#3 Embrace the Process, Not Just the Final Product
In designing GRAD | Book Writing Mastery, we knew our students needed a proven methodology, one built in service to the reader, and by extension, the author. That’s why we partnered with AJ Harper, a prolific ghostwriter and bestselling author of Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives—Including Your Own.
The program emerged out of our shared vision for what a great book-writing program should be. AJ wanted more authors to have access to her methodology and to master the fundamentals—and partnering with HEROIC made that possible. Her philosophy, standards, and vision of excellence aligned perfectly with HEROIC’s mission. Both HEROIC and AJ see the work as much more than simply “getting a book done” but rather about writing a reader-focused book that achieves transformation.
With over 25 years of writing, editing, and publishing experience, AJ masterfully walks students through the same process she uses as a ghostwriter with bestselling authors to create transformational, reader-focused books. It was a rare chance for students to learn the very same approach trusted by bestselling authors while experiencing it in a community designed to support their growth.
Students loved watching AJ model her process in real time. Yes, they got worksheets, writing prompts, and templates. But even more powerful was getting an inside look at her actual writing process: hearing her narrate her thinking, watching her leave breadcrumbs for herself when she hit a rough point, and then seeing those “stuck” moments later unlock unexpected lightbulb moments. It showed students what writing really looks like: wrestling with ideas, tinkering, getting stuck, refining, and iterating until clarity emerges.
Watching AJ demonstrate that the “messy middle” is normal gave students permission to celebrate the ups and downs, embrace their own uncertainty, and trust that the process works.
#4 Feedback Turns Uncertainty Into Clarity
One of the hardest parts of writing is simply not knowing if you’re on the right track. Left alone, many authors stall out in that uncertainty. What our first cohort discovered is that the right kind of feedback can transform your progress.
Editors, of course, provided invaluable guidance. Developmental notes on an outline or a chapter often revealed blind spots and opened up new possibilities students hadn’t considered. Again and again, students called this feedback “life-changing” and named it as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.
But what surprised many of them was how powerful it was to test their ideas with real readers. They could see what sparked curiosity and what made a reader say, “I need this book.” Even when they weren’t actively testing ideas, working through their outlines with the reader in mind changed everything.
Again and again, students told us that being reminded to ask, “Does this serve my reader?” was the breakthrough they needed. The more they practiced writing through that lens, the more confident they became in shaping a book that could truly transform their readers.
Feedback isn’t criticism, it’s momentum. For these students, whether it came from the Writing Faculty, a peer, or their own self-edits, feedback turned uncertainty into clarity and doubt into renewed commitment.
#5 Return to the Fundamentals
Writing a book is a creative endeavor, and like any creative process, it’s easy to drift off course or begin to stall when you lose clarity. That’s why the fundamentals are so important: they’re the guideposts that keep you grounded and moving forward.
In GRAD | Book Writing Mastery, authors refined these essential book-writing fundamentals:
- Primary Reader: Profoundly knowing your reader, understanding their wants, needs, problems, and challenges.
- Core Message: The central idea of your book that shifts your reader’s perspective and sparks transformation.
- Promise: The change your readers will experience by the last page if they follow through.
What surprised many students was how deeply they had to think about these fundamentals. They weren’t just filling in boxes; they were being asked hard, nuanced questions that pushed them further than they would have gone on their own. AJ often emphasized that too many authors skip this step—they rush ahead without doing the deep work—yet it makes all the difference.
That level of detail forced them to anticipate their readers’ needs, clarify their message, and imagine how their book would truly land. As they wrote, authors returned again and again to questions like:
- Will this help me deliver on my promise to my readers?
- Does this help my readers get what they want?
- Is this story/section/teaching point in service to my readers?
Coming back to the fundamentals (especially when you feel stuck) is the way forward. It’s what makes the writing process repeatable. With them, authors don’t just get unstuck, they gain a framework they can trust.
What’s Next on the Author Journey for Our First-Cohort Students
The author’s journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Drafting, revising, testing, and preparing for publishing often takes longer than you think, and each stage comes with its own obstacles and breakthroughs.
After 12 challenging weeks of learning and growth, students didn’t just graduate with a polished first chapter, they finished with a complete book outline, clearly developed fundamentals, and a repeatable process they’ll continue to use as they finish their book. Perhaps most importantly, they left with greater confidence in their ability to keep going and a community they know they can turn to when the road feels hard.
Now, when the messy middle shows up again (as it always does), they have tools, structure, and reminders to steady them. What once felt insurmountable now feels navigable—maybe not easy, but purposeful and possible.
And that may be the greatest lesson of all: progress doesn’t mean the struggle disappears, it means you’re equipped to keep moving through it.
For these 12 authors, that long-awaited moment when they’ll hold their published book in their hands and sign it for a grateful reader is closer than ever before. The books aren’t finished yet, but the foundation is solid, and with it, the confidence that their books will be exactly what their readers need.
The first cohort reminded us of a principle we stand by: writing a reader-focused book isn’t about talent or luck, it’s about committing to the process, using the right tools and resources, and surrounding yourself with people who will encourage you along the way.
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