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Chapter 01 / Field guide

A nonfiction book coach for professionals and experts

A nonfiction book coach helps a professional turn expertise or a life lesson into a finished, published book. At Defining Moments Press, nonfiction book coaching pairs an 8-week writing course with up to a year of coaching, then carries the book through design, launch, and media outreach, so the book works for your business and authority instead of sitting in a drawer.

Last updated: · Published by Defining Moments Press

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Field note

Do I need a nonfiction writing coach if I already know my subject?

Often, yes. Knowing a subject and shaping it into a book are different skills. Defining Moments Press says the number one reason most people never finish is lack of clarity, not lack of knowledge.

A coach helps you decide who the book is for, what to leave out, and how the book connects to your business goals.

The case

Why professionals write a nonfiction book first

Panel 01

What a nonfiction book coach at Defining Moments Press does

A nonfiction book coach at Defining Moments Press helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches, healers, and people with powerful stories write, publish, and sell books that grow businesses, boost brands, and make money. The coaching starts before a word is written: you get clear on your reader, your business goals, and the profit opportunities the book can unlock.

The company works from the view that it is not about the book, but about what the book does for you. That shapes the coaching around outcomes professionals care about: being respected as the authority in your field, getting more clients, and opening the door to paid speaking. Writing still matters. The 8-week course and coaching keep you moving through each chapter until the manuscript is done.

Panel 02

What changes once the book exists

Defining Moments Press says its students are often surprised by the opportunities that appear once their book is out. Its case studies describe clients who used a book, a speaking platform, or coaching to launch or grow a business.

  • One client sold over 10,000 books and became an international #1 bestselling author.
  • The same client gave a TED talk and is now paid for corporate speaking events.
  • Another, Kim, was invited to speak at one of the biggest companies in the world 2 days after a training.

Client results as reported by Defining Moments Press. Results are not guaranteed or typical.

First conversation

What happens in your first nonfiction coaching conversation?

  1. 01

    Explore your book idea

    Get clear on the best approach for writing, publishing, and marketing the book.
  2. 02

    Clarify your ideal reader

    Decide who the book serves and how to connect with them on the page.
  3. 03

    Discuss your business goals

    Name what you want the book to do for you: clients, authority, speaking, or legacy.
  4. 04

    Create a clear plan

    Know the next step in your author journey, whichever program you choose.
  5. 05

    Uncover profit opportunities

    Find ways the book can earn, even before you write one word.

These five steps are how Defining Moments Press describes its free discovery call with an Acquisition Editor. At the end, you hear whether your book is a good fit.

Curriculum

What does the free nonfiction book course cover?

If you want to start alone, the free one-hour course covers six modules. Its page lists a retail price of $997 and says it is now free.

  • Module 01Define your expertiseWho should write a book, and which types of books are the most profitable.
  • Module 02Know your readerOnce you know who the book is for, the rest of the process falls into place.
  • Module 03Self-publishing mythsThe benefits of self-publishing compared with a traditional publisher, with pros and cons of each.
  • Module 04Monetize your bookHow to plan a $10,000 book launch and set the book up for success before it is written.
  • Module 05Get more clientsHow a book can bring clients to an existing business and build your authority.
  • Module 06Get clarity and an outlineLeave with an outline to complete your table of contents.

Honest fit

When is a different kind of help a better fit?

Nonfiction coaching fits best when you want the book in your own words and want it tied to a business or mission. If your manuscript is already finished, Author Launch DFY handles publishing and launch without coaching. If you have no time to write, Author Premium DFY uses ghostwriters. If you are writing a novel, a fiction-focused coach is a more natural match. Compare the roles in book coach vs editor vs ghostwriter, or return to the book coaching services guide.

Quick answers

Nonfiction book coach: common questions

What is a nonfiction book coach?

A nonfiction book coach helps experts, professionals, and people with a life lesson turn what they know into a book readers can use. Defining Moments Press focuses on nonfiction and says it helps entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches, healers, and people with powerful stories write, publish, and sell books that grow businesses and boost brands.

More in the FAQ

Do I need an audience before I write a book?

No. The Defining Moments Press homepage describes a path to a bestselling book even if no one has ever heard of you. Its free course and discovery call start with defining your expertise and knowing your reader, which matter more at the beginning than the size of your current audience or social following.

More in the FAQ

Can coaches and consultants use a book to get more clients?

That is a central use case. Defining Moments Press teaches business owners how to grow their authority and expertise and get more clients with bestselling books and speaking opportunities. Its free one-hour course includes a module on getting more clients and building your authority as an expert author.

More in the FAQ

Is book coaching a good fit for first-time authors?

Yes. Defining Moments Press describes itself as teaching people how to write, market, and publish their first book in as little as 8 weeks. Its case studies also include an author who had written a book before but sold very few copies, then went on to sell over 10,000 books after working with the company.

More in the FAQ

What if I do not know what to write about?

Start with your expertise and your reader. The Defining Moments Press free course covers who should write a book, the most profitable types of books, and how to know your reader. By the end of the one-hour training, you are meant to have an outline to complete your table of contents.

More in the FAQ

Why do most people never finish writing their book?

Defining Moments Press says lack of clarity is the number one reason most people never finish. The company also states that 80 percent of people say they want to write a book but only 1 percent actually do. Its programs start with an outline for that reason, before any chapters are written.

More in the FAQ

Read all 46 answers in the book coaching FAQ

Keep reading

More chapters in this field guide

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Published by Defining Moments Press