Resources for Authors
A Practical Place to Start
So you want to write a book—or you've already started one and are wondering what comes next.
There's no formula that guarantees a book deal, a successful launch, or a perfect manuscript. But before you spend months going in circles, you can make a few important early decisions: which idea is worth pursuing, who you are writing for, what readers expect from your genre, and which publishing path best fits your goals.
I learned many of those lessons the slow way: through ten published books across fiction and nonfiction, traditional and independent publishing, plenty of missteps, and a great deal of revision.
Here, I share the guidance, tools, and resources I wish I had had earlier: clear information, honest perspective, and questions to help you make decisions about your own book.
This is my way of giving back to the author community that has taught me so much. Whether you're still carrying an idea, revising a manuscript, preparing to query, or learning how publishing works, you are welcome here.
- Jerry (J.B.) Manas
Start Here
Free Quick Start Guide
A practical introduction to choosing a book idea, identifying your reader, and exploring a publishing path that fits your goals.
Ready for More Structure?
So You Want to Be an Author
An Author Readiness Roadmap for New Authors
Go beyond the first decision. This 71-page guide helps new fiction and nonfiction writers refine an early idea, choose a publishing direction, understand the road ahead, and create a realistic plan to begin.
It also includes practical worksheets, checklists, and a future-facing Book Launch Roadmap to use when you are closer to publication.
Start Here:
Free Quick-Start Guide
Not sure where to begin? Start here.
So You Want to Write a Book
A Quick-Start Guide to Choosing the Right Idea and Publishing Path
This practical short guide will help you:
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Decide whether you want to write one book or build an author career.
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Stress-test your current idea before investing months in it.
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Identify the reader and core promise of your book.
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Explore traditional, independent, and hybrid publishing paths.
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Choose a realistic next step.
Plus, you’ll receive the 5-Minute Book-Idea Gut Check: a printable worksheet to score your idea, draft a first logline or nonfiction hook, and choose a provisional publishing lane.
It’s a simple way to move from “I’ve always wanted to write a book” to “I know what I’m working on next.”
Enter your name and email, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
“Jerry’s positivity, creativity, and deep understanding of story and structure didn’t just polish my book—they helped me grow into a stronger writer.”
– V.F. Sharp
Want the Full Roadmap?
So You Want to Be an Author
An Author Readiness Roadmap for New Authors
$27
You have an idea. Now you need a clear way to decide whether it is the right project, understand your publishing options, and know what to do first.
So You Want to Be an Author is a practical, self-paced roadmap for aspiring and early-stage fiction and nonfiction writers who want to move forward with more clarity and fewer expensive—or time-consuming—false starts.
Inside, you will learn how to:
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Clarify what you want from your book and define success on your own terms.
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Test an early idea for genre fit, reader appeal, depth, and staying power.
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Choose a publishing direction that fits your goals, timeline, budget, and appetite for control.
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Turn a premise into a stronger fiction logline or nonfiction hook.
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Build a workable outline and first 30-day plan.
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Understand the larger process of drafting, revision, feedback, platform-building, and promotion.
Practical Worksheets and Checklists
You'll also receive five printable tools to help you apply what you are learning:
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Idea & Premise Filter — compare ideas and choose one to focus on.
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Logline (Fiction) & Hook (Nonfiction) — sharpen the central promise of your book.
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30-Day Starter Plan — turn your idea into steady, realistic momentum.
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Reader Profile & Emotional Promise — define who the book is for and what it should deliver.
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Beta Readers & Editing Prep Checklist — prepare for useful feedback when you are ready.
Plus: A Future-Facing Launch Bonus
When your manuscript is closer to publication, you will also have the 26-page Book Launch Roadmap, including a reusable six-month timeline, a one-page launch overview, and a Book Media Kit / Sell Sheet template.
It covers practical launch activities across production, distribution, reviews and ARCs, email, social media, and partnerships—so you can plan ahead instead of scrambling during launch week.
This is not generic motivation or recycled blog advice. It is practical guidance for writers who want to make smart early decisions, create momentum, and build a solid foundation before investing heavily in coaching or publication.
What’s inside
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Part 1: Decide What You Really Want
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Part 2: Is Your Idea Worth Pursuing?
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Part 3: Choose Your Publishing Path
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Part 4: Build a Simple Plan
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Part 5: Your Next Steps
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Bonus: Printable worksheets, checklists, and a reusable six‑month Book Launch Roadmap
Ideal for aspiring authors who want a practical, self-paced roadmap before investing in one-on-one coaching.
If you want personalized feedback on your idea, manuscript, pitch, or publishing strategy, explore the ways we can work together below.
Ways to Work With Me
1. Idea to Publishing Strategy Session — $349
A 75–90-minute 1:1 deep dive on your book idea and publishing path.
Together, we will:
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Clarify your premise, ideal reader, and goals
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Choose a publishing path that fits your timeline, risk tolerance, and expectations
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Sketch a rough table of contents or story framework and define concrete next steps
You leave with a concise written blueprint you can refine on your own or use as a starting point for a larger engagement.
2. Pitch & Plot Analysis — $499
For writers ready to query agents or launch an indie book.
You get:
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A detailed review of your query letter, one-page synopsis, and first 10 pages
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A 60-minute intensive strategy call to fix pacing leaks, sharpen your hook, and optimize your pitch
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An assessment of where your book fits in the market, including suggested comps for traditional querying and suggested retailer categories/tropes to target if you’re going indie
You leave with a stronger query, a tighter opening, and a clearer positioning strategy—so agents, editors, and readers can see exactly where your book belongs.
3. Story Blueprint Intensive — $2,999
Before you write 80,000 words, let’s make sure the foundation can carry the weight.
This is a 6–8 week, collaborative 1:1 engagement to design a story blueprint tailored to your process—from a high-level spine for discovery writers to a chapter-by-chapter outline if you prefer more structure.
Together, we will:
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Build a solid story roadmap
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Nail your character arcs (or nonfiction throughline)
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Strengthen your commercial hook and positioning
The intensive typically includes four 75–90-minute 1:1 sessions spaced about two weeks apart, with outline work and my feedback between calls, plus email access for questions during the engagement. You finish with a working plan you can confidently draft from, without losing your natural process.
Need Help With the Full Manuscript?
For a small number of clients each year, I also offer developmental editing on completed drafts—big-picture feedback on structure, pacing, character, reader engagement, and market fit, along with a detailed editorial letter and margin notes.
If you’re interested in that level of support, we can discuss scope and pricing following an initial consultation.
Not Ready for 1:1 Help?
Subscribe to This Writer’s Life / So You Want to Be an Author on Substack for behind-the-scenes
reflections on the author life, practical guidance on story structure and publishing, and useful ideas for writers deciding what to write, how to pitch, and how to move forward.
You can also explore the resources above, including the free Quick-Start Guide and So You Want to Be an Author: An Author Readiness Roadmap for New Authors.
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