What Writing a Book Proposal Taught Me About Hope

And why you should write yours

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People often think of book proposals as business documents. Strategic, polished, persuasive. Which, yes—they are. In many ways, book proposals are business plans for your book. But they’re also something else entirely. Or something more.

They’re acts of hope.

When you write a book proposal, you’re saying: I believe this story matters. I believe I am the one to tell it. I believe there’s someone out there who needs to read it. I believe in myself, enough to try.

That’s not small. That’s not just admin or a box to check. That’s brave.

A few years ago, I came pretty close with a nonfiction book about the strange, seductive world of multilevel marketing. I put a lot of research and time into the proposal, diving into reddit threads and attending some Arbonne zooms (strange times!). I interviewed a lot of fascinating women with juicy stories. I wrote the proposal and revised it, and then revised it again.

I had thoughtful conversations with a smart editor. We were circling the idea, nudging it forward. And then—it fizzled. The proposal didn’t sell.

So I did something a little wild. I took that same research, those same characters, and started writing a novel. It poured out of me. I was in love with the idea. And then my agent read it and said, kindly and clearly, that she didn’t think she could sell it.

That one really stung. Each one does. These aren’t just ideas, they’re pieces of me, little chunks of my soul (lol). Every project I’ve let myself hope for and build toward has left a mark, even when the answer was not yet or not this one.

But here’s the part that still feels like magic: I keep going.

That’s what writing has taught me. That hope doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a yes. It means you keep saying yes to yourself, even after the world says no. That you let the bruises heal and you try again, sometimes in a new form. You write the next sentence. You start a new page.

My friend Kelsey Shipman and I made Dream to Deal—our book proposal bootcamp—for writers who are holding onto that quiet flicker of hope. For people who want guidance, structure, and real support. For those who are ready to stop shelving their dream and start shaping it.

And maybe best of all? You won’t be doing it alone. Dream to Deal is also a community—a warm, funny, brilliant group of aspiring authors who will cheer you on, hold you accountable, and remind you that you’re not the only one daring to hope. Plus, we have an incredible lineup of experts: the author Hannah Selinger, the Little, Brown senior editor Vivian Lee, and two wonderful agents, Sally Ekus and Rita Rosenkranz.

Here’s what one writer shared after working with me:

“Hannah is an incredible teacher and coach. For the past few months I’ve felt like I had a super knowledgeable and passionate cheerleader on my side. Working with her has helped me get organized with my writing and move the needle. I’m finally doing what I set out to do and her support has been invaluable in the process.” - Camila M. Merino

If you’ve got a story (even a whisper of one), I’d love to help you bring it into the world.

💌 Get $300 off Dream to Deal when you sign up this week!

xo,

Hannah

PS My first story for Travel & Leisure is up, about an epic train trip through Europe.

PPS I wrote about beer moms for CraftBeer.com, and got very inspired by these three women.

PPPS Sally Ekus is giving away one Dream to Deal spot over at her amazing newsletter, Not So Secret Agent. It could be you!!

That feeling of seeing your book in the wild. The best!