Identity Publications’ Book:
The Influential Author

2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Gold Medalist
2020 International Book Awards Finalist
2020 American Book Fest Best Book Awards 1st Place Winner

By combining his experience as an educator and entrepreneur, author Gregory V. Diehl teaches passionate thinkers how to turn unique messages into profitable books—without sacrificing royalties or creative control to a publisher.

With in-depth advice for all stages of book creation and publication, The Influential Author takes a uniquely grounded and intellectual approach to nonfiction self-publishing. Unlike self-publishing guides that promise to teach you how to write a bestselling book quickly and easily, it actually walks you through the complex details of planning, writing, editing, and promoting your work at the standards of traditional publishing.

Whether you are an experienced author or have just started thinking about how to write a nonfiction book, The Influential Author will teach you about:

  • Combining your passions and experience with reader demand to decide what book to write.
  • Organizing your knowledge into sections and chapters for maximum comprehension and flow.
  • Refining your book with feedback from editors, proofreaders, beta readers, and market testing.
  • Choosing a title, subtitle, description, and cover design that capture your message and create sales.
  • Pricing and promoting each format of your book (digital, print, and audio) for maximum readership and revenue.
  • Enjoying lifelong passive income, influence, and meaning from your book’s success.

Publishing a book could be one of the most meaningful things you ever do. Read The Influential Author to get started on your path to writing nonfiction books that matter.

Praise for The Influential Author

“I appreciate Diehl’s critical gaze and think that he has contributed a great many ideas to the conversation of publishing within this book. Diehl has a strong sense of the types of nonfiction books he wants to create and the readers who want to buy them.”
Publishing Research Quarterly, Volume 36, Issue 4

“Business writer Diehl (Brand Identity Breakthrough) delivers a practical and encouraging guide to self-publishing nonfiction. In snappy chapters that talk directly to potential authors, Diehl covers the process from start to finish. First, he recommends rejecting the notion that any stigma still exists around self-publishing. Then, he advises, authors should select a new topic to write about, or an old one that can be written about in a new way. To that end, Diehl suggests outlining the book into chapters and figuring out exactly what one wants to communicate before beginning to write. In the editing and refining stage, he advises cutting anything that does not serve the book’s purpose. When the finished book is ready to be presented, its title, cover, and synopsis are the first things readers will see, so it is imperative, Diehl writes, that they are enticing and free of typos. Most helpfully, he urges aspiring authors to pick the marketing plan that will deliver the highest return for their investment.”
Publishers Weekly

“(The Influential Author) is refreshing, leaving no misinterpretation on what success is for a nonfiction writer. Diehl’s writing is compelling and inspiring, aptly following the tenants of his own message. The author’s book is a must-read for aspiring writers.”
US Review of Books

“Every year there is at least one book that is a ‘must read’ for the aspiring writer seeking to have their manuscript become a book, and their book become successful. This year that ‘how to’ manual is Gregory V. Diehl’s The Influential Author: How and Why to Write, Publish, and Sell Nonfiction Books that Matter… A complete and comprehensive course that should be a part of every community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional reference and resource collection.”
Midwest Book Review

“Gregory establishes seven aspects of the relationship between an author and their nonfiction book: philosophy, strategy, creation, refinement, presentation, promotion, and reward. Each of these areas is explored thoroughly and it becomes readily apparent that the ‘rules’ apply to all writers of nonfiction, no matter their stage of experience! Highly recommended.”
San Francisco Review of Books

“I enjoyed The Influential Writer as a reader who writes, but also as a teacher. I would consider using this book as a recommended resource for upper-level writing students who wish to see their work in print, and I think the philosophical sections would make great material for classroom discussion.”
Literacy Work & Play

Click here to order The Influential Author in print, e-book, or audiobook on Amazon.

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Identity Publications produces and publishes books containing ideas that matter. We believe valuable messages feed the curiosity of readers for generations, adding longevity to the most valuable intellectual products of their authors’ lives. We evaluate books by their influence upon the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the people who read them.