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What Clients Are Saying
Developing Non-Fiction Book Proposals
Recommending Works to Appropriate Agents or Publishers
Editing
Consulting
Linda's Proposal Tips: Free Downloads

Fortune magazine reported that the proposal I co-authored for Harmonic Wealth sold for "7 figures." In his book, James writes:

"To my brilliant writing partner and collaborator, Linda Sivertsen. Linda your ability to take my collective thoughts, my tendency to be provocative, fun, and irreverent and place them into a format that reads and 'sounds' like my voice is unsurpassed. Your commitment to this project obviously goes way beyond our business contract. Thank you so much for your energy and enthusiasm. I am eternally grateful."

“We call Linda the ‘Author Whisperer’ because of her seemingly magical ability to uncover the book in a person that wants to be written–often before they've even seen it. Like a midwife, she delivers a writer's core message and brilliance onto the page, in the style agents, editors, and readers are searching for. I have witnessed Linda work her Author-Whisperer magic for years. There are very few people who can do what she does, and we're always elated with her results!”
—Arielle Ford, best-selling author of The Soulmate Secret (HarperOne, 2009), and former publicist—whose clients have included twelve #1 NYT bestsellers: Deepak Chopra, Gary Zukav, Neale Donald Walsch, Marianne Williamson, Debbie Ford, Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, etc.

Some of What Linda's Writing Clients Are Saying...

This list does not include all of Linda’s confidential/ghostwritten book projects or her own books.

"Linda's guidance and editing made all the difference for my latest proposal. She got me over the hump from idea to finished product, and the final book still has her brilliant influence on its pages."
—Laura Berman Fortgang, Author of The Little Book of Meaning (Tarcher, 2009)

"Linda's book proposal tips were the most clear and concise advice I found amidst the sea of pitching how-to's. She helped us craft a proposal that landed us with one of the most powerful literary agents in the business."
—Danielle LaPorte, co-author of Style Statement, Little Brown & Co. (Warner, 2008)

“Linda Sivertsen, you're the best book proposal writer/coach ever! As a bestselling author and legal expert on CNBC, you'd think this proposal stuff would be easy for me. But it can feel way more difficult than law school or taking the bar! You came in and immediately knew what to do with my proposal—moving things around, rewriting sections, and envisioning a bigger vision for this book than even I imagined. I'm so grateful. I’ve been searching for you for a very, very long time!”
—Alexis Martin Neely, America's Personal Family Lawyer and CEO of the Family Wealth Planning Institute

"Linda is a force for transformation, taking people deeper. Those of us who work with her have our message, our words, but then she comes along, and like the wind, breathes life and fire into our message, blowing it into the jet stream to share with the world in a way that is magnificent."
—Kute Blackson, Book in progress
See Kute's video for "Love Now" (YouTube)

First up on Rhonda Britten's acknowledgment page for Do I Look Fat in This?, Rhonda has written: "Today, I am grateful for Linda Sivertsen, my right arm in creating this book. Her editorial guidance, insightful comments, brainstorming, and interviewing support made a good book great."
—Rhonda Britten, Dutton, March, 2006
(Rhonda and Linda completed this book in 12 weeks, while Rhonda filmed her 3rd season of Starting Over—NBC's syndicated daytime reality show. Rhonda won an Emmy for her life coaching on the show in 2005.)

"Fearless Living, the book, would not have been born without Linda Sivertsen's loving guidance, thoughtful critiques and inspired writing. She believed in me before any words were ever written and her heart is interwoven throughout each page. I couldn't have done it without her."
— Rhonda Britten, Author of Fearless Living , Dutton, 2001.
(Rhonda & Linda's proposal for Fearless Living, Rhonda's first book, sold to Dutton after a four-day bidding war for a six-figure, international publishing deal.)

On Amelia Kinkade's acknowledgment page for The Language of Miracles: A Celebrated Psychic Teaches You to Talk to Animals (Foreword by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel), Amelia has written: "Aside from New World Library, I had two other editors who carefully pored over every page of this book. I'd like to thank one of my best friends, author and editor Linda Sivertsen, who lay on her couch with her red pen in hand and her wonderful dogs at her feet. Linda laughed and cried in all the right places and patiently plowed through passages that needed her wise nips and tucks. She also lost her most precious dog in the midst of thie editing. Linda, Brodie's spirit lives on through this book."
—Amelia Kinkade, New World Library, Spring, 2006

Linda has hawk eyes! She is the sharpest editor I've ever seen. Linda's changes were so astute, two weeks after she edited my material, I signed a contract with a prestigious New York literary agency. Since that time, whenever I need guidance on designing my website, outlining a speech, or brainstorming and/or editing for my latest book, Linda is the first person I call. She's not only lightning fast in her brilliance, but has the most integrity of anyone I know. Linda Sivertsen is a Godsend!
— Amelia Kinkade, world-renowned psychic & author of Straight From the Horse's Mouth: How to Talk to Animals and Get Answers, Crown/Random House, 2001, and The Language of Miracles, New World Library (Spring 2006)

"I was completely overwhelmed with the whole book proposal process, and hired Linda to do some consulting and light editing for me after reading an article she wrote for a magazine. She broke it down into easy steps and gave me deadlines. After only a few hours over the phone, I knew that hiring Linda was the best investment I had ever made in myself! If not for her coaching, I'd probably still be sifting through the mounds of instructions on 'how' to write a book proposal."
—Sandy Grason, Managing Editor of Nurturing Magazine, and author of Journalution: Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams, New World Library, Spring 2005

"Linda Sivertsen is a champion for writers! Thankfully I hired her to review the finished manuscript for The Street Kid's Guide to Having It All just before my publisher went to print. She suggested important changes that made the book much stronger, including finding a detail that could have been a legal nightmare. Linda's got GREAT energy, GREAT intuition, GREAT heart, GREAT knowledge of publishing, and she's fast!"
— John Assaraf, Author of The Street Kid's Guide series, Longstreet Press, June 2003 (John's book hit the NY Times list in October of 2003. As one of the stars/lead experts of the hit cult film, The Secret, John has been a recent favorite guest on both Larry King and Ellen.)

"We brought Linda in to write text for a TV pilot I was producing, and her instincts were astonishing. We couldn't believe that she hadn't been in TV her whole career. We used Linda's eye for detail in everything--from text to film editing. Her writing was totally inspired, and she gave us all a creative jolt--a rush of enthusiasm. Collaboration with Linda is 100x better than working on your own. She inspired me more than anyone has in over a decade."
—Elizabeth Lough, www.CinergyCreative.com, Longtime segment producer for Oprah, Extra, Disney & Discovery

"Linda's work is like getting a splash of fresh water on a dirty windshield."
—Peter Mellen, best-selling author of three art books

"Even though I'm a best-selling author, I hate the process of writing. It is so lonely. No amount of expensive writing toys, public declarations of commitment or self-recrimination and shaming could make me write another book. Then I started working with Linda--a gift from God. With her, I am so stimulated, that the words flow from my mouth and she works her magic, and voilà! I've got beautiful text! The world's most successful people are magnetized to her for a very simple reason: Linda brings out the best in everyone she touches."
— Mimi Donaldson, international public speaker and best-selling author of Negotiating for Dummies

"Linda, I can't thank you enough for the brilliant help and support you gave me on my book proposal. Your editing skills are superb and you offered great advice for changes that improved my proposal immensely. It had been languishing at publisher after publisher, but after the improvements you suggested, it sold right away. You are a gifted wise one."
— Chellie Campbell, author of The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction, Sourcebooks (Spring 2002) and From Zero to Zillionaire, Sourcebooks (Spring 2006)

"I am a writing teacher who needed to write a writing book, or so my clients told me, but it was never a reality for me until I met Linda. She made it easy to say yes to myself. She makes it easy to say yes to everything. Linda gives to me what I give to my clients. It is a great gift when someone comes along and offers to hold the space and then delivers more than they promised. With Linda, I feel that I can lean back and know that she will catch me if I fall. That's her legacy. I am only one of many clients who feel held, taken care of, acknowledged, appreciated and cheered on by this profoundly intelligent and big-hearted soul."
— Bruce Gelfand, award-winning playwright and poet, novelist, screenwriter and writing coach. Bruce has been a contributor and script doctor on Academy-Award and Emmy-winning projects.

"I engaged Linda to help me write a proposal for a new book. I found her to be a true pro and a gifted writer. Anyone seeking to work with one of 'the best' needs to connect with her."
— Robin Sharma, best-selling author of five books, including The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari , Harper Collins

"Linda Sivertsen is a blast to work with! Not only did we laugh all of the time, but after my proposal was finished, she walked me right into an incredible agent, who wanted to sign on September on 11, 2001 of all days...when much of the country wasn't even doing business. I had a publishing deal almost immediately thereafter, which Linda also helped choreograph. I highly recommend her work!"
— Nicholas C. Newmont, author of Newmerology: From Sex to Stocks, It's All in the Numbers, Jodere Publishing, Spring 2003

"'I'm never going to stop working with Linda Sivertsen.' This is what I say to myself each time I leave Linda's office. I drive away singing--no kidding--feeling like I've just written five books! Even when I show up in a funky mood, I leave feeling like I can do anything. Linda is my writing vitamin pill and I am so grateful that I was smart enough to listen to my friend and hire her."
—Barbara Deutsch, entertainment & business consultant, author of Open Up or Shut Up

"Linda Sivertsen is the most thorough editor I've ever hired. She is the best."
— Eric Truehart, screenwriter

"Linda Sivertsen is definitely one of the treasures in this world. Buried or not. Working with her is like working with your self on the best day; it's pure energy. She has no problem cutting straight to the chase and making it all seem possible. Then you are given the honesty and expertise that only she can combine. I am blessed to have her destiny connected to my project!"
—Guru Singh, author of Buried Treasure , a novel; proposal in finishing stages

"Linda Sivertsen has a keen insight and a talent for detail that has been invaluable to me in marketing my first book, Sleep Talk . I consider Linda's advice to be an outstanding bargain and eagerly recommend that new authors talk to Linda and heed her wonderfully helpful advice!"
— Lois Y. Haddad, R.N., author of Sleep Talk: A Breakthrough Technique for Helping Your Child Cope With Stress and Thrive Through Difficult Transitions , Contemporary Books, Fall 1999

"As the author of The Truth About Work, many newspaper and magazine articles as well as the primary writer for The WorkShow radio program, I have worked with many editors. Quite simply, Linda Sivertsen is the most gifted editor I've ever encountered. She is also a great teacher. Great teachers inspire their students to become greater versions of themselves. These souls rely on a wide variety of gifts in order to do this. Linda uses strong analytical skills, smart writing, outrageous humor and kindness to produce wonderful results in her clients (from books to website text to corporate brochures). I will never tire of collaborating with Linda Sivertsen."
— David Harder, radio host & author of The Truth About Work & God's Work

"Linda Sivertsen's depth of knowledge about publishing and what it takes to develop and present a salable book proposal are surpassed only by her enthusiasm and skill in sharing what she knows. In a very short time, I went from being someone who had only dreamed of someday writing a book to feeling confident in this new arena (lawyers hate being beginners). Both generous and intelligent in her critical analysis of material and ideas, Linda helped me transform a good book idea into something I am extremely proud of."
— Linda L. Northrup, attorney

Developing Non-Fiction Book Proposals

A book proposal is the business plan publishers need to have before they can offer you a non-fiction publishing deal or advance. This extensive document shows a publisher what your book idea is, why you are the best person to write it, what your market and competition are, and many other important details including chapter summaries and sample chapters. Because this proposal is representing you in the publishing world (usually sent by an agent), it is essential that it be of the highest quality. After all, you want publishing houses to feel confident about investing in you and your dream. Studies show that more than 80% of Americans have the desire to publish, while only 2% do so. "Publishing seems to intimidate most people, and my job is to take the mythical and make it attainable by breaking down the big picture into easy-to-follow steps" says Sivertsen.

Recommending Works to Appropriate Agents & Editors

Linda often refers her clients to top agents and editors she has relationships with. When she feels that a client's work is the best it can be, she calls these contacts and asks if they are interested in seeing their proposals (which they appreciate because they are always looking for great material). Several clients have asked Linda to agent their books and although she would love to offer this service, there is only so much time in a day. She feels fortunate to be able to pass the baton on to those who are pros in this area.

Editing

"I love words and putting them together, chopping and cutting and pasting away." Linda loves taking a corporate brochure for a client that reads less than exciting and giving it punch. She relishes fixing a sentence that otherwise makes the reader say, "Huh?" and finding the hook on page 35 of a project that needs to be upfront where an agent/editor will see it. As an interviewer, she has the ability to listen to a client and make sure that what he or she has written reflects what they're telling her. "I'm not a copy editor, and may not catch every awkward dangling participle," she says, "but I will deliver my best work and help educate you about your next steps."

Consulting

Some clients just want advice. They want Linda to look at their press kit or manuscript or headshots and tell them what is missing. They see her as a manager of sorts and want her overall opinion about their strategy. Linda often refers clients to photographers or graphic designers (for press kits...) or image consultants, who help them become even more saleable. If she doesn't know the answer to their questions, she calls her friends and mentors and finds out. Her advice may not always be easy (as in, You seem to be indifferent to this work, why don't you shift gears and do this...), but is given honestly and may save them years of doing it a harder way.

Linda's Proposal Tips: Free Downloads

Linda's Favorite Book Proposal Headings (PDF)
Proposal Do's and Don'ts (PDF)