Writing, Editing, & Coaching
why choose Ryan?
Because he's taught creative writing for 25+ years at
why else choose Ryan?
Because he's published books on writing such as
I recommend that you read my book BEFORE you speak with me because I share lots of actionable tips and winning proposal samples in those pages.
Then reach out to me if you want individualized, project-specific support and guidance to get you to the finish line.
sell nonfiction books before you write them
book proposals
Here’s the good news.
There’s a lot of free information on the internet about book proposals. Some of it is pretty good and can definitely help get you started.
Here’s the bad news.
No two projects are the same, so someone else’s template or proposal strategy isn’t going to be exactly what you need. How could it possibly be?
My tailormade proposals have earned contracts from publishers such as Capstone, HCI, Jossey-Bass, Oxford University Press, Penguin/Random House, Running Press, University of Iowa Press, and Wiley, among others.
I’ve also presented on this very topic at the Writers Digest national conference. Three times.
Whether you want a last-minute look-over, hands-on help for specific parts of a proposal, or someone to write the entire thing for you, let’s have a conversation.
I wrote the book on book proposals. Why would you go anywhere else for help?
The Mini Book Proposal
10-19 pages
$3,500/project
- Overview
- Author Bio
- Comparable Titles
- Annotated Outline
- Platform
- Marketing Plan
- The 3 Keys to Success
- 3 Secrets the Pros Don't Want to Share
- Sample Chapter (optional)
Full Book Proposal
20-40 pages
$7,500/project
- Everything in the mini proposal plus...
- The Bookstore Walk
- Agent/Editor suggestions
- PreSubmission Feedback by a literary agent
A La Carte
Help at your convenience
$225/hour
- Via Phone
- Via Zoom
- Via Email
Both book proposal options require a minimum of 2 collaborative discussions (via phone or zoom), plus follow-up emails , as needed.
**I’ll write (or edit, if you prefer) all elements of the proposal except for the sample chapter. If you’d like me to handle that, too, let me know and we’ll create a plan that suits your needs.**
Before making any decisions about hiring a writing coach, please read my article in The Writer: “Should I hire a writing coach?”
Then give me a holler.
boost your career with expert guidance
Writing Coach
Whether you’re stuck in the middle of a project, unable to even start, or getting oh-so-close to the finish line, I can help.
I don’t run a one-size-fits-all program with common course materials. Everything is tailormade and individualized to meet you where you’re at. We start with building a constructive environment, developing a focused plan, and creating accountability that makes sense for YOU.
I don’t take on many clients and I’m not cheap, but if we both agree that we’re a fit, the sky’s the limit.
Writing Coaching
Diamond Level
$2,600/month
- Four 30-minute phone or Zoom calls
- Unlimited email support between calls
- Eight hours of manuscript reading/critique or developmental editing
- Book recommendations
- Sample book proposals and/or queries
- Tailor-made writing craft assignments
- Next-step suggestions
- Specific Tips to build your writing platform
Writing Coaching
Gold Level
$1,600/month
- Three 30-minute phone or Zoom calls
- Eight emails per month
- Four hours of manuscript reading/critique or developmental editing
- Book recommendations
- Sample book proposals and/or queries
- Tailor-made writing craft assignments
- Next-step suggestions
Writing Coaching
Silver Level
$600
- Two 30-minute phone or Zoom calls
- One hour of manuscript reading/critique or developmental editing
- Book recommendations
- Next-step suggestions
get the content your audience needs today
Freelance Writing
I specialize in deep-dive profiles, quirky Q&As, easy-to-read how-tos, and humor in any form. I’m also the one magazine and book editors call on to save the day when things go sideways at the very last minute.
I’ve written for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Mommy Magazine, Sarasota Scene Magazine, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, and hundreds of other outlets, including numerous companies and organizations, like Free Expressions Seminars & Literary Services, hi5.com, Mercer University Press, and Realize Bradenton.
From ghostwriting to making knockout presentations to creating ad copy that sells, I can make your life easier.
My rate varies upon the project specifics (research required, how fast you need it, etc.), so email me with details to get a project estimate!
Break into the world of kidlit
Picture Book critiques
Why get a picture book critique from me?
**I have a Ph.D. in poetry
**I’ve been repped by top kidlit agents at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and Curtis Brown, Ltd. (my current agent reps Jane Yolen, Nikki Grimes, Karen Cushman, S.E. Hinton, and the late Lee Bennett Hopkins)
**I teach picture book writing at colleges and universities
**I run the popular picture book blog, Only Picture Books
**I write about this topic regularly (here’s a recent article of mine on writing picture books at the Writer)
**I’ve sold 30+ books of my own, and worked on dozens of other books with my clients
**I’m not-so-secretly known as the Picture Book Whisperer–the industry’s go-to person to help celebrities and high-profile clients write and sell children’s books.
**I’m also a big fan of penguins. Just saying.
Fiction Picture Book
up to 800 words
$175/critique
- Big Picture feedback report
- Line by line edits/suggestions
- Mentor text recommendations
- Marketplace viability assessment
- "What next?" suggestions
- Half price critique on a revision
Nonfiction Picture Book
up to 1,000 words
$250/critique
- Big Picture feedback report
- Line by line edits/suggestions
- Back Matter suggestions
- Mentor text recommendations
- Marketplace viability assessment
- "What next?" suggestions
- Half price critique on a revision
Picture book manuscripts must be sent via email in a doc. or docx. format that has 1″ margins and uses a readable 12-point font.
Manuscripts that run beyond 800 words for fiction or 1,000 words for nonfiction will be charged an additional $10 per 100 words (or portion thereof).
Testimonials
What clients, Students, & Fans say
★★★★★ 5/5
I love your writing style. It's an honor to work with a superstar like you.
Dr. Janet Taylor
author of THE COURAGEOUS CLASSROOM (Jossey-Bass)
★★★★★ 5/5
I have hired professional editors for my picture books in the past but if they are coffee, Ryan is espresso. His notes are deeply thorough and he asks questions and offers suggestions which point directly to the issues he is raising using other examples and articles to elaborate on his point and help fix it. In addition, he takes great care in a line-by-line edit of the manuscript and by the end of reading his critique, you feel like you’ve been to a picture book masterclass that will give you insight and inspiration not just on the manuscript in question, but in all your future writing
Loredana Cunti
author of KARATE KAKAPO (Kids Can Press)
★★★★★ 5/5
Thank you SO much. I really like the way you think and work.
Nancy Schlossberg
author of RETIRE SMART, RETIRE HAPPY (American Psychological Association)
★★★★★ 5/5
Thank you. I cannot stress this enough: You have CHANGED MY LIFE.
Esty Loveing Downes
Ringling College student
Ringling College student
★★★★★ 5/5
Thank you for your great presentation. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I've already been asked if we can get you back sometime in the future.
George Mindling
Florida Writers Association
Florida Writers Association
★★★★★ 5/5
3.5 hours of working on my nonfiction book proposal. BTW, great book: The Weekend Book Proposal by Ryan G. Van Cleave.
Shannara Johnson
copywriter/editor
copywriter/editor
★★★★★ 5/5
I think your talk went great--extremely informative. I also really appreciated your insight about Amazon.
Susan Klaus
author SHARK FIN SOUP (Oceanview Publishing)
author SHARK FIN SOUP (Oceanview Publishing)
★★★★★ 5/5
I really enjoyed the presentation. Your book was extremely helpful when I crafted my own proposal and pitch.
Julieanna Blackwell
editor at 805 LITERARY AND ARTS JOURNAL
editor at 805 LITERARY AND ARTS JOURNAL
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