Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty

Longtime book coaches and developmental editors Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty coauthored The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide: Plan, Write, and Publish Your Nonfiction Book (The Collective Book Studio). They believe that there are experts who can transform lives by writing a book. The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide gives them the tools to succeed. Marisa and Elizabeth cofounded Book Structure Pros, a boutique editorial services company that specializes in helping subject matter experts become book authors. Services include book coaching, developmental editing, manuscript assessments, and book proposal development. They also offer customized workshops, webinars, and speaking events. Marisa’s start in publishing came in 1996, when she was disabused of the idea that her dream job was writing travel guidebooks and instead took a job editing one for Random House. Since then, Marisa has worked on more than 500 books in many nonfiction genres, from cooking and crafts to feminism and Buddhism. Her sweet spot now is self-help, wellness, and personal growth. She has a reputation for working magic with first-time authors. Elizabeth has been a developmental editor since 1988, working in books, magazines, and online media. As executive editor at Weldon Owen, she ran book programs for brands such as Gymboree, Pottery Barn Kids, and Hallmark. Her topical super-specialties are parenting, health and wellness, and women’s leadership. She holds a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.