testimonials

"The Book Proposal Accelerator is the most valuable professional development experience I've done in my academic career. The Accelerator's clear structure and Laura's consistent guidance demystified the publishing process, sharpened my ability to articulate the ideas and goals of my project, and helped me receive an advance contract far sooner than I would have working on my own."
--Assistant Professor, Illinois

"I tried to write a proposal last year, but quickly felt overwhelmed by the task, simply because I did not know how the process worked. The Accelerator broke the proposal down in smaller, manageable units so I was able to follow through without getting stressed out. Now I not only have a first draft of the proposal, but also a much better idea of where I would like to go with my book. And, most importantly, I found back my enthusiasm for the topic!"
--Postdoctoral Researcher, Germany

"I feel like I have a better handle on my project and the pit of anxiety over it is gone."
--Assistant Professor, Pakistan

"I can't say enough good things about this Accelerator! Laura guides you through not just the proposal, but really helps you envision your project as a real book. If you are an early career scholar trying to write a book, I highly recommend."
--Assistant Professor, Ohio

"The Book Proposal Accelerator pushed me to think deeply about a book I haven't even written yet! As I prepare to write the manuscript, I feel much more confident and clear about my purposes and arguments."
--Independent scholar, New York

"Laura's Book Proposal Accelerator gave me the structure and motivation I needed to get through the process in seven weeks. Her modules made me think about the argument and audience of my book at every stage, which was enormously clarifying in terms of the direction the writing will take. I now have a book proposal that covers everything editors need to see, and thanks to Laura's guidance and feedback I feel confident about pitching it to prospective publishers."
--Lecturer, Australia

"The Book Proposal Accelerator is a fantastic platform and experience, and well worth every dollar. I’ve begun sending out the book proposal, and after going through the process I'm much more confident in my ability to articulate what makes my manuscript different and, hopefully, publishable. Just as importantly, my manuscript’s introduction is already a bit stronger, and I’m more confident talking about it. I’ll certainly be spreading the word to colleagues."
--Associate Professor, Canada

"I was hesitant at first to sign up for the Accelerator because I had flashbacks to creative writing workshops gone awry, but Laura truly created a safe online learning space where folks from all different levels of experience could learn from one another. And I've learned so much in a short period of time. I appreciate the opportunity to read the interdisciplinary in-process writing of other participants and to engage in exercises that helped me to plan the skeleton of my manuscript. I will be recommending the Accelerator to my colleagues and peers."
--Assistant Professor, New York

"While I have written books, coedited volumes, and special issues, I feel I should have known some of the things I am learning now, but I do not. Academia can be an intimidating place but Laura's approach feels like one of rare kindness and acceptance – that I am taking my not knowing as an opportunity (rather than weakness)."
-- Assistant Professor, Czech Republic

"The materials in the Accelerator are truly wonderful and (perhaps even more importantly) Laura's overall approach has been really refreshing and inspiring. Too many people in academia seem to confuse being "honest" with being mean, and the atmosphere that Laura has been able to create here is a refreshing alternative to all that. That's especially helpful given that so many of us are sharing materials that are in-process or under-baked or unfinished. Thank you!"
--Assistant Professor, Florida

“Laura has been a great help in getting me started on my second book. With all the tasks I have had to juggle as a tenure track academic, there has been little time and headspace to focus on a new book project. But regular meetings with Laura first about the idea, then about the proposal and lastly the sample chapter have helped me over this very difficult hurdle, and it is the reason I now hold a contract with my top choice of publisher. As an academic based outside of North America, but embedded in a system that gives great credit to books published by its academic presses, Laura’s knowledge of the North American publishing structure and editors’ expectations has been invaluable.”
—Associate Professor, History, Denmark

“When I contacted Laura, I was at a stage where I was well into my manuscript and had drafted a proposal that I was pretty confident in. I was looking for a skilled editor with relevant experience to read the proposal as a publisher would and let me know in one conversation what needed to be fleshed out or eliminated altogether. This is exactly what I got in Laura. As a bonus, she gave me advice on appropriate presses for my project and pointers for my c.v. and cover letter. In short, Laura's quick proposal eval was perfect for me, offering just the amount and kind of feedback I needed for a very reasonable price.”
—Professor, Communication, Michigan

"Laura sees the forest and the trees, and her ability to make big-picture suggestions as well as more minute, detail-oriented ones makes for a wonderful combination in an editor. Her insightful and encouraging feedback helped me to home in on my book’s main points and arguments, and, equally important, made me excited to revise my work. I recommend her highly and will definitely work with her again." 
—Associate Professor, Sociology, New York

“Laura has an invaluable superpower: to clearly and enthusiastically see what an author *wants* to say, and then to give them concrete steps to hone their prose toward that. She treats every manuscript like a potential gem, regardless of how rough it is - and her stellar results show the value of her work. Through working with Laura, I found my enthusiasm for my project renewed, my clarity restored, and my ability to see the "big picture" of my manuscript - after years of attending to the minutiae - refreshed. I can't recommend Laura's services highly enough.”
—Postdoctoral Scholar, Science and Technology Studies, California

"Laura has the remarkable skill of knowing what precisely needs to be said while adding to the creativity of my work and writing. It is really a gift to work with someone who can inspire clarity of thought and ingenuity."
—Assistant Professor, Black Studies and History, California

"I have revised about half of my book manuscript, and I cannot begin to express my gratitude enough. Laura's comments and suggestions have given new life to the book. It is much closer to what I want it to be. It’s not just that Laura has helped me pull out the book’s structure, but she has also taught me a lot about my own writing. That kind of feedback is invaluable. Laura's thoughtful engagement with my work has truly moved me."
—Assistant Professor, Media Studies, Lebanon

"Laura has a rare gift for editing at multiple levels at the same time: she can simultaneously read for and improve grammar, conceptual clarity, and structure.  These skills have shone through in all the feedback she has offered me, including multiple journal articles and chapters from my monograph.  They are also on display in her own eminently lucid writing.  Her work as an editor is always thorough, patient, and constructive, and she is consummately professional.  I recommend her in the highest terms."
—Assistant Professor, Journalism and Media Studies, New Jersey

”Laura provided the perspective that my manuscript needed to make the jump from a dissertation to a book. Her insightful comments and thought-provoking questions helped me flesh out the main arguments of the work in its disciplinary setting and enabled me expand them to appeal to a much broader audience. What I really appreciated about Laura's comments and what I think made them the most effective was her willingness to engage in conversation about her edits and create strategies for their effective implementation. In the end, I was really glad I decided to work with Laura and would wholeheartedly recommend her for those seeking help with their writing.”
—Assistant Professor, German and Digital Humanities, Michigan

"Laura offered practical and prompt advice that made a difference to how people perceive my book. It is a great idea to receive help when you’re in the weeds, weighed down by your own knowledge."
—Cognitive scientist, California

"Laura’s input proved vital in honing a number of major writing projects. She has an uncommonly good sense of how to bring out the key arguments in a paper or a chapter, and a keen eye for changes that make the meaning clearer and the language more graceful. I couldn’t recommend her more strongly."
—Assistant Professor, Journalism and Mass Communication, Wisconsin

"Laura does stellar work. She truly has a gift. She sees connections in other people's work that they themselves cannot."
—Research Fellow, Cultural Studies, Portugal