The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide

“Absolute instructional dynamite. So smart, so comprehensive, so assured, so essential that a writer won’t need any other guidance. TCETAG: Where the hell have you been all our lives? No matter, you’ve finally arrived. Read and be utterly illuminated.” – Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao“Finally! Here is a clear road map to accomplish what every author wants: to write a book that matters. If you have expert advice or important knowledge to share, The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide provides a step-by-step approach to bringing your book into the world.” – Jean Greaves, Ph.D., international bestselling coauthor of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 “This is the indispensable authors’ guide to developing a book’s raison d’être; writing sparkling, authoritative content; creating a compelling proposal; and garnering a publishing contract. Everything you need to know is within its cover. Highly recommended. – Matthew McKay, Ph.D., cofounder of New Harbinger Publications and author with sales of five million books“This book is like having two seasoned editors sitting beside you, gently guiding you from idea to finished manuscript. Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty don’t just teach writing—they teach clarity, focus, and the mindset of an author.” – Susan Albers, Psy.D., New York Times–bestselling author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, and Hanger Management “As a busy agent, I hate when I have to pass on a project simply because the proposal doesn’t yet reflect the depth or potential of the idea. The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide shows prescriptive nonfiction authors how to put their very best work on the page, bridging the gap between ‘a clever idea’ and ‘a publishable book that commands attention.’” – Laura Mazer, literary agent“Writing a book is half the battle. The other half is marketing it. Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty nimbly cover both, with savvy strategies for building a realistic and authentic author platform—even for introverts.” – Fauzia Burke, founder of FSB Associates and author of Online Book Marketing for Busy Authors“As a three-time nonfiction book author, this is the resource I wish I had had when I started out. Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty offer an accessible, step-by-step guide that answers every question aspiring nonfiction writers will have. If you want to reduce your overwhelm and imposter syndrome, and finally get your nonfiction book written and published, I highly recommend this book!” – Jill Stoddard, Ph.D., author of The Big Book of ACT Metaphors, Be Mighty, and Imposter No More“Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty’s proven methodology—complete with tools, templates, and thoughtfully designed homework—demystifies the book-writing process and keeps you moving forward, even when self-doubt or overwhelm threatens to derail you. Whether you have an idea or a half-finished draft, you’ll find a clear path to a polished, publishable manuscript—and grow your visibility and credibility along the way.” – Meagan Francis, author of The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read“What I love most about this book is that it genuinely honors how many experts’ brains actually work: nonlinear, idea-rich, intuitive, and sometimes overwhelmed by how much there is to say. Instead of telling you to ‘just write,’ The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide offers a structure that sparks and captures brilliance, and sustains creative energy.” – Kendhal Hart, Psy.D., LPC-S, LPCC, author of Treating Trauma with EMDR and IFS“Admitting you’re an expert with a book idea is the first step. Admitting you’re not an expert author is the second step. Accomplished book coaches Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty deliver advice that will save you time, boost your confidence, and multiply your impact through every step of your book-writing process.” – Sabina Nawaz, former Microsoft executive, Fortune 50 coach, and USA Today–bestselling author of You’re the Boss

Marisa Solis is a book coach, developmental editor, and cofounder of Book Structure Pros, a boutique editorial services company. Since her start in travel guidebook publishing in 1999, she has worked on more than 500 nonfiction books. Her specialties are self-help and wellness. Marisa lives in Los Angeles.

Elizabeth Dougherty is a book coach, developmental editor, and cofounder of Book Structure Pros. She has worked in publishing since 1988 and was an executive editor at Weldon Owen. Her focus is on parenting, health and wellness, and women’s leadership. Elizabeth holds a master’s from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and lives in Palo Alto, California.

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