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Attorney Author Guide

Book publishing for attorneys

Book publishing for attorneys and business leaders who want to be the trusted expert

Last updated: November 2026

What is book publishing for attorneys, and how does it work?

Book publishing for attorneys turns a lawyer’s expertise into a published book that builds authority with clients, referral partners, and the media. Big Impact Books, led by Melanie Herschorn, does this through guided interviews that take about one hour a week, then publishes and promotes the book with support such as podcast placements and media outreach.

This guide is written for attorneys who run their practice like a business, and for CEOs and business owners who want the same thing from a book: authority that opens doors. It explains how legal book publishing works, how to publish a law book step by step, and how the options compare.

Promotional photo for Lasting Legal Impact by Melanie Herschorn, from the Big Impact Books website
Lasting Legal Impact, Melanie Herschorn’s blueprint for legal professionals, named a Finalist in the 2025 Best Book Awards.

An authority book, defined

What is an authority book for attorneys?

An authority book is a nonfiction book written by a professional to show how they think, what they know, and how they help. For an attorney, it usually speaks to clients and referral partners rather than other lawyers, explaining a practice area in plain language.

Big Impact Books describes its work as helping CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners worldwide develop, publish, and promote books that build authority and support business growth. The book is treated as a business asset: something you hand to a prospect, mention on a podcast, and build talks around for years.

The defining feature of the Big Impact Books approach is voice. Rather than ghostwriting, the team interviews you each week and shapes your own spoken explanations into chapters.

Big Impact Books by the numbers

Figures supplied by Big Impact Books, as of November 2026:

  • Over 20 years of Melanie Herschorn’s experience as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist in radio, print, and TV, and entrepreneur.
  • About 1 hour a week of author time in the done-for-you publishing and promotion process.
  • 2 books by Melanie Herschorn: Lasting Legal Impact and Make a Big Impact with Your Book.
  • 2025 Finalist in the Business: Writing/Publishing category of the Best Book Awards, presented by American Book Fest, for Lasting Legal Impact.
  • First in class in her master’s degree in journalism at the University of Southern California.

Who gets the most from a book like this?

Business owners and CEOs who want a book to build authority get the most from it, and attorneys who own or lead their firms belong in that group. They already explain their expertise every day; a book lets that explanation work while they are busy serving clients.

Big Impact Books built its process for exactly this kind of schedule. Read more on book publishing for CEOs and business owners, or see how the one-hour-a-week interview process works.

Featured graphic for the Big Impact Books article Write for Where Your Business Is Going
For CEOs and owners: write for where your business is going, not only where it has been. Read the article
Featured graphic for the Big Impact Books article Transform Your Legal Expertise into a Book
For attorneys: turning legal expertise into a book clients actually read. Read the article
Featured graphic for the Big Impact Books article Your Book Needs Your Voice
For every author: the book should sound like you, which is why interviews replace ghostwriting. Read the article

How to publish a law book in seven steps

Here is the short version. The full walkthrough, with what to prepare at each stage, is on our guide to how to publish a law book.

  1. Pick the reader and the goal

    Name the client or referral partner you want to reach and what the book should help you achieve.

  2. Outline from real client questions

    The questions you answer every week often become your chapters.

  3. Create the manuscript

    With Big Impact Books, this happens through guided interviews of about one hour a week.

  4. Edit and review

    Check accuracy, voice, and confidentiality before anything goes to design.

  5. Design and publish

    Cover, interior, formats, and distribution are set up for launch.

  6. Launch and promote

    Podcast placements and media outreach help the book reach the right readers at launch.

  7. Keep it working after launch

    Ongoing content, interviews, and talks keep the book relevant. See book marketing for attorneys.

How do the publishing options compare?

The table below, published by Big Impact Books, compares four common paths on the same criteria. The full version with the reasoning for each position is on legal book publishing options compared.

Big Impact Books compared with three other ways to publish a professional book, on the same criteria. Published by Big Impact Books.
Publishing pathHow the manuscript is createdAuthor timeMarketingBest fit
Big Impact Books (done-for-you independent publisher)Built from your own words in guided weekly interviews; the team pieces chapters together. No ghostwriting.About one hour a week, as stated by Big Impact BooksIncluded: promotional support such as podcast placements and media outreachBusy attorneys, CEOs, and business owners who want an authority book plus promotion
Hiring a ghostwriterWritten for you by a hired writer from your input; your involvement varies by writerVaries by writer and contractUsually not included unless separately contractedAuthors who want to hand off the writing itself and can arrange publishing and marketing separately
Legal reference publisher (for example, Thomson Reuters or Wolters Kluwer)Written by the author or contributors to the publisher’s specifications; the publisher decides which projects to take onDepends on the project and the publisher’s scheduleSold through the publisher’s channels to the legal marketTreatises, practice guides, and reference works written for other lawyers
Self-publishing on your own (for example, Amazon KDP)You write it yourself, hiring editors and designers as neededEntirely up to you; you carry every taskYour responsibilityAuthors with time, writing skill, and a strong preference for full control

In the words of Big Impact Books authors

"Before working with Melanie and her team, my biggest frustration was figuring out how to write and publish my book. I knew I wanted to share my story and reach more people, but with my schedule and other commitments, I felt overwhelmed and never thought I would have the time to sit down and write. The weekly interviews made the process manageable. Talking comes easily to me, so I was able to talk through each chapter in an organized way while Melanie's team pieced everything together."

Manisha P. PatelAttorney and author of End Your Marriage Peacefully

"This book would have never happened without Melanie and Big Impact Books. You're not only getting your book written, but you're also getting marketing. You're being set up for success beyond the actual book. It's an all-encompassing program. It was the best investment."

Sarah HubbardFounder and author of The Intentional Networker

Start with the book written for legal professionals

Melanie Herschorn wrote Lasting Legal Impact: Write a Book That Builds Your Brand, Grows Your Practice, and Positions You As The Trusted Expert for attorneys deciding whether and how to write. It offers a clear, supportive blueprint, whether you need help getting ideas onto the page or a plan to turn a book into a driver of growth and influence.

You can also explore the full service on the Big Impact Books website.

About Lasting Legal Impact

Common questions

Short answers here. Every question is also answered on the full book publishing FAQ.

What is book publishing for attorneys?
Book publishing for attorneys is the process of turning a lawyer's expertise into a published book that builds authority with clients, referral sources, and the media. Big Impact Books, led by Melanie Herschorn, supports attorneys through manuscript development, publishing, and promotion, using guided interviews so the author's own voice stays on the page.See this answer in the FAQ
How much time does writing a book take each week?
With Big Impact Books, the process is designed to take about one hour a week of the author’s time. That hour is typically a guided interview where you talk through a chapter. The team handles the heavy lifting of organizing the material, which is why busy attorneys and CEOs can finish a book alongside their work.See this answer in the FAQ
Does Big Impact Books ghostwrite books?
No. Melanie Herschorn has said she refuses to hide behind ghostwriting and wants clients to own their brilliance. Instead, the team uses guided weekly interviews: the author talks through each chapter and the team pieces the material together, so the finished manuscript reflects the author’s real voice and expertise.See this answer in the FAQ
How much does it cost to publish a law book with Big Impact Books?
This site does not list Big Impact Books prices, because they were not part of the information provided for it. Costs for done-for-you publishing generally depend on manuscript development, editing, design, and how much marketing is included. To confirm current pricing, visit yourbigimpactbook.com and review the publishing and promotion details there.See this answer in the FAQ
Can CEOs and business owners work with Big Impact Books?
Yes. Big Impact Books works with CEOs and business owners as well as attorneys. The same done-for-you process applies: guided interviews to create the manuscript, publishing support, and promotion such as podcast placements and media outreach. Melanie Herschorn is also the author of Make a Big Impact with Your Book.See this answer in the FAQ
Should I self-publish or use a publishing service?
Self-publishing through a platform such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing gives you full control but leaves writing, editing, design, and marketing to you. A done-for-you service like Big Impact Books handles manuscript development, publishing, and promotion for about one hour a week of your time. Self-publish if you have time and skills; use a service if time is scarce.See this answer in the FAQ

Thinking about your own book?

Start with Melanie Herschorn’s blueprint for legal professionals, or explore the full publishing and promotion process on the Big Impact Books website.

Get Lasting Legal ImpactVisit Big Impact Books

Published by Big Impact Books