Get Signed Student Success Story

When Dr. Aseem Desai first encountered Lucinda Literary, he wasn’t yet a signed author—but he was well on his way. His journey from unpublished memoirist to signed author of a groundbreaking big idea book, Perception: What We See, What We Miss, and Why It Matters, offers a powerful example of how to get a nonfiction book deal with the right guidance, clarity, and platform. For aspiring nonfiction writers, literary agents, and publishers alike, his success is both a case study and an inspiration.

Discovering the Right Publishing Path: How to Get a Nonfiction Book Deal

Dr. Desai first learned about Lucinda Halpern through a program hosted by memoir expert Marion Roach Smith. Struck by Lucinda’s market insight and practical approach to publishing, he immediately picked up a copy of her bestselling book, Get Signed, and enrolled in Lucinda Literary’s Masterclass Bundle in May 2024.

Although initially focused on submitting his memoir, a one-on-one consultation with Lucinda became a defining moment. Her candid feedback—that the proposal focused too much on him and not enough on other characters or big ideas—sparked a major pivot. Lucinda’s words, “You’re a nonfiction writer, and your platform is there,” gave him both clarity and permission to reimagine the project.

The Accelerator Effect: How to Get a Nonfiction Book Deal Through Coaching That Clarifies and Converts

Following that pivotal consultation, Dr. Desai enrolled in the Book Publishing Accelerator —a structured, guided experience designed for nonfiction authors who want to get a book deal. By August 2024, he had not only completed the program but gained the confidence and strategic tools to shift from writing about himself to writing for the reader.

“The combination of Lucinda’s direct feedback and the structure of the Book Publishing Accelerator helped me move from writing about myself to writing for the reader,” he says. “The programs clarified my message, strengthened my positioning, and helped me bring together decades of experience in a way that felt both meaningful and marketable.”

📘 About the Book: Perception

Originally conceived as a memoir rooted in trauma and healing, Perception evolved into a big idea nonfiction book grounded in science, psychology, and spirituality.

As a cardiac electrophysiologist and integrative health advocate, Dr. Desai draws on decades of clinical and personal experience to explore the heart–mind connection. In Perception, he examines how our three nervous systems—mind, heart, and gut—influence how we interpret reality. The book calls for a shift from individual bias to collective clarity in a world increasingly divided by misunderstanding.

“We often say ‘perception is reality,’” Dr. Desai reflects, “but the deeper goal of Perception is to help us move toward a shared reality—one marked by less conflict and greater connection.”

From Imposter Syndrome to Thought Leader

One of the most powerful parts of Dr. Desai’s transformation was internal. Despite years of clinical success, he, like many physicians, struggled with imposter syndrome and a distorted self-perception. Through the help of Lucinda’s team and his own deep mindfulness and neuroscience background, he reframed his experience to serve a broader audience.

His shift from memoir to big idea nonfiction illustrates a key publishing principle: successful books are written for the reader, not just about the author.

The Timeline to Getting Signed

From his first enrollment in May 2024 to signing with Lucinda Literary just under a year later, Dr. Desai used every step of the journey to refine his voice, explore ideas, and prepare for publishing success. By March 2025, Perception was ready. He submitted his revised query letter—expertly shaped through book proposal coaching—and the rest is history.

A Final Word to Fellow Writers on How to Get a Nonfiction Book Deal

Dr. Desai’s story is a powerful reminder that publishing success doesn’t happen overnight—but with the right tools, mentorship, and mindset, it does happen. His journey reflects the core of what Lucinda Literary offers nonfiction writers: real results through strategic support.

If you’re an aspiring author ready to take the next step, don’t wait. Whether you’re refining your proposal, preparing your query letter, or searching for a literary agent, the Masterclasses and Book Accelerator Program at Lucinda Literary offer the guidance and accountability to help you get signed.

→ Want to turn your book idea into a signed deal? Join our next Book Accelerator cohort or schedule a 1:1 consultation to get started.

About Dr. Aseem Desai

Dr. Aseem Desai is a cardiac electrophysiologist, author, and speaker who explores the heart–mind connection through the lens of science, philosophy, and spirituality.