The Publishing Industry Exposed | What Authors Need to Know

Book writing, nonfiction authors, expert books, writing a manuscript, author platform, book structure, and publishing advice come together in this conversation with Marissa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty.

In this episode, I sit down with Marissa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty, co-founders of Book Structure Pros and co-authors of The Complete Expert to Author Guide.

Between the two of them, they have spent decades in publishing helping experts, leaders, doctors, professors, entrepreneurs, and professionals turn their ideas into finished nonfiction books.

And this conversation hits a nerve for every expert who has ever said, “I know I need to write a book, but now is not the right time.”

The truth is, there is no perfect time.

There is no magical cabin in the woods.

There is no season of life where everything calms down and the book suddenly writes itself.

We talk about why so many expert authors get stuck, why procrastination and perfectionism quietly kill manuscripts, and why writing a book is not just about having a great idea. It is about knowing who your reader is, building the right structure, creating accountability, and giving yourself permission to write a first draft that can actually become something.

Marissa and Elizabeth also share powerful stories about authors writing through divorce, personal upheaval, and even evacuation during the Los Angeles fires. These stories show that writing can be more than a task. It can be a lifeline.

If you are an expert sitting on a book you know you need to write, this episode is for you.

Because your book does not need perfect conditions.

It needs a plan, a reader, a structure, and the courage to begin.