The program
The Author Blueprint program
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The Author Blueprint is an 8 week program from Defining Moments Press that takes you from a finished outline to a written, self-published, and launched nonfiction book in about 2 to 5 hours a week.
What is included in the Author Blueprint?
The Author Blueprint includes 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. Defining Moments Press designed it to cover writing, publishing, launching, and marketing your book in one structured path.
It picks up where How to Write Your Book in a Weekend ends. You arrive knowing your book, your reader, and your outline. The Blueprint carries you through editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launch.
Program facts at a glance
Definition
Who the Author Blueprint is for
The Author Blueprint is for experts who know their story could change someone's life. Melanie Warner built it to help you write, publish, and launch the book your future readers are waiting for, and then turn those readers into clients.
It suits professionals who want a book that supports their work: a consultant who wants to be known as the authority in a field, a coach whose method deserves a book, or a leader whose hard-won life lesson can help others.
Numbers
The numbers, as stated by Defining Moments Press
- Program length
- 8 weeks
- Weekly time
- About 2 to 5 hours
- Total time over 8 weeks
- About 16 to 40 hours
- Listed price
- $1,997 one payment (as of November 2026)
- Publishing reach
- 87 countries using major publishers
- Email support
- Unlimited
How does the Author Blueprint work week to week?
The program follows the stages Defining Moments Press lists for a nonfiction book. Exact weekly lessons are shared inside the course.
Start with your outline
Know your book, your reader, and your table of contents. The free one hour course is built to get you there.
Write with the step-by-step process
Use the audio and video tutorials, templates, and tools to draft chapter by chapter.
Edit your manuscript
Tighten the draft so it serves the reader you defined at the start.
Self-publish in ebook and print
Publish your book yourself, keeping all rights and royalties.
Launch your book
Plan a launch that puts the book in front of the readers you want to reach.
Market and turn readers into clients
Connect your book to your business so readers have a next step with you.
Author Blueprint compared with the other Defining Moments Press services
| What you get | Author Blueprint (DIY) | Author Training (done with you) | Author Premium (done for you) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 week writing course | Yes | Yes | Not needed: ghostwriters write it |
| Book coaching | Unlimited email support | Book coaching for 1 year | Not listed |
| Formatting and book design | Taught | Included | Included |
| Cover design | Taught | Not listed | Included |
| Launch | Taught | Full launch to bestseller | Full launch to bestseller |
| Media and promotion | Taught | Media and podcast list | Book media appearances |
| Published price | $1,997 one payment | Quoted on a call | Quoted on a call |
See every package on the Defining Moments Press services page.
Who should choose something other than the Author Blueprint?
The Blueprint suits professionals who will write their own book and want structure. If you cannot give 2 to 5 hours a week, Author Premium, where ghostwriters write the book, fits better. If your manuscript is already finished, Author Launch covers formatting, design, and launch. If you want a coach for a full year, look at Author Training.
If you want a traditional publishing deal with an advance, a coached self-publishing program is not built for that. Compare options on the best publishing paths for new authors guide, or go back to the nonfiction book coaching overview.
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask before they start. Read all 42 answers on the nonfiction book coaching FAQ.
What is the Author Blueprint?
The Author Blueprint is the 8 week program from Defining Moments Press that helps you write, publish, launch, and market a nonfiction book. It includes 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.
What is included in the Author Blueprint?
The Author Blueprint DIY program includes 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 is designed to take you through writing, publishing, launching, and marketing your book without hiring separate vendors for each stage.
How many hours a week do I need to write my book?
Plan for about 2 to 5 hours a week. That is how Defining Moments Press describes the Author Blueprint workload for editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching. Over the 8 weeks of the program, that adds up to roughly 16 to 40 hours in total, which fits around a full-time career.
How does the Author Blueprint relate to How to Write Your Book in a Weekend?
The Author Blueprint picks up where How to Write Your Book in a Weekend ends. Once you know your book, your reader, and your outline, the Blueprint takes you through editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching over 8 weeks at about 2 to 5 hours a week.
What is the difference between Author Blueprint and Author Training?
Author Blueprint is the do-it-yourself 8 week course with tutorials, templates, a Facebook group, and email support. Author Training is done-with-you: it adds book coaching for 1 year, ongoing training and support, formatting, book design, book marketing, a full launch to bestseller, and a media and podcast list to promote your book.
Can I pay for book coaching in installments?
Possibly. The Author Blueprint checkout page lists a single payment of $1,997 and also points to more payment options. Defining Moments Press links to third-party financing options for some programs too. Confirm the current payment terms for your chosen service on a discovery call before you enroll.
Talk through your book idea
Book a free discovery call with a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor. You will explore your book idea, your ideal reader, and your business goals, and leave with a clear next step.