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From Workshop to St. Martin's Press: Stephen Harrison's Journey to a Major Book Deal
by Writing Workshops Staff
9 hours ago
When Stephen Harrison signed up for a nonfiction writing seminar in the summer of 2025, he already had an impressive résumé: bylines in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and WIRED, plus a debut suspense novel under his belt. What he didn't have was a clear path to turning his next big idea into a traditionally published book.
That changed after one pivotal seminar.
Stephen, a writer and tech lawyer, had spent years covering the intersection of technology and society. His column for Slate magazine explored Wikipedia and internet information, establishing him as a thoughtful voice on digital culture.
But when he conceived of The Power of Print: The Case for Paper & Ink in the Age of Technology, a science-backed argument for why analog tools remain superior for focus, memory, and clear thinking, he knew he needed expert guidance to craft the kind of proposal that would catch a major publisher's attention.
That's what led him to WritingWorkshops.com and Mark Owen Gottlieb's Literary Agent Seminar Series.
Stephen enrolled in Pitch Perfect: Crafting a Compelling Nonfiction Book Proposal, a focused seminar designed to help writers structure proposals that highlight marketability, audience, and unique selling points.
The seminar proved transformative. Mark Owen Gottlieb, a highly-ranked literary agent at Trident Media Group, walked participants through the essential components of a winning proposal: the hook, overview, competitive analysis, chapter outline, and author platform.
When Mark got in touch with us to share this publishing news, we couldn't be more excited for Stephen.
The connection Stephen made during that workshop extended far beyond the classroom. After the seminar, he and Mark began working together. Mark saw the potential in Stephen's timely, counterintuitive argument, especially given growing concerns about screen time, attention spans, and AI's impact on cognition.
The result? A book deal with St. Martin's Press, one of the most prestigious imprints in publishing.
The Power of Print is pitched for readers of Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation and Johann Hari's Stolen Focus, two bestsellers that have sparked national conversations about technology's toll on our minds. Stephen's book will feature a foreword by Aaron Rasmussen, founder of MasterClass, adding further credibility to his science-backed case for going analog.
"Thrilled to share news of The Power of Print," Mark Owen Gottlieb announced on Instagram. "This science-backed nonfiction makes a bold, timely case for why paper and ink—not screens—remain our most powerful tools for focus, memory, and clear thinking in the age of AI."
For Stephen, the journey from workshop participant to St. Martin's author represents the kind of career milestone that validates the importance of investing in craft and professional development, even for established writers. His success demonstrates that knowing how to present your ideas to the publishing industry can be just as crucial as having great ideas in the first place.
As for what's next, Stephen continues to write his newsletter exploring books, AI, and Wikipedia, and readers can follow him on Substack. With The Power of Print on the horizon, he's positioned to spark important conversations about our relationship with technology, and perhaps convince a few more people to pick up a pen.
Ready to write your own success story? Whether you're dreaming of a book deal, seeking agent representation, or looking to level up your craft, WritingWorkshops.com offers expert-led courses designed to help you achieve your publishing goals. Join our community of writers who've transformed their aspirations into achievements—your breakthrough could be just one workshop away.
