The Self-Help Authors' Lab

Calling all therapists with a passion for writing!

Join this free one-hour workshop to learn how to transform your expertise into a self-help book that changes lives.

Whether you have a completed manuscript or just a spark of an idea, this event will provide you with valuable insights and guidance on how to find your focus, structure your book, and position yourself as a self-help author.

This workshop is led by Hilary T. Smith, a self-help author and ghostwriter and the senior editor at Hierophant Publishing, where she has worked with authors such as Don Miguel Ruiz Jr, Dr. Steven Farmer, Dr. Marie Mbouni, and Carrie Schmitt.

"I'm not a scientist—I can't include research in my book!"

Sound familiar?

Many self-help authors feel intimidated by the idea of incorporating research into their writing, thinking it's only for academics with PhDs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In today's information-rich world, readers expect more than just personal opinions and anecdotes. They want evidence-backed advice they can trust. The good news? You don't need a PhD to find, understand, and ethically use scientific studies to strengthen your book.

This workshop will demystify the research process and give you the confidence you need to incorporate solid science into your self-help writing.

### What You'll Learn:

Research Goldmines: Discover the best databases and tools for finding credible studies (hint: Google Scholar is just the beginning)

The Credibility Check: Learn to quickly evaluate whether a study is worth citing—sample size, peer review, funding sources, and red flags to avoid

AI-Powered Research Shortcuts: Master tools like ExplainPaper and Claude AI to break down complex academic language into understandable insights

Research Ethics for Authors: Understand how to accurately represent findings without overstating claims or cherry-picking data

Keyword Strategies: Find research that supports your specific angle, even in crowded fields

### You'll Leave With:

• A toolkit of research platforms and databases you can use immediately
• A simple checklist to evaluate study quality and avoid embarrassing mistakes
• Templates for taking research notes and organizing citations
• Confidence to reach out to researchers for interviews or clarifications
• Knowledge of how much research is "enough" for your book

### Perfect For:

• Self-help authors who want to boost their credibility with solid science
• Coaches and therapists translating their expertise into books
• Writers who feel intimidated by academic research
• Authors wanting to differentiate their books with fresh insights
• Anyone who's ever thought "I'm not smart enough to understand studies"

Stop letting "research-phobia" hold your book back. In just one hour, you'll gain the tools and confidence to incorporate credible research that makes your book more trustworthy, more interesting, and more likely to truly help your readers.

Do you have a great idea for a self-help book but struggle to explain it in one clear sentence? Are you overwhelmed by all the topics you could cover, unsure which thread to follow?

You're not alone. Many aspiring self-help authors get stuck because they haven't identified their book's core message—the single, powerful idea that will anchor everything else.

In this intensive one-hour workshop, you'll learn the proven framework used by successful self-help authors to clarify their message and establish their unique authority in a crowded market.

### What You'll Learn:

The Pain Point-Promise Framework: Discover how to identify the specific problem your book solves and craft a compelling promise that draws readers in

The Authority Assessment: Learn to evaluate your unique qualifications, experiences, and perspective to determine what gives you the right to write this book

The Focus Filter: Master the art of saying "no" to good ideas so you can say "yes" to your best idea—the one that will resonate most powerfully with readers

### You'll Leave With:

• A one-sentence core message that captures the essence of your book
• Clarity on your unique authority and qualifications as an author
• A clear understanding of your target reader's pain point
• A specific promise that makes readers want to buy your book
• Confidence that you're writing the right book, not just a book

### Perfect For:

• First-time self-help authors feeling overwhelmed by possibilities
• Authors who've started and stopped multiple book projects
• Coaches, therapists, and practitioners ready to share their expertise
• Writers who know they have something important to say but can't quite pin it down

### Investment:

This workshop condenses years of publishing industry wisdom into one focused hour. You'll save months of writing in the wrong direction and position yourself to write a book that truly matters—to you and to the readers who need it most.