Managing a Book Development Session

Last edited by Marge Brown on 18th September 2026

Book Development Sessions are required for all PRO projects. Occasionally they are included in custom Classic packages. (For a Classic package, there is a Content Strategist, but no Development Editor.)

Who runs these sessions?

• Content Strategist leads the one-hour session itself, using the Standard Book Development Session Agenda and Report Format.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hzav0MBO7ecbqNSETHHcU3ge6mtERo0Tb-6ccgLv3Kg/edit?usp=sharing

• Senior Editorial Project Manager schedules the session, coordinates attendees, records the session, and drafts the report afterward.

See the attendee table below for the full team and what each person contributes.

When does this happen in the project?

• Typically scheduled once the Writer match has been confirmed with the Client, the Development Editor and Content Strategist are in place, and before interviews begin.

What to check first?

• Confirm all required attendees are available: Client, Content Strategist, Writer, Development Editor, and PM for the proposed date and time, taking time zones into account.
• Send the Client the prep questions in advance (audience, purpose, key themes, anecdotes, structure) so they arrive with material to share, not a blank page.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18ZagrJuhpjdE2-cI6-7phupQKgyuhsiWcK3H8U2QX44/edit?usp=sharing

• Share any internal notes with the editorial team from any pre-session interviews ahead of the session so the discussion builds on what's already been learned from the client rather than repeating it.
• If any members of the client’s team have not met, introduce them in a 15-minute Zoom call prior to the session.

Process

Make sure your Zoom account is set to record in the cloud and to create transcripts in the Settings.

• 1. Schedule the session. PM sends a calendar invite with the Zoom link to all attendees once the Writer match is confirmed. Monitor everyone’s attendance confirmation.
• 2. Send the Client a prep email. Include the session date/time, a short overview of what to expect, the prep questions (audience, purpose, themes, anecdotes, structure), and a brief roles/attendees summary so the Client knows who's in the room and why.
• 3. Run the session. Open the Zoom session and hit the Record button. Content Strategist leads the full hour using the Standard Agenda: Welcome & Introductions, Author's Vision, Target Audience, Core Message & Themes, Key Stories & Anecdotes, Narrative Structure, Tone/Voice/Style, and Process & Next Steps.
• 4. Complete the Book Development Session Report. Immediately after the session, when it’s ready, download the transcript from Zoom. Upload it to Claude with the Standard Book Development Session Agenda and Report Format (above) and any other internal client notes from previous discussions relevant to the client’s vision for their book. Use this prompt for Claude to create the draft report: Use this content to create the Book Development Session Report for (Client Name).
• 5. Edit the report as needed, and send it to the Content Strategist for final edits.
• 6. Distribute final report to all attendees within 2 business days of the session. Sample report:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VbiewBkTE7UaGWtUfyxx4CgEFP82GKKe/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110270110109934256833&rtpof=true&sd=true

• 7. Store report in ST PRO Shared Drive client folder.

Attendees and Roles

What's next?

• Interviews continue (or begin, if not already underway).
• The PM prepares the project timeline to share with the Client and the project team.