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Author Roadmap: Writing a Successful Nonfiction Book

A national two-day workshop for nonfiction authors, featuring editors and publishing professionals with experience from McGraw-Hill, Wiley, Penguin, Harvard Business School, North Atlantic, Keller Media, Bard Press, Whereabouts Press, and Berrett-Koehler

Author Roadmap: Writing a Successful Nonfiction Book

The Details

What: Live online workshop over Zoom

When: Thursday–Friday, July 16–17

Time: 8:30 am–3:00 pm Pacific Time (11:30 am–6:00 pm Eastern Time)

Who: Nonfiction authors and prospective authors looking to write and publish books in self-help, business, personal growth, social change, or similar genres.

Featuring: Editors and publishing professionals from McGraw-Hill, Wiley, Penguin, Harvard, North Atlantic, Keller Media, and Berrett-Koehler

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Sessions & Speakers

Part 1: Crafting the Manuscript

  • Introduction to the Roadmap: The Reality of the Nonfiction Marketplace in 2026, and What This Workshop will Equip You With
  • The Power of Clarity: Stripping Away Complexity for a Sharper Focus
    • Shayna Keyles, associate director of acquisitions at North Atlantic Books
  • Because Story Dominates: How to Properly Use Anecdotes, Cases, and Narratives to Engage
    • Zach Gajewski, developmental editor and writer, formerly an editor at McGraw-Hill
  • AI and Your Soul: Using AI the Right Way to Help You in Your Writing
  • Three Million Titles a Year: How to Make Your Book Stand Out in a Saturated Marketplace
    • Kirsten Sandberg, editor in chief at Blockchain Research Institute and former executive editor of Harvard Business School Press
  • What No One Warns You About: Five Red Flags for Yourself in Writing

Part 2: Getting Published

  • Crafting a Winning Book Proposal: What Publishers Ask for and What They’re Really Asking For
  • Publishing Options and Trade-Offs: Tradition, Hybrid, or Self-Publish? Pros and Cons of Each
    • Thad McIlroy, principal of The Future of Publishing and founding partner in Publishing Technology Partners
  • Speak to My Agent: What Literary Agents Can and Will (and Can’t and Won’t Do)
  • Contract Capitulations and Clauses: What to Look Out For in Your Publishing Agreement
    • Neal Maillet, editorial director at Berrett-Koehler Publishers, former editor at Wiley, and former CEO of Timber Press
  • From Final Manuscript to Finished Book: The When, Where, and Why of Why It Takes So Long 
    • Dave Peattie, founder of BookMatters Production Company and publisher at Whereabouts Press
  • Publisher Round-Table: Three Publishing House CEOs Discuss the Future of Nonfiction and What You Should Know

What You Get with Registration

  1. Access to the 12 live sessions
  2. Access to live Q&As accompanying each session
  3. Access to networking and connection breaks
  4. Access to the recordings of all sessions for 3 months following the workshop (through October 31, 2026)
  5. Complimentary ebook copy of the bestseller Get to the Point! Second Edition: Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message

Plus, two randomly selected registrants will receive an hour-long consultation on their book idea/manuscript/proposal ($250 value). The winners will be selected at the end of each day.

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Hosted By

BK Authors: A community connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all

With Production Support From

Get a Jump on Marketing Your Book!

At checkout, get instant access to the 12 best recordings from our BookPlan 2023–2025 book marketing workshops for only an extra $50 ($150 value)

Recordings include:

  1. Peter Winick and Bill Sherman – What is the ROI of a Business Book?
  2. Bob Miglani – Identifying Your Core Audiences and Honing Your Message
  3. Lily Zheng – Give Away 90% of Your Book: Added Value Marketing and You
  4. Stacey Hall – How to Plan Your Book so You Have Cheerleaders Ready to Promote It
  5. Marc Evans – List Building Made Easy: Get Results from Other People’s Lists
  6. Adrienne Hill – Explode Your Visibility and Grow Your Email List with Virtual Summits
  7. Sarah Nelson – Your Book, Your Brand: Master Canva for Powerful Promotions
  8. Austin Falter – Creating Authentic Connections With Short-Form Video—Without Burning Yourself Out
  9. Becky Robinson – Beyond the Book Launch: Choosing the Best Approaches, and Sustaining Your Approach for Lasting Impact
  10. Charlie Fusco – Beyond the Bookstore: Bulk Buys, Bestseller Lists & Building a Brand Empire
  11. Analiese Ross & Claire Sprague – Social Media Basics for Authors: Demystifying the Social Experience
  12. Corey Perlman – Authentically Social: Break Through by Being You!
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How Author Roadmap Stands Out from Other Workshops

We are a community. BK Authors, the nonprofit organization that hosts Author Roadmap, is a close-knit group of nonfiction authors who give freely of our time to support each other. When you attend, you don’t just get access to workshop—you get invited into our community. We host various events throughout the year, including free webinars, free improvisational writing sessions, in-person retreats, and other opportunities.

We’re interactive. Forget staring at a pre-recorded video series. Our workshop is packed with interactive time to ask questions and meet other authors.

We offer a network of support. At BookPlan, you can develop friendships with other authors who can help hold you accountable and actively support your book marketing efforts. Then you can keep connecting with those authors at the events we host throughout the rest of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Register by March 31st to get the Early Bird discount!

$549 $449

Plus, select the optional $50 add-on at checkout to get access to The 12 Best Sessions from BookPlan 2023–2025.

Register Now – $449