Author Resources
Tools, guides, and clarity for every stage of your writing and publishing journey.
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Writing A Book Can Feel Overwhelming
You don't have to do this alone
This Resources page is designed to give you the clarity, support, and direction you need, no matter where you are in the process. Everything here is written in plain, friendly, non-jargon language so you feel informed and empowered, not intimidated. Browse our guides, definitions, checklists, and articles below.
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AUTHOR ESSENTIALS
Essential Resources for Any Author
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Don’t Write the Wrong Book (Free Webinar)
Learn the hidden pitfalls that cause authors to waste time, lose momentum, and accidentally write the wrong book. This guide helps you avoid common missteps and brings immediate clarity to your book idea.
And if you’ve ever wished you could just ask someone…
If you’ve got a question about writing, publishing, marketing, or you simply want to hear what other authors are working through, this space is for you.
Every first Tuesday of the month at noon EST, we host a live Ask Me Anything Hour, where you can get real-time support, clarity, and answers, no registration, no pitch, just honest help.
VIDEO + AUDIO RESOURCES
Explore Our Video and Audio Resources!
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Recently Featured Interviews!
View Now!
Write better books in an AI world
Avoid the wrong book for business
Turn your book into a client engine
In this Between Two Coaches interview, publishing strategist Ally Machate breaks down why books still matter in a content-saturated (and AI-flooded) world—and how to make yours a true business asset. She shares how to avoid writing the “wrong book,” choose the right publishing path, and leverage your launch for long-term visibility and clients.
Previous Podcast Interviews
GUIDES, CHECKLISTS & TEMPLATES
These resources help you make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
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Ready to Publish Checklist:
Download Now!
Learn the nine steps every successful book project goes through.
Find out if you're ready to compete on the (virtual and physical) shelves.
Identify which steps you may be missing and get tips on how to check those items off your list.
ARTICLES FOR AUTHORS
Practical insights, expert advice, and compassionate guidance from inside the publishing world.
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Latest Articles
How to Know When Your Book Is Really Ready for an Editor
You’ve been asking yourself “when is my book ready for an editor?” All the while, you’re still revising, tightening, moving
“Launch Strategies That Fit You” with Ally Machate on the Twin Flames Studios Expert Panel
Your book represents a significant investment of your time, energy, and money, and lends authority to your unique voice: Launching
“From Draft To Demand: Publishing Strategies That Grow Your Business” With Ally Machate on Between 2 Coaches Podcast
A book can be an immensely powerful business asset, but only when you write the right book. Ally Machate brings
Why Your Book Marketing Strategy Isn’t Working (And What to Fix First)
Most authors who feel stuck with their book marketing strategy share one thing in common: they’re working hard. They’re posting,
The Right Book is Your Best Business Asset! Ally Machate on the Authors on a Mission Podcast
Ally Machate transformed her lifelong passion into her life’s work, and she understands the importance of both vision and strategy
Turning Books into Strategic Business Assets with Ally Machate on The COO Solution Podcast
Seasoned publishing professional Ally Machate joins host Derek Fredrickson on this episode of The COO Solution Podcast for a conversation focusing on
Author Glossary
Clear definitions for the most important terms in writing, editing, publishing, and book marketing.
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Explore Important Terms
Many authors feel embarrassed that they “don’t know the language.” You don’t need to. This glossary gives you simple, supportive definitions of the terms you’ll see along your journey.
Below are some of the most commonly searched terms like book editing services, developmental editing, book coach, manuscript evaluation, self-publishing help, book marketing, publishing terms, book strategy session.
Core Writing & Editing Terms
What is developmental editing?
Developmental editing is the big-picture stage of editing. It focuses on structure, clarity, organization, pacing, argument, and the overall strength of your ideas. A developmental editor helps you shape your manuscript so it effectively communicates your message and serves your audience.
What is a manuscript evaluation?
A manuscript evaluation is a professional review of your draft. It identifies strengths, weaknesses, structural issues, audience alignment, and next steps. It is often the first step authors take before developmental editing.
What does a book coach do?
A book coach guides you through planning, writing, and revising your book. They help you clarify your ideas, develop your structure, stay accountable, avoid common mistakes, and understand what your book needs at every stage.
What does a book strategy session include?
A book strategy session is a focused consultation where your book’s purpose, message, audience, structure, and goals are clarified. You leave with a personalized plan and clear next steps.
What is copyediting?
Copyediting improves grammar, punctuation, consistency, tone, clarity, and flow at the sentence level. It ensures your writing is clean, precise, and professional.
What is line editing?
Line editing focuses on style, voice, clarity, rhythm, and readability. It improves how your writing sounds and how effectively your ideas are expressed.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is the final check before publication. A proofreader corrects typos, formatting errors, repeated words, spacing issues, and any remaining small mistakes.
Publishing Terms Every Author Should Know
What is self-publishing?
What makes a book publishable?
A publishable book has a clear message, strong structure, polished writing, professional editing, and content that meets the needs of its intended audience. It is well-organized, readable, and aligned with the author’s goals.
Self-publishing is when authors publish their books without a traditional publisher. The author hires professional editors, designers, and formatters to create a high-quality book while retaining full creative control and ownership.
What is hybrid publishing?
Hybrid publishing combines elements of traditional and self-publishing. The author invests financially, but the publisher provides editorial, design, and production services. Quality varies widely, so careful vetting is essential.
What is traditional publishing?
Traditional publishing is when a publishing house acquires your book and provides editing, design, distribution, and marketing support. Authors typically submit a book proposal and secure a literary agent before pursuing this path.
What is a book proposal?
A book proposal is a business plan for your nonfiction book. It includes your concept, target audience, competitive analysis, outline, marketing plan, author platform, and sample chapters. It is required for most traditional publishing deals.
What does a publishing consultant do?
A publishing consultant advises authors on editing, production, publishing pathways, distribution options, and overall book strategy. They help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Book Production & Design Terms
What is interior layout?
Interior layout (also called typesetting) is the design of the inside pages of your book. It determines margins, spacing, fonts, chapter headings, and the overall reading experience.
What is cover design?
Cover design creates the visual identity of your book. A professional designer ensures your cover appeals to your audience, conveys genre, and aligns with industry standards — one of the biggest predictors of sales.
What is ISBN registration?
An ISBN is a unique identifier for your book. It allows bookstores, libraries, and distributors to track and sell your title. Self-publishing authors purchase their own ISBNs.
Book Marketing Terms
What does a book marketer do?
A book marketer helps you promote your book by reaching your target audience, securing media opportunities, building launch momentum, and creating long-term visibility strategies.
What is an author platform?
An author platform is your ability to reach readers. It includes your audience, email list, visibility, expertise, online presence, speaking opportunities, and reputation.
What is a book launch plan?
A book launch plan outlines the steps to promote your book before, during, and after launch—including outreach, social media, media pitching, email sequences, and long-term marketing strategies.
Client Bookstore
These resources help you make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
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Tools & Recommended Resources
Writing Tools
Editing Tools
Marketing Tools
Client Bookstore
Check out The Writer’s Ally Client Bookstore, a curated collection of books written, developed, and published by authors with our support.
This is a celebration of our authors’ work, a source of inspiration for future clients, and a simple way for readers to discover new voices.
FAQs
Common Questions About Book Writing and Publishing
I want to write a book. Where do I start?
With our Right Book Method, we help you define your book’s purpose, structure, audience, and message, so you start with clarity rather than confusion.
I already have a solid draft and a clear plan. Can The Writer’s Ally help me without starting from the beginning?
Absolutely. If you’ve already completed a strong draft or have a well-defined book plan, you can move straight into our advanced editorial and publishing services. We offer high-level developmental editing, manuscript refinement, and done-for-you publishing support tailored for experienced authors who know what they want but want to ensure their book is polished, professional, and positioned to succeed. Whether you need expert feedback, structural guidance, or a whole publishing team, we’ll meet you exactly where you are and help elevate your book to industry standards, without slowing you down.
What does it cost to hire an editor and publish a book?
Well, that varies. Your investment for any project depends on a lot of things, from the total word count of your manuscript to the specific services you need. A small project may require an investment of as little as a few hundred dollars, and a big one could be several thousand dollars.
Speaking very generally, if you can work with a mix of “done for you” and “do it yourself” services, an average-length manuscript could get away with a budget of at least $5,000 for all editorial and design. If your book needs more development at the front end or you want more “done for you” help with publishing vs. DIY, you’ll need a larger budget, likely in the $8,000 – $10,000 range. You can bring these budgets down by taking on more pieces yourself or cobbling together lower-cost services with more experienced vendors, but as with anything, be wary of what you’re trading off to get that lower price tag.
The best way to learn what your project might require, and what your specific investment with our skilled team might be, is to sign up for a Book Strategy Call. This is a half-hour phone call during which we can work through all the variables and find out exactly what will be best for your project and how we can help you achieve your goals. Our packages are all customized to fit the author’s needs, so chances are good we can make something work for you as long as you are prepared to invest seriously in achieving your goals. If you’re on a shoestring budget, we’re just not going to be a good fit.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, an important factor in all this is what kind of editor or editing you need.
Wait. There are different kinds of editors?
You bet. Like professionals in any field, different editors have different areas of expertise—and we’re not just talking about fiction versus nonfiction. During the editing process, there are basically two different kinds of editors of which you need to be aware.
First, there are developmental editors. This is our sweet spot. Developmental editors focus on substantive, big-picture issues. For most nonfiction, that means structure and organization, use of anecdotes and exercises, audience and category suitability, tone, writing style, and any and all other problems that may exist. For fiction and memoir, that means story, characterization, conflict and tension, logic, dialogue, setting, style, and everything in-between.
Then, there are copyeditors. Copyeditors correct your mistakes and examine your sentences for clarity. They handle spelling, grammar, punctuation, and all technical issues with your manuscript. A copyeditor can also typically handle line editing—a more intensive edit that will clean up, and in some cases partly rewrite, your paragraphs and sentences—and proofreading, that last run through a laid-out manuscript prior to publication. (There are specialized line editors out there as well, FYI, especially common for creative narratives like fiction and memoir.)
A developmental editor’s job is to help you craft the very best version of your manuscript before it goes out into the world; a copyeditor’s job is to help you fix your mistakes so that best version absolutely shines. You can learn more about the editors on our team here.
Why doesn’t one editor take care of all these things at the same time? Wouldn’t that be way more efficient?
Quite the opposite, in fact. Suppose Chapter 6 of your novel is in need of a complete rewrite. In that scenario, what was the point of paying your editor to correct the spelling or punctuation in Chapter 6? You’ll still need to go through another copyedit once you finish your revisions.
Traditionally, an author works with a developmental editor first, then a line editor if you’re going that route, then a copyeditor on the final draft toward the end of the process before moving on to layout and design. That way, the deeper issues are resolved before the surface is addressed, and you only need to pay for that copyedit once. Proofreading (which many new authors confuse with copyediting) is done at the end of the design and layout process on “proofs,” which these days are usually PDFs of your designed pages or e-book files if you’re going digital-only
Okay, but why do I even need a developmental editor? Isn’t that what beta readers are for?
Beta readers are great! It’s important to get as much feedback on your work as possible.
But in much the same way that a well-meaning parent can only tell you so much about your headache, and your partner can only provide so much legal advice acquired from reruns of Law & Order, a beta reader can only tell you so much about your manuscript. Ultimately, for the best advice, you’ll need a doctor, or an attorney, or a developmental editor.
A beta reader—someone who represents your target audience or ideal reader—can tell you if something confuses them, bores them, or otherwise isn’t resonating. They’re giving you feedback from a reader’s perspective. But it’s a developmental editor who can tell you why readers are having these problems—and not only why, but how specifically you can resolve them and make your draft better. A good developmental editor has particular insight and understanding about storytelling, other narrative forms, and prescriptive structure that most beta readers do not. We do this for a living!
If you’re serious about writing and publishing success, and especially if you’re still learning your craft, your manuscript needs at least one pass from a developmental editor.
But I’m pursuing traditional publishing instead of self-publishing. Won’t my publisher handle the editing?
If you’re picked up by a publisher, they will bring in their own editors. But first, you need to be accepted. Agents and publishers alike receive millions of submissions every year—and that’s not an exaggeration. And though some are willing to work with an unpolished but promising manuscript, most are looking for works already in great shape—those that stand out from the rest. Some of the most optimistic estimates are that only one in a hundred submissions ever makes it to the proverbial shelves! So to improve your chances, it pays to get some professional developmental feedback before launching into the submissions process.
One caveat here is for copyediting: If you have a strong sense of proper grammar and punctuation and you feel reasonably confident that your manuscript is “clean,” there’s no need to pay for a copyeditor before shopping your manuscript around. As we explained above, copyediting is most effective when performed toward the end of the editorial process, and your publisher most certainly should provide that service.
Even if I know what kind of editor I’m looking for, how do I determine which one is right for me? Should I ask for a sample edit?
You can ask, but honestly, you can’t tell all that much from five pages of free edits—especially when you’re new to the process and unsure of what to look for. The most experienced professional editors simply don’t have the time to provide free sample edits to every potential client.
Far more important than a sample edit is a resumé. What kind of books has your editor worked on? How long have they been editing? What do their past clients have to say? Do they have any experience working for established publishers, or done any kind of training or professional education? These are some questions you should consider asking before hiring an editor.
As for The Writer’s Ally, our editors have collectively edited hundreds of published books over decades working in the industry with authors just like you, and we only hire professionals with extensive industry experience. Same goes for our design and publishing partners. Here on the website, you can find testimonials from many of these clients, a link to our Goodreads shelf featuring many of those published works, and even some highlighted projects on our blog. That kind of experience tells you more than any sample edit ever could.
(That said, if you want to see a sample from previous projects, we’re happy to oblige!)
The other thing you can do is speak with your prospective editor to get a feel for his or her personality, approach, and experience. In our case, you can sign up for a Book Strategy Call, during which you’ll have the opportunity to speak with the Chief Ally herself—Ally Machate, our founder and CEO, has more than 20 years of experience in book publishing, and she’s happy to answer your questions while she helps figure out what you and your project will need in order to achieve your goals.
Do you help authors with imposter syndrome or confidence issues?
Yes, and it’s more common than you think.
We help you trust your voice, refine your message, and get the guidance you need to move forward.
Can you help me write the right book for my business or brand?
Absolutely.
Many professionals accidentally write the wrong book, one that doesn’t support their goals or connect with readers.
We ensure your book aligns with your authority, message, and long-term business strategy.
How can I fix a book that was poorly edited elsewhere?
We do this often.
Many authors come to us frustrated after using low-cost editors or predatory publishing companies.
We can assess what didn’t work and help you rebuild the book to meet professional publishing standards.
What genres do you specialize in?
We specialize in nonfiction:
- business
- personal development
- self-help
- memoir
- thought leadership
We accept selective fiction projects depending availability of the team and fit.
What kind of projects do you take on?
We handle many types of fiction, poetry, memoir, narrative and prescriptive nonfiction for readers ranging from children to adult. The whole purpose of forming The Writer’s Ally was to provide serious authors with editorial, publishing, and marketing assistance no matter their book type, so chances are great that someone on our intimate but deeply experienced team has worked on a project much like yours.
What about shorter manuscripts? Or different kinds of manuscripts?
While we typically work with full-length manuscripts, we’ve been known to edit novellas and short “lead magnet” ebooks too. We only do short stories, poems, and essays if they come to us as a full-length collection (a short one is okay). Harrison is an optioned and award-winning screenwriter, which, combined with his editorial experience, makes him uniquely adept at editing screenplays.
Will you edit my query letter?
Yes! Our editorial packages typically include help with writing or revising your query letter, as this is an essential piece of your submission package, and our goal is to do more than just improve your manuscript—we want to help you get published. We also work with book proposals, synopses, and cover copy (which doubles as an online book description). However, query letter, cover copy, and synopses services are available only as part of an editing package because we feel it’s best that someone actually read your book before they try to help you pitch it to agents and publishers.
Will you write my manuscript for me?
No. This is the one stage of the journey to publication that we, unfortunately, do not do. However, we have a network of ghostwriters and book coaches who can help you write your book, and we’re happy to offer referrals. Just shoot us an email with more information about your book and what you’re looking for, and we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction of someone you can trust.
Is there anything you don’t do?
Ventriloquism. We’re awful at ventriloquism.
We also can’t do translations or work in foreign languages. If your project requires someone with special knowledge of any science or technical field, we’re probably not the right team for you. We’d love to be—we just don’t have the expertise.
And that’s important. We’re not going to tell you we can do something we can’t just because we want the job. We’re going to be honest with you so that you have all the information you need to make the right decision for you. We’ll refer you to trusted colleagues if we think they’ll be a better fit for your project.
What if we don’t live in the same region? Can we still work together?
My friend, this is the digital age. We don’t need to live anywhere near each other to work together. Some of our favorite clients live as far away from our east coast U.S. headquarters as Australia, South Africa, Finland, and Korea. We’ve never had a problem with any of them. (Except for scheduling phone calls. But we can work around that with email, or if we need to work after-hours to talk with you, then that’s what we’ll do.)
How do you handle payments? Do you require payment in full before beginning?
We’ve learned that the best way to handle investments is with a deposit on signing, an installment about halfway through, and the balance due just before or on delivery. Some small projects may have a payment due in full upfront. For larger projects, we’re willing to work with you on a more flexible payment plan if necessary. Once we come to an agreement about your investment, you’ll receive a contract to sign digitally and return with your deposit. That reserves your spot on our schedule.
We use a digital merchant account that accommodates payment via credit card for the fastest and most convenient payments.
Can you publish my book?
We’re not publishers, though we provide everything you need to help you to self-publish your own book.
And since we know exactly what the process entails—whether it’s self-publishing or traditional publishing—we’re always happy to provide advice. It’s all part of making sure that, no matter what we work on together, we leave you in the best possible position to move forward toward your publishing goals and dreams. If you aren’t clear on which path to publication is right for you, a Book Strategy Call with our Chief Ally is a great way to begin.
Okay, but what about other aspects of book production, like layout, cover art, and ebook design?
Yes! We work with trusted partners to provide complete design and publishing services for indie authors. Whether you just need a cover design and someone to create your book files, or if you need more back-end help such as with ISBN numbers, filing copyright, getting wholesale distribution accounts set up, and more, we have a package that’s right for you. But ultimately, you will retain complete control and ownership of your book as the true publisher. We’re just here to help provide the services you need to get there and do it right.
How do I market my book after it’s published?
Yes, our Market service includes:
- launch strategy
- review generation
- endorsements
- podcast outreach
- visibility planning
How long does editing take?
Like the investment, the timeframe varies based on the size of the project and what level of service you require. A developmental edit of a manuscript of average length may take about four weeks. A more evaluative service could take half that time. The longer the manuscript and more intensive the service, the greater the project duration, naturally, and the smaller the project the more quickly it goes.
Given our experience, we’re often booked several weeks to months in advance, but whenever work is set to begin on your project, it becomes our absolute top priority. (Which is another reason we don’t do sample edits. That’s valuable time we’d rather devote to our clients!)
We provide an experience similar to working with a traditional publisher in that we create production schedules for all of our projects. This ensures that you keep moving forward in a timely manner and your project gets done (i.e. no more embarrassment when your friends ask, “So how’s the book coming along?”). We’ll manage all the moving pieces, you just need to focus on writing/revising and meeting your deadlines like the pro that you are!
What is book marketing, and when should I start?
Book marketing is the plan for how readers will discover your book, before, during, and after launch. Ideally, you start building your platform and messaging months (even a year) ahead so you’re not promoting from scratch at release. Learn the essentials here: An Introduction to Book Marketing
What does a ghostwriter do, and is ghostwriting “allowed”?
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who helps create your book or content—either from scratch (often via interviews) or by reshaping your existing notes and drafts. Ghostwriting is common and legitimate; credit and confidentiality simply depend on your agreement. Learn more here: Hire a ghostwriter – Ghostwriting Services
What is developmental editing, and when do I need it?
Developmental editing (also called content editing) focuses on the big-picture elements, structure, organization, clarity, narrative flow, and whether the manuscript is achieving its goals. It’s the best choice when a draft needs stronger direction before line-level polishing begins. Details here: Hiring a Content Editor or Developmental Editor
How can a writing coach help me finish my book?
A writing coach helps you build a plan, stay accountable, and keep moving through slumps, without doing the writing for you. Coaching is especially helpful if you need guidance, structure, and momentum to reach “done.” Learn how it works here: How a Writing Coach Can Help You Finish Your Book
I want to write a book—where do I start?
What is a book proposal, and do I need one?
What’s the best way to write a novel if I keep getting stuck?
What’s the difference between proofreading and copy editing?
How do I know what kind of book editor I need?
It depends on your draft’s needs: developmental editing for structure and big-picture clarity, copyediting for correctness and consistency, and proofreading for the final polish after layout. Choosing the right stage saves time and avoids paying for the wrong kind of edit. Full breakdown here: When You Need a Book Editor.
How do I know you’re all really publishing professionals instead of, say, aliens preparing for a brutal invasion of the planet Earth?
We can neither confirm nor deny reports of extraterrestrial parentage, but either way, we’ve helped a lot of happy authors, agents, and publishers to write, edit, publish, and sell hundreds of books, so we’re still the finest resource out there as far as creating the best version of your book before the inevitable overthrow of Earth.
Thanks for reading! We’re looking forward to working with you. If you think you might be ready to talk with us, all you have to do is get in touch for that Book Strategy Call.
And if you have any more questions, just let us know!
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