Is writing a (short) book on your 2013 list?
The spring session of Beta Author Boost, my intensive 8-week writing workshop which includes 1:1 coaching and feedback on your writing, has concluded. If you are interested in applying for the next session (Sept. – Oct. 2013), drop me a line.
Prefer to work with me on your own schedule?
I have a few slots for 1:1 book coaching. We do everything that is covered in the Beta Author program but at a pace that works for you. I will help you establish a writing practice, write (a lot), find your best book idea, write a sh*tty first draft, decide how one or more books fit into your business model – and more. Along the way, you will learn all the basics of eBook publishing, from best practices in cover design to how to work with an editor to what to put on your Amazon Author page.
Get on the waiting list for the next Beta Author Boost
What I love about Debbie is that she is much more than a book coach. As an experienced entrepreneur and a leading business speaker, she is in the business world. She understands not just how to write a short book, but how to write a good business book.
- Tom Hood, CEO Maryland Association of CPAs, CPAsuccess.com
What is Beta Author Boost?
It’s an online program for a small group of accomplished professionals (limited to 12 per session) who have a book idea, or the seed of a book idea, but need support and guidance to bring it to life.
Ideally, you are already creating content through blogging, articles, presentations and/or white papers.
You know a deadline and accountability will help you write a book.
But you want professional direction and feedback in order to produce a high-quality draft and to write the best book possible. You also want a quick roadmap to publishing your eBook to Kindle.
The program is a combination of 1-to-1 book coaching, feedback on your writing, and on-demand learning via meaty handouts, audio interviews and transcripts. You download and consume the materials on your own schedule.
You write your eBook with the drum beat of an 8-week deadline ringing in your ears.
The course focuses on writing, but you will get all the basics of eBook publishing from best practices in digital cover design to how to take advantage of Kindle Direct Publishing.
The secret sauce of this 8-week program is that I knock down your fears, overturn obstacles, dig deep with you to figure out your best book idea and then help you organize it. With accountability, deadlines and structure, you can finish – or make a good start – on the first draft of your eBook.
In addition you join a private Facebook group where the other Beta Authors lend support and offer useful feedback.
Invaluable tips from guest experts
The program includes recorded interviews with guest speakers on topics such as:
- Best practices in cover design for an eBook
- How to price your eBook to sell
- What you need to know about converting your manuscript to Kindle format
- How to create a tribe of fans even if you’re not blogging yet
- Guerrilla tactics to promote an eBook on Amazon
- And more
Pamela Slim, award-winning author of Escape From Cubicle Nation, talks about writing her next book: the big idea, kitchen-sink first drafts, yellow pads and how the book relates to her business.
Book marketing expert Tim Grahl of Out:Think explains why it’s so important to start with your end game: Why are you writing a book?
Business storyteller Michael Margolis of GetStoried talks about storytelling as a powerful way to reframe your own story and make it part of a nonfiction book.
In an exclusive interview, Copyblogger founder Brian Clark talks about content marketing, how he used it to grow Copyblogger into a multi-million dollar business and how you can use it to promote your book.
Author and innovation strategist Mark Levy unreels the secrets of List Making as a way to dig deep and discover what your most compelling book idea is.
Book designer Alex Miles Younger on why your cover should be a “social object” that readers talk about. Alex designed the covers for Seth Godin’s The Domino Project books.
Beta Author Success Stories
Click here to read Sue’s book.
“I had decided to either publish or abandon the book that had been lingering on my Half Done list for years when Debbie Weil’s email arrived inviting me to join her Beta Author Boost program. She promised to guide us through the writing process – but I was already a writer. Couldn’t I do this alone? Maybe not. I’d read Debbie’s newsletters and The Corporate Blogging Book. I knew she knew her stuff.
For me, the most beneficial aspect of the program has been Debbie’s feedback, original ideas and encouragement for my specific project. And she’s made it fun. By providing me with the right mix of challenge and support, Beta Author Boost helped me reach the point where I can proudly publish. How cool is that?”
- Sue Johnston, author of Talk To Me: Workplace Conversations That Work (published May 2012)
Click here to learn more about Mark’s book.
“What technology doesn’t provide is the wisdom or critical thinking that takes a good (book) idea to completion. Debbie just “gets it.”
A successful business owner and author in her own right, she provided insight, guidance, assistance, and direction in just the right way when and where it was needed. I can’t recommend Debbie or her program highly enough.”
- Mark Wayland, TheLast3Feet.com.au and author of One Bite At a Time
Photo: Mark Skyping with me from Sydney for one of his book coaching sessions.
Click here to read Jeanne’s book.
“For years I had the personal goal of writing a book – but that goal never materialized into anything beyond an “idea” file. I signed up for Beta Author Boost to give myself the motivation – and the structure – that was missing. Debbie helped me narrow in on the compelling core for my ebook in no time – invaluable.
The Beta Author program gave me the rhythm and deadlines needed to stay on track. And after helping me polish up the manuscript, Debbie passed on valuable vetted resources for cover designers, editors, web designers and eBook converters so the end product is something I can be proud of. It feels great to cross the finish line. Thank you Debbie!”
- Jeanne Rossomme, RoadmapMarketing.com
Click here to read Vishwas’s book.
“As CTO of a mid-sized software company I don’t think of myself as a creative writer. Debbie prodded and inspired me to turn my book idea into a narrative story with characters and a plot line. It was much more fun to write and I was still able to explain the complexities of next-generation software in the cloud.”
- Vishwas Lele, AppliedIs.com
Vishwas published The App Economy to Amazon Kindle where it initially jumped to a best seller in the Software Development category. It’s a narrative story that illustrates how the new version of Office™ will fundamentally change the way users think and do business. Read my blog post on how Vishwas Lele turned a boring topic into a compelling eBook.
I believe in books and eBooks as tools to change the world.
I want to encourage as many writers as possible to take advantage of the publishing revolution, to write a short book and to become author entrepreneurs. I hope you will join me for an 8-week writing adventure the next time Beta Author Boost opens.
Debbie Weil
Founder & CEO, Voxie Media
email: contact Debbie
phone: 202.255.1467 Eastern
What previous Beta Authors are saying
For years, it has been a goal of mine to write a book, but I did not know where to start. Beta Author Boost was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my writing project. Actionable advice coupled with fantastic resources launched me down the authorship path faster than I ever expected.
- Kyle Durand, OurDeal.com
I found the individual coaching incredibly helpful: Debbie is a perceptive listener and editor who is able to hone in on where you are (or are not) in your writing process and expertly guide you to the next level. She provided a rich and deep resource of practical information that I was able to put to immediate use, drawing on her own experience as a published author, and including the guest experts as well as articles, books and other very current sources of information.
- Cheryl Dolan, CherylDolan.com
Click here to learn more about Bill’s book.
I never really thought of myself as a book author until I signed up for Beta Author Boost. Debbie convinced me otherwise. Her editing, coaching, and invaluable resources were a huge help in navigating the previously unfamiliar world of e-publishing. Now that I know how to do it, I can’t wait to write my *second* book!
- Bill Sheridan, CPAsuccess.com
I met Debbie online in 2004 when she was leading the charge to convince corporations they needed to start blogging. Now she’s pioneering in an even larger and I believe far more important space, the business eBook. I had any number of book ideas floating around in my head, notebooks and electronic files. I was going to get around to it someday. Debbie threw down the challenge to make someday today, and provided the support and guidance to give us all traction.
- Don Dunnington, DonaldDunnington.com