Your book falls somewhere between a calling card and a calling. Do you know where?
Try this 2-question quiz to see where your book lands between the simplicity of a calling card and the complexity of your entire life's calling.
You're going to look at these answers and think, “Yes please, all of the above,” or you'll feel torn between two, or you'll want something more complex that isn't listed.
That's okay.
Books can do lots of things. Your job right now is to name the thing the book needs to do MOST—and then to trust yourself and your reader to take it the rest of the way.
And when all else fails, trust your "I don't know" to create its own form of clarity.
Here's the deal.
Traditional publishing tends to inflate a book into your life’s sole purpose.
Non-traditional paths often shrink it down to a glorified business card.
Your book likely lives somewhere in between.
And if you don’t know where—in specific, honest, purpose-aligned terms—you’ll run into surprise roadblocks in every step of the writing, editing, and publishing process.
To finish writing the book that matters most so you can get back to the work that matters even more, you’ll need to point your book in a Clear Direction.
Without it, no amount of motivation, step-by-step strategies, or done-for-you services will lead to the book you’re actually meant to write, in the way you need to write it.
clarity first
My name's Brannan (you can call me B), and I have spent almost twenty years helping authors shape their stories and sharpen their voices. If there's one truth I've seen over and over again, it's this: clarity has to come first.
To see how much clarity we've actually got, here's what I always ask first: WHY is this a book? Could it be anything else? If not, where does this book belong in the bigger picture of your work? What kind of experience does it create with your reader?
If any of that seems fuzzy at all, give me 90 minutes and whatever you have so far, even if it's just a feeling that something needs to be written. You don't need a polished draft. You don't even need a plan. We'll figure it out together.
center what
matters most
A traditional manuscript evaluation might tell you what’s wrong with your draft.
But if you’re like most of my clients, that’s not what you really need.
Maybe you haven’t even started yet because you’re not convinced it’ll be worth the effort. Or if you have started, you can see what's not working but aren't sure what is.
That’s why we don’t start with what you “should” do. We start with where you actually are—what you’ve got, what’s pulling you forward, and what matters most.
Then we build your book from that grounded center.
90 minutes
to traction
I’ve helped dozens of authors take their books from fledgling idea to finished manuscript—and I've shaped hundreds more through various levels of editing, ghostwriting, and structural support.
I’ve built outlines that hold up under the eyes of agents, editors, readers, and most importantly, the authors themselves. I’ve seen books in their messiest forms and wouldn’t have it any other way.
If your book is still locked up inside you—or scattered across documents, drafts, and voice notes—we’ll find it.
customized
action plan
After our session, I’ll send a clear, grounded document that captures what we uncovered, outlines your next steps, and includes any resources or support that might help you move forward with flow, not force.
If we discover that it’s not time for this book just yet, you’ll still leave with direction.
That includes thoughtful recommendations and tools for moving your larger vision forward—drawn from a trusted network I’ve built over two decades in creative strategy, development, publishing, and marketing.
This isn’t just about the book. It’s about your whole path. And I’ll meet you wherever you’re standing on it.
I only take on a few Clear Direction Analyses each month, and each one includes dedicated pre- and post-call support. Spots are currently $2,000.
That said, I want us both to feel fully aligned before we begin. So if you’re not 100% sure this is your next right step, click below to tell me a little about yourself and your project.
If there’s a better entry point, I’ll point you to it. If this looks like a good fit, we’ll hop on a call to clear out any lingering questions before we move forward.
Good books start with clarity. Clarity starts here. And this is where I'll be—whenever you’re ready.