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Digital product ideas for writers and self-published authors

Readers want more of your books, and other writers want to know how you plot, edit and publish. These turn both into things you can sell direct, from a free prequel story for new readers to a full manuscript critique.

Start here

Make these four, in this order

The free one brings people in. The next three are what they buy as they come to trust you: a small first purchase, your main product, then your time or a membership.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Ready for step 1?

All 15 writing & publishing ideas

Open any idea to see who buys it and how to make it. Star the ones you like.

  • Free downloadStep 1

    One-Page Novel Outline Template

    Plot a whole novel on one page, from opening scene to ending.

    • A one-page outline with a prompt for each stage
    • A filled-in example
    • A scene list template to expand it
    • Google Docs and printable versions
    FreeMake it in a weekend
  • Free download

    Free Prequel Novella: Start the Series Here

    A short story set before book one, so new readers can try your writing for free.

    • A 15,000-word novella in EPUB and PDF
    • A sample chapter of book one at the end
    • A link to buy the full series
    • Sent by email after sign-up
    FreeMake it in a month
  • Download

    Complete Series Box Set, E-book Edition

    Every book in the series in one download, in formats for any e-reader.

    • All books in EPUB and PDF
    • A bonus short story you can’t buy anywhere else
    • How to send the files to Kindle and other e-readers
    • Author’s notes on how the series began
    $9–19Make it in a weekend
  • Download

    Self-Editing Checklist: 50 Fixes Before an Editor

    Find and fix the problems editors charge to fix, in three passes through your draft.

    • Structure, scene and line-level passes
    • Overused words to search for, by genre
    • Dialogue and punctuation fixes with examples
    • A tracker to check off each chapter
    $9–15Make it in a weekend
  • Download

    Self-Publishing Launch Planner: 90-Day Countdown

    Every task from final edit to launch day, scheduled backwards from your release date.

    • A 90-day task list, week by week
    • An advance reader and review tracker
    • Book description and keyword worksheets
    • A launch week email and post schedule
    $19–29Make it in a week
  • Download

    Series Story Bible Template for Notion

    Keep characters, places and timelines straight across a whole series.

    • Character, place and timeline databases
    • Continuity notes, book by book
    • A short recap page for each book
    • A Google Sheets version too
    $15–25Make it in a weekend
  • Download

    Romance Plotting Card Deck: 60 Tropes and Beats

    Shuffle printable cards to build a romance plot from tropes, story beats and obstacles.

    • 60 printable cards in four suits
    • Tropes, story beats, obstacles and endings
    • Three ways to use them for plotting
    • A version for tablets
    $9–15Make it in a week
  • ChallengeStep 2

    30-Day First Draft Challenge

    Write 1,000 words a day for 30 days, with a short lesson and prompt each morning.

    • A daily lesson and writing prompt
    • A word count tracker
    • What to do on days you fall behind
    • A plan for the draft once it’s done
    $19–29Make it in a week
  • CourseStep 3

    Plot, Draft, Revise: A 12-Week Novel Course

    Take a novel from idea to revised draft over 12 weeks, one stage at a time.

    • Lessons on premise, plot, character and scene
    • Weekly writing assignments with word targets
    • A method for the second draft
    • Written feedback on your opening chapter
    $147–297Make it in a month
  • Course

    Self-Publish Your First Book, Step by Step

    Format, upload and price your book on the main stores, with every step shown on screen.

    • Formatting the e-book and the print interior
    • Briefing a cover designer, with examples
    • Uploading to the main stores, screen by screen
    • Pricing, categories and keywords
    • A plan for the first month after launch
    $97–197Make it in a month
  • Live workshop

    Live Blurb Clinic: Rewrite Your Book Description

    Bring your book description and rewrite it live, with feedback from the group.

    • A two-hour live session, up to 10 writers
    • Blurb patterns for fiction and nonfiction
    • Your blurb critiqued on screen
    • The replay and a blurb worksheet
    $29–49Make it in a weekend
  • Live workshop

    Live First Page Critique Night

    Your first page read and critiqued live, alongside other writers’ pages.

    • A 90-minute live session, up to 12 pages
    • Feedback on the hook, voice and clarity
    • Notes on common first-page problems
    • The replay, including feedback on every page
    $25–39Make it in a weekend
  • CoachingStep 4

    Manuscript Critique with a Feedback Call

    A written report on your full manuscript and an hour talking through what to change.

    • A full read of up to 100,000 words
    • A 6 to 10 page editorial letter
    • Margin notes on the first three chapters
    • A 60-minute video call to discuss it
    $350–1,200Make it in a weekend
  • Coaching

    Finish Your Draft: Small Group Coaching

    Eight weeks of group calls, deadlines and someone checking your word count.

    • Eight weekly calls, up to six writers
    • A word count goal set for each person
    • Short page critiques in rotation
    • A group chat for daily check-ins
    $197–397Make it in a week
  • Membership

    The Monthly Craft Letter for Short Story Writers

    One craft lesson, four prompts and a list of open submission calls every month.

    • A monthly craft essay with examples
    • Four writing prompts, one a week
    • Magazines and anthologies open for submissions
    • A monthly live Q&A
    • The full archive, while you stay a member
    $9–15 a monthMake it in a week

How to pick your first one

Questions

What digital product should a writer sell first?
If you write fiction, sell your own books direct: a box set or a bonus story costs little to make and goes to readers who already like your work. If you teach writing, start with a template or checklist you already use, priced at $9 to $25, and see what buyers ask next.
Can I sell my e-book on my own site if it’s already on Amazon?
Usually yes, unless the e-book is in KDP Select, which is how books get into Kindle Unlimited and requires the e-book to be sold only on Amazon. Check each store’s terms before selling the same e-book elsewhere; print and audio editions have their own rules.
What is a digital product?
Something people pay for and get online, with nothing to post: a guide, template or spreadsheet they download, a course they watch, a live workshop or coaching call, or a membership they pay for each month.
Which digital products sell best?
The ones that solve one clear problem for people who already follow you. Small downloads are the easiest to make and sell first; courses, coaching and memberships earn more from each buyer once people trust you.
How much should I charge?
The prices here are typical starting ranges. Look at what similar products in your niche cost, start in the range, and raise the price as reviews come in. Charge more for live time and for products that save buyers money or time.
Do I need a big audience to sell a digital product?
No. A few hundred people who trust you can buy a $20 download or fill a small group. Start with a free download to grow an email list, then sell to the people on it.
Can I use these ideas?
Yes, all of them, free. Change the names, the contents and the prices to fit what you know and who you help. Copy the list, print it or save it as a PDF.
Can I sell these on Knola?
Free downloads that grow your email list, downloads, bundles, courses, challenges and memberships can all be made and sold on Knola today, and it’s free to start. Live workshops and coaching run on Knola Live, which is opening to schools now.

Ideas for nearby niches

Picked one? Make it this week.

Knola has the free download, the course and the membership on this page, with checkout and emails built in. Live workshops and coaching are opening to schools now.

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