Stephen King said “most books about writing are filled with bullsh*t.” True. Most are self-indulgent anecdotes or a byproduct of CEO ghost writers. But not this one.
Written for everyday people, The No BS Guide to Writing & Selling Your First Book: An Author’s Hustle is a one-stop roadmap for first-time writers, retirees, side-hustlers, and anyone ready to get their story out of their head and onto the page. With humor, grit, and no hand-holding, award-winning professor and author Alicia DeFonzo shares actionable steps for writing, publishing , and actually selling a book in the real world—without a million-dollar platform or advanced degree.
This guidebook doesn’t just kickstart your writing journey, it prepares you for the last leg: how to position your work, build credibility, and grasp the modern publishing landscape. You’re writing could be beautiful, but if you don’t know the industry, your story will stay on the page. You’ll hear a lot of people talk, but the fact is, they don’t know how publishing operates. Don’t listen to them. Get the facts and advice from an author who’s been through the process.
The No Bullsh*t Guide contains 10 condensed lessons, recommended readings, podcasts, author resources, assignments, and checklists which streamline the writing, research, and creative process. I recommend one lesson per week or month. What matters most is consistency.
How bad do you want this?
If you’re looking for an easy road, this isn’t it. If you’re waiting for more hours in the day, you’ll never start. But if you’re in, you’re in.
Release date: July 4, 2025
Pre-order exclusively at BarnesandNoble.com