How to Write a Nonfiction Book Class

In our new class, you'll learn exactly how to prepare for, outline, and write a nonfiction book from WSJ bestselling author Joe Bunting.
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The Step-By-Step Process to Finish Your Nonfiction Book

Learn what it takes to write a great nonfiction book (and get published). In this 4-part class, you'll learn the step-by-step writing and publishing process for nonfiction books, from how to come up with a great idea to how to structure your book to how to write a book proposal and get it published.

Nonfiction books follow a very specific writing and publishing process that's totally different to other forms of writing, and if you don't know the process, you will have a very low chance of getting published. For example, did you know that in the nonfiction publishing world, you write a book proposal first before writing the book? And that if you do write the book, it's a major red flag to publishers?

However, once you learn the right process in this class, you'll know exactly how to accomplish your writing and publishing goals.

Here are the topics we’ll cover in each lesson:

  • Lesson 1: Getting Started with Your Nonfiction Book. Learn what nonfiction books are, the different types and reasons for writing them, and how to come up with a compelling book idea. The lesson breaks down the key elements of a strong nonfiction book premise and provides a framework for crafting an interesting angle on your topic that will appeal to readers.
  • Lesson 2: How to Outline a Nonfiction Book. Learn why outlining is crucial for nonfiction books and how to create an effective outline based on your book's type or genre. The lesson breaks down the key structural elements and content types to include in outlines for how-to, investigative, reference, memoir, and other major nonfiction categories.
  • Lesson 3: The Nonfiction Book Writing Process. Learn a proven 10-step process for writing a nonfiction book, from choosing your topic and creating a book proposal to drafting, revising, and publishing your finished book. The lesson covers key strategies like conducting content experiments to test and refine your ideas, build your authority, and grow your audience before you even start writing your book.
  • Lesson 4: How to Write Nonfiction Book Chapters. In this final class, you'll learn how to write compelling chapters for your nonfiction book using several powerful structures such as the problem-driven, promise-focused, story-driven, and encyclopedic models. The lesson breaks down the key elements to include in your chapters and shares examples of how to outline your book using a combination of these proven formulas to engage readers and clearly convey your book's core ideas.

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How to Write a Nonfiction Book
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About Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is a Wall Street Journal bestselling writer, book coach, and the founder of The Write Practice, with fourteen years experience transforming aspiring authors into published authors.

Joe’s believes everyone deserves the chance to share their story, and since 2010, he has been demystifying the writing, editing, and publishing processes and guiding thousands of people to become authors.

The Write Practice, the writing community Joe founded in 2011, is one of the world’s leading resources for creative writers. It has reached over 25 million readers since 2011 and is cited by educational institutions globally for its practical take on the creative writing process.

More than anything, Joe is driven by a passion to help people who dream of sharing their stories and ideas with the world. He is committed to guiding aspiring writers through the hurdles of writing and publishing, from tackling writer’s block and structuring their stories, to obtaining professional feedback and mastering the intricacies of the publishing industry.

Joe Bunting

Learn from Joe Bunting and Other Authors Today

At The Write Practice, our mission is to create experiences that help you transform from aspiring writer to published author.

That’s why we’re so excited to host monthly classes to give you the training you need to get published and accomplish your writing goals.

Sign up now, or learn more below.

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2024 Class Schedule

Find out what classes we have planned for the following year. Note: This schedule is subject to change.

November

Book Study: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (literary)
Instructor: Bestselling author Joe Bunting

December

TBD

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Past Classes

All past classes may be purchased individually, and some are included with your classes membership.

Book Study: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

Book Study: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

In this two-part book study of National Book Award-winning author Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses, you’ll learn how to write a literary novel and what makes a novel "literary" in the first place. 

Building Scenes

Building Scenes

Learn how to construct compelling, well-paced scenes that enhance your storytelling. Using real-world examples and practical exercises, this two-part course breaks down the essential elements needed to create powerful and engaging scenes.

Book Study: Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Book Study: Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

In this three-part book study of Nebula Award-winning author Naomi Novik’s NY Times Bestseller A Deadly Education, you’ll study the craft of one of the most exciting and successful sci-fi/fantasy authors. 

Plot Type Mastery

Plot Type Mastery

Do you know which of the 9 types of story you're writing? Do you know how plot type works with form to create stories that just work? Learn everything you need to understand what's really going on at the heart of your story. By the end of this class taught...

Book Sales Tactics

Book Sales Tactics

Ready to take your book sales to the next level? Join us for our impactful two-part workshop, "Book Sales Tactics," designed specifically for authors looking to boost their market presence and skyrocket their sales. 

Membership Bonuses

You can sign up for individual classes, but when you sign up for a membership, you’ll also get all of the following.

The Write Structure Course Mockup

The Write Structure Course

Master book structure for fiction, memoir, and nonfiction and learn to write or edit your masterpiece.

Foundations of Publishing Mockup

Foundations in Publishing

How do you get published and become a professional author? In this extensive course, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to become an author in the 21st century.

Professional Editing

Book Writing Library

10+ hours of video lessons on the ins-and-outs of writing a great book.

There’s more though. You’ll also get:

Community Access

Build your writing team in a community of writers who want to help you succeed.

Get Feedback in Our Writing Workshop

Post your writing and get feedback from your fellow writers in our writing workshop.

Get Published in a Literary Magazine

You’ll have exclusive submissions to our partner literary magazine, Short Fiction Break.

Join Our Writing Contests

Put your skills to the test in our regular writing contests.

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Pricing

Sign up for one class or join as a member and save 50 percent, plus get bonuses!

Take How to Write a Nonfiction Book Class

Take One Class
$99/class
  • Live. Get full access to the live lessons of this class.
  • Recordings. Watch the recorded lessons at any time.
  • Feedback. Share your writing in the workshop.
  • Existing Course Access. Get access to existing courses. An $838 value.
  • Bonus: Publish your writing on Short Fiction Break
  • Bonus: Writing contest entry
Join One Class

Classes Membership

Save 50 percent and get $1,000+ in resources
$49/month
  • Class. Take any class live.
  • Feedback. Share your writing in the workshop and get feedback on your writing.
  • Existing Course Access. Get access to existing courses like The Write Structure, Foundations in Publishing, and many more previously taught classes. A $1,233 value.
  • Bonus: Publish your writing on Short Fiction Break literary magazine
  • Bonus: Writing contest entry
Join Classes

Pricing

Ready to take How to Write a Nonfiction Book Class?

Take How to Write a Nonfiction Book Class

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$99
  • Lifetime Access. Get lifetime access to this class to take the recorded lessons at any time.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question not covered above? Find it here or contact us.

I don't know if I can make it to the live lessons. Will they be recorded?

Yes! All the lessons will be recorded, so if you can’t make it live, make sure to sign up for the paid course to watch the recordings.

Plus, if you sign up for a memberhsip, you’ll have access to many past courses, including Foundations in Publishing and The Write Structure Course.

What if don't live in the United States?

This course is open to all authors and aspiring authors, whether in the United States, Europe, Australia, India, or elsewhere. If you want to write a book, this course is for you. Keep in mind that you’ll gather live on Zoom several times a month with your mastermind cohort, and let us know in your application which of our available time slots works best for you.

When do the payments for the membership end?

You can continue to receive the classes, access to the community and workshops, and access to past classes indefinitely. If you’d like to end your payments, just let us know at admin [at] thewritepractice [dot] com. 

Do the classes include individualized feedback?

The membership plan includes access to our writing workshops where you can receive feedback on your writing.

Our instructors always make an effort to connect with students, but they’re not able to provide feedback. If you’d like coaching and feedback on your writing, please consider signing up for 100 Day Book, our book coaching program, or 1 Year to Publish, our writing mastermind. Thanks!

You Need to Learn the Craft.
Let’s Do It Together!

If you want to get published, there’s no way around it. You have to learn the craft of writing. You also need to learn how the publishing industry works. Plus you need a team who can support you along the way.

At The Write Practice, we want to support you in every facet of the writing process, starting with learning the craft. 

Our unique, practical approach will help you put what you’ve learned to use immediately so you can start becoming a better right away.

Then, we’ll give you the tools to get feedback and share your writing with the world.

Sign up for classes and let’s get started transforming into a published author today. 

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