Do it yourself. Not alone.

The Author Blueprint is the DIY option from Defining Moments Press: an 8 week course to write, publish, launch and market your book, listed at one payment of $1,997.

The Defining Moments Press Author Blueprint includes audio and video tutorials, a step-by-step process, templates and tools, a free Facebook group and unlimited email support. It covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching, in about 2 to 5 hours a week.

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How do I publish my own book on a budget?

Publishing your own book on a budget means doing the production work yourself with a clear process. Pure DIY can land at $200 to $800, according to Manuscript Report, but most of the cost you save is paid back in time spent learning formatting, design and launch.

The Author Blueprint shortens that learning curve. Instead of piecing together advice, you follow one 8 week sequence with templates, tutorials and email support, and keep all your royalties.

What is included in Author Blueprint?

Write, publish, launch and market your book yourself.

Who writes it: You write it, guided by the course
Price: One payment of $1,997

8 week course with audio and video tutorials
Step-by-step process
Templates and tools
Free Facebook group
Unlimited email support

Who the Author Blueprint is for

The Author Blueprint fits self-starterswho want a listed price and are comfortable doing the work themselves with guidance. It is designed for experts who know their story could change someone's life and can commit about 2 to 5 hours a week. It picks up where the How to Write Your Book in a Weekend training ends, once you know your book, your reader and your outline.

When another service fits better

If you want the formatting, design and launch handled for you, look at Author Launch. If you want personal coaching for a full year, Author Training is the done-with-you version. If you want the book written for you, Author Premium includes ghostwriters.

What the 8 weeks cover

Confirm your book, your reader and your outline.
Write and edit the manuscript with the step-by-step process.
Prepare your book for self-publishing in ebook and print.
Set up and run your launch.
Market the book and turn readers into clients.

Try the free course first

Defining Moments Press also offers a free one hour course on writing, publishing, marketing and monetizing a book. It covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths and how to get more clients, and ends with an outline for your table of contents. Get the free course.

New here? Start with our guide on how to publish my book with Defining Moments Press.

Planning your budget? Read how much publishing a book costs or see the step-by-step publishing timeline.

Author Blueprint: common questions

See all publishing questions

What is the Author Blueprint?: The Author Blueprint is the DIY option: an 8 week course with audio and video tutorials, a step-by-step process, templates and tools, a free Facebook group and unlimited email support. It covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launch, in about 2 to 5 hours a week. Its checkout page lists one payment of $1,997. More in the FAQ
How many hours a week does the Author Blueprint take?: About 2 to 5 hours a week, according to the Author Blueprint page. That covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching over 8 weeks. It is designed for busy professionals who need a steady, limited weekly commitment rather than long writing retreats. More in the FAQ
Why not just do everything myself?: You can, and pure DIY is the cheapest route at $200 to $800 according to Manuscript Report. The tradeoff is time and learning curve across formatting, design, platform setup and launch. Busy professionals often hand that work off so they can focus on writing, clients and speaking. More in the FAQ
How much does self publishing a book cost?: Self publishing a book typically costs between $2,940 and $5,660 when you hire professionals, according to Reedsy, while Manuscript Report puts pure DIY at $200 to $800. The difference comes from editing, cover design, formatting and marketing. Doing those yourself saves money; hiring them out saves time and usually improves quality. More in the FAQ
How do I publish my own book?: To publish your own book, finish and edit the manuscript, get it formatted for ebook and print, design a cover, upload it to a publishing platform and plan a launch. You can do every step yourself, take a guided course like the Author Blueprint, or hand the production and launch to a done-for-you service. More in the FAQ
Will my book be available in ebook and print?: Yes, the process covers both. The Author Blueprint walks you through self-publishing in ebook and print, and the done-for-you and done-with-you services include formatting and book design, which prepare your interior and cover files for publication. More in the FAQ

Not sure DIY is right for you?

Book a free call and compare the Author Blueprint with the done-for-you and done-with-you options before you decide.

Book a free discovery call