12 WEEKS TO YOUR NOVEL OR MEMOIR*
The Book Sherpa
Find your voice, write a book
*See The Biz Book Sherpa if you are an entrepreneur or independent professional who needs a book to anchor your business
You want a book
You’ve dreamed about it. Agonized over it. You have a good idea that won’t leave you alone. It could enlighten or entertain others and establish you as a serious author.
But somehow it hasn’t written itself!
You don’t know where to start, what to do next. Or it’s not selling, or it “needs work.” Perhaps you’ve taken classes and written a few chapters — even a full draft — but you still don’t have a book.
You want progress & accountability
You want something to show for all your hard work. You’re tired of writer’s block, procrastination and confusion. Tired of hearing, “You should write a book,” or, “You have a book in you.” When you look at the many poorly written books out there, you know you can do better.
And you do not intend to hand your baby over to a ghostwriter! You just need the right kind of professional guidance to help you finish what you started.
You want clarity & quality
It’s simple: If you want to get the attention of agents, publishers and readers in this saturated marketplace, you need a book of the highest quality, not just one that meets a low bar. A book with a compelling story; told in a clear, engaging voice — at the highest level to which you can take it.
Introducing The Book Sherpa
In just 12 weeks, go from frustration and despair to completing the next major stage in your writing journey, whether it’s having a working blueprint, a finished draft, or a complete rewrite.
The Book Sherpa is a one-on-one custom program for highly motivated memoir and fiction writers who have a sense of adventure along with passion, ideas and guts … and the wisdom to seek out a guide to help you make that climb.
It doesn’t matter if your previous attempts fizzled, or you are stuck near the finish line, or struggling to organize your ideas, or have a story you’re desperate to tell and don’t know where to start — I am here to walk you through every step of the process.
With The Book Sherpa you will…
Give your book shape and structure
Plan and coordinate all major story elements
Map out each chapter’s action, theme, subtext and transitions
Develop an at-a-glance chart of the whole enchilada
See what and where to cut
Show agents and publishers you know exactly what you’re doing
Develop the essential elements for:
Elevator Pitch
Agent/Publisher Query Letter
Book Proposal Overview
Chapter Outline
Synopsis
Book Jacket & Promotional Copy
More
And you may experience results like these…
Think The Book Sherpa might be right for you?
Who is Jami Bernard?
I help authors and independent professionals who are struggling to strategize, write and polish their books. With decades of experience writing, editing and pitching books, I have helped even first-timers take their work to a place where they can sign with agents and get book deals — including a career coach who landed a six-figure advance from a major publisher after a bidding war.
As an award-winning former film critic and columnist for New York City daily newspapers, I developed a deep knowledge of story and structure. My own books have been published by Penguin, Warner Books, HarperCollins, and other major houses. My clients’ books are published both traditionally and through hybrid, boutique and alternative presses, or self-published where that makes sense.
How does The Book Sherpa work?
The Book Sherpa is an individually tailored one-on-one, 3-month program designed to help you produce your best work, whether you are new to this or onto your fifth book.
PLAN & DEVELOP: We begin by customizing your program to achieve a specific, attainable goal that we both work toward in partnership. Together, we uncover your book’s deeper meaning, themes and purpose, and organize your story and ideas to create the best possible flow of material to serve as your roadmap.
MEET & ANALYZE: We meet weekly via videoconference to review your progress and deepen your story while problem-solving at every level — all while making measurable progress toward your specific writing goals. Bespoke assignments keep you on track, so you always know exactly where you are.
FIND YOUR VOICE: One of the most important goals is to help you match the material to your unique personality so you achieve the right balance of story, tone and style.
WRITE, REWRITE: Each week, you receive detailed, written feedback on ALL the work you generate throughout the program as we shape each scene and chapter without losing sight of where and how it all fits together — ultimately saving you months (even years!) of rewrites and second-guessing.
How do I know if The Book Sherpa is for me?
This program is not for everyone! It requires a real commitment on both sides — and a financial and emotional investment — as we work together to achieve the best possible outcome. If you need a quick fix more than you need quality, that’s fine … but The Book Sherpa is not for you.
Acceptance into this program means agreeing to set aside time to write, to try your best, and to test your limits.
Having your own book is magic
Many people dream of having a book. Only a few actually finish one.
Writing a book symbolizes an achievement few can claim, and expresses your innermost truths. A book tells the world who and what you are in a way that nothing else can approach. It is a lasting legacy of how hard you have worked and how far you have come — and what you, uniquely, can offer the world.