An Opportunity for Determined Authors
(and Would-be Authors)
If you want to publish a book, with a big publisher, you need a platform.
A platform?
Publishers frequently turn down fascinating book proposals, even when they’re beautifully written, because they can’t see evidence of a potential readership.
An author with potential readers is an author with a platform. But it can’t be just any platform. It must be the right platform for the book in question.
Here’s a text-message exchange I was sent just 15 minutes ago:
Authors write book proposals to demonstrate not only that they (we!) can write well, but also to show that we have an appropriate platform.
This doesn’t apply only to conventional publishing. Even if you are positively determined to self-publish, you need a platform. Otherwise, you might as well print out a single copy of your book using your desktop printer, and stick it in a drawer.
Publish Your Book, With JPF is a group for people who want to write a book AND find readers for it.
It’s for writers who may possibly hate self-promotion but accept that it must be done.
And it’s for writers who want to do all these things in company, with mutual support and shared ideas.
In the group, we do a lot of work on book proposals so that we can become clear about the kind of book we want to write, and who our readers are. But it’s also a place to improve as writers of compelling non-fiction.
(Non-fiction, at its best, uses all the tools of fiction.)
It’s a place to spin off material from your book while you’re writing it – and also afterwards – to use elsewhere.
How does that sound?
What Could You Achieve?
Writing a book proposal is central to this group. But it’s about so much more than that because the book proposal can open up all kinds of other things:
- a book idea to develop further
- a website to create
- a book to launch
- a business to restart
- a month-long daily newsletter to publish
- a social media platform to venture onto
- a podcast to launch
- an exhibition to put on
- a “hobby” to take professional
- a start-up to start up
- an international awards scheme to launch
In this group, there’s no hierarchy of achievement. We all have our own ambitions. The group is here to help you achieve them.
One of my favourite moments in a previous group was when a participant looked frankly astonished that the rest of us thought she had a great idea for a new project – and realised that she would have to get on with it.
Who Is This For?
Members tend to be people I know at least a little. They have a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and that’s very much A Good Thing.
I’d like the age range to be broad, because that means a greater range of inquisitiveness and wisdom. Typically, the groups I’ve run had more women than men, though it wasn’t vastly unequal. Nearly half lived outside the UK.
I would like to improve the diversity of the group, in every way.
What You Get
✅ A group Zoom call, every first and third Wednesday of the month, at 12.30pm to 1.30pm (UK time).
✅ A private online group for participants to share ideas, support and accountability between sessions – on “Signal”/.
✅ Confidentiality, which brings with it the freedom to be honest.
✅ Practical guidance on writing, including timeless issues such as:
- scene-setting with all five senses
- using dialogue to drive narrative
- building suspense and pattern-making across a whole book
✅ How to use AI to
- make sense of ideas you generate by talking off the top of your head
- brainstorm tirelessly and quickly
- draft and rewrite at speed
✅ How to spin off material out of your book to help with promotion before and after publication. This spin-off material may take the form of writing, audio or video.
What Happens In The Zoom Calls?
The first thing to say: we don’t waste time talking in general about writing. We talk about specific issues you’re wrestling with, and look closely at pieces of writing, so that you leave with practical results.
The session format can vary, to meet specific needs, but essentially it goes like this:
- Somebody reads the group rules.
They’re listed below. - Individuals check in briefly, reporting on the week just gone.
- Three x 10 minute sessions, for individuals to use as they wish.
Some may just want to talk, to get an idea out of their head. Others may want feedback. I once used my 10 mins to question one of the others, an expert on a topic I needed help with. Depending on the size of the overall group, we may do some of these 10-min slots in breakout rooms. - Finally, in breakout rooms, we share what we have planned for the weeks to come.
And after the session we post those resolutions in the private online group, to hold ourselves accountable.
As you see, the focus is very much on Getting Things Done, but the calls are also a good place simply to share how you feel. The full range of emotion is welcome: from raw to ecstatic.
Often, you won’t really need ideas, feedback or advice. You know exactly what you want. But it makes all the difference in the world to share that with other people – people who will support you because they know you will support them.
How do you know that? Because the support is mutual, and it’s based on confidentiality.
In previous, similar groups, I’ve tried to set the tone for openness by talking about my 2018 breakdown, and how I gradually recovered. As you see, I’m doing that here – outside the group – but nobody else needs to. Nor (of course) do you need to have gone through anything similar.
What Are The Group Rules?
- Be committed, with clarity of purpose (whatever it is).
- Show up to every meeting.
- Come prepared.
- Give encouragement and support.
- There is no hierarchy of achievement. We’re all just trying to do what we set out to do.
- Don’t share elsewhere who you see or what you hear.
You might be surprised how much value comes from reading these aloud at the beginning of the Zoom.
Time Commitment
It’s important that you attend regularly, and come on time. If you don’t think that’s going to be possible, please don’t apply.
Mutual support is fundamentally based on being there for each other, if only for a couple of hours each month.
Before each Zoom, you’ll need to take a few minutes to prepare:
- a one-minute summary of what was achieved in the last week
- a willingness to take 10 mins talking to the group about a specific project / problem / opportunity / big win / crazy idea, and get feedback on it
- a one-minute summary of what to do in the week ahead (this may change during the Zoom, but it’s good to start with something)
About Me
Probably most important: I have previously run several online groups, several times.
I trained in coaching with CTI (Californian, but we did it in London), and have done hundreds of hours of one-to-one coaching.
I’ve done a lot of group facilitation, much of it stemming from my training in theatrical improvisation (I once invited about 100 people on stage, from an audience of 5000). For seven years, I ran classes at The School of Life in London.
And I’ve done lots of one-to-one and group therapy (as patient), so I’m OK if strong emotions arise occasionally.
Additionally, I’m the author of seven books, including A Modest Book About How To Make An Adequate Speech. I worked for many years as a feature writer and editor on The Financial Times and The Sunday Times, interviewing well known people, and taking a variety of jobs (taxi driver, assistant undertaker, high-rise window cleaner) in order to write about them. I have run my own website (this one) since about 2002, produce my own podcast, and created and exhibited my art. I’ve been self-employed since 2005.
I list all this because I may be able to help you with some of it – but I’m keen to have people in the group who know more than me about any and all of these things.
Why? Because so much value comes out of the group itself. Forging connections between all participants, not just from the centre or the top, makes everybody stronger.
A network like that doesn’t need a top, or a centre.
But of course groups don’t just spring up out of nowhere. Somebody has to create them, and send out invitations. That’s why you’re here, reading this.
What Is It Worth To Join?
In my own case, shifting from being “just” a writer to being and doing some of the other things I’ve mentioned was rewarding – astonishing, really – but also extremely difficult.
I had been very happy as a journalist, on prestigious titles but the industry was torn apart by digital media, and the future looked bleak.
I ventured into the areas listed above, and got by, for a long time, through sheer self-will. I don’t want to be falsely modest: I’ve achieved quite a lot. I’m incredibly fortunate.
But it exhausted me, I ended up in psychiatric hospital. Though I still do most of the work myself, I know now that it’s important to have real, meaningful support.
Recently, somebody asked me what I would do if I didn’t have to earn a living. I’d probably do something like this.
I enjoy it and I would do it for nothing. But I’ve found, against my hopes and expectations, that people undervalue what they don’t pay for. And I do need to earn a living. So I charge for participation.
Testimonials
A gang of amazing people rooting for you, supporting you, motivating you, offering valuable feedback and thoughts regarding whatever it is you want to ask them – and I love being able to offer my two cents worth when it’s another person’s turn. The main thing I achieved? Successfully completing the month-long pop-up Newsletter Challenge.
— J.C.F., Participant
Thank you JP and everyone, it’s been such a pleasure to find a new group of people to really form connections with. Most of all, it’s been such an open and honest space and I’ve really admired the way everyone has embraced that. Being part of the group has made me braver about being creative… I’ve made lasting connections at a time when life has felt often very disconnected.
— P.S., Participant
I get new ideas and perspectives discussing projects others are working on. I can often apply these thoughts on my own projects. It helped me to verbalise processes and plans, what I want to achieve, and how to achieve it. Sharing in a sort of team gives me a chance to feel more supported in my work. I finished my website to a state that I have launched it online!
— J.vB., Participant
This was incredibly useful, both in the group and the one-to-ones. Things that were on the back-burner have been given the attention they deserve, to be more than a hobby. And you couldn’t ask for a nicer group, there’s nobody I wouldn’t want to have with me on a desert island. I was worried about fitting it in, but it was a great thing to look forward to.
— A.G-Q., Participant
What a lovely group of people. It has made me think about all the creative people across the globe struggling to impose a good balance in their lives of things they need to do to survive physically, alongside things they want to do, to survive mentally. You have all impressed me with your vigour and grip on the modern way of promoting yourselves and making an incision for yourselves in a very crowded world.
— H.P., Participant
I have loved being part of this encouraging and supportive group. Thank you so much for creating and running it. It has been wonderful to get to know a new circle of people, especially at a time when the opportunity for social connection is so limited. The weekly check-in has also helped me stay focused on working on the book project and gain some vital momentum.
— R.W., Participant
I have found it an excellent focus for the week, have looked forward to hearing others’ varied experiences, ups and downs – it was very inclusive and uplifting, especially for those of us who work from home alone much of the time, which be quite isolating. I was especially delighted with the positive reception for my long-shelved book idea, which provided a much-needed confidence boost. I have considered it a privilege to hear about others’ work lives and challenges, and the open-minded honesty and mutual support expressed have been very refreshing in a social media world of either rose-tinted self-representation or barbed opinions.
— F.W., Participant
Infrequently Asked Questions
Q1: What exactly is this group program?
A1: This is a small group program for authors writing book proposals and books. It offers editorial guidance, accountability, and mutual support through bi-monthly Zoom sessions and a private Signal group chat.
Q2: How often do group meetings occur?
A2: The group meets twice a month on Zoom, at midday UK time on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Q3: What happens during the Zoom sessions?
A3: During the sessions, members discuss specific writing issues they’re facing and have opportunities to go deeply into specific pieces of current work. The focus is on practical results and addressing immediate concerns.
Q4: Is this only for published authors and writers with book deals?
A4: No, the group welcomes authors at all stages – from those with book deals to those just starting out, including self-publishers.
Q5: What additional resources are available?
A5: Members get access to various resources, including guidance on writing techniques (like scene setting and dialogue), using AI for writing, and creating content for book promotion.
Q6: How does the Signal group work?
A6: The Signal group is a secure, encrypted messaging platform where members can interact with each other and with the host John-Paul Flintoff, ask questions, and find support between Zoom sessions.
Q7: How much does it cost to join?
A7: The regular monthly fee is £397.
Q8: Is there a minimum commitment period?
A8: No, there’s no minimum commitment. You can stay as long as you need and leave at any time.
Q9: Can I use AI tools as part of this program?
A9: Yes, the program encourages and provides guidance on using AI for brainstorming, drafting, and rewriting. But it’s not obligatory!
Q10: How does this program help with book promotion?
A10: The program offers strategies for creating promotional materials as you are writing, building a platform, and engaging with potential readers before and after publication.
Q11: How many people are typically in the group?
A11: The group size is not fixed. The intention is to remain a small group, so that each member can receive personalised attention.
Q12: Can I join if I’m not based in the UK?
A12: While the Zoom meetings are scheduled at midday UK time, there are no geographical restrictions.
Q13: What if I can’t attend all the Zoom sessions?
A13: The zoom sessions will be recorded, and the Signal group chat allows for ongoing communication between sessions, so you can still participate and benefit from the group even if you miss some Zoom meetings.
Q14: Is there any one-on-one time with John-Paul Flintoff?
A14: The program is designed as a group experience, but you’ll have opportunities to discuss your specific issues during the Zoom sessions and in the Signal chat.
Q15: How does this program differ from traditional writing workshops?
A15: This program offers ongoing support and focuses on practical results rather than being a one-off workshop. It also incorporates modern elements like AI usage and platform building.
Q16: Can I share my work-in-progress with the group for feedback?
A16: Yes, the Zoom sessions include looking closely at specific pieces of writing, so you’ll have opportunities to share your work and receive feedback.
Q17: Is there a refund policy if I find the group isn’t right for me?
A17: The flexible nature of the membership allows you to leave at any time without further obligation.
Q18: How long has this group been running?
A18: This particular programme is new, but John-Paul has worked with authors over several years, in person and online.
Q19: Are there any success stories from previous group members?
A19: While specific success stories aren’t mentioned by name, John-Paul talks about working with authors who have secured book deals with UK and US publishers.
Q20: Can I upgrade to one-on-one sessions with John-Paul if I need more personalised help?
A20: Subject to availability you can upgrade to work one to one with John-Paul for a month at a time. Please ask if you feel you need additional support.
How To Apply
Because of the highly interactive nature of the group, I always intended to limit numbers: definitely no more than 25 people (a whole Zoom screenful).
I’m looking for the best possible mix of people, with a hunger to be part of it. For that reason, it’s generally by invitation only. But if you’d desperately like to join – I can’t imagine why you are still reading otherwise – please take a moment to send me an email, answering these two questions:
- What would you like to get out of joining the group (bare minimum)?
- And what would be an insanely ambitious outcome?
I’ll get back to you asap, with details about fees, how to pay, and anything else you might want to know.
Please be aware that sending an email doesn’t commit you to anything!
Thank you for your time. I do hope you can be part of it.
John-Paul / JP / Jip / Japes
(or whatever else you call me)
