THE AUTHOR’S PATH CONFERENCE
Stop Doing Everything.
Start Doing What Actually Works.
You're about to spend thousands on covers, editing, and ads.
Know what you're doing first.
JANUARY 22-24 2026
Your Hosts Jocelyn Lindsay & Lewis Jorstad
14,000+
Covers designed by our cover expert
60,000+
Books sold by our marketing coach
100+
Combined years of industry experience
Nora Roberts
Among our email expert's clients
3
Days: Writing → Publishing → Marketing
9
Expert practitioners (not theorists)
15+
Hours of focused training
$149
Less than one cover you'd redo
This Conference Is For You If...
You're Mid-Draft & Terrified
You want to understand the landscape BEFORE you're lost in it. Smart. Day 1 is for you.
You Finished But You're Frozen
Everyone's selling their thing. You don't know which thing you need first. We'll show you the full picture.
Your First Launch Was Chaos
You did all the things. Nothing worked. Time to understand WHY—and what actually moves the needle.
What Authors Are Saying
From writers who've worked with our speakers and hosts.
It's beginning to come together in a way that it's never done before for me, and I'm starting to believe that I can actually do this.
Lewis's insights transformed my manuscript. It was exactly the reality check every writer needs. He doesn't mess around!
I can now see the entire book in my head where before there were just question marks. I'm not even afraid of starting over because I know I have a good foundation and a map!
You Finished Your Book.
Then You Asked the Internet What to Do Next.
Big Mistake.
You got 47 browser tabs open. Twelve contradictory YouTube videos. A Facebook group where everyone's an expert and nobody agrees.
So you did what most authors do:
You tried to do ALL of it. Or you froze and did NONE of it.
Either way, you're lost. Either way, you're exhausted. Either way, your book isn't finding readers.
You're not failing because you can't write.
You're failing because nobody showed you what publishing actually looks like until you were already lost in it.
That's what this conference is for.
"I wrote 10 books before my 10th book got picked up.
The first 9 are in a trunk and that's where they're gonna stay forever."
— Cassie Alexander, Speaker (40+ books, 25 years in the industry)
The "Pick ONE Platform" Framework
From Shelby Leigh (60,000+ books sold)
"I'm 10 years in and still only use two platforms."
Why doing LESS actually works, why you need 90 days before you evaluate anything, and the metrics that actually matter (hint: it's not likes).
→ You'll leave knowing exactly which platform to choose and what "enough" looks like.
What Makes Covers Sell
From Damon Freeman (14,000+ covers designed)
"All the cover needs to do is get somebody to click on it. That's it."
Why "fitting in" comes BEFORE "standing out," what to prepare before you hire a designer, and why 90% of DIY covers don't compete.
→ You'll leave knowing how to brief a designer like a Big Five publisher does.
The Editing Roadmap
From Emily Golden & Rachel May (Golden May)
"Don't hire an editor the moment you finish your first draft."
The editing hierarchy explained. When you need each type. What to look for when hiring. How to handle feedback without spiraling.
→ You'll leave knowing exactly which edit you need and when you're wasting money.
The Business Reality Check
From Joe Solari (Author Nation)
"You are starting a startup with an unproven product in a saturated market. That's super dangerous."
The Four Assets Framework. Why treating this like a startup changes everything. What separates authors who burn out from authors who build.
→ You'll leave with realistic expectations and a framework for getting there.
Email That Outlasts Algorithms
From Tammi Labrecque (Newsletter Ninja)
"Your email list is the ONLY platform you own."
Why email outlasts every algorithm. What to actually write about (her most-opened emails are about her laundry room light). The welcome sequence that works.
→ You'll leave knowing what to send, how often, and why you've been overthinking it.
Authenticity as Strategy
From Cassie Alexander (40+ books)
"Your authenticity is gonna be the only thing that differentiates you from everything else."
Why your authenticity is your competitive advantage. How to set boundaries while connecting. Why "pessimism is lazy."
→ You'll leave understanding how to show up as yourself—because that's what works now.
The Mindset Shift
From Sue Campbell (Life Coach + Book Coach)
"Intelligence is not the problem. The problem is we're not equipped to manage our own inner saboteurs."
Why "less than 1%" of your limiting beliefs are true. The Thought Download exercise she uses with private coaching clients.
→ You'll leave with a framework for getting out of your own way.
Developing an Intuitive Story
From Lewis Jorstad (The Novel Smithy)
"Structure isn't a cage. It's the foundation that lets your creativity actually go somewhere."
How to develop your story without killing your creative instincts. The frameworks for arc, pacing, and emotional core that work for YOUR process—whether you're a plotter or a pantser.
→ You'll leave with a development approach that fits how you actually write.
The Full Publishing Timeline
From Jocelyn Lindsay (Author Strategist)
"Most authors have no idea what order things happen in—or how long it actually takes."
When does editing happen? How long does formatting take? What are ISBNs and do you need them? What does this actually cost?
→ You'll leave with a realistic timeline you can actually plan your life around.
What You'll Actually Learn
These aren't vague promises. These are specific frameworks from doing the work.
"Less than 1% of the time, the limiting belief is actually true."
— Sue Campbell, Speaker (Certified Life Coach + Book Coach)
These Aren't Influencers. They're Practitioners.
We didn't invite people with opinions. We invited people with receipts.
Tammi Labrecque
Newsletter Ninja
Manages email lists from brand-new authors to Nora Roberts. Wrote the book on newsletters (literally—two of them).
Damon Freeman
Damonza
14,000+ covers designed. Works with Big Five AND indies. Knows exactly why your DIY cover isn't competing.
Shelby Leigh
Marketing by Shelby
60,000+ books sold. 8,000+ authors coached. Still only uses two platforms after 10 years.
Joe Solari
Author Nation
Runs the largest indie author conference in the world. Studies publishing economics so you don't learn the hard way.
Cassie Alexander
Author
40+ books across trad and indie. 25 years and still reinventing.
Sue Campbell
Pages & Platforms
Certified life coach + book coach. Clients have landed NYT features and bestseller lists.
Emily & Rachel
Golden May Editing
The editing duo who'll save you from hiring the wrong editor at the wrong time.
Jocelyn Lindsay
Co-Host
10 years helping authors build businesses and write books. Also publishing her own novels.
Lewis Jorstad
Co-Host
The structure guy. Built The Novel Smithy. Hundreds of writers later: foundation first.
"Most author businesses take 10 to 13 books before they start to hum. Give yourself grace and runway."
— Joe Solari, Speaker (Managing Director, Author Nation)
The Sessions
Each day focuses on one phase. Show up for what you need, or catch all three.
Sessions unlock at 6am PT / 9am ET. Watch anytime after that
Before You Write 60,000 Words
Live at 8am PT / 11am ETGenre positioning, reader expectations, commercial viability. How to know your idea has legs before you invest a year of your life.
The Mindset That Gets Books Finished
"Less than 1% of the time are our fears actually true."
→ You'll leave with the Thought Download exercise used by private coaching clients.
Story Development & Outlining
Structure that serves your story, not suffocates it. Frameworks for arc, pacing, and emotional core.
→ You'll leave with a development approach that fits YOUR creative process.
The Editing Roadmap
"Don't hire an editor the moment you finish your first draft."
→ You'll leave knowing which edit you need and when you're wasting money.
Live Q&A Roundtable
Live at 3pm PT / 6pm ET60 minutes to ask questions, connect with other authors, and talk through what you learned. Bring the weird, specific situations—that's what this is for.
Choosing Your Publishing Path
Live at 8am PT / 11am ETTraditional. Indie. Hybrid. What actually fits YOUR goals, timeline, and life?
Your Cover Has One Job
"All the cover needs to do is get somebody to click on it. That's it."
→ You'll leave knowing how to brief a designer like Big Five publishers do.
The Publishing Timeline
The full pipeline: editing, formatting, ISBNs, metadata, uploads. What happens in what order. What it costs.
→ You'll leave with a realistic timeline you can plan your life around.
The Business Reality
"You're starting a startup with an unproven product in a saturated market. That's super dangerous."
→ You'll leave with the Four Assets Framework for building sustainably.
Live Q&A Roundtable
Live at 3pm PT / 6pm ET60 minutes to ask questions, connect with other authors, and talk through what you learned. Bring the weird, specific situations—that's what this is for.
The Platform Question
Live at 8am PT / 11am ET"Can I just... not use social media?" The honest answer. How to focus where it actually counts.
Authenticity as Strategy
"Your authenticity is gonna be the only thing that differentiates you."
→ You'll leave knowing how to be visible without performing.
Just Send the Damn Email
"Your email list is the ONLY platform you own."
→ You'll leave knowing what to send, how often, and why you've been overthinking it.
Social Media Without Burnout
"Pick ONE platform. I'm 10 years in and still only use two."
→ You'll leave with the 30-minute-per-week strategy that actually works.
Live Q&A Roundtable
Live at 3pm PT / 6pm ET60 minutes to ask questions, connect with other authors, and talk through what you learned. Bring the weird, specific situations—that's what this is for.
🎁 Bonus Day: Surprise!
A surprise conversation. Revealed after purchase.
🔥 Ticket sales close Thursday, Jan 22nd at midnight EST🔥
What $149 Gets You
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✓
9 Deep-Dive Sessions
Not recycled webinars. Fresh interviews built around the questions authors actually have.
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✓
Live Q&A Roundtables
The stuff nobody else answers. The weird specific situations. Bring them.
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✓
Lifetime Replay Access
Watch at 2am. Rewatch before you hire a designer. It's yours forever.
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✓
The Author's Path Workbook
Leave with a PLAN, not 47 pages of notes you'll never look at.
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✓
Mystery Bonus Session
Revealed after purchase.
What You'll Walk Away With
All of this:
$149
Who’s Running This Thing
Jocelyn Lindsay
Author Strategist
10 years helping authors build businesses, not just write books. Most of her unpublished clients don't stay that way for long. Currently in the trenches publishing her own novels—so she's right alongside you.
Lewis Jorstad
Writing Coach
The structure guy. Not the kind who kills creativity with rules—the kind who helps you finish instead of staring at a messy draft for three years. Built The Novel Smithy. Foundation first.
Whenever people tell me they want to write a book and ask for advice, the only thing I tell them is to hire Jocelyn!
This was EXACTLY what I was looking for. I haven't been this excited about working on my novel in a long time.
Lewis was so supportive during our work together. His sharp eye for detail makes him a dream editor. You will not regret working with Lewis!
Why We Built This
We kept watching smart writers finish books and then panic.
Throwing money at random tactics. Making decisions from fear instead of understanding. Burning out before their books ever found readers.
Which really means: "I don't know what I'm supposed to do, and I'm too overwhelmed to figure it out."
The information is out there. That's not the problem.
The problem is everyone's selling their piece. "Here's my ads course." "Here's my newsletter system." They assume you already know what you need.
Nobody's helping you figure that out first.
That's why we built this. Nine professionals showing you the full landscape—so you can figure out where YOU actually need to go.
Still scrolling?
(You want to make sure this is worth your time. We respect that.)
Most authors don't fail because they can't write.
They fail because nobody showed them what publishing actually looks like until they were already lost in it.
Nine professionals. Three days. The full picture. $149.
So you can make smarter decisions about your own career.
Questions
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Two reasons. First: People who invest show up. We want attendees building careers, not collecting free content. Second: You'll spend more than $97 on your first cover, editor, or round of ads. This helps you know which investments actually make sense—before you spend the money.
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Lifetime replay access included. Watch on your schedule. Rewatch sessions when you're ready to implement. It's yours forever.
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Both. The fundamentals of publishing, marketing, and building an author career apply across the board. We'll note when something is genre-specific.
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Good. You'll understand the full picture before you start. Day 1 covers writing. You're in exactly the right place.
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If your first launch felt chaotic, you'll find clarity here. If you've got systems working and multiple books out, this might be too foundational—but Day 3 (marketing) could still be valuable.
The Path Is Clearer
Than You Think
Most authors don't fail because they can't write. They fail because they try to do everything, follow conflicting advice, and burn out.
Stop doing everything. Start doing what actually works.
January 22-24, 2026 · Online · $149
Secure checkout. Instant access to your ticket confirmation. Lifetime replays.