and Purpose

How it works:

Upon registration, you’ll have a complementary check-in call to plan the project and set dates. You’ll then complete a Project/Client Questionnaire that not only captures the current iteration of your ideas(s) but also delves into your audience, platform, background, goals, and experiences.

In addition, you may send up to 20 pages of a book proposal or other working documents for review. (NOTE: Projects with more extensive reading and assessment fall under Publishing & Strategy Starter Plans below.)

The steps include:

Reading and review of the Project Questionnaire, reading up to 20 pages of manuscript or other materials, website, and key links, plus select high-level research on the competitive and comparable landscape of books, ideas, and brands; specific issues to be covered; general intelligence on the category and market.
A Preparation Call to surface ideas and to review goals and preparation for Concept & Project Lab Session.
A live 2-hour in-person or phone Concept Lab Session (can be divided into two separate phone sessions).
Homework and email exchanges to hone the biggest idea(s), concept, positioning, and potential chapter/elements.
Concluding Call to review and solidify the “IT” and/or to define the steps to test, modify, and refine it.
If/as needed, brief email questions and follow-up to clarify ideas and recommendations (un)covered in the Concept Lab.