FAQ
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These are plain answers to the questions people ask before they publish a book, from cost and timelines to royalties, coaching, and ghostwriting, written by Defining Moments Press.
Define your reader, outline, write, edit, format and design, then launch; Defining Moments Press coaches authors through all six steps in 8 weeks or less while they keep all rights and royalties.
The detailed version is on how to publish my book.
You publish your own book by finishing and editing the manuscript, formatting it for ebook and print, designing a cover, uploading it to publishing platforms, and launching it to readers. Defining Moments Press teaches this full process in 8 weeks or less and offers done-with-you and done-for-you help for authors who want support at each step.
You can publish your book without an existing audience, because self-publishing does not require a publisher to accept you first. Defining Moments Press says authors can write a bestselling book in 8 weeks or less even if no one has heard of them, and it builds the launch and marketing plan into its programs.
Self-publishing means the author, not a traditional publishing house, controls and pays for the production and release of the book. The author keeps the rights and sets the price. Defining Moments Press supports self-publishing with courses, coaching, and done-for-you services, and says its authors keep all rights and royalties.
Book publishing services are paid help with the steps between a manuscript and a published book, such as editing, formatting, interior design, cover design, launch, and marketing. Defining Moments Press offers five service options, from an 8-week do-it-yourself course to a done-for-you package where ghostwriters write the book.
To find a traditional publisher, most authors first query literary agents, who then pitch publishers, while some smaller presses accept direct submissions. Another route is applying to a service-based publisher. Defining Moments Press accepts applications through its book-a-call page and replies to every applicant by email within 2 business days.
Defining Moments Press says the books it helps publish can be published in 87 countries using major publishers. That reach matters for authors who serve clients internationally. Ask on a discovery call which formats and retail channels apply to your specific book.
Publishing a book costs $0 to $15,000+ in 2026, according to the August 2026 guide from Manuscript Report. The low end is traditional publishing, where the publisher pays production costs, and the high end is fully outsourced self-publishing. Your total depends on how much editing, design, and marketing you hire out.
Self-publishing can cost between $2,940 and $5,660, according to Reedsy, when you hire professionals. Manuscript Report puts pure DIY self-publishing at $200 to $800. For comparison, Defining Moments Press lists its Author Blueprint 8-week challenge at one payment of $1,997 on its checkout page.
It does not have to: traditional publishing costs $0 upfront and DIY self-publishing can land at $200 to $800, per Manuscript Report. The trade-off is royalties and time. Manuscript Report notes traditional publishers take 85 to 90 percent of royalties, while self-published authors keep more of each sale but pay for production.
The Author Blueprint 8-week challenge is listed at one payment of $1,997 on the Defining Moments Press checkout page. Prices for its coaching, launch, ghostwriting, and funnel services are not published, so you get them on a free discovery call. The company says there are no hidden fees and that it is paid a fee for its service.
Book writing coach fees vary by provider, length of support, and how much hands-on help is included, so compare what each package delivers rather than the headline price alone. At Defining Moments Press, one year of book coaching is part of the Author Training done-with-you package, and its price is shared on a free discovery call.
When you self-publish, you usually buy author copies at the printing cost, which depends on page count, trim size, color, and binding. Defining Moments Press says its authors can order books at cost direct from the provider, so no publisher markup is added. Check the print provider calculator for your exact specifications.
Defining Moments Press is built around writing and publishing a book in 8 weeks or less. Its Author Blueprint covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launch in about 2 to 5 hours a week. Your actual pace still depends on how quickly you complete each weekly step.
Writing a book can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending on length, research, and how consistently you write. A short nonfiction book with a clear outline moves fastest. Defining Moments Press structures the work into an 8-week program so authors write in set weekly sessions instead of waiting for free time.
On the free discovery call, an Acquisition Editor helps you explore your book idea, get clear on your ideal reader, discuss your business goals, create a plan, and uncover profit opportunities. At the end, Defining Moments Press tells you whether your book is a good fit for its services and what your next step should be.
No. Defining Moments Press only accepts authors it feels it can help succeed in achieving their goals. Every applicant receives an email reply within 2 business days. If you do not see a response, the company suggests checking your spam or promotional folder, since replies sometimes land there.
Yes. The Author Premium done-for-you package at Defining Moments Press uses ghostwriters to write your book for you. It also includes cover design, book design, formatting, a full launch to bestseller, book media appearances, marketing account setup, and a one-page launch funnel. It suits busy professionals with expertise but little writing time.
Yes. Author Launch is the Defining Moments Press done-for-you option for authors who already wrote a book and need help publishing and launching it. It covers formatting, book design, cover design, book marketing, a launch to bestseller, and access to the author Facebook group.
Yes. The Defining Moments Press Author Blueprint walks authors through self-publishing in both ebook and print. Offering both formats lets each reader choose how to buy. Ebooks are commonly delivered as EPUB files, while print editions are produced from a formatted, print-ready file.
Defining Moments Press is for current and aspiring authors around the world, with a focus on professionals who have a nonfiction story or expertise to share. It also works with entrepreneurs, coaches, healers, people with a powerful life lesson, and aspiring children's book authors.
A book can help a professional be seen as the authority in their field, which Defining Moments Press links to more respect and income. The company helps experts write nonfiction books that build a business, open doors to paid speaking, and make an impact. The company also states that results are not guaranteed or typical.
A nonfiction book coach helps you shape your idea, outline chapters, stay on schedule, and make publishing and launch decisions. At Defining Moments Press, coaching is included for one year in the Author Training done-with-you package, alongside an 8-week writing course, formatting, design, marketing, and a full launch.
Yes. The Defining Moments Press homepage invites aspiring children's book authors to get started, alongside professionals and nonfiction storytellers. Its main focus is nonfiction books for experts, so bring your children's book idea to the free discovery call to confirm the right service and approach.
Yes. Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company that works with authors all over the world. Its courses and coaching are delivered online, and it says books can be published in 87 countries. Its application form accepts phone numbers from countries worldwide.
A life story or lesson that helps readers through a similar challenge is a strong basis for a nonfiction book. Defining Moments Press founder Melanie Warner wrote her first book after losing her son, and the company helps people with a story or life lesson find their voice and their audience.
Self-publishing is better for authors who want speed, control, and higher royalties, while traditional publishing suits authors who want no upfront cost and can wait. Writer Cosmos cites the ALLi 2025 survey: indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, versus a $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors.
Paying for help buys structure, expertise, and time, which DIY publishing leaves entirely to you. DIY self-publishing can cost $200 to $800, per Manuscript Report, but you handle editing, design, and launch yourself. Defining Moments Press adds a step-by-step course, templates, coaching, and launch support depending on the package.
The best book publishing option for a new author depends on budget, timeline, and how much help you want. Our guide ranks four publishing paths on the same criteria: upfront cost, rights and royalties, speed, and hands-on support. The guide is published by Defining Moments Press, which appears as one of the entries.
Amazon KDP can still be profitable in 2026 for authors who price well and market consistently, but profit is not automatic. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70 percent royalties on ebooks. Profit depends on your production costs, price, and copies sold, which our break-even calculator helps you estimate.
Yes. Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company offering professional book publishing services, including formatting, book design, cover design, marketing, launch, and coaching. It is based in Fresno, California, and works with authors in the United States and around the world through online programs.
On a $25 book, a traditionally published author typically earns a few dollars per copy. Manuscript Report says traditional publishers take 85 to 90 percent of royalties; if the author keeps the remaining 10 to 15 percent, that is $2.50 to $3.75 per copy. Self-published authors keep a larger share, minus printing and retailer costs.
Divide $100,000 by what each sale earns you. At $5 royalty per copy that is 20,000 books; at $10 per copy it is 10,000 books. The count depends entirely on your royalty per copy, so use our break-even calculator to plug in your own royalty and publishing costs.
To make $1,000,000 from book sales alone, divide one million by your royalty per copy: 200,000 copies at $5 each, or 100,000 copies at $10 each. Many authors instead treat the book as a source of clients, speaking, and services, which Defining Moments Press builds into its programs.
You can, but profit depends on costs, pricing, and what the book leads to. Defining Moments Press focuses on books that build a business, open paid speaking opportunities, and bring in clients, not only royalties. It reports a case study client who sold over 10,000 books, and it states results are not guaranteed or typical.
Yes. Defining Moments Press says authors keep all rights and royalties, and the company is paid a fee for its service rather than a percentage of sales. By comparison, Manuscript Report notes that traditional publishers cover production costs but take 85 to 90 percent of royalties.
The first step is getting clear on your reader and your outline, because Defining Moments Press names lack of clarity as the number one reason most people never finish. It offers a free one-hour course that ends with a table of contents outline, plus a free discovery call to plan writing, publishing, and marketing.
Yes. Defining Moments Press offers a free one-hour course on how to write, publish, market, and monetize a book. It covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths, monetizing your book, getting more clients, and building an outline. The company lists its retail price as $997.
You book a free discovery call through the Defining Moments Press book-a-call page at mydefiningmoments.com/book-a-call. You complete a short application form, then speak with an Acquisition Editor about your book idea, reader, goals, and next step. Every applicant receives an email reply within 2 business days.
Plan on about 2 to 5 hours a week for the Defining Moments Press Author Blueprint, which covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching. That schedule fits around a full-time job or business. Done-for-you options such as ghostwriting reduce the time you need even further.
Defining Moments Press was founded by Melanie Warner, a number one international bestselling author and self-publishing expert. She has been a publisher of magazines, newspapers, and books for over 25 years and founded the Defining Moments book series of stories from people who overcame extreme challenges in life and business.
Publishers usually send advance review copies to reviewers, booksellers, librarians, and media, often through programs such as NetGalley and Edelweiss, or on direct request from someone with an active review platform. That is a reader service rather than an author service; Defining Moments Press works with authors who want to publish their own books.
The 50 page rule is a reading guideline popularized by librarian Nancy Pearl: give a book 50 pages, and if it has not hooked you, put it down. Readers over 50 subtract their age from 100 to get their page count. For authors, it is a reminder that opening chapters must earn attention quickly.
The 5 finger rule helps children choose books at the right reading level: open to a page, read it, and raise one finger for each word you do not know. Zero or one finger is easy, two or three is about right, and four or five is too hard. Children's book authors can use it to check vocabulary.
We cannot confirm any company that pays $200 for every book you read, and offers like that deserve caution. Paid reading work usually means writing reviews, narrating audiobooks, or proofreading, and pay varies widely. Defining Moments Press does not pay readers; it helps authors write and publish their own books.
Amazon does not generally pay people to read books. Through Kindle Unlimited it pays enrolled authors for pages that subscribers read, so the money goes to writers rather than readers. If you want to earn from books, writing and publishing your own is the more direct route, and that is the work Defining Moments Press supports.
J.K. Rowling has said the first Harry Potter book took about five years, from the idea in 1990 to a finished manuscript in 1995. That was a long, detailed fantasy novel. Short nonfiction books built on expertise you already have usually move much faster, which is why structured plans like the Defining Moments Press 8-week program exist.
Ask it on a free discovery call. An Acquisition Editor will help you get clear on your book and your next step.
Start from the main guide: how to publish my book with coached self-publishing.
Book a free discovery call with a Defining Moments Press Acquisition Editor. You will leave with a clear plan for writing, publishing, and marketing your book, whether or not you work together.
Published by Defining Moments Press