The Call to Authorship: How and Why to Write, Publish and Promote a Nonfiction Book

by Tim W. Lindsay

Embrace the call to 10 steps to leverage the power of a book!

Books help people—they inform, inspire, and engage. Books are also a powerful force for those who write them. Publishing a book builds your authority, sharpens your thinking, and opens doors to media exposure, speaking engagements, partnerships, and more.

Despite the greater accessibility of publishing than ever before, many would-be authors hesitate. They get stuck with self-doubt or believe producing a book is incompatible with a busy life. They may start writing but don't finish. Or they finish but don't publish or market their books.

The truth? With a little dedicated time, consistent effort, and the right guidance, anyone can publish a book that changes lives for the better. And they should.

Put down your phone. Take the leap from consumer to creator!

This step-by-step guide will show you how
- Use a one-page tool to clarify your goals, target audience and plan.
- Build an outline that drives your manuscript forward.
- Overcome mental roadblocks and craft habits to finish your first draft in months, not years—even with a busy schedule.
- Select a publishing model, refine your manuscript, and make informed design and distribution decisions.
- Employ promotional strategies to achieve goals that transcend royalties.

Become more than you are. Have courage. Commit to growth by authoring a book, strengthening your ability to serve.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2025

About the author

Tim Lindsay founded Tellwell in 2015. Since then, he and his team have guided some 5,000 authors including entrepreneurs, professional speakers, coaches, consultants, experts, course creators, community builders, religious and nonprofit leaders, Indigenous organizations, athletes, influencers, and everyday citizens. Discover more at Tellwellpublishing.com.

Reviews

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Call to Authorship by Tim Lindsay is an unusually comprehensive guide to writing and publishing nonfiction that succeeds because it treats authorship as far more than the act of putting words on a page. Rather than presenting writing as a mysterious creative gift or publishing as an inaccessible industry reserved for insiders, author Tim Lindsay breaks the entire process into a logical, practical system that begins with identifying a purpose and concludes with promoting both the finished book and the author’s broader mission. The result is a manual that is equally concerned with mindset, project management, publishing strategy, and marketing, making it as much a blueprint for building authority as it is a writing guide.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emphasis on planning before drafting. The Call to Authorship Plan (CTAP) encourages writers to think carefully about audience, positioning, messaging, and long-term goals before writing a single chapter. This strategic perspective distinguishes the book from many writing guides that focus primarily on style or creativity. Instead of assuming that inspiration alone produces successful books, the author argues persuasively that clear objectives and disciplined systems make the writing process both easier and more effective.

The practical advice is consistently detailed without becoming inaccessible. The discussions of outlining, habit formation, editing, cover design, metadata, distribution, pricing, keywords, retailer discounts, ISBNs, copyright, and direct sales reflect genuine publishing experience rather than recycled internet advice. Particularly valuable is the balanced treatment of traditional publishing and self-publishing. Rather than portraying one model as inherently superior, the book carefully examines the advantages and limitations of each, encouraging authors to choose the path that best supports their own goals. That measured approach gives the work credibility and makes it useful for writers at many different stages of their careers.

Equally impressive is the author’s refusal to separate writing from marketing. Too often books on publishing treat promotion as an unpleasant afterthought. Here, marketing is presented as an extension of the writing process itself. Readers are encouraged to build stories, speaking opportunities, partnerships, email lists, and professional authority directly into their books from the earliest planning stages. This integrated approach reflects the realities of contemporary publishing while avoiding the exaggerated promises often found in entrepreneurial writing manuals.

Another notable strength is the author’s tone. The book is encouraging without becoming motivational fluff. Advice is generally grounded in practical experience, numerical examples, and realistic expectations rather than inspirational slogans. Even discussions of productivity emphasize consistency over heroic effort, reminding readers that modest daily progress accumulates into completed manuscripts. This steady, pragmatic voice makes the guidance feel achievable rather than overwhelming.

Ultimately, The Call to Authorship succeeds because it recognizes that publishing a book is not an isolated creative act but the beginning of a broader professional journey. The final chapters reinforce the notion that publication itself is not the endpoint; rather, authorship becomes an ongoing process of learning, sharing ideas, promoting one’s work, and continuing to write. Although the book occasionally blurs the line between neutral instruction and promotion through examples drawn from the author’s own publishing company and services, these references rarely overwhelm the discussion, and the practical advice remains broadly applicable regardless of which publishing path readers ultimately choose.

Comprehensive, methodical, and refreshingly realistic, Tim Lindsay’s The Call to Authorship stands as one of the more useful modern guides to nonfiction publishing. It will be particularly valuable for first-time authors seeking an end-to-end roadmap, but even experienced writers are likely to discover practical insights into planning, positioning, and the increasingly complex business of bringing books to readers.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to LBT for having me on this review tour and for my gifted copy of this book!!

So I’m not a writer. I have never written well I mean unless you count when I was school and wrote essays and stuff I’ve thought of writing a book before but that’s all it was a thought. I am not creative at all I really wish I was. This book though it really gave me a lot of inspiration per se to learn more about the writing process and what authors do and how they do it.

I really want to know the behind the scenes stuff and what all goes into the process. I know the book was really strong about the process and what goes first and next and after which I found so cool.

I don’t think people realize how much goes into this process. I know I didn’t. I’m still learning and I learned a lot from this book and I found that I really want to dive more into the world of writing weather be the finished product or just starting I feel like this book could be for anyone really.

Like I said I’m not even a writer and I feel like I learned so much from this book and the author!!!

Definitely recommend !!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Call to Authorship is a great guide to writing, publishing, and marketing your book! As someone who has drafted a children’s book and working on getting it illustrated, currently writing a cozy mystery, have a book idea about a superhero as well as one on servant leadership in a particular industry in my brain, this book was of interest to me. I thought the 10 steps were informative as well as the real world examples. Additionally, there are so many helpful resources listed. I’m looking forward to digging into those! If you’re being called to authorship, this is a great book to read. The Call to Authorship ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Archana Ashok · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Books succeed when they resonate with a specific, well-defined audience, and the clearest path to resonance is relevance. When you know who you're writing for, you naturally deliver the right insights in the clearest format."

Writing a book takes a lot of everything. Just because you have a great idea, doesn't mean you've done it. Be it a budding writer or an experienced author, this work will give you many insights about how to write, publish, and eventually promote the book. Each of this is written in a detailed, step-by-step manner.

I feel this is one of the best pieces of works to invest in. If you think becoming an author is just about having a brilliant idea and only writing it, then this is for you.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has already dipped her toes into the author pool, I appreciated how practical this book is. Lindsay’s straightforward voice feels encouraging without pretending writing and publishing are magically easy. The organized, step-by-step pacing makes a potentially overwhelming process feel surprisingly manageable, with useful advice on planning, publishing options, and the often-neglected promotion stage. There aren’t characters or multiple POVs here—the strength is Lindsay’s experienced perspective and clear direction. By the wrap-up, I was motivated to actually start the book I’ve been procrastinating.

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in writing a nonfiction book, this is the step-by-step guide you are looking for. Using a very organized method with ten steps divided into Plan, Write, Publish, and Promote, it is evident that this would be the guidebook writers need to publish a nonfiction book in the 21st century. Additional resources are available from the author's own publishing company, and a jaunt through that website showed a plethora of resources available.

I am very excited to delve deeper into this book and really get started on the nonfiction book I started in a notebook nearly two decades ago.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Call to Authorship, Tim Lindsay offers a comprehensive guide to transforming an idea into a professionally published book with a clearly defined purpose. Drawing on his experience helping thousands of authors through his publishing company, Tellwell, Lindsay approaches authorship as a creative, personal, and strategic endeavor. His central argument is that writing a book can serve several meaningful purposes, including sharing knowledge, building professional credibility, and fostering personal growth. He organizes these motivations into three categories summarized by the memorable phrase, “Give. Build. Become.” This framework establishes the book’s guiding philosophy: successful authorship begins with understanding why a particular story, message, or body of knowledge deserves to be shared. Lindsay’s encouraging voice and extensive industry experience make the material especially accessible to aspiring nonfiction writers.

The book follows a ten-step method divided into four sections: Plan, Write, Publish, and Promote. Lindsay begins by helping readers identify their intended audience, develop a compelling concept, and establish realistic goals. One of the book’s most useful features is the Call to Authorship Plan, a one-page planning tool that brings together the essential elements of a publishing project. His five-dimensional outlining method provides another practical resource, encouraging writers to consider chapter structure, supporting material, research sources, and strategic objectives before drafting. These exercises reflect Lindsay’s emphasis on preparation and intentional decision-making. He also addresses common psychological obstacles, including self-doubt, perfectionism, and difficulty maintaining productive habits. His observation that “Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to move you forward” captures the book’s pragmatic and reassuring approach to the writing process.

Lindsay’s discussion becomes particularly valuable as he moves into the technical and commercial aspects of publishing. He explains the distinctions among traditional publishing, independent publishing, and various assisted publishing arrangements, giving readers a foundation for evaluating their options. Subsequent chapters cover manuscript revision, professional editing, cover design, interior formatting, distribution platforms, pricing, and promotional strategies. His treatment of distribution is especially detailed, addressing services such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark alongside considerations involving bookstores, ebooks, and audiobooks. The marketing chapters extend the discussion to media outreach, reader reviews, speaking engagements, advertising, and professional partnerships. Lindsay consistently connects these activities to an author’s broader objectives, emphasizing that a book’s value can extend well beyond direct sales. The depth of operational information is a considerable strength, although the numerous platforms, processes, and promotional possibilities occasionally make the reading experience dense. The accompanying resources and structured exercises help readers translate this substantial material into manageable decisions.

What distinguishes The Call to Authorship is its integration of practical publishing instruction with a sustained examination of the author’s purpose. Lindsay incorporates examples from writers with different backgrounds and motivations, illustrating how books can preserve personal histories, communicate expertise, strengthen communities, and create professional opportunities. These accounts give the instructional material a human dimension and reinforce his belief that authorship carries responsibilities to both writer and reader. His conversational style balances encouragement with a realistic acknowledgment of the time, financial investment, and persistence involved in producing a quality publication. The book also benefits from its recognition that an author’s definition of success may evolve throughout the process. For entrepreneurs, educators, professionals, and individuals considering their first nonfiction manuscript, Lindsay provides a substantial reference that can be consulted throughout the publishing journey. The Call to Authorship is a fantastic practical handbook and a thoughtful exploration of why people write, offering readers a structured way to develop their ideas and bring meaningful work into the world.

[Ryan Holiday · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Call to Authorship by Tim W. Lindsay feels like an encouraging invitation to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start sharing the knowledge, experiences, and ideas that could genuinely make a difference in someone else's life. What makes this book especially compelling is that it treats writing a nonfiction book as more than a creative achievement. It presents authorship as an opportunity to grow, serve others, establish credibility, and turn meaningful ideas into something that can reach far beyond us.

I particularly appreciate the practical, thoughtful approach to the entire journey, from clarifying your purpose and understanding your audience to completing a manuscript, choosing a publishing path, and promoting your finished work. The emphasis on consistent progress over perfection is especially reassuring for aspiring authors who feel overwhelmed by the process or unsure where to begin. Rather than relying on inspiration alone, Lindsay offers a structured path that makes a seemingly daunting ambition feel more achievable. For anyone carrying an idea worth sharing but struggling to take that first step, this sounds like a valuable and motivating companion. Its most powerful message is that your story, knowledge, and experience may have a purpose beyond yourself, and taking the courage to write could be the beginning of something meaningful for both you and the people you hope to reach.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Call to Authorship, Tim Lindsay breaks down book writing and publishing into four major clear steps, dedicating an entire section of the book to each: Plan, Write, Publish, and Promote. From aspiring authors, to authors on their publishing journey, to authors with a book already in print, there is so much to learn on every page. I especially appreciated the dedication section on Promote and the five major ways to promote an existing book that work for authors like me.

[Deb Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely wish I’d had this book before I ever wrote a nonfiction manuscript or dipped a toe into self‑publishing. It’s thorough, encouraging, and packed with guidance on everything from imposter syndrome to niche research, publishing options, titles, blurbs, and marketing. I’m giving it five stars without hesitation — every nonfiction writer should read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ryan Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have written several non-fiction books. Reading this book helped with the in-and-outs of promotion for these works. I found it super helpful in growing my own catalog and publishing these more effectively.