screen to shelf
An action plan for nonfiction authors who are ready to get their writing out into the world – no agent or MFA necessary.
Do any of these sound familiar?
You’ve poured your heart and soul into the first draft of your book . . . but deep down you’re worried that the writing is all over the place and isn’t going to make sense to anyone else.
You once had big dreams of signing a deal with a fancy agent and getting a nice juicy advance from a top publishing house . . . but now you’re not so sure you want to jump through all those hoops just to hold a copy of your book in your hands.
You know you have a life-changing message to share with the world . . . but with all the noise and competition out there, you feel like you’re just sitting on the sidelines while other people with way less talent and vision are getting major attention for their work.
The problem certainly isn’t with your story or with your conviction that you have something deeply felt and truly unique to share with the world.
But you were never meant to bring a book to life all by yourself without any outside assistance. I mean, the process of simply writing the darn thing is struggle enough.
Yet now you’re supposed to somehow also figure out how to edit it, get it typeset, get it uploaded to a reputable printer, and then get it distributed to your audience? Completely on your own? Who has the time (or the patience) for that?!
With my guidance and expertly curated editorial workflow, you’ll finally be able to take that next (big!) step toward wrangling your important ideas into a cohesive, engaging package.
Just because you’re pursuing self-publishing doesn’t mean you have to do this solo.
I know it says “self”-publishing right there in the name.
But if you’re stuck trying to figure out all the technical details alone, you’re going to end up with a lot less time and energy to focus on what you love most and are most proud of: your writing, your story, your message.
Isn’t it finally time to get your dream book project off your hard drive and into the hands of your readers?
Together, we’ll find our way through the fog of ambition, doubt, distraction, and desire. You’ll leave our time together knowing that a pro with close to 25 years of experience in the publishing industry has your back and isn’t going to let you or your book fail.
My Screen to Shelf program helps nonfiction writers banish self-doubt and go from messy manuscript to finished book with the confidence to match. With my signature blend of editing and coaching, I walk writers through the maze of self-publishing options (and anxieties) to find the editorial solution that’s right for their book.
Being able to give authors clear guidance and a straightforward plan is why I created the Screen to Shelf program.
I’ve got the process already broken down for you so you can ease right in.
Two rounds of copyediting with opportunities for feedback and revision
Access to my list of recommended designers, typesetters, illustrators, and marketing professionals
Your final clean manuscript ready for layout
Support for uploading the final file to the publishing service of your choice.
Step 1: We meet to discuss the state of your manuscript and talk through the ways I can help the most.
Step 2: I do a sample edit to give you the flavor of what the rest of the process will be like, while you also have the chance to tell me if I’m doing too much (or not enough) with my changes and corrections.
Step 3: I work my magic on the full text and give you plenty of time to digest, review, and give approval of the revisions.
Step 4: We go that extra mile during the finesse round of editing so we can catch all the little things that got missed in the first pass, while also getting you ready to move your project along to layout and, ultimately, publication.
Step 5: We discuss your goals for cover design, typesetting, and marketing so I can help pair you with honest and accountable service providers who are experts in their fields.
Step 6: I provide support for the final practical details like buying ISBNs, setting your cover price, and getting your files uploaded to the printer and distributor of your choice.
my calendar is filling up fast.
You’ve been dreaming of publishing your book for so long already! And no, the process is not instant. It’s gonna take time no matter how you slice it, so why not take the leap and get started now?
editing packages begin at $2,000
Complete editorial and production services increase from there based on the total word count of the manuscript.
Payments are due 30% on signing, 30% upon receipt of the sample edit, and 40% upon completion.
I have three slots available every month. Shouldn’t one of them be yours?
You know you don’t want to write, edit, typeset, and publish your masterpiece all on your own.
There are days when you wake up ready to write, yet you get lost in a scroll hole or even in a legit fact-finding mission that you’re convinced you need to resolve before you can really dive back into working on your manuscript.
So yes, you’re brimming with insights, but realistically you also realize that grinding it out without a plan (and a friendly supporter) isn’t gonna give you the results you know you’re capable of.
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Agents can be true lifesavers for some authors, taking care of interfacing with mainstream trade publishers while also talking you off the ledge when you’re freaking out about all the names you dropped in chapter 7.
But they’re going to take a cut of your earnings, and they’re also going to need you to do a bunch of additional research to craft a whole separate book proposal document before a publisher will even consider looking at your writing.
It’s never been a better time to take the reins of your publishing destiny and release a book on your own terms.
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Sure, you could certainly spend the time researching editing standards and conventions, begging a friend to look through your Word doc for typos you might have missed, then combing the internet for reputable typesetters and figuring out how to upload everything to Amazon or another print-on-demand service.
But that’s going to take a lot of your time and you won’t always know how much experience someone is bringing to the table, even if they dazzle you with a fancy website and a great deal.
I’ve seen all kinds of self-publishing shenanigans and can help you steer clear of the worst offenders while helping you align with the steps and services that are right for your book.
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I know it’s tempting to want to get started as soon as possible, even if parts of the book are still rattling around in the back of your mind while some sections have been typed up into a draft saved on your cloud drive as “MS CHAPTER 2 VERSION 2 FINAL REVISION FINAL (FINAL) TO REVISE.”
If you need a writing coach, there are plenty of pros with programs out there that can help walk you through the creation of your initial draft. I’ll be here waiting for ya when you have the manuscript fully complete and ready for editing.
Have any other questions?
Contact me and I'll be happy to answer.
authors are raving
“If my path had not crossed Allison’s, I would not be the author of multiple books like I am today."
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“Allison got me into the business of writing and publishing! As a new author, I was totally unaware of all that was involved in writing and getting a book published. Hiring her was the best decision I could have ever made. She not only did a fabulous job in editing my two adult books, but she also provided me with so much insight on the publishing profession. I am most appreciative of the encouragement she gave me that helped me with the confidence I needed to put my work out for the world to read. If my path had not crossed Allison’s, I would not be the author of multiple books like I am today. You need her by your side! You won’t regret it.” –Pascuala Herrera, Indie Author Project’s 2022 Indie Author of the Year and author of Not Always a Valley of Tears and Life Is a Garden to Cultivate
“Working with Allison Felus was, without question, one of the best decisions I made in getting my book to the finish line."
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“From the very beginning, Allison went above and beyond. She provided thoughtful, insightful feedback while always respecting my voice as a writer. Her ability to nurture the process while offering clear, honest guidance helped me find greater clarity and confidence in both my writing and my message.
She is incredibly patient and supportive. There were many moments when I felt overwhelmed, and Allison had a remarkable ability to talk me off the ledge and bring me back to the work with calm, perspective, and encouragement.
What truly impressed me was how deeply she engaged with the subject matter. Allison took the time to research topics I referenced, helping ensure not only that the language and spelling were accurate, but that the content itself was clear, historically grounded, and well expressed. More than once, her diligence saved me from potential mistakes and helped strengthen the integrity of the work.
While she is an excellent copy editor and proofreader, what truly sets her apart is the level of care she brings to the entire process. At times she felt like a ‘writer’s therapist,’ helping me navigate the emotional side of finishing a book while still maintaining the highest professional standards.
I cannot recommend her highly enough, especially for first-time authors who may need both technical expertise and thoughtful support along the way. She is truly exceptional at what she does.” –Evelyn Elphia, author of Mindless As Fu*k
“I’ll always use Allison for my future writings. She’s the very best at what she does."
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“When I first wrote my book, I made the grave mistake of originally hiring an overseas publisher that did nothing but publish the book and charge me a fortune to do it. I got discouraged and then I connected with Allison and I knew from the first chat that she was the one to give my book a fresh rebirth. Her communication was amazing, her edits went above and beyond my expectations, and her attention to deadlines was perfect. And this is why I’ll always use Allison for my future writings because I put complete trust in her knowing that she’s the very best at what she does.” –David Campo, author of Dance Floor Dreams: How to Hire the Right DJ and Avoid a Wedding Nightmare
You have a bold message you’ve been longing to share in print.
You’re the wild dreamer, the kind of person that always has been told by teachers, coworkers, and your fave barista, “Whoa, your life is so crazy – you should totally write a book!”
I delight in editing the work of . . .
. . . adventurers who’ve lived a life and a half
lovers who’ve been shattered by loss and disillusionment yet come through it with wisdom to spare
brilliant thinkers with unconventional takes on the art and ideas that matter most to their communities
and mystical seekers questing at the cutting edge of spiritual exploration.
However, we may not be the best match
. . . if you’ve just prompted AI to write the manuscript for you (or if you’re going to try to prompt me like an AI bot)
. . . if you’re not open to constructive feedback
. . . or if you’re still cocooned in the dreaming phase and aren’t yet ready to take a step forward toward publication.
I’m also probably not the best editor for you if you’re a fiction author building out a world as intricate and nuanced as Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea; my experience and expertise are primarily with nonfiction.
Hi, my name is Allison and I can’t wait to help you finally get your book published.
I’m a longtime publishing professional based in Chicago.
I’m driven to share all the inside information I’ve learned about the publishing process to demystify a needlessly complicated industry in order to help authors get their stories out into the world without unnecessary gatekeeping.
I’ve spent my entire career working for small and medium-sized independent book publishing companies.
I’m also a writer myself and intimately know the frustration of having something to say but doubting that I’ll be able to express it in a way that others will resonate with.
I’ve truly seen it all, from messy “Is this anything?” first drafts to howling typos in (supposedly) print-ready files.
No grammar flub would ever make me say “tsk-tsk,” and I’m pretty unshockable as far as content goes.
I can confidently help you find your way through the maze of self-publishing options because I know how the biz works at a larger scale.
That means I can translate the process for someone who has one important story to tell just as well as I can for someone who’s embarking on a new career venture via their own self-sustaining publishing ecosystem.
I’m uninterested in asking you to sand down the edges of what makes you unique. I want to support your own specialized path through self-publishing and to help you trust the strength of your own voice.
I’ve learned all the traditional ways of doing things so I can assure you that you don’t have to do them like that.
(unless you want to.)
Just because you’re serious about your writing doesn’t mean you want the process of getting it out there to be serious too.
When you sign up to work with me, we’re going to laugh a whole lot.
And I’m quite sure I’ll share some weird analogies and anecdotes that might seem fully bonkers on the surface but will hopefully make perfect (emotional) sense in context.
As a little kid, I was carrying bags of extension cords to help my musician father set up for his band’s gigs . . .
. . . as a teenager, I was deeply involved in my local community theater as both an actress and a piano player . . .
. . . and while working in the publishing industry in Chicago by day, I was singing my heart out by night with a variety of rock bands in some of the skankiest venues known to man.
So I know about scrappy; I know about DIY.
And that’s why I also know that the best kind of creative magic arises in community, when a bunch of dreamers with stars in their eyes come together to make something truly beautiful.
i know you have questions.
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I refer to the 12th edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary and the current version of The Chicago Manual of Style (which is, right now, the 18th).
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It’ll be easiest and best for us to work together using the Track Changes function in Microsoft Word for your manuscript draft and using the Comments sidebar in Adobe Acrobat for your typeset pages. (Though I can also edit in Google Docs if necessary.)
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Typical copyedits require two full rounds of editing.
After I do a sample edit of the first 15 to 20 pages, I’ll do one big, heavy-lifting edit on the rest of the manuscript.
After you’ve had a chance to review that main batch of edits, I’ll incorporate your feedback and do a second finesse pass on the file.
That’s when I can clean up anything I missed the first go round and really help make the writing sing.
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We’ll touch base at the beginning of the process on Zoom, and I’m always available for questions via email. We can set up two additional Zooms during the process to touch base, check in, and discuss progress if needed.
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While I’ve got my head buried in the dictionary during the full-on editing phase, you can
be researching the kind of cover and interior design styles you like so that you can share your inspirations with your designer;
start figuring out the date you intend to release the book;
start working with a marketing professional on the plan for how you’ll be promoting yourself and the book for its launch (and beyond);
consider what formats you want to release your books in (hardcover? paperback? ebook? audiobook?);
purchase the ISBNs that will be associated with each.
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Nope! I’m editing your manuscript and walking you through the process of self-publishing. You’ll retain all the rights to your book after our time together is finished. (Though I’d of course love to work with you again on the sequel!)
Have any other questions?
Contact me and I'll be happy to answer.
Please note that I will not accept more than five pages of additional material once our time together has commenced, unless it’s been explicitly discussed and agreed upon in advance (eg, if you’re waiting to write about a relevant time-sensitive event that hasn’t occurred yet).
Any more than three rounds of revisions will incur additional costs and will require a renegotiation of the date of completion.
What’s the fine print?
I will terminate the agreement if any previously undisclosed AI usage is discovered.
No text messaging, please! We’ll have plenty of opportunities to communicate via email and up to two Zooms.
Unfortunately, I ethically cannot offer to review your book on Amazon, Goodreads, or any other platform after it is published.
Your name on the cover of a book? It’s closer than you think.
Get ready to roar! You’ve always known that you have a big story to tell and it’s just bursting to be released.
Now you’ll finally experience the pride of seeing your name on the front cover of a book, knowing that you can fully stand behind every word that’s between the covers as well.