Lost in Publishing? Let’s Find Your Path.

I help authors navigate the publishing process with clarity and confidence—so you don’t waste months guessing or sign a bad deal.

In Collaboration With:

Logo of Amplify Publishing Group with "APG" in a blue outline speech bubble above the text "amplify publishing group."
Wiley logo in bold black text
Streamline logo with text "Books - Speakers - Media" next to it. Features stylized book illustration inside a circle.
Greenleaf Book Group logo with a stylized green leaf above the text.
Brand Builders Group logo with stylized "b" and "g" in turquoise over black text.
Authors Unite logo with stylized text and a design element on the left.
Logo of Smith Publicity Inc with a stylized green book above the text.
Stylized "BH" logo with black background and gold stripe on top.
Business Expert Press logo featuring "BEP" in a blue oval above the company name in black text.
Authors Mohammad F. Anwar, Frank E. Danna, Jeffrey F. Ma, and Christopher J. Pitre.
3D render of the book "Love as a Business Strategy" by Mohammad F. Anwar, Frank E. Danna, Jeffrey F. Ma, and Christopher J. Pitre, featuring game strategy symbols and a bestseller badge on the cover.

Traditional Book Publishing Strategy

When authors are ready to level up, the right guidance can unlock major deals.

Take the team behind Love as a Business Strategy. After self-publishing their first book in 2021, they came to me to explore traditional publishing for their follow-up.

When Wiley expressed interest, we moved fast.

With my support, the authors:

  • Developed a standout proposal in under two weeks, securing a two-book deal.

  • Sold Wiley the rights to an expanded edition of their first book.

  • Negotiated their own terms confidently, landing above-average royalties on both titles.

Love as a Change Strategy is now in the works—and they’ve entered traditional publishing on their own terms.

Author Reza Zahedi of Rock Asset GmBH.

Book Coming Fall 2025

Hybrid Publishing—Without the Guesswork

Some authors arrive with big goals—and little groundwork. That’s where strategic guidance makes all the difference.

Take Reza, for example. He came to me with a proposal and a dream of landing a major traditional deal and becoming a NYT bestseller. But like many first-time authors, he had no platform. 

I helped him recalibrate his path.

With my support, Reza:

  • Pitched independent traditional publishers, getting real interest and offers.

  • Chose a top-tier hybrid publisher (Greenleaf) to retain creative control and ensure bookstore-quality printing.

  • Built a custom publishing team, including marketing and PR, to support his September 2025 launch.

His debut, The Self-Made Maverick, is set for a standout release—and Book 2 may just hit that NYT list.

Author Susan Conrad of INSIDE: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage
Book cover of "Inside: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage" by Susan Marie Conrad, featuring a kayak on water and a map.

Self-Publishing with a Human Heartbeat

Many authors don’t realize how little control they have—until it’s too late. I’ve helped authors regain their rights and rebuild stronger.

Take Susan, for example. Her memoir, Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage, was traditionally published. Seven years later, the publisher declared it “out of print” and returned the rights.

We connected through a publishing strategist in the Pacific Northwest, and I helped her take the reins.

With my support, Susan:

  • Recovered her rights and assets, including files and cover art.

  • Rebranded her book with a fresh cover and top-tier Print-on-Demand quality.

  • Re-released under her own imprint, giving her full creative and financial control.

She turned a dead-end into a new beginning.

From Manuscript to Masterpiece

  • Book titled "Inside" by Susan Marie Conrad, featuring a map of the Inside Passage and a red kayak on water.

    INSIDE: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage

    Buy Now
  • Book titled 'Music for the Developing Brain' by Jane J. Bader, DMA. The cover is blue with musical notes and a piano keyboard design.

    Music for the Developing Brain: A Simple, At-Home Program

    BUY NOW
  • Book titled "Bet on Yourself" by Sarah Turner with floral cover design.

    Bet on Yourself: Your Testosterone-Free Guide to Being Your Own Boss

    Buy Now

  • Love as a Business Strategy: Resilience, Belonging & Success, Updated Edition

    Buy Now
  • Book cover of 'The Pond Beyond the Forest' by Shigeko Ito, depicting a serene pond with surrounding foliage.

    The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood

    Buy Now
  • Book cover titled 'The Ugly Side of Beauty' by Rachel Nixon, featuring a stylized image of a woman with gold makeup on lips and hand.

    The Ugly Side of Beauty: A Memoir

    Buy Now
  • Book cover featuring a silhouette of a ship at sunset with title 'Prepare to be Boarded: A Coast Guard's Remarkable Life' by Linda Haley Prentice.

    Prepare to Be Boarded: A Coast Guard's Remarkable Life

    Buy Now
  • Blue book titled 'Keep Calm and Code On: A Tactical Guide for Navigating the Pitfalls of Software Development' by Alex Lau.

    Keep Calm And Code On: A Tactical Guide for Navigating the Pitfalls of Software Development

    Buy Now

  • Survival First: The Rebel Entrepreneur’s Guide to Risk, Riches and Immortality

    Buy Now

  • Finding Value: A Reforming Mean Girl's Guide for Creating More Meaningful Connections

    Buy Now

  • Driving Plato's Chariot: Lessons on Student Ethical Development

    Buy Now

  • Wounds: How Hurt, Heartache, and Tragedy Become the Keys to Unlocking Greatness

    Buy Now

  • The Passion Gap: What Our Parents Didn't Teach Us About Purpose, Prosperity, and Lasting Happiness

    Buy Now

  • We're All Mad Here: an (in)elegant memoir

    Buy Now

  • The Way Home: Restoring Your Relationship with Your Creator

    Buy Now

  • Me, My Customer, and AI: The New Rules of Entrepeneurship

    Buy Now

  • Fifty Shades of True Crime: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Kink

    Buy Now

  • You Can Share My Daddy

    Buy Now
Woman sitting at outdoor table with laptop and books

The Rose Approach

A strategic 3-step process to help authors make the right publishing moves with clarity and confidence.

  • Before exploring any publishing path, we get clear on your vision.

    What’s included:

    • 1:1 deep-dive strategy session to understand your publishing goals (traditional, hybrid, indie, etc.)

    • Review of your manuscript or proposal (if available)

    • Feedback on book positioning, audience, and long-term career goals

    • Clarification of your book’s unique value in the market

    How I help:
    I become your thought partner—helping you distill your message, align your goals, and set realistic expectations before you make any big decisions.

  • Your book doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I analyze where it fits and how to pitch it effectively.

    What’s included:

    • Market research on genre/category performance

    • Reader trend analysis to inform positioning

    • Agent/publisher wishlist and backlist research (what they want vs. what they’ve sold)

    • Comparable title analysis for pitches or positioning

    • Strategic advice on publishing path: traditional, hybrid, or independent

    How I help:
    I pull from industry data and real-time insights to shape a smart, tailored strategy that fits your goals—no guesswork.

  • Once you’re clear and positioned, we connect the dots.

    What’s included:

    • Query letter or pitch review (or writing support)

    • Introductions to aligned agents, hybrid publishers, or PR/marketing partners

    • Personalized submission strategy with timelines

    • Consulting on early calls and negotiations

    • Guidance on evaluating offers and navigating terms

    How I help:
    I open doors and help you walk through them—with confidence. Whether it's crafting your pitch or preparing you for a meeting, I guide you at every step.

Three Ways I Can Support Your Author Journey

Self Publishing

Own It All—With Expert Guidance
True indie publishing—community-driven, collaborative, and author-owned

    • Teach you every step of the process

    • Handle all general contracting

    • Deliver a final product you fully own

    What I don’t do:

    • Marketing or publicity (but I’ll connect you to the right team for your goals and budget)

Authors with a Clear Vision—Expert Publishing Support
You know exactly what you want for your book. Now let’s make sure your publishing path supports that.

Hybrid Publishing

    • Complimentary introductions to trusted collaborators

    • Outreach to potential new publishing partners

    • Contract Review & Comparison:

      • $400 for the first 3 contracts

      • $50 per additional document

    Whether you're negotiating with a hybrid press or vetting a partner, we ensure you don’t go in blind.

Most Popular Approach

Submission Toolkits for Serious Authors
For authors pursuing adult or YA fiction/nonfiction in the commercial market.

Traditional Publishing

    • Query Letter Development: Done-for-you language that showcases your book without the awkward self-promotion.

    • Custom Query List: Curated list of agents or indie publishers based on your genre, audience, and goals (no spray-and-pray approach).

    • Comp Titles & Market Positioning: Recent comparables (from the past 4 years) to help argue your book's salability and market fit.

    ToolkitPlus Options:
    For Fiction:

    • First Pages Polish (agent-ready prep)

    • Manuscript-to-Market Evaluation (from an agent/publisher lens)

    • 1-page Synopsis (written after full read)

    For Nonfiction:

    • Proposal Guidance (feedback on structure, gaps, comps, marketing plan)

    • Contract Review (within 120 days of wrap-up)

    Need help deciding between Traditional and Hybrid?
    Try the Find-Your-Fit Toolkit—includes ToolkitPlus + tailored hybrid publishing strategy sessions.

    Need a full Nonfiction Book Proposal?
    Opt for ProposalPlus Toolkit

    • Full ghostwritten proposal based on your outline

    • Includes research, marketing language, and 3rd party proofreading

Book A Consultation

If you're ready to take the next step, schedule a consultation today. I also offer Free Call Fridays—short sessions for authors who are curious, stuck, or simply exploring their options.

Praise for Rose & Foreword Lit

Praise for Rose & Foreword Lit

  • "Rose possesses a wealth of knowledge about the publishing industry. She was my cheerleader, offering invaluable moral support, encouragement, and a balanced perspective during the challenging phase in my search..."

    Shigeko Ito - Author

  • “We had not published a book in a long time and the world of publishing had changed dramatically in that time. Rose helped guide is through the process and find a publisher who was a perfect fit for us. We could not have done it without her!"

    Joshua Schank - Author

  • Kristen Tremonti Reiter - Author

    “Rose is an absolute gem—knowledgeable, well-connected, and a joy to work with. She transformed my query letter with thoughtful research and industry insight, ultimately connecting me with my publisher...[She turned] what felt like an overwhelming process into an exciting and rewarding journey. Choosing to work with Rose was one of the best decisions I made.

    Kristen Tremonti - Author

  • "To be frank, the modern publishing industry is overwhelming, confusing, and rife with scammers. It's hard for authors to know who they can trust and what to focus on in this constantly evolving environment. Time and again, I've seen Rose demonstrate compassion for authors and leverage her wealth of insider knowledge to guide them toward their unique goals."

    Peggy Holsclaw - Ghostwriter

  • "Rose has been super helpful in guiding me through the processor finding agents and submitting my novel! There's WAY more to this than I had thought, and I'm super happy to have had Rose assisting me on the way!"

    Mike Parent - Author

  • Gary Pavela - Writer

    "Key words to describe Rose: Professional > Gracious > Diligent > Skillful > Endlessly patient!"

    Gary Pavela - Writer

  • "Rose is a publishing mastermind, with more knowledge about the industry than I could ever hope to gain on my own. The greatest compliment, and one that I wholeheartedly and unreservedly give to Rose, is that I trust her. As a ghostwriter and editor, I can confidently send my clients to her, knowing that they are in good hands. She has been an invaluable resource to me not only as a ghostwriter and editor, but also as a novelist. She was the very first person—even before my partner, my best friend, and my mom—that I let read my novel in full. That's how much I trust her!"

    Kelsey Adams - Author & Writer

  • "The publishing world is opaque and confusing. Rose has given wise counsel to me and my clients as we try to find them the best publishing partner for their overall goals. She is thorough, accessible, generous, and fantastic to work with."

    Marni Seneker - Ghostwriter & Book Coach

  • "Rose is an excellent partner to have in the publishing journey. She's got a strong grasp on the ins and outs of project management, and handles each book with utmost care and professionalism. It's been a joy to work with her and to see how happy authors have been with her guidance!"

    Dana Mathias Steele - Designer

  • "As a new author, I worked with Rose on how to navigate the book industry. She knew her subject matter extremely well and helped me tremendously in the process. I avoided a ton of unnecessary pitfalls and costly mistakes by heeding her advice. Thanks to Rose I've got a killer book!"

    Doug Fifer - Author

  • Rose takes the time to discover you, your needs, and your story. She strategically provides insights and connections to link you to the processes and people that can help share your story in the way that matches your needs.

    Christine Cooper - Author

  • "NOBODY knows more than Rose about who might want to rep your book (and who won't--yay for efficiency!), where to connect to those people, HOW to sell your story to an agent/publisher, and which markets will most value your work. She will also help you decide which *kind* of publishing is best for you...and will walk you through all that with kindness, patience, honesty, and enthusiasm."

    Marie Kuipers - Author

  • "Rose is the ultimate connector and knowledge source for all things publishing. Her insights and ability to provide data, information and connections in the industry is unmatched."

    Deepika Sandhu, CEO of Soul Sparks Press

Woman smiling while holding a book in a bookstore setting

Navigating Publishing with Insight & Strategy

Hi, I’m Rose Friel Conway, Founder of Foreword Literary Consulting

Apart from being a lifelong reader, I’ve always been fascinated by the stories we return to—and how they evolve with us. That curiosity led me from studying literature and media to working in both traditional and hybrid publishing, including time at Simon & Schuster UK and managing 1,500+ editorial assignments a year in hybrid publishing.

In 2023, after seeing firsthand how industry shifts affected both authors and editors, I founded Foreword Literary Consulting to offer strategic, human-centered support. I help authors clarify their goals, evaluate their options, and navigate traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing with confidence.

Let’s make smart, intentional moves—together.