What exactly happens during the 15-minute Book Assessment?

This is a strategic consultation—not a sales pitch. You'll speak with our co-founder to evaluate three things: (1) whether your existing content and expertise can realistically become a revenue-generating book, (2) what the potential ROI looks like based on your current business model and goals, and (3) if now is strategically the right time to move forward or if you should wait. You'll walk away with clarity on your next steps, whether that's working with us, pursuing it independently, or focusing on other priorities first.

I'm not sure if I'm "ready" for a book. Should I still book an assessment?

Absolutely. In fact, most people who book aren't sure if they're ready—and that's exactly what the assessment helps you figure out. We'll look at your current content (speaking, writing, frameworks you use with clients), your business model, and your goals to determine if you have the foundation for a book that drives ROI. If you're ready, great—we'll show you the path. If you're not, we'll tell you exactly what needs to happen first so you don't waste time and money on a book that won't move the needle.

Is this really free, or is there a catch?

It's genuinely free with no obligation. We've found that not everyone is the right fit for a strategic book project—and that's okay. Some people need more time to build their platform, clarify their methodology, or validate their offers before a book makes sense. The assessment helps both of us determine if there's alignment. If there is, we'll discuss what working together looks like. If there isn't, you'll still walk away with valuable insights about your book's viability and what your next steps should be.

What should I prepare before the call?

Nothing formal. Just come ready to discuss your expertise, what content you're already creating (speaking, writing, social media, client conversations), your current business or career goals, and what you'd want your book to accomplish. The more context you can share about what you do and who you serve, the more specific and valuable our recommendations will be. But don't stress about preparation—this is a conversation, not a presentation.

How is this different from other book consultations or publishers?

Most book consultations focus on writing craft or traditional publishing metrics (like getting an agent or hitting bestseller lists). We focus on business outcomes. Our question isn't "Can you write a book?"—it's "Can your book realistically generate ROI through high-ticket clients, speaking opportunities, strategic partnerships, or new revenue streams?"

What's the return on investment (ROI) beyond just book sales?

A book is a powerful tool to establish authority, boost your brand, and unlock new opportunities. Our clients have leveraged their books not just for sales, but to secure high-profile speaking engagements, attract new clients, and create multi-million dollar opportunities. By positioning the book as a strategic asset, they open additional revenue streams—such as consulting, coaching, workshops, digital courses, and strategic partnerships—that fuel long-term growth and broaden their business impact.

Can Author.inc help me market my book?

Yes! We integrate comprehensive marketing strategies into our publishing process to maximize your book's impact and ROI. Rather than a short pre-launch blitz, we help you develop a sustainable, long-term marketing approach that positions your book as a dynamic growth asset. From differentiating your book in a crowded market to crafting a compelling launch strategy and providing "done with you" marketing support, we're with you every step of the way. You're not just getting a book launch partner—you're gaining a growth partner. Our weekly "Author Hours" coaching sessions offer year-long support, ensuring your book continually attracts new clients and business opportunities. We focus on strategic guidance to help elevate all your marketing channels and assets, driving ongoing business success.

Do I retain ownership and control of my book?

Absolutely. At Author.Inc, you're in control—your book, your story. Unlike traditional publishers who keep rights and most royalties to drive profits, we empower you to own every detail. You decide everything from content and design to the final manuscript approval. We even encourage strategies like giving your book away for free when the opportunities it creates far outweigh per-copy sales. With our expert guidance and access to top creatives, you maintain creative freedom and retain all the benefits—royalties and beyond.

Author.Inc Book Blueprint | Create Your Custom Book Plan

Q: Who is the Author.inc process designed for?

We engineered our services from the ground up to help time-starved experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who want to share their expertise, elevate their brand, and make an impact. If you value efficiency and the highest quality results and don't want to go through the cumbersome and poor experience of working with traditional writers and publishers, we're the perfect partner for you.

The Problem

Do not write the wrong book beautifully.

Most founders do not fail because they lack ideas. They fail because they start with the wrong book: too broad, too vague, too disconnected from the reader, or too detached from the business outcome it is supposed to create.

A topic is not enough. A serious business book needs a bullseye reader, a sharp problem, a clear transformation, a credible point of view, and a reason to exist now.

Before the Blueprint

Turn a loose book idea into a strategic decision.

The Blueprint is designed to reduce uncertainty before you invest in a full publishing process.

Without it

You may be starting with a topic.

A broad audience

The reader sounds important, but not specific enough to write for.

A vague promise

The idea feels valuable, but the transformation is hard to name.

An unclear point of view

The book risks sounding like advice the market has heard before.

An uncertain business case

It is hard to know whether the book can justify the next investment.

After it

You leave with a book worth building.

A bullseye reader

A clear picture of who the book is for and why they should care.

A sharper promise

A stronger articulation of the problem, stakes, and transformation.

A credible angle

A point of view that fits your expertise, stories, and authority.

A clear next step

Proceed, refine, or wait, with a strategic reason behind the call.

If the idea is strong, your $2,500 Blueprint is credited toward Author.Inc Publish for 6 months.

Start Your Blueprint →

The Blueprint

We find the strongest version of the book before you commit.

Four editorial lenses. One clear recommendation on whether the idea is ready, needs refinement, or should wait.

Lens 01

The reader

Who the book is really for, what they already believe, and what they need to understand before they trust you.

Lens 02

The promise

The core problem your book solves, the transformation it creates, and why that promise is worth paying attention to now.

Lens 03

The authority

The expertise, stories, proof, and point of view that make the book unmistakably yours.

Lens 04

The business case

How the book can support authority, clients, speaking, partnerships, recruiting, media, or other business outcomes.

How It Works

A focused editorial sprint, not a generic assessment.

Step 01

Intake

You share the raw material: your idea, audience, goals, expertise, and what you hope the book can make possible.

Step 02

Strategy session

You meet with a senior Author.Inc editor to clarify the strongest direction for the book, with our Head of Publishing managing every step.

Step 03

Editorial review

Our team pressure-tests the idea against audience, positioning, authority, business value, and timing.

Step 04

Blueprint delivery

You receive a custom Book Blueprint PDF with a clear recommendation: proceed, refine, or wait.

What You Receive

A clear roadmap for your book idea.

Enough clarity to know whether the idea is ready, what needs to be sharpened, and what the next right move should be.

Validate the idea

We pressure-test whether the book has a real reason to exist and whether the concept can carry a serious nonfiction business book.

Book idea validationCore problem and promise

Clarify the reader

We identify who the book is truly for, what they care about, and what they need to believe before the book can move them.

Bullseye reader clarityAudience tension and stakes

Sharpen the point of view

We look for the angle, authority, stories, and market signal that make the book feel distinct instead of generic.

Point-of-view directionAuthority and market signals

Map the business case

We connect the book to the opportunities it can help create: clients, speaking, media, partnerships, recruiting, or category authority.

Business leverage mapROI path

Your Book
Blueprint

A concise strategic roadmap, delivered as a custom PDF.

Proceed

Confidential · Prepared by Author.Inc

ProceedThe idea is strong enough to build.

RefineThe idea needs sharper positioning.

WaitThe timing or business case is not ready.

Also Included

An Author Hours call with Charlie Hoehn.

Join a live group call reserved for our paying authors. See what working with Author.Inc is like from the inside, and get direct advice from Charlie Hoehn on your book idea.

The room our
authors learn in.

Questions

Book Blueprint questions.

Everything you need to know before you start. Still unsure? Write us at hello@author.inc.

This is a focused editorial sprint, not a sales pitch. You complete a short intake, then meet with a senior Author.Inc editor in a working strategy session, with our Head of Publishing managing the process end to end. Our team pressure-tests your idea across four lenses: the reader, the promise, the authority, and the business case. Within 7 to 10 business days, you receive a custom Blueprint PDF with a clear verdict: proceed, refine, or wait. You also join an Author Hours call with Charlie Hoehn, a live group session with our paying authors, to get direct advice on your idea.

That uncertainty is exactly what the Blueprint resolves. Most founders arrive with a topic, not a book. We look at your expertise, your audience, and your business goals to find the strongest version of the idea. If it is ready, you will know why. If it is not, you will know precisely what needs to happen first, so you never spend a year writing the wrong book.

Then the Blueprint just saved you a six-figure mistake. A "refine" verdict comes with the specific positioning work the idea needs. A "wait" verdict comes with a strategic reason and the conditions that would change the call. Either way, you leave with a roadmap, not a rejection.

If you move forward with Author.Inc Publish within 6 months of receiving your Blueprint, the full $2,500 is credited toward your engagement. The Blueprint becomes the strategic foundation of the book, so none of the work is repeated. You simply start ahead.

Most book consultations focus on writing craft or traditional publishing metrics, like getting an agent or chasing bestseller lists. We focus on business outcomes. Our question is not "Can you write a book?" It is "Can this book realistically generate ROI through high-ticket clients, speaking opportunities, strategic partnerships, or new revenue streams?"

We engineered our services from the ground up for time-starved experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who want to share their expertise, elevate their brand, and make an impact. If you value efficiency and the highest quality results, and don't want the cumbersome experience of traditional writers and publishers, we are the right partner.

A book is a powerful tool to establish authority, boost your brand, and unlock new opportunities. Our clients have leveraged their books to secure high-profile speaking engagements, attract new clients, and create multi-million dollar opportunities. Positioned as a strategic asset, the book opens additional revenue streams like consulting, coaching, workshops, courses, and partnerships that fuel long-term growth.

Absolutely. Your book, your story. Unlike traditional publishers who keep rights and most royalties, you decide everything from content and design to final manuscript approval. You own the IP and keep 100% of royalties, with our expert guidance and access to top creatives along the way.

Validate the book before you write it.