How It Works

Plan Write Publish Sell book framework by Lisa Daily

Writing and publishing a book doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Most authors struggle not because they lack ideas—but because they’re trying to solve too many problems at once, in the wrong order.

That’s why everything on author.coach is organized around a simple, proven framework:

Plan → Write → Publish → Sell

Each stage has a different goal, a different mindset, and different tools.
When you move through them in order, books get finished faster—and work better once they’re out in the world.

PLAN: Get Clear Before You Write

The planning stage is about clarity.

Before you write a single chapter, you need to know:

  • Who the book is for
  • What problem it solves
  • Why it matters
  • How the ideas are structured
  • What belongs in the book—and what doesn’t
  • Skipping this step is the #1 reason authors get stuck later.

PLAN tools help you:

  • Stop guessing
  • Avoid rewrites
  • Build a structure that actually works

👉 If you’re unsure where to begin, start with the Creative Work Plan.

WRITE: Turn Structure Into a Finished Book

Once the plan is clear, writing becomes execution—not exploration.

The writing stage is about:

  • Expanding your outline into chapters
  • Knowing exactly what belongs in each section
  • Maintaining momentum
  • Adding in all the elements that build or support your business
  • Finishing the manuscript without second-guessing everything

This is where most authors either gain confidence—or lose steam.

WRITE tools help you:

  • Move chapter by chapter
  • Stay focused
  • Finish the book you planned

👉 This is where clarity turns into pages.

PUBLISH: Get the Book Out—Correctly

Publishing doesn't have to be about pushing buttons blindly or paying someone else to “handle it.”

It’s about:

  • Making informed decisions
  • Avoiding costly mistakes
  • Understanding your options
  • Getting your book out professionally and confidently

PUBLISH tools help you:

  • Navigate Amazon KDP and IngramSpark
  • Set pricing and distribution correctly
  • Avoid vanity publishing traps
  • Publish once—and do it right

👉 Publishing should feel clear, not stressful.

SELL: Help the Right Readers Find Your Book

Selling comes after the book exists.

This stage is about:

  • Visibility
  • Reach
  • Long-term discoverability
  • Using your book as an asset—not a one-time project

SELL tools help you:

  • Reach libraries and bookstores
  • Build credibility
  • Create sustainable book income
  • Think beyond launch week

👉 Selling is about strategy, not pressure.

Where Coaching Fits In

Book coaching can be the starting point—or support when you need it.

Some authors move smoothly through each stage on their own.
Others hit a point where something feels off, unclear, or stuck.
Some want to get their books done as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

That’s when coaching helps most.

Coaching is available as:

  • Start-to-finish support
  • Structural diagnosis
  • Targeted fixes
  • Execution support

👉 It’s there to remove friction and make your writing easier.


Not Sure Where You Are?

If you’re unsure which stage you’re in—or what to work on next—the best place to start is with clarity.

👉 Start with the Creative Work Plan

It will help you identify where you are in the process and what your next step should be.