Case Studies

Jami Christine — Author, Healing-Arts Practitioner & Founder

Jami Christine is a multi-talented creative and healer based in Southern Illinois. She is an author, artist, massage therapist, hypnotherapist, and podcast host who is passionate about helping others transform their personal journeys into sources of strength and inspiration.

Background

Jami Christine wrote her debut novel, The Transcendent, in 2020. When she needed help resizing her book cover for a new platform, she turned to a Facebook group—where Andrae offered to step in. That small design fix sparked a friendship and, eventually, a professional partnership.

Later, Jami wanted to expand her writing beyond fiction. She envisioned a nonfiction guidebook to help others transform their healing journeys into inspirational stories. That’s when Jami turned to Andrae and Lantern Literary (then Illuminated Authors) for help.

The Challenge

edEven with a completed novel under her belt, Jami faced significant obstacles as she tried to grow into her role as an author:

• Unsure how to structure her next book project from idea to finished manuscript.

• Conflicting and often unreliable advice from different sources online.

• Technical hurdles around editing, formatting, and publishing requirements.

• Overwhelm at trying to figure it all out alone while staying true to her vision.

Bottom line: Jami had the creativity and drive, but lacked a trusted roadmap and professional support to move forward confidently.

The Turning Point: Joining Illuminated Authors Elite

When she decided to write her nonfiction book, Jami signed up for the Illuminated Authors Elite program—a six-month intensive designed to carry authors from idea to launch. Together, we worked step by step:

Phase 1 | Development

• Built a custom book blueprint clarifying her purpose, audience, content, and structure.

• Created a writing schedule and aligned her goals with the program’s accountability.

Phase 2 | Writing

• Supported her through drafting chapters, with feedback to keep momentum moving.
  Encouraged her through the hurdles of translating personal healing into instructive guidance for others.

Phase 3 | Editing & Design

• Conducted developmental and line editing, then copyediting to polish her manuscript.

• Partnered with designers to create a cover that reflected her vision and finalized formatting for publication.

Phase 4 | Preparing to Launch

• Guided her through building buzz: launch team, interviews, book events, and outreach.

• Provided marketing resources so she could confidently introduce her book to the world.

Later, in 2024, Jami returned to Lantern Literary for additional copyediting, formatting, and design support when she launched a revised edition of The Transcendent.

The Results: “Two books, countless lessons, and a confident author identity.”

BEFORE

• A debut novel completed, but publishing felt overwhelming.

• Unsure how to structure or market her next project.

• Spent extra time trying to sort through advice without knowing who to trust.

AFTER

• Two professionally published books: The Transcendent (revised edition) and Transcend Your Story.

• Saved significant time and money by following a clear roadmap.

• Gained clarity on the publishing process and confidence in her own author identity.

• Began hosting book signings, participating in workshops, and even launched her own self-publishing imprint.

The breakthrough: Jami went from being a new author uncertain of her next step to a confident two-book writer with tools she can reuse for future projects.

Sherry MacWilliam — Landscape Architect, Memoirist, Mother

Sherry MacWilliam is a landscape architect, writer, and mother whose work bridges design, planning, and personal storytelling. Inspired by challenges in her own childhood and a passion to protect children from harm, her writing explores motherhood, trauma, and personal growth.

Background

Sherry was running her landscape architecture consulting business full-time, but she also carried a deep desire to write. She dreamed of telling her story in a memoir that could both honor her family’s experiences and encourage others.

Yet, as much as she wanted to write, she struggled to find her footing. Between client work and family responsibilities, Sherry had little time to dedicate to her craft. When she did write, doubts crept in—about her voice, her structure, and whether she was “good enough” to tell her story. For a while, she wondered if the book she imagined would ever be possible.

The Challenge

• Balancing the demands of her business with time to write.

• Wrestling with confidence in her voice and ability.

• Unsure how to structure a larger project like a memoir.

• Feeling stifled—wanting to write, but getting stuck before the words could flow.

Bottom line: Sherry had the vision and the passion, but she needed encouragement, practical feedback, and a safe place to practice her craft.

The Process: Coaching Through Practice

Rather than jumping straight into a book project, Sherry and Lantern Literary started small.

• Workshops & Community: Sherry joined writing workshops and Andrae’s online group, where she began practicing personal essays.

• Coaching & Feedback: Through emails, Zoom calls, and coaching sessions, she received targeted feedback on her writing. The focus was on voice, confidence, and trusting her instincts as a reader and storyteller.

• Refinement: Together, they worked on balancing vivid sensory detail with reflective depth, turning her essays into pieces ready for submission.

The approach gave her space to grow confidence, sharpen her craft, and rediscover joy in her writing.

The Results: “Uncertain and afraid, to award-winning.”

BEFORE

• Afraid she might never share her story.

• Stuck in cycles of self-doubt and hesitation.

• Unsure if she had the ability to write with authenticity and impact.

AFTER

• Finalist in three literary contests.

• Second place 🥈 in the Tallahassee Writer’s Association contest.

• First published essay in the Tallahassee Writer’s Association literary review magazine.

• Gained clarity, confidence, and validation as a writer.

The Breakthrough: Sherry’s journey is proof that authorship doesn’t always start with a book. Sometimes the most powerful step is to start where you are, with smaller pieces, and build the confidence and voice you need to grow.

“My editor’s feedback was invaluable!”
— Sherry MacWilliam

Andrae Smith, Sr. — Organist, Producer, Author

Andrae Sr. is a prominent organist and producer in Southern California. Over his 30-year career, he has performed across the country and shared the stage with artists like Marvin Sapp, Billy Preston, and Little Richard. Though well-respected as a musician, he carried a dream for decades: to write his story.

Background

Andrae Sr. had always wanted to write a book that captured his journey, but the idea never moved past “one day.” With only a sixth-grade education, he doubted his writing skills and assumed the process would be too complicated or too expensive.

What he didn’t expect was that his son, Andrae Jr., would be the one to help him finally bring the project to life. When Lantern Literary (then Illuminated Authors) began shaping its full-service coaching program, Andrae Sr. became one of the first to enroll—testing whether the model could support someone with little writing experience but a powerful story to tell.

The Challenge

Despite his experience as a performer and leader, Andrae Sr. faced real barriers as a first-time author:

• Never had formal training in writing.

• Unsure how to structure a book or even begin the process.

• Long assumed publishing was out of reach financially.

• Kept deferring the dream, always pushing it to “someday.”

Bottom line: The vision was there, but without structured support, the book would likely remain unwritten.

The Turning Point: Enrolling in the Elite Program

Andrae Sr. joined the Illuminated Authors Elite package, a full-service coaching and publishing program. Because of his limited writing background, the process required adaptation:

Phase 1 | Capturing the Story

• Conducted live interviews to draw out his stories in his own voice.

• Created a custom blueprint to organize his life experiences into a clear book structure.

Phase 2 | Drafting & Writing Support

• Andrae Jr. ghostwrote much of the manuscript, using transcripts of the interviews to preserve his father’s voice.

• Regular reviews ensured the story still felt authentic to Andrae Sr.

Phase 3 | Editing & Publishing

• Drafts went through developmental and line editing, followed by copyediting.

• Designed a professional cover and interior.

• Prepared the book for publication and launch.

The Results: “A book, a doctorate, and a new sense of purpose.”

BEFORE

• A dream deferred for decades.

• Doubt about writing skills.

• No clear path to publishing.

AFTER

• Published his first book: What Do I Do Now: The Honest Guide to Walking in Your Purpose.

• Earned his honorary doctorate degree in sacred music from Elbon Solutions College of Ministry.

• Increased credibility, speaking opportunities, and book sales.

• Pride, encouragement, and a new outlook: it’s never too late to tell your story.
  
  

The breakthrough: Once he saw his words polished on the page, Andrae Sr. began to embrace his identity as an author—and step more fully into his calling as a leader.

Transformational Educational Leaders

Dr. Cynthia Clauson — Author, Researcher, Consultant
Cynthia Clauson has spent more than four decades leading in education as an author, researcher, and developer of leadership training and assessment tools. Her work has supported teacher and administrator development across the country, increasing student outcomes in problem solving and critical thinking. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is known for her transformative Resilient Culture Leader model.

Dr. Michael T. Conner — Educator, Entrepreneur, Superintendent
Michael Conner is an experienced educator and entrepreneur with nearly 20 years in education. He began as a fourth-grade teacher and advanced through curriculum development and leadership, ultimately serving as a superintendent. He is the founder of Agile Evolutionary Group, has studied at Harvard and MIT, and has been recognized by the NAACP as one of Connecticut’s Most Influential Blacks. His work now focuses on frameworks for educational transformation in the AC stage of education.

Background

Both Cynthia and Michael were at career pivot points when they came to Lantern Literary. Each wanted to publish a book that would extend their credibility and create a platform for change in the education ecosystem. Cynthia envisioned Revealing Resilient Leadership as a training tool for administrators, while Michael set out to introduce his framework in Intentional, Bold, and Unapologetic.

They were ready to move forward, but both knew they needed structure, accountability, and a proven process to get their ideas from concept to print.

The Challenge

Even with years of expertise, both faced obstacles that stood in the way of authorship:

• Cynthia wrestled with doubt, scheduling limitations, and time constraints that slowed her progress.

• Michael struggled to carve out time and maintain focus as he balanced competing priorities.

• Both felt the urgency of their moment but risked losing it without clear guidance and support.

Bottom line: Accomplished leaders in their fields, they still needed a trusted roadmap to bring their books to life.

The Turning Point: Structured Coaching with Illuminated Authors Elite

Both enrolled in the Illuminated Authors Elite program, but their processes were tailored to fit their unique needs. The Elite program is designed to move authors from raw idea to finished book in six phases, each combining coaching, editing, and production:

Phase 1 | Development

• Created a custom book blueprint outlining purpose, ideal reader, key themes, and structure.

• For Michael, this phase was transformative—he saw his ideas crystallize into a concrete framework for the first time.

• For Cynthia, additional one-on-one sessions helped her refine her concepts and gain clarity despite time and energy limitations.

Phase 2 | Writing

• Set writing schedules with accountability touchpoints to keep momentum.

• Michael worked to meet deadlines inside the six-month structure, submitting drafts for regular feedback.

• Cynthia’s process stretched longer, with Andrae providing more writing support to help move her manuscript forward.

Phase 3 | Developmental & Line Editing

• Both manuscripts went through structural edits to ensure logical flow and alignment with their intended audiences.

• Line editing refined tone and voice, ensuring their messages were authoritative yet approachable.

Phase 4 | Copyediting & Formatting

• Professional copyediting polished the text for publication.

• Covers and interior layouts were designed to align with their professional brands.

Phase 5 | Preparing to Launch

• Built promotion strategies, including identifying launch partners and outlining opportunities for speaking and training integration.

• Cynthia positioned her book to serve as the backbone of leadership workshops.

• Michael prepared to leverage his book as the foundation for trainings, speaking engagements, and a podcast.

Phase 6 | Buzz & Beyond

• Guided both authors on building buzz—creating pre-order traction, gathering reviews, and planning post-launch events.

• Both expressed interest in using their books as stepping stones to further projects, demonstrating the repeatable nature of the process.

The Results: “From vision to publication—and beyond.”

BEFORE

• Ideas and frameworks in hand, but no book to share them.

• Progress slowed by time constraints, doubt, and overwhelm.

AFTER

• Cynthia published Revealing Resilient Leadership, now used in leadership training with Seattle Public Schools.

• Michael published Intentional, Bold, and Unapologetic, which has supported trainings, speaking engagements, and the launch of a new podcast.

• Both finished their books in time to align with new projects and opportunities.

• Gained clarity, confidence, and determination—not just as educators, but as thought leaders and authors.
  
  

The breakthrough: Cynthia and Michael didn’t just write books—they became published innovators, turning their ideas into tools for transformation in schools.

Bonita Lee — Author & Community Connector

Bonita Lee has spent more than two decades working in schools and non-profits, specializing in family and community engagement. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, she has served on district equity teams, advisory committees, and leadership groups dedicated to embedding African American history and cultural representation into education. Her work bridges schools, families, and communities with a focus on advocacy, empowerment, and opportunity.

Background

Driven by her passion for representation and empowerment, Bonita set out to publish a children’s book that would speak directly to young Black girls. Her manuscript, Go On Lil’ Sista, Go On, was written and paired with original illustrations. But she quickly realized she wasn’t sure how to take the finished content and turn it into a professional book.

She came to Lantern Literary knowing she had the pieces, but not the process. She wanted guidance on formatting, publishing, and launch strategy—without the overwhelm of navigating it alone.

The Challenge

Even with her manuscript and artwork in hand, Bonita faced key hurdles:

• Didn’t know how to compile her story and illustrations into a professional book file.

• Unsure what questions to ask or where to find reliable publishing information.

• Unfamiliar with print size requirements, distribution options, and launch planning.

• Determined to figure it out, but aware that the right support would make all the difference.

Bottom line: Bonita had a powerful story and vision, but lacked the technical know-how and publishing roadmap to bring it to life.

The Turning Point: Tailored Author Support

Because Lantern Literary’s programs at the time were primarily built for adult nonfiction, Bonita’s process required a high-touch, customized approach. Together, we adapted the six-phase framework to fit her children’s book:

Phase 1 | Audit & Orientation

• Assessed what she already had completed (manuscript + illustrations).

• Identified gaps in knowledge and built a personalized roadmap.

Phase 2 | Development & Planning

• Determined the best format, trim size, and specifications for her book.

• Outlined next steps for design and preparation.

Phase 3 | Artwork & Design Coordination

• Oversaw completion of the illustrations.

• Guided decisions on layout and advised on how illustrations and text should flow together.

Phase 4 | Editing, Formatting & Compilation

• Edited the manuscript for clarity and impact.

• Compiled text and artwork into professional files ready for print.

Phase 5 | Preparing to Launch

• Guided her on where and how to publish.

• Walked her through getting copies, pricing, and distribution choices.

• Helped her plan her initial launch and selling strategy.

Phase 6 | Building Buzz & Sales

• Equipped her with tools to promote her book through community events.

• Provided guidance for ongoing sales of both books and branded merchandise.

The Results: “A book that empowers and a new arm of business.”

BEFORE

• Manuscript and illustrations completed, but no clear path to publish.

• Overwhelmed by technical and logistical questions.

• Determined, but at risk of stalling.

AFTER

• Successfully published Go On Lil’ Sista, Go On in the correct trim sizes.

• Began selling her book regularly at fairs, events, and through community networks.

• Expanded into additional products—activity books and branded merchandise—creating a new branch of her business.

• Gained clarity, confidence, and ongoing knowledge about self-publishing.
  
  

The breakthrough: Bonita didn’t just publish a children’s book—she launched a new platform for empowerment and expanded her work into authorship and entrepreneurship.

Erin Jones — National Voice on Equity & Leadership

Erin Jones has worked in education for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, and equity leader. She has served in both state and district-level leadership roles and is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on issues of equity, inclusion, and leadership. Author of Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing, Erin has dedicated her career to equipping schools and communities with the tools to build equity and justice into everyday practice.

Background

As a full-time consultant and national speaker on equity and education, Erin was balancing an intense travel and work schedule. She had written extensively and was ready to compose her insights into a book, but the challenge was carving out the time and structure to do it.

She knew she needed more than editing—she needed a clear process and accountability to move her manuscript forward and finally get her message into the world.

The Challenge

Despite her experience as a communicator and leader, Erin ran into barriers when it came to authorship:

• A busy, inconsistent schedule that made it hard to make progress.

• Unsure how to organize her ideas into a manuscript that would flow.

• Needed external support, structure, and accountability to keep going.

Bottom line: Erin had the vision and the audience but lacked a trusted system to carry her from draft to finished book.

The Turning Point: Illuminated Authors Elite Program

Erin enrolled in the full-service Elite coaching package, a six-month intensive combining coaching, editing, and production. The process gave her both accountability and a clear roadmap:

Phase 1 | Goal Setting & Development

• Created a custom book blueprint clarifying her ideal reader, core message, and purpose.

• Outlined her book’s structure, marketing language, and a realistic writing schedule.

Phase 2 | Writing

• Focused on completing a full draft under accountability deadlines.

• Submitted chapters for regular feedback and coaching in Basecamp and live Zoom calls.

Phase 3 | Developmental & Line Editing

• Addressed structure, flow, and clarity to ensure the manuscript delivered on her purpose.

• Line edits refined tone and helped align the text with her natural speaking voice.

Phase 4 | Copyediting & Formatting

• Polished the manuscript to professional standards.

• Designed and formatted the book for publication.

Phase 5 | Preparing to Launch

• Worked on marketing strategies, built a launch team, and gathered endorsements.

• Identified opportunities to integrate the book into her speaking and training work.

Phase 6 | Build Buzz & Beyond

• Focused on launch momentum through events, interviews, and promotion.

• Learned how to leverage her book long-term as part of her professional platform.

The Results: “A book that amplifies her voice.”

BEFORE

• Manuscript ideas in place but stalled.

• Overwhelmed by workload and inconsistent writing habits.

• Felt stuck without a roadmap.

AFTER

• Successfully published Bridges to Heal US.

• Gained clarity, accountability, and confidence through the structured process.

• Delivered a book that reflects her lived experience and resonates with her audience.

• Strengthened her professional platform with a resource that now anchors her speaking and leadership work.
  
  

The breakthrough: Erin turned her scattered drafts and ideas into a polished, published book—transforming her writing process from stuck to strategic.

“With my crazy schedule, I knew I would need a coach to accomplish the task. This was exactly what I needed.”
— Erin Jones