Publishing Consultants

Brooke Warner is the publisher of She Writes Press, a feminist hybrid publishing company, and a prominent advocate for women writers navigating alternative publishing paths. She has worked as an acquisitions editor and now consults widely on hybrid and assisted publishing models for memoir and literary nonfiction authors. She is co-author of 'Breaking Ground on Your Memoir' and speaks frequently on the future of publishing.

Draft2Digital offers a team of publishing consultants and support specialists who advise independent authors on distribution, formatting, and publishing strategy across major ebook and print platforms. Their consultation services are embedded in their author services platform and available via community forums, webinars, and direct support channels. They specialize in wide distribution strategy as an alternative to Amazon-exclusive approaches.

Jane Friedman is one of the most respected publishing consultants in the industry, with over 20 years of experience in traditional publishing at major houses including HarperCollins and Writer's Digest. She advises authors on publishing strategy, platform building, and career development across both traditional and self-publishing paths. Her newsletter 'The Hot Sheet' is a go-to resource for publishing industry news and strategic guidance.

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author turned publishing consultant who has built a multi-six-figure self-publishing career and advises authors on going indie. Through her Creative Penn brand, she offers courses, coaching, and consulting on self-publishing, hybrid strategies, and building sustainable author businesses. She is especially strong on global distribution, audio, and rights licensing.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is a Hugo Award-winning author and former editor-in-chief of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction who now consults on the business of writing and publishing. Her long-running 'Business Rusch' blog series is considered essential reading for authors navigating trad and indie publishing contracts and careers. She specializes in helping authors understand publishing contracts, rights reversion, and long-term income strategy.

Mark Dawson is a bestselling self-published thriller author who has become a leading educator and consultant for authors seeking to build profitable indie publishing careers. Through his Self Publishing Formula brand, he offers consulting, courses, and masterminds focused on production, marketing, and scaling an author business. He is particularly known for his expertise in advertising strategy for indie authors.

Orna Ross is the founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and a hybrid author who has been one of the most influential voices in the global indie publishing movement. She provides strategic consulting on self-publishing, hybrid deals, rights management, and author association with ethical publishers and service providers. Her expertise spans creative entrepreneurship and the long-term sustainability of author careers.

Reedsy hosts a curated marketplace of vetted publishing consultants and industry professionals who advise authors on traditional queries, self-publishing, hybrid deals, and long-term career planning. Individual consultants on the platform include former Big Five editors, literary agents, and seasoned publishing strategists available for hire on a project basis. Reedsy's learning resources also include structured courses on publishing paths.

Sandra Beckwith is a book marketing and publishing consultant who helps authors at all stages decide on and execute their publishing strategies, with particular emphasis on platform building and visibility for traditionally and independently published books. She runs the Build Book Buzz consulting practice and teaches online courses on book publicity, author branding, and marketing for both trad and indie authors. Her background includes corporate PR and publishing marketing roles.