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Big Impact Books

FAQ

Business book writing and publishing questions, answered

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Big Impact Books answers the questions CEOs, attorneys, and business owners ask before writing, publishing, and promoting a book. There are 51 questions below, grouped by topic, each answered directly in the first sentence.

What is the quickest way to find my answer?

Jump to a topic below. If your question is not here, book a call with Big Impact Books and ask directly.

What business book writing services are

What are business book writing services?

Business book writing services help a leader turn professional expertise into a finished, published book. At Big Impact Books, that means guided interviews to develop the manuscript, publishing support, and promotion such as podcast placements and media coverage, all aimed at building authority and supporting business growth.

What is Big Impact Books?

Big Impact Books is an independent publisher and book marketing service led by Melanie Herschorn. It helps CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners worldwide plan, create, publish, and promote books that build authority. Its main website is yourbigimpactbook.com, where you can book a call or download the free book planning checklist.

Is Big Impact Books a ghostwriting service?

Not in the usual sense. Melanie Herschorn says she refuses to churn out cookie cutter content or hide behind ghostwriting. Instead, guided interviews capture what you know in your own words, and the team shapes those conversations into a manuscript, so the finished book reflects your real voice and expertise.

Why would a CEO or business owner write a book?

A book can position you as the trusted expert in your field, open doors to speaking and media, and support your next business move. Big Impact Books frames a book as an authority engine: an asset that keeps working after launch by attracting clients, interviews, and new opportunities long after publication day.

What does done-for-you publishing and promotion mean?

It means the publisher handles the heavy lifting of turning your ideas into a book and getting it in front of readers. Big Impact Books describes its process as done-for-you publishing and promotion designed to respect your time, about one hour a week, while honoring your authentic voice throughout.

What kinds of books does Big Impact Books help create?

Big Impact Books focuses on nonfiction books that showcase professional expertise, such as books by CEOs, attorneys, consultants, and business owners. Examples from its authors include The Intentional Networker by Sarah Hubbard and End Your Marriage Peacefully by attorney Manisha P. Patel. Ask on a call whether your idea fits.

How the guided interview process works

How do guided interviews turn into a manuscript?

You talk through your book chapter by chapter in scheduled interviews, and the team pieces your answers together into a manuscript. Attorney and author Manisha P. Patel said the weekly interviews made the process manageable because she could talk through each chapter in an organized way instead of sitting down to write.

How much time does writing a book take each week?

Big Impact Books says its process is designed to take just one hour a week of your time. That hour is typically spent in a guided interview, which is why the approach suits busy executives, attorneys, and business owners who cannot block out long stretches for writing.

Do I have to write anything myself?

You do not need to draft chapters from scratch. The guided interview process is built for people who know their subject but lack time to write. You share ideas out loud, and the team organizes them into a manuscript. You will still review the work so the book says what you mean.

Will the book sound like me?

That is the point of the interview method. Because the manuscript is built from your own spoken answers, your phrasing, stories, and opinions carry into the book. Big Impact Books says its process honors your authentic voice and lets clients own their brilliance rather than reading like generic content.

What are the main steps from idea to published book?

Big Impact Books describes four stages: plan, create, publish, and promote. Planning shapes the idea and audience, creation happens through guided interviews, publishing turns the manuscript into a finished book, and promotion includes support such as podcast placements and media coverage. The free book planning checklist covers the first stage.

How long does it take to finish a business book?

Timelines vary with book length, your availability, and review speed, and Big Impact Books does not publish a fixed timeline on its site. Because the process runs on roughly one hour a week, consistency matters more than bursts of effort. Ask for a realistic timeline for your book on a call.

Can I work with Big Impact Books from outside the US?

Yes. Big Impact Books works with CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners worldwide. Interviews and collaboration can be scheduled around your calendar, so location is rarely a barrier. Confirm time zone and scheduling details when you book a call through yourbigimpactbook.com/contact.

Pricing and investment

How much do business book writing services cost?

Big Impact Books does not list prices on its public site, so the honest answer is to ask on a call. Cost generally depends on book length, how much writing support you need, and how much promotion is included. Bundled writing, publishing, and promotion usually costs more than writing alone.

What raises or lowers the cost of a business book?

Across the industry, price usually moves with manuscript length, research needs, the number of revision rounds, design and print formats, and the depth of marketing. A program that includes promotion such as podcast placements and media coverage covers more work than editing alone. Ask Big Impact Books which pieces apply to you.

Is a business book worth the investment?

For many leaders the return comes from authority, not royalties. Big Impact Books writes that a book is bigger than book sales: it can attract clients, media, and speaking opportunities. Author Sarah Hubbard called her program the best investment and noted she got marketing as well as a written book.

Who keeps the rights and royalties to my book?

Terms differ by provider, so read every contract. For example, Writers of the West states on its book writing services page that authors get 100% ownership and royalties and that its contract includes an NDA and 100% IP ownership. Ask Big Impact Books directly about its rights and royalty terms before you sign.

Is there anything free I can use before I commit?

Yes. Big Impact Books offers a free book planning checklist at yourbigimpactbook.com/checklist, plus free resources and a blog with articles on authority, book marketing, and publishing. Melanie Herschorn also hosts The Big Impact Playbook Podcast and Authority Marketing Live!, which cover the same topics.

Who it is for

Who are Big Impact Books services for?

They are built for CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners who want a book that builds authority and supports business growth. The process suits people with deep expertise and limited time, who would rather talk through their ideas in a weekly interview than write a manuscript alone.

Can attorneys use a book to grow a law practice?

Yes, and Big Impact Books has a dedicated focus here. Melanie Herschorn wrote Lasting Legal Impact: Write a Book That Builds Your Brand, Grows Your Practice, and Positions You As The Trusted Expert, a blueprint for legal professionals. It was named a Finalist in the 2025 Best Book Awards.

I am not a writer. Can I still publish a book?

Yes. The guided interview process was designed for experts who are not professional writers. Attorney Manisha P. Patel said she never thought she would have time to sit down and write, but talking through each chapter in weekly interviews made it manageable. Speaking is the main skill required.

Who should choose a different option?

If you love writing and have time to draft every chapter yourself, a self-publishing platform such as Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Apple Books may fit better. If you only want a writer to produce the text and plan to handle promotion yourself, a dedicated ghostwriting service may suit you.

Do I need a big audience before I start?

No, but you should start building one early. Big Impact Books advises authors to begin marketing as soon as they have an idea, because waiting until launch loses valuable time. An engaged audience built during writing is more likely to buy, share, and review the book when it is released.

Can Big Impact Books help with a second book?

Big Impact Books works with authors at the planning, creation, publishing, and promotion stages, so a second book follows the same path. Melanie Herschorn has written two books herself, Lasting Legal Impact and Make a Big Impact with Your Book. Discuss your goals for a follow-up title on a call.

Book marketing and promotion

What book marketing does Big Impact Books provide?

Big Impact Books provides promotional support such as podcast placements and media coverage, alongside guidance on content, audience building, and authority marketing. Its articles also cover social media, email newsletters, guest posting, launch events, and, once an audience exists, targeted ads on platforms such as Amazon, Facebook, or Google.

When should I start marketing my book?

Start as early as possible, ideally before the book is published. Big Impact Books compares launching without marketing to planning a party and never sending invitations. Building buzz during the writing stage creates anticipation, which can mean stronger sales and better reviews once the book is available.

How do podcast placements help a business author?

Podcast interviews put you in front of an audience that already trusts the host, so listeners hear your expertise in your own voice. For a business author, that builds credibility and drives interest in both the book and your services. Big Impact Books includes podcast placements in its promotional support.

What is thought leader content and how does it sell books?

Thought leader content positions you as a subject matter expert through blog posts, white papers, social posts, videos, articles, or a podcast. Big Impact Books advises serving value instead of repeating buy my book, because readers who see your expertise are more willing to purchase. Much of this content can come straight from your book.

How do I keep my book relevant after launch?

Keep engaging your audience, keep promoting through podcasts, events, and book clubs, update content when your field changes, and collaborate with others for cross promotion. Big Impact Books calls this a legacy book plan and notes it can lead to speaking engagements, media interviews, and ongoing revenue.

What should I look for in the best book marketing services?

Look for a provider that starts marketing before launch, focuses on your authority rather than only ads, and can secure earned exposure such as podcast interviews and media coverage. Big Impact Books combines these with publishing, and Melanie Herschorn brings over 20 years as a celebrity publicist and award winning journalist.

Do I need a book marketing agency if I already have a publisher?

Often yes, because many publishers leave most promotion to the author. Big Impact Books notes that publishers may suggest a freebie but rarely build your authority for you. A service that combines publishing with promotion avoids the gap between a finished book and readers who know it exists.

Compared to alternatives

Is Big Impact Books better than self-publishing on Amazon KDP?

It depends on your time and goals. Amazon KDP is a self-publishing platform where you upload and manage your own book. Big Impact Books adds guided interviews to create the manuscript plus promotion such as podcast placements. If you want to write and market alone, KDP fits; if you want support, a done-for-you publisher fits.

What is the difference between a ghostwriter and guided interviews?

A ghostwriter writes the book for you, often from notes and interviews, and the result can vary in how closely it matches your voice. Big Impact Books uses guided interviews so the manuscript is built from your own spoken words, and it pairs writing with publishing and promotional support.

Should an executive pursue a traditional publisher instead?

Traditional publishing usually requires a proposal, often a literary agent, and acceptance by a publishing house, which can take a long time and is not guaranteed. An independent publisher such as Big Impact Books gives the author a direct path to publication and includes promotion aimed at authority and business growth.

Is a book coach enough to get my book done?

A book coach helps you outline and stay accountable, but you still write the book yourself. Big Impact Books points out that the typical path of coach, write, edit, and publish often skips the most vital piece: building a community of readers before launch. Its process includes that marketing work.

Do I need book publishing services and book marketing services separately?

Not necessarily. Many authors hire one provider to publish and another to market, which can leave gaps. Big Impact Books combines book publishing services with book marketing services, so manuscript development, publication, and promotion such as podcast placements and media coverage sit in one program.

How does this site rank book publishing services?

This site is published by Big Impact Books. Its comparison guide judges every option on the same five criteria: who creates the manuscript, author time required, publishing support, promotion included, and stated ownership terms. The full criteria are explained on the methodology page, and the guide is not independent.

Publishing questions people ask

How do I start to publish a book?

Start by defining who the book is for and what it should do for your business, then outline the chapters. Big Impact Books offers a free book planning checklist for this stage. From there you choose a path: self-publish, pursue a traditional publisher, or work with an independent publisher that guides the process.

How do I self-edit a book?

Take a break before rereading, then edit in passes: structure first, then clarity, then grammar. Read the book as your ideal reader rather than as the author, which Big Impact Books recommends when repurposing your manuscript. Reading aloud catches clumsy sentences. A professional editor is still worth it before publishing.

Does JK Rowling self-publish?

Not in the usual sense. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books were published by traditional publishers, starting with Bloomsbury in the UK. She later sold the Harry Potter ebooks through her own website, Pottermore, which is why she is sometimes mentioned in self-publishing discussions.

Who was rejected by 12 publishers?

J.K. Rowling is widely reported to have had her first Harry Potter manuscript rejected by 12 publishers before Bloomsbury accepted it. The story is often shared as a reminder that rejection says little about a book’s potential, and that authors today have more publishing paths than ever.

How many books do you have to sell to make $100,000?

Divide $100,000 by what you earn per copy. At $5 per copy you would need 20,000 sales; at $10 per copy, 10,000 sales. For business authors, Big Impact Books stresses that the larger return often comes from clients, speaking, and media the book attracts, not royalties alone.

Who is the #1 selling author in history?

Agatha Christie is commonly cited, including by Guinness World Records, as the best selling fiction writer of all time, with sales in the billions. Business authors rarely chase those numbers. A nonfiction book usually succeeds by reaching the right readers and building the author’s authority.

What are the best books on Apple Books?

The best sellers on Apple Books change constantly, so check the charts inside the Apple Books app for current lists. If you are an author, Apple Books for Authors lets you self-publish an ebook there. Big Impact Books helps business authors reach readers across platforms through promotion.

Getting started and common problems

What is the first step to work with Big Impact Books?

Book a call through the contact page at yourbigimpactbook.com/contact to talk about your book, audience, and business goals. If you are not ready for a call, download the free book planning checklist first. For a quicker response, you can email hello@yourbigimpactbook.com or text 623.418.0723.

What if I have no time to write a book?

That is the problem the guided interview process was built to solve. Big Impact Books designs its process around about one hour a week, so you talk through chapters instead of writing them. Many executives find a single recurring interview easier to protect than open ended writing time.

Why does writing a book feel so intimidating?

Most experts have never organized years of knowledge into a single structure, and a blank page magnifies that. Big Impact Books writes about this feeling and recommends breaking the work into small, regular sessions. Talking through one chapter at a time turns a huge project into steady weekly progress.

My book is already published but not selling. What now?

Start marketing now. Big Impact Books notes that books published without a marketing plan often miss sales and opportunities, but it is not too late. Build thought leader content from your chapters, seek podcast interviews and media coverage, and engage readers through email and social media.

A competitor’s book gets more attention. Is mine worse?

Not necessarily. Big Impact Books points out that a competing book with more buzz is usually being marketed better, not written better. Know your audience, emphasize what makes your book unique, and keep producing valuable content. There is often room in the market for several books on one theme.

See how Big Impact Books business book writing services work end to end

Still have a question?

Book a call with Big Impact Books and get a direct answer about your book, your timeline, and your goals.

Not ready yet? Start with the free book planning checklist.

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