TLDR: I’ve broken the resources below down by your current writing situation, so feel free to scan for the headline that grabs you—and dig into a resource to support your journey.

I clearly remember the day I sat down to write my book. Well, to be honest, not the exact day—more like an amalgamation of days that felt like one big, messy, scary first foray into book writing.

Inside, I chastised myself. It shouldn’t be so hard! You know how to do this! You see, I’d been editing books for years. I’d gotten a degree in writing and was pursuing a master’s in writing. I’d coached people writing their books. I’d nearly rewritten entire books from authors with great ideas who needed a partner writer. But writing an actual, whole, entire book—well, that was new. And big. And overwhelming. And freaking scary.

So I did what any type-A person does in a situation like that: I interviewed experts, leaned on my editor for support in building my outline, and read. A lot.

But here’s the thing: even with all that support, all my knowledge going in, and a deep understanding of what makes a book great, I still struggled. Because writing is a skill. Book editing is a skill. Book writing is a whole other skill entirely.

The good news—the thing that would have seriously helped back then in 2012, as I was freaking out at my desk, palms sweating, trying to push aside all my negative self-talk to write my first book—is this: you can learn the skill of book writing.

I’ve been in the publishing industry nearly 13 years now, and I’ve written a whole lotta books. Not to mention coaching, editing, contributing to, or otherwise impacting hundreds of authors. I wouldn’t say writing a book is easy for me now, but I do have a system—a clear, step-by-step framework I follow for each new book that enables me to organize my ideas, tap into flow, and unlock my creative genius. I help my clients and students do the same.

And guess what? Rather than white-knuckling your way through writing, you can have fun! Whether you’re just dipping your toe into writing or ready to take the step toward authorhood, here are some resources to help you. I’ve broken these down by stage so you can find a resource (article, podcast episode, guide, etc.) that meets your needs.

If you want to develop a consistent writing routine

Listen to “How to create a powerful writing routine.” This is one of my all-time most-read and most-listened-to topics because developing a consistent, powerful, productive writing routine can feel hard, y’all. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, I walk through how to tap into creativity daily and welcome the fabled writing muse.

If you’re ready to explore your book but don’t know where to start

Read “How to turn your expertise, idea, or story into a successful book.” This article details steps to go from “I want to write a book” to “I’m ready to write a book that connects to my purpose and makes an impact on the world.”

Read “5 writing truths from working with 100+ books.” This shares some of my top lessons learned throughout my long love affair with books. I hope it leaves you feeling inspired and empowered to write your book!

If you’re serious about writing a book and in the research stage

Listen to “You, author: the nonfiction book-writing process” to learn an overview of the Creation and Production Framework I use in my own work and teach my clients and students.

Download my free book budget guide, “How much will my book cost?” This guide details the cost to write, edit, publish, and launch a best-seller-quality book.

Listen to “Write that book: a conversation with author and NBS student, Lindsey Weigle.” Personally, I love listening to other people’s journeys as I’m embarking on my own. Lindsey is real in this discussion, sharing the ups and downs of authorhood—and how she found her way through “stuckness” to write a book that deeply resonates with her audience.

If you need a clear, step-by-step system to write your book

Download my free book-ideation guide, “4 Steps to a Great Book Idea.” This guide will help you take the first critical step toward writing your book: creating or clarifying a great book idea.

If you’re looking for a clear system and expert guidance, join the waiting list for Nonfiction Book School. To be notified of free resources and trainings, be sure to join my list.

If you need to create an author platform (before, during, or after writing your book)

Enroll (for free!) in my Reedsy course: “Growing Your Influence as a Non-Fiction Author.” This course is packed with useful information and resources. I hope you find it immensely helpful if you’re building an author platform!

What about you? What are your favorite writing resources—communities, podcasts, bloggers, and more—who provide value to you? Share with me in the comments so I can check them out for myself!