The Compass
Idea Validation Service
Price
£500. For UK authors, prices are subject to VAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s exactly what this package is designed to help you figure out.
A book idea can sound exciting in your head but still struggle commercially if the positioning, audience, structure, or market demand isn’t clear. We help you understand whether the idea has genuine potential before you spend huge amounts of time, energy, and money writing it. We’ll also help you understand whether it would be more suitable for self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or traditional publishing depending on your goals, author platform, and the commercial merit of your concept.
We research the market, the industry, reader trends, competitive titles, audience expectations, and how your book would actually fit into the current publishing landscape. The goal is not just to ask “Is this a good idea?” but “Is this a commercial viable book?” The latter depends on thorough research around target audience and positioning.
Yes — that’s one of the main reasons for choosing this package.
A strong book isn’t just about having good content or nice writing. It’s about understanding who the book is for, why readers would care, and how the book should be presented to the world.
Yes. That’s what we’re here for.
The point of this package is honest, commercially grounded feedback, not fake reassurance.
If something needs refining, restructuring, repositioning, or rethinking, we’ll explain why and help guide you towards a stronger direction.
That depends entirely on what’s best for you and the book.
Some authors decide to self-publish. Some pursue traditional publishing. Others move into hybrid publishing, either with us or elsewhere.
We don’t believe there’s one “correct” publishing path for everyone. Different books, audiences, goals, and authors suit different routes, and our role is helping you work out which path makes the most sense for your situation.
Want to know whether your nonfiction book idea is any good?
WHO IT’S IDEAL FOR:
This service is for anyone who wants feedback on their nonfiction book idea. We will review your initial idea and provide you with written feedback. Our team will then provide 2x book coaching sessions to help you improve your concept. This may include support with refining your ideas, providing assistance with the writing process, or giving industry advice to improve the commercial viability of your idea and its effectiveness for the target audience.
WHAT IT INCLUDES:
- A written review of your idea and outline.
- 2x individual book coaching sessions with our Editorial Executive.
- Specialised advice for nonfiction and creative nonfiction authors.
If you would like ongoing coaching sessions whilst writing your manuscript, please get in touch and suggest a price, and we will let you know if this is viable.
We are experts in nonfiction having worked on thousands of books, including award-winners and bestsellers. We know what readers want, and what makes a book commercially viable.
So before you commit to months (or even years) of writing, we’ll tell you whether your book concept “has legs” and is worth pursuing depending on your goals.
For example, whether you’re thinking of traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, or self-publishing, we’ll tell you what’s likely and realistic for you and your manuscript.
If you’d like a traditional publishing deal, we’ll tell you the realities of what is needed. We know what literary agents and traditional publishers are looking for and can save months of wasted effort in pitching.
Whatever your goals, we’ll work with you to improve your book concept by focusing on idea validation, honing your audience, organising your structure, clarifying your message, finding your voice, and more.