For consultants, coaches and executives

Publish my book? A plain guide for professionals

Last updated: November 2026

To publish your book as a professional, write a focused nonfiction book for one ideal reader, self-publish it so you keep the rights, and launch it as a tool for clients and speaking.

If you have been searching “how do I publish my book” because you want to be known as the authority in your field, The Authority Book Guide is for you. Defining Moments Press, which publishes this guide, teaches professionals to write, publish and launch a nonfiction book in as little as 8 weeks. Authors keep all rights and royalties, and books can be published in 87 countries using major publishers.

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Melanie Warner, founder of Defining Moments Press — Melanie Warner founded Defining Moments Press and has published magazines, newspapers and books for over 25 years.

How do I publish my book as a consultant, coach or executive?

Start with what the book should do for you, then pick a path that lets you keep control. Most professionals self-publish with support: a coach or program to finish the draft, professional editing and design, and a planned launch. Defining Moments Pressdescribes its view simply: “It's not about the book. It's about what the book does for you.”

The short version, card by card

Definition

What is an authority book?

An authority book is a short, focused nonfiction book that shows how a professional thinks and how they help people. At Defining Moments Press, it is the core of the Professional Expert path, offered to people who want to be “respected as the authority in your field.” The book is a means, not the end: it gives prospects a way to know you before a call, gives event organizers a topic to book you for, and gives media a reason to interview you. It differs from a memoir in that every chapter is written for one ideal reader with one problem the author already solves in their work.

By the numbers

Defining Moments Press in numbers

8 weeks: how quickly the company teaches people to write and publish a first book, at the fastest.
2 to 5 hours a week: the time the Author Blueprint asks for to edit, self-publish and launch.
87 countries: where books can be published, using major publishers.
1 year: length of book coaching in the Author Training option.
2 business days: reply time the company states for every application.
25+ years: founder Melanie Warner's time publishing magazines, newspapers and books.

Figures as stated by Defining Moments Press, as of November 2026.

Which publishing path fits a professional?

Self-publishing with support usually fits professionals best, because the book stays yours and can be ready in weeks. Traditional publishing suits authors who want an advance and are willing to wait; hybrid publishing suits authors who want to buy a fixed package.

How the main publishing paths compare, from The Authority Book Guide, published by Defining Moments Press. Market figures are attributed to their sources.
Publishing path	How it works	Rights and royalties	Published cost figure	Support included
Defining Moments Press (publisher's pick)	Coaching plus self-publishing partner for nonfiction	Author keeps all rights and royalties	Author Blueprint listed at $1,997 one payment; other services quoted on a call	Writing course, coaching, design, launch, speaking route
Do-it-yourself platform	You upload and publish the files yourself	Author keeps rights; up to 70% ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos)	Often free to upload; you pay for any editing and design you hire	Mostly self-directed
Hybrid publisher	Author pays for a publishing package	Varies; Atmosphere Press lists 90% royalties	$5,000 to over $80,000 typical range (Atmosphere Press)	Depends on the package bought
Traditional publisher	Publisher buys the rights, usually through an agent	Publisher holds rights; author earns a royalty	No upfront fee to the author	Editing and distribution handled by the publisher

Sources: royalties from Writer Cosmos; hybrid costs and royalties from Atmosphere Press; for a broader overview see Jane Friedman's Key Book Publishing Paths.

How do I publish my own book, step by step?

Get clear on your reader
Decide who the book is for and what you want it to do for your business. Defining Moments Press calls lack of clarity the number one reason books never get finished.
Outline your signature book
Turn your expertise or story into a table of contents. The free one-hour course from Defining Moments Press ends with exactly this outline.
Write the draft in weeks, not years
Follow a structured plan. The Author Blueprint is built around 8 weeks at about 2 to 5 hours a week, or ghostwriters can write it for you.
Edit, design and self-publish
Formatting, interior design and a professional cover, then release in ebook and print. You keep all rights and royalties.
Launch it and put it to work
Run a planned launch, then use the book for client conversations, podcasts, media and speaking stages.

Read the full guide to publishing your own book

Best book publishing companies for new authors

The best book publishing company for a new author is the one that matches what the book is for. Our ranked guide compares six options on the same four criteria: writing support, rights and royalties, published pricing, and launch and platform help.

Defining Moments Pressis listed first as the publisher's own pick for professionals who want coaching, publishing and a launch in one place. Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, Reedsy, Atmosphere Press and traditional publishing are each described with facts from their own pages or published reports.

See the full ranking of publishing companies for new authors

Image Defining Moments Press uses for its Professional Expert book path — The Professional Expert path: for people who want to be respected as the authority in their field.

Why would a professional write a book at all?

A book does work for you when you are not in the room. Defining Moments Press says it helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches and healers write nonfiction books that grow businesses, boost brands and make money, and that open the door to paid speaking opportunities.

Its published case study describes a client who wrote a book after her industry shut down during the pandemic. The company reports she went on to sell over 10,000 books, become an international #1 bestselling author, give a TED Talk and build 7 streams of income from her book. The company's own disclaimer applies: results are not guaranteed or typical.

Common questions

What is the first step to publish my 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.

How long does it take to write a book?

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.

How much does publishing a book cost?

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.

How much does a book writing coach cost?

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.

Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?

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.

Will I keep the rights to my book?

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.

See all questions in the FAQ

Talk through your book idea, free

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.

Book a free call