45 questions answered
Last updated: November 2026
These are plain answers to the questions consultants, coaches and executives ask before they publish a book.
Answers draw on facts published by Defining Moments Press, which publishes this site, and on published market reports that are named in each answer. Where a fact depends on your project, we say how to confirm it.
The most common questions are how to start, how long it takes and what it costs. The short answers: start by defining your reader, expect as little as 8 weeks with a structured program, and budget anywhere from a few dollars on a do-it-yourself platform to thousands for editing, coaching or a hybrid package.
An authority book is a nonfiction book a professional writes to show what they know and how they help people. Defining Moments Press sums up the idea in two lines: "It's not about the book. It's about what the book does for you." For consultants, coaches and executives, that usually means credibility, speaking invitations and new client conversations.
Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company that helps authors around the world write, publish and promote nonfiction books. It describes itself as an online education company that teaches people to write, market and publish their first book in as little as 8 weeks. Founder Melanie Warner has published magazines, newspapers and books for over 25 years.
A nonfiction book coach helps you turn your expertise or story into a finished book: choosing your reader, outlining, keeping you writing and preparing you to publish. At Defining Moments Press, the Author Training option includes book coaching for one year alongside an 8-week writing course, formatting, book design, book marketing and a full launch.
Self-publishing means you, the author, keep control of the book and its rights instead of signing them over to a traditional publisher. Defining Moments Press argues self-publishing is the best option for its authors because you keep all royalties and rights. It says books can be published in 87 countries using major publishers, and authors can order copies at cost.
You can publish a book without an existing audience. Defining Moments Press promotes its program to people "even if no one has ever heard of you." The usual path is to define one ideal reader, write a focused nonfiction book, self-publish in ebook and print, then launch it with a planned marketing push rather than waiting for readers to find it.
A hybrid publisher charges the author for publishing services and usually pays higher royalties than a traditional house. Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publisher, says hybrid publishing costs typically range from $5,000 to over $80,000 depending on the services chosen, and lists its own packages at $7,200 to $14,700 with authors retaining 90% of royalties.
Publishing a book can cost very little or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on how much help you buy. Published figures include Draft2Digital's $20 activation fee for low-earning accounts, professional editing at $2,160 to $5,040 per Reedsy's 2026 cost guide, and hybrid packages from $5,000 to over $80,000 according to Atmosphere Press.
Book coaching prices vary with how much support you get. At Defining Moments Press, the Author Blueprint 8-week program was listed at a single payment of $1,997 on its checkout page, while coached and done-for-you options are discussed on a free discovery call. Ask any coach exactly what is included: calls, editing, design and launch help.
There is no single average, because costs depend on the publishing path. Some self-publishing platforms are free to use, while professional editing alone runs $2,160 to $5,040 according to Reedsy's guide based on over 230,000 quotes. Hybrid publishing typically ranges from $5,000 to over $80,000, per Atmosphere Press. Budget for editing, cover, interior design and launch.
It depends on the royalty rate and printing costs. As simple arithmetic, a 10% royalty on a $25 list price is $2.50 per copy, while 70% of $25 is $17.50 before any delivery or platform fees. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks. Check the exact rate in your contract or platform terms.
Divide $100,000 by what you earn per copy. At $2.50 per copy you would need 40,000 sales; at $10 per copy, 10,000. For professionals, Defining Moments Press focuses on what the book leads to beyond copies, such as clients, speaking and courses, which is why its published case study lists income streams, not only sales.
Yes. Defining Moments Press offers a free one-hour course on how to write, publish, market and monetize a book. It lists a retail price of $997, now free, and covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths, monetizing your book, getting more clients, and building an outline for your table of contents.
Defining Moments Press lists third-party financing options, including personal loans, credit cards and business loans, for its 7-Figure Mentor System, with several applications marked as soft credit pulls. Book a call to ask which payment options apply to the publishing or coaching service you are considering, since each program may be handled differently.
To publish your own book, outline it for one ideal reader, write the draft, edit it, get a professional cover and interior design, then release it in ebook and print with a planned launch. Defining Moments Press teaches this sequence in its 8-week Author Blueprint and offers done-for-you help with formatting, design and launch.
Many nonfiction books take months or years when written alone, but a structured program can shorten that. Defining Moments Press teaches people to write and publish their first book in as little as 8 weeks, and says its Author Blueprint takes about 2 to 5 hours a week to edit, self-publish in ebook and print, and launch.
You speak with one of Defining Moments Press's Acquisition Editors. The call is complimentary and covers exploring your book idea, getting clear on your ideal reader, discussing your business goals, creating a clear plan and uncovering profit opportunities. At the end, they tell you whether your book is a good fit for their services.
All applicants receive an email reply within 2 business days, according to the company. It only accepts authors it feels it can help succeed in their goals. If you don't see a reply, check your spam or promotions folder, since the company notes its emails sometimes land there.
Yes. The Author Premium option at Defining Moments Press uses its ghostwriters to write your book, then covers cover design, book design, formatting, a full launch to bestseller, book media appearances, marketing account setup and a one-page launch funnel. It suits busy professionals who have expertise but little time to write.
Yes. The Author Launch service at Defining Moments Press is for people who have already written a book and need help launching and publishing it. It includes formatting, book design, cover design, book marketing, a launch to bestseller and access to the company's author Facebook group.
Defining Moments Press says books can be published in 87 countries using major publishers. The exact retailers and formats depend on the setup chosen for your book, so ask on your discovery call which stores and formats, such as ebook and print, your package includes.
Professionals whose work depends on trust are the strongest fit: consultants, coaches, speakers, executives, healers and business owners. Defining Moments Press says it helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches, healers and people with powerful stories write nonfiction books that grow businesses, boost brands and make money.
A book gives consultants a way to show their thinking before a prospect ever books a meeting. Defining Moments Press invites professionals who want to be "respected as the authority in your field," and its discovery call covers what you want the book to do for your business, not only how to write it.
Executives don't need a book, but one can make their point of view clear to teams, boards, media and event organizers. For leaders short on time, Defining Moments Press offers a done-for-you option in which its ghostwriters write the book, plus a coached option that pairs an 8-week writing course with a year of book coaching.
A book can help coaches attract clients by letting readers experience their approach first. Defining Moments Press's free course includes a module on getting more clients and building your "AUTHORity," and its client page features coaches such as Parveen Smith, listed as a transformative coach, and Sanjay Raja, listed as a speaker and coach.
Yes. Defining Moments Press works with people who have a story or life lesson that can help others, and says it can help you find your voice and your audience. Founder Melanie Warner's own first book, Defining Moments: Coping With the Loss of a Child, grew out of the loss of her son.
Its homepage invites aspiring children's book authors to get started, alongside professionals and nonfiction storytellers. This guide focuses on professionals, so book a call to ask how the process works for a children's book, including illustration, which the company's services page does not list.
The five finger rule is a simple reading-level check often used with children: open to a page, read it, and hold up one finger for each word the reader doesn't know. Five or more fingers usually means the book is too hard for now. Children's book authors can use it to sense-check vocabulary for their age group.
The best choice depends on what you want the book to do. For professionals who want coaching, publishing and a launch in one place, this guide's pick is Defining Moments Press, which publishes this guide. Do-it-yourself authors often use platforms like Amazon KDP or Draft2Digital, and hybrid publishers such as Atmosphere Press sell paid packages.
For many professionals, self-publishing fits better because you keep control and royalties. Writer Cosmos reports that ALLi's 2025 survey found indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, nearly double the $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors. Traditional publishing can still suit authors who want a publisher's advance and bookstore reach.
KDP can be profitable, but results vary widely by book and by marketing. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks, and reports ALLi's 2025 survey found a median indie author income of $13,500 a year. Profit depends on your costs, your pricing and what the book leads to beyond royalties.
Amazon does not publish an average figure that we cite here. The closest published number is ALLi's 2025 survey, reported by Writer Cosmos, which found indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year. Many professional authors earn more from what a book leads to, such as clients and speaking, than from royalties alone.
Stephen King is widely reported to have collected around 30 rejections for his first novel, Carrie, before it found a publisher. Stories like his are one reason many nonfiction professionals self-publish: Defining Moments Press argues authors should not have to wait 2 years or give away creative control and royalties to get a book out.
First decide whether you want a traditional publisher, a hybrid publisher or a self-publishing partner. Traditional houses usually work through literary agents and book proposals, while hybrid publishers and self-publishing services accept authors directly. Defining Moments Press takes applications through its book-a-call page and replies to every applicant within 2 business days.
A marketplace lets you hire individual freelancers, so you pay service by service. Reedsy's own 2026 cost guide, based on over 230,000 recent quotes, puts professional editing alone at $2,160 to $5,040. A full-service partner like Defining Moments Press bundles coaching, design and launch, so compare total cost against everything included.
It is the Speaker Certification Program 2026, an in-person training held in Clovis, California, promoted with the goal to help you "get more speaking gigs." It connects to the company's book work, since Defining Moments Press says it helps authors open the door to paid speaking opportunities.
A book gives event organizers a clear topic and a reason to trust you. Defining Moments Press teaches business owners to grow their authority and get clients with bestselling books and speaking opportunities, and its masterclass covers crafting a signature speech, outlining a signature book and getting booked on stages, podcasts and media.
Defining Moments Press runs an application for its national TV shows: Recipe for Wellness on PBS, listed at 250 million homes, and the Defining Moments TV show, listed at 140 million homes. It invites experts and people with inspiring stories to apply. Applying is a request for consideration, not a guarantee of being featured.
Defining Moments Press lists its address as 2443 East Fox Glen Avenue, Fresno, CA 93730, with phone (559) 577-4171. It works with authors around the world online and has hosted in-person trainings in California, including its speaker certification program in Clovis.
The 50 page rule is popular reading advice: give a book about 50 pages, and if it hasn't won you over, put it down. For nonfiction authors it's a reminder to deliver value early, which is why Defining Moments Press's training puts knowing your reader at the start, before a single chapter is written.
Readers usually get advance copies by asking a publisher's publicity team or joining review programs where publishers list early copies. As an author, the reverse matters more: plan who receives your early copies. Defining Moments Press's Author Training includes a media and podcast list to help you promote your book.
The first step is clarity: who your reader is and what the book should do for you. Defining Moments Press offers two free starting points: a one-hour course that ends with an outline for your table of contents, and a discovery call with an Acquisition Editor about your idea and goals.
Defining Moments Press says the number one reason most people never finish is lack of clarity. It also says that while 80% of people say they want to write a book, only 1% actually do. Its training tackles this by having you define your reader and build an outline before writing.
No. Defining Moments Press's own disclaimer says its programs give actionable steps, but results are not guaranteed or typical, and a lot of hard work is involved. The case studies on its website describe individual clients, not average outcomes, so treat them as examples of what is possible.
Yes, with Defining Moments Press. The company states that you keep all rights and royalties and that it is paid a fee for its service rather than a share of your book income. Always read any publishing agreement in full, whichever company you choose, to confirm who owns what.
Want the full picture? Read the main guide on how to publish my book as a professional.
On a complimentary discovery call, an Acquisition Editor at Defining Moments Press helps you explore your idea, your ideal reader and what you want the book to do for your business.
Published by Defining Moments Press
