Free Author Resources
Navigate the business side of writing with clarity, direction, and momentum.
Writing is creative. A writing career is by design
These free resources are here to help you take your next step with more confidence — whether you’re exploring publishing paths, building your platform, marketing your book, or simply trying to figure out where to begin.
Start Here: Find Your Next Step
Not sure where you are on the author journey — or what to do next? Start with these simple tools designed to help you gain clarity before you invest time, money, or energy in the wrong direction.
Publishing Path Decision Guide
Traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, or self-publishing? This guide will help you begin sorting through your options so you can move forward with more confidence.
Assessment Quiz
Take a quick quiz to discover where you are in your author journey and what next step may fit you best.
Free eBook: 10 Essential Steps to Kickstart Your Author Career
A practical guide to help aspiring authors gain clarity, direction, and momentum as they begin navigating the business side of writing.
Keep Learning on the Authorpreneur Compass Blog
Need practical guidance for the business side of writing?
The Authorpreneur Compass Blog is filled with articles to guide you as you
navigate publishing strategy, author platform growth, book marketing, visibility, networking, and the writing life.
Whether you’re just beginning or trying to build more momentum,
you’ll find clear next steps, encouragement, and practical tools for your author journey.
Free Author Tools
Quick Start Author Checklist
A simple checklist to help you review the basic pieces every aspiring author needs as they begin building a writing career with intention.
Assessment Quiz
Take a quick quiz to discover where you are in your author journey and what next step may fit you best.
Free eBook: 10 Essential Steps to Kickstart Your Author Career
A practical guide to help aspiring authors gain clarity, direction, and momentum as they begin navigating the business side of writing.
Training & Coaching
Ready to go a little deeper?
Watch for upcoming webinars, workshops, and MasterClasses
designed to help authors navigate the business side of writing with more clarity and confidence.
Topics may include publishing strategy, author platform growth, book marketing, networking, visibility, and building a writing career with intention.
Webinars
Short, focused teaching sessions designed to give you practical next steps without overwhelming you.
Workshops
Short, focused teaching sessions designed to give you practical next steps without overwhelming you.
Coaching
Need personal direction for your author journey? Coaching gives you space to talk through where you are, where you want to go, and what next step makes the most sense.
Want more detailed insights?
Clarity. Direction. Momentum.
Download my free Authorpreneur Compass Guide and other resources to help you confidently move forward in your writing journey.
Enter your email below and I’ll send them straight to your inbox.
Start Your Author Journey
7 Essential Tips to Gain Clarity, Direction, and Momentum
Start Your Author Journey
7 Essential Tips to Gain Clarity, Direction, and Momentum
You’ve just taken a powerful step by exploring these tips.
But knowing what to do and actually moving forward are two different things.
1.
Know Your Target Audience
Who are you writing for? Identifying your target audience helps publishers see the market potential of your book. Understanding your readers' demographics, interests, and needs is crucial for tailoring your content to resonate with them.
2.
Know Your Genre Inside and Out
Become an expert in your genre. Research best-selling authors, review popular books on Amazon, and read extensively within your genre. This helps you confidently discuss your book’s market position and articulate what makes it unique. Also, be ready to share the influences that have shaped your writing.
3.
Craft a Strong Author Bio
Who are you writing for? Identifying your target audience helps publishers see the market potential of your book. Understanding your readers' demographics, interests, and needs is crucial for tailoring your content to resonate with them.
4.
Showcase Your Platform
Demonstrate your established platform, such as a newsletter, podcast, blog, or articles. A robust platform shows your ability to engage and grow an audience, which can significantly impact how publishers perceive your work.
Take Your Next Step with Confidence
5.
Prepare a Compelling Book Proposal
Create a strong book proposal that includes a clear synopsis, market analysis, and your book's unique selling points. A well-crafted proposal shows that you understand your book’s market and have a solid plan for its success.
6.
Clarify Manuscript Rights and Status
Be transparent about the current status of your manuscript’s rights and completion. Inform publishers whether your rights are available or if previous contracts might affect new deals. Also, specify whether your manuscript is complete or still in progress.
7.
Prepare a Compelling Book Proposal
Create a strong book proposal that includes a clear synopsis, market analysis, and your book's unique selling points. A well-crafted proposal shows that you understand your book’s market and have a solid plan for its success.
Be Yourself (bonus tip)
When meeting industry professionals, learn about them beforehand and find common ground. Treat the interaction as a friendly introduction—share enough to pique their interest without oversharing. Remember, they want you to succeed because your success reflects on them too.
I created the Authorpreneur Compass Guide and other Author Resources
to give you clarity, direction, and momentum on the business side of writing.
Start Here
Publishing Path Decision Guide
Free downloads
Assessment Quiz
Authorpreneur Marketplace
Quick Start Author Checklist
Author Networking Checklist
Bookstore Outreach Guide
Other downloads
Training & Learning
Webinars
Workshops
MasterClasses
Navigator's Bookshelf 📚
Books I personally recommend for authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the resources recommended on this page may contain affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through those links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books, tools, and resources that I have personally used, trust, or believe will provide value to authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs.
Helpful Industry Links
Authors Guild
NSA
Other organizations
About DeeDee Lake
Business Coach for Authors, DeeDee Lake has been guiding authors on the business side of writing for eight years. With DeeDee you receive a coach, cheerleader, encourager and navigator all in one!
Navigating the Publishing Industry
Let's do the journey together!
Checklists and eBooks
Step-by-step instructions and checklists to get you started and to stay on your publishing path. Grab an eBook on various topics.
Webinars and Workshops
Explore our live webinars and in-person workshops on various topics for directions to success.
Online Course
Coming Fall 2024
Video course to traverse the journey from Manuscript
Publishing
Platform Building
Networking
Sales
Coaching Packages
Limited Time Offer: sign up for 1-1 coaching our group coaching before Online Course is released.
When the limited time offer expires the Online Course completion will be required before purchasing coaching packages.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
By engaging the services of DeeDee Lake Consulting, you agree to abide by the following terms and conditions outlined below. Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of each client. All information shared with DeeDee Lake Consulting during the consulting process will be treated confidentially and will not be disclosed to third parties without the client's consent.
DeeDee Lake Consulting reserves the right to decline any project that is deemed to be in conflict with our values, ethics, or expertise. Clients are responsible for providing accurate and timely information necessary for the successful completion of the consulting project.
Fees for consulting services will be determined on a project-by-project basis and will be outlined in a written agreement signed by both parties before the commencement of services. Payment for consulting services is due upon receipt of invoice unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
In the event that the client wishes to terminate the consulting agreement, they must provide written notice to DeeDee Lake Consulting. Any fees paid for services rendered up to the point of termination are non-refundable.
DeeDee Lake Consulting will make every effort to meet deadlines and deliverables as agreed upon in the consulting agreement.
