Home - Write Now with Jon Tattrie

Your Writing and Publishing Coach

Writing your book will be a life-changing experience.

You will have pulled something deep out of your soul and offered it as a gift to the world.

Inviting friends and family to the book launch, stepping nervously onto the stage, and reading from your book – you'll never forget it.

But the road there is long and lonely, and at times, you may even doubt there is a road!

Are you ready to stop wondering and get writing?

Find your path to publication.

Jon will teach you the craft and business of being an author as you perfect your manuscript. He'll be by your side through the dark nights of the soul, and in the shining moments of inspiration. He's written and published eight books of his own... and helped many other people achieve their dreams.

Book a Call

Meet Jon Tattrie

Your Writing & Publishing Coach

Jon's books have helped raise a church and topple a statue. He's the author of six non-fiction books (including a Canadian best seller) and two novels.
As editor of Atlantic Books Today, Jon regularly works with debut authors and the 40+ Atlantic Canadian publishers who publish their work. He knows what publishers are looking for, and how to turn your manuscript into a publishable book.
Jon has edited books professionally, including working as a developmental editor for Senator Don Oliver's A Matter of Equality.

Click here to find out more about Jon.

Success Stories

"When I told [former Lieutenant Governor] Mayann Francis I could not find a writer and had decided to try to write some words myself (I had quite a few thousand words behind me already), she said she might know of a writer who could help me structure an autobiography. She arranged for a call with journalist and author Jon Tattrie. He gave me some solid advice and I began to write in earnest. What ended up on the page is me, my thoughts, my faults, my weaknesses, my feelings, and my hopes for the world, as clearly as I can write them."
- Senator Don Oliver, Introduction to A Matter of Equality

NOTE: You don't need an introduction from the Lieutenant Governor – simply click here to book a call.

"Thanks to Jon Tattrie and his belief in our story, hundreds of thousands of Canadians have already read the book. Looking back at the whole book-development journey, there would be no one else with such grace, talent, compassion and a sense of respect to our story like what Jon is made of. [It's] something that I can hand down to my children and grandchildren so they will know how they came to be Canadians. Thank you, Jon, from all the Hadhads."
- Tareq Hadhad about Peace by Chocolate: The Hadhad Family's Remarkable Journey from Syria to Canada

"Jon taught for Dynamic Learning for more than a decade. Many of the courses were practical, like how to write a city council report, but students loved his classes and always learned something useful. He is a thorough professional and knows how to get the best writing from everyone. You'll be in good hands."
- Eileen Pease, owner, Dynamic Learning Inc.

What You Need to Know

What's the difference between self-publishing and professionally publishing?

The key differences are who takes on the financial risks, who is responsible for distributing the book, and who gets creative control.

If you go with a professional publisher, they will pay for all of the book expenses and handle its distribution. This also gives them control of the book cover and influence on the manuscript. You get paid royalties, which is a percentage of sales (usually about 10% of the cover price). This is a great fit for most writers and books.

If you go with self-publishing, you take on the costs of editing the book and creating a cover, along with distribution. You retain full control of the entire book and decide with whom you will work. This is a good solution for writers with great books that fall between the publishers' gaps, or when the writer has a platform to sell books. You keep the entire profits from the book, minus the costs of creating it.

Do you need an agent?

No: Canada has two main levels of publishing: regional and national. For most regional publishers, you do not need an agent and can approach the publisher directly. If your book has significant cultural interest and some commercial appeal, this is your best path.

Yes: National and international publishers seek books with significant commercial and cultural appeal. Many don't take "unsolicited" manuscripts and only accept them from agents. Agents earn a portion of your royalties. If your book has large commercial and cultural potential, this is your best path.

What's the difference between a book pitch and a book proposal?

A book pitch or query letter is short and offers a compelling "elevator pitch" designed to catch the interest of your publisher and start a conversation. It can fit into an email. It contains key details about your book and why they would be interested in publishing it.

A book proposal is thousands of words long and acts as a business proposal for your book, selling its commercial and cultural appeal. It'll be sent as an attachment with a query letter. It lays out the case for a publisher to make a significant investment in your book.

The Craft and Business of Being an Author

Write Your Book

Jon will help you turn your raw book idea into a practical plan for writing. We'll focus on the critical steps you take before you get to the keyboard. With his help, you'll build a blueprint for your book and write a smooth first draft, with editorial feedback for further improvements.

3 one-to-one online meetings
Blueprint for book
Chapter outlines
First-draft review of the manuscript

Find Your Publisher

You'll work with Jon to discuss your existing manuscript. Books with significant cultural appeal and some commercial potential will find a home with the more than 40 regional publishers with whom he regularly works. He'll help you craft a book pitch that tells them what they need to know and want to hear, and give you your best shot at publishing professionally.

3 one-to-one online meetings
Ten potential publishers and how to contact them
A perfect book pitch to land a deal

Go Big

Books with significant commercial and cultural appeal could land you an agent and a national or international book contract. It's a long shot, but if you're ready to take it, Jon will show you how to write a book proposal of 5,000-10,000 words that gives agents and national publishers what they need to consider your book. He'll tell you about the major agencies and advise you on how to win them around to your idea.

3 one-to-one online meetings
High-quality book proposal
Key agents to approach for a national/international deal