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

An empowering guide for passionate writers, The Influential Author takes a holistic, grounded, and intellectual approach to nonfiction self-publishing.

Ignore the hype and overblown promises about a quick and easy path to becoming an author. This extensively revised second edition of a consistent bestseller expertly dissects the intricacies of planning, writing, editing, publishing, and promoting your book, ensuring that your work meets, and even exceeds, the standards set by traditional publishing.
Immerse yourself in wisdom born from firsthand experience, including case studies of 16 self-published non-fiction titles that show you how to:

  • Select the most compelling idea to turn into a book from many possibilities in your head.
  • Organize your knowledge into structured sections, chapters, and subheadings for seamless flow and comprehension.
  • Master editing and refinement through feedback from editors, proofreaders, beta-readers, and tactical market testing.
  • Craft a captivating title, description, and cover design that capture your message and incite interest from ideal readers.
  • Price and promote each format of your book, be it digital, paperback, hardcover, or audiobook narration.
  • Embrace the lifelong rewards of passive income, influence, and other forms of success from your book’s enduring popularity.

Writing and publishing a book can be a life-changing experience, but only if you know how to make the right people take your message seriously. The Influential Author is an indispensable companion to usher you onto the path of having your words make a meaningful impact.

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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.