The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide: How to Plan, Write, and Publish Your Nonfiction Book

Learn how to turn your expertise into a clear, compelling nonfiction book that reaches the people who need it most.

"A smart and stylish guide to writing and publishing a nonfiction book." —Kirkus Reviews.

"If you've been thinking about writing a book but aren't sure where to start or how to finish, The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide will give you the structure, strategy, and support to bring your book to life -- and publication."— Midwest Book Review

Whether you're a consultant, coach, educator, healthcare provider, or entrepreneur, writing a book can expand your influence and help more people benefit from your ideas. The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide provides a practical, step-by-step roadmap for moving from concept to finished manuscript without getting stuck along the way.

Written by veteran editors and book coaches Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty, who have guided hundreds of nonfiction books from idea to publication, this hands-on guide walks you through every stage of the writing process with clarity and confidence.

Here’s what makes The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide an essential resource:

• A Clear Road Map for Writing Your Book: Follow a proven framework that takes you from initial idea to completed manuscript with manageable, actionable steps.

• Designed for Experts and Professionals: If your profession involves helping people improve their lives, turn your knowledge into an advice-based nonfiction book.

• 25 Practical Exercises and Writing Tools: Writing prompts, preformatted templates, and market analysis exercises help you clarify your message and stay focused.

• Structure Your Book with Confidence: Develop your advice-based book’s premise, fine-tune your framework, and strengthen your table of contents upfront—making writing faster and less stressful.

• Navigate the Publishing Process: Write a book proposal, explore publishing paths, and build the platform needed to reach your audience.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book but aren’t sure where to start or how to finish, The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide gives you the structure, strategy, and support to bring your book to life.

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.