FWN Live: Mastering the Non-fiction Book Proposal

A live masterclass on non-fiction book proposals: what agents want, how to structure yours, and how to stand out.

FWN Live: Mastering the Non-fiction Book Proposal

Join the Freelance Writing Network on September 23rd for a brand-new live masterclass with Amy Athur and guest literary agent Kate Barker.

Kate Barker has worked in UK book publishing for over 20 years as a literary agent, editor and ghostwriter. She represents a wide range of novelists and writers of non-fiction. She was previously an Editorial Director for Viking, and has also worked for Curtis Brown, Orion and Bookouture.

Kate knows exactly what makes a non-fiction proposal land on an editor’s desk, and what can make it sink without a trace.

This session is designed to give you the tools, structure, and strategy you need to build a standout proposal. Whether you’re writing memoir, smart thinking, pop science, or lifestyle non-fiction, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how to pitch your book and where it fits in the market.

Kate works in the UK publishing industry, and we’ll highlight where UK and US expectations differ so writers on both sides of the Atlantic get clear guidance.

🔍 What to expect

Kate will walk us through:

• What publishers and agents look for in non-fiction proposals

• The essential elements of a strong submission

• How to shape your proposal to match your book’s genre

• Key differences between UK and US submission processes

• How to position your idea so it stands out in a crowded market

After a short break, Kate will dive deeper into idea-shaping: how to test your comps, show awareness of your readership, and prove there’s a market for your book.

This masterclass will equip you with everything you need to plan, write, and pitch your non-fiction book with confidence.

🗣 Your questions answered

You’ll be able to submit questions in advance and get specific answers to support your individual processes. Even if you can’t attend live, you can send your questions ahead of time and we’ll put them to Kate during the session.

👉 When you purchase your ticket, we’ll also ask you to share a few details about your own project. That way, Kate can use examples that match the kinds of books people are actually working on, meaning we can tailor the session to you.

🎟 How to attend

Tickets are £19.99 ($27), with a 50% discount for FWN paid subscribers (£10/$13.50).

Every ticket includes access to the replay, so you can watch back even if you can’t make it.

👇 Everything you need to know

🗓 Tuesday September 23rd
🕒 10am PT | 1pm ET | 6pm BST
📍 Online via Zoom (replay included for all ticket holders)

Paid subscribers can access the 50% discount below the paywall👇