Write and publish your nonfiction book, one step at a time.
Scribe Book School is a free, self-paced course in six text lessons, from defining your book to using it after launch. Each lesson ends with a checklist, so you always know what the next step is and when you have finished the current one.
No signup, no email, no video to sit through.
- 3,000+ books published by Scribe
- 23 NYT and WSJ bestsellers
For people who know something worth a book
This course is for people with expertise or hard-won experience who want to write a nonfiction book that does something: brings in the right clients, earns invitations to speak, spreads a method, or puts a story on the record. Consultants, founders, executives, coaches, physicians, attorneys, advisors and people leading a cause all fit.
It is for you if
You have decided to write a book and want the actual steps, in order, with a clear way to tell when each one is done.
It is not for
Novels, poetry or other creative writing. The advice here is built for nonfiction written by experts, and some of it would steer a novelist wrong.
Still deciding?
This course assumes the decision is made. If you are not sure a book is right for you yet, settle that first, then come back to Module 1.
Six modules, from idea to a book that works
Each module is one long lesson with examples, on-page worksheets and the mistakes we see most often. Each one ends with a checklist. When every box is ticked, you are ready for the next module.
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Define your book
Set the book's objectives, choose one primary reader, shape the idea, and write a one-sentence positioning statement.
You finish with: written objectives, a reader profile, and your positioning statement.
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Position and title
Study the books your reader already buys, name what makes yours different, then write and test a title and subtitle.
You finish with: a comparable books table and a tested working title.
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Outline
Answer the fears that stop most authors, choose a structure, and build a chapter-by-chapter outline from a template.
You finish with: a table of contents with a thesis for every chapter, and a full outline.
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Write and edit
Pick a drafting method (typing, talking it out, or a ghostwriter), build a writing plan, revise in passes, and get the right kind of editing.
You finish with: a professionally edited, copyedited and locked manuscript.
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Publish
Compare publishing paths fairly, then handle the cover, interior, ISBNs, formats, price, description, metadata and distribution.
You finish with: a published book in the formats and stores you chose.
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Launch and use your book
Plan a launch around your goals, gather honest reviews, and use the book for speaking, podcasts, media and clients long after launch.
You finish with: a launch plan, a pitch bank, and a monthly routine.
In order, at your own pace
Go in order
Each module depends on the one before. Your positioning statement from Module 1 shows up in every later module, and you draft from the Module 3 outline. If you are already partway through a book, start where you are, but skim the earlier checklists for gaps.
Do the worksheets
The worksheets are prompts on the page. Copy them into a document or a notebook and fill them in. Reading the lessons without doing the work is pleasant and useless.
Tick the checklist honestly
Only tick a box when it is true. Your ticks are saved in your browser (nothing is sent to us), and they show up both at the end of each module and on the full checklist, which you can print or save as a PDF. Every worksheet is also collected on one worksheets page, where you can type your answers and print each one.
Take the time it takes
Some modules are an afternoon of thinking. Module 4 is months of writing. There is no deadline here, and books that are rushed usually show it.
Why a company that sells book services gives this away
Scribe Book School is made by Scribe Media, a company in Austin, Texas that helps people write and publish nonfiction books, with ghostwriting, coaching, editing and publishing services. We sell those services. This course is free, there is no signup, and you can finish your book using only what is here, plus the freelancers and platforms you choose.
We give it away for the same reason we encourage authors to put their best ideas in their books: useful, free advice is the most honest way to show what we know. Some readers will finish on their own, which is a good outcome. Some will decide partway through that they would rather have help, and a few of those will call us.
The method behind the course comes from The Scribe Method by Tucker Max and Zach Obront, which is also free to read online. Each module links to the chapters where you can go deeper.
Want a second set of eyes on your plan?
If you have worked through a module or two and want to talk it over with someone who has seen a lot of books get made, leave your name and email. Someone from Scribe Media will reach out. It is optional, and the call is free.
Rather pick a time yourself? Book a free 15-minute consult or call 512-325-0249.
Thank you. Your details are with the Scribe team.
Someone from Scribe will reach out by email. If you would rather not wait, pick a time for a free consult.
Common questions
Is Scribe Book School really free?
Yes. Every lesson, worksheet and checklist on this site is free to read and use, with no signup and no email required. Scribe Media pays for it because some readers later decide they want professional help, and Scribe sells book services. You never need to buy anything to finish the course.
Who is this course for?
People with expertise or experience who want to write a nonfiction book that helps their career, business or mission: consultants, founders, executives, coaches, doctors, lawyers, advisors and other professionals. It is not a course in fiction or creative writing.
Do I have to do the modules in order?
Yes, if you can. Each module builds on the one before it. The positioning statement from Module 1 is used in every later module, and the outline from Module 3 is what you draft from in Module 4. If you are already partway through a book, start at the module that matches where you are and skim the earlier checklists to make sure nothing is missing.
How long does the course take?
Reading the lessons takes a few hours. Doing the work they describe takes as long as writing and publishing a book takes, which for most people is many months. Go at your own pace. The checklist saves your progress in your browser.
Is this the same as Scribe's video course?
No. Scribe also has a separate video course. This site is a text course written for the web, with its own lessons, worksheets and checklists. Both follow the same overall method, based on The Scribe Method.