No one can edit their own book, but there are seven simple strategies for better ensuring you do the right prep to get the best feedback, resulting in a stronger work.
FEATURED EVENT
Seven Ways to Get the Editorial Help You Need
November 12, 10-10:45 am PT (1-1:45 pm ET), 2025
The value of editorial guidance for nonfiction titles continues to drop — either because (a) Authors don’t think they need it (they do, always); or (b) Editors don’t do their job (and authors don’t know enough to demand better). No one can edit their own book, but there are seven simple strategies for better ensuring you do the right prep to get the best feedback, resulting in a stronger work.
Improvisational Writing Series
First Thursday of each month at 1 pm Eastern Time, 2025
When was the last time you experienced the sheer joy of writing? Improvisational writing is designed to take the work out of writing, leaving only the delight of creativity. Each 2- or 3-minute exercise starts with a common prompt, and then everyone starts writing without paying attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, logic, or all the other “rules” that have been used to take the fun out of writing. The BK Author group invites you to a series of no-cost Zoom-based sessions, designed to make writing fun again.
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Trust at a Distance: A FreshInk webinar with David Horsager & Peggy Kendall
Thursday, November 20, 10:00-10:45 am Pacific Time (1:00-1:45 Eastern Time), 2025
When teams go remote, trust is often the first casualty. Poor communication, missed expectations, and weak connections can quietly erode performance. Join David Horsager and Dr. Peggy Kendall, authors of Trust at a Distance, for a session on how to intentionally build trust in the hybrid and remote workplace. Drawing from extensive research and real-world […]
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BookPlan 2026: How to Launch, Market, and Sell Your Nonfiction Book
April 22–24, 2026
A three-day online workshop to help you engage your existing network, reach new readers, earn media attention, and reach thousands of people with your book.
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2026 BK Authors Retreat
October 9–12 (Friday–Monday), 2026
Gather with us on October 9–12, 2026, at the Marianist Retreat Center in St. Louis for four days of connection, learning, and discovery. Registration is open!
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Our Programs

Annual Retreat
The annual BK Author Retreat gatherings our author community together for several days of conversations, connections, and renewal. Our 2026 Retreat will be October 9–12, 2026, at the Marianist Retreat Center in St. Louis. Learn More

Regional Gatherings
Get to know the BK authors in your area! If you live in a metro area and are interested in organizing a simple gathering of authors (e.g. a dinner, evening social, etc.), reach out to us at [email protected] to get a list of the authors in your area.

Fresh Ink Webinars
A virtual webinar series designed to generate support among our author community for upcoming Berrett-Koehler book releases. See upcoming dates
Recent Articles & Event Summaries
Ever since that childhood debacle with the lemonade stand, there are plenty of nonfiction authors and to-be authors who hate the idea of self-promotion and marketing, so what should they do?
Continue Reading Marketing for Authors (and Authors To-Be) Who Hate Marketing
The number one reason employees stay or leave is how much they trust their immediate supervisor, not company-wide programs or benefits.
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Damian Goldvarg’s new book “Lead with a Coaching Mindset” applies the 8 core competencies from the International Coach Federation to leadership. These include: ethical standards, coaching mindset, building relationships, trust, presence, communication (listening), creating awareness, and implementing learning.
Continue Reading How to lead with a coaching mindset: A Fresh Ink interview with Damian Goldvarg
All nonfiction book proposals ask for the same basic bits of information, but what are publishers really looking for? What are the words, commitments, and things that make them sit up and take notice and what makes for a damn good proposal? In this webinar on September 10, 2025, Jeevan Sivasubramaniam (who has reviewed, no…
Continue Reading What Publishers Really Want to See in Your Book Proposal (But Won’t Tell You)
Email gets much higher engagement than any social media site. You own your email list. Email isn’t going anywhere. It’s one of the last link-friendly platforms. Etc.
Continue Reading 8 Reasons Why Email Is Your Most Valuable Marketing Asset







