Writing a Book Proposal? Ask This Question

Plus, AWP takeaways & an upcoming workshop for paid subs

Hey Bleeders,

I’ve got a hot tip for your book proposals—but first, I want to share some gems that I managed to jot down during AWP. And make sure you don’t skip out early because I’ve got an exciting workshop announcement exclusively for paid subscribers at the end.

💡 AWP nuggets of wisdom

Last month, I attended AWP in Los Angeles—three days of panels and scribbled notes that now barely make sense but still feel profound. Here are several takeaways I think are worth passing on:

AWP introvert confession
First of all, I have to admit, my AWP mindset this year wasn’t quite right. I met up with one good friend (which was super fun), but aside from bumping into a few pals and making one very important connection (more on that in a future edition), I mostly floated around solo. My head was deep in a podcast project I couldn’t stop thinking about—so I wasn’t feeling particularly social. Still, I wish I’d made more of an effort to plan meetups or reach out. I spotted a few people I thought I recognized from their thumbnails on the internet, but it felt weird to approach them without being sure. Lesson learned: next time, I’m scheduling more hangs in advance.

Progress isn’t linear—it’s a spiral
You’re not back where you started. You’re just looping upward, revisiting the same themes and questions from a wiser, more experienced vantage point. A comforting idea for those of us who often feel like we’re spinning our wheels.