Draft & Discern

Free Beta Cohort — 10 Spots Only

You finished your book.
Now what?

Most writing courses teach you how to write. Nobody teaches you what happens after — the audiobook setup, the metadata that gets you found, the AI tools that actually help without stealing your voice.

Apply for Free Access30 days free · No credit card · One feedback call
10founding beta spots available
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The publishing world doesn't explain itself.
It just watches you guess.

You've done the hard part. You wrote the book. But now you're staring at ACX, KDP metadata fields, AI tools with no manual, and a hundred blog posts that contradict each other — and nobody around you knows the answers either.

The advice you get is either too vague ("just get on social media") or too expensive ("hire a publicist"). What you actually need is a structured, practical curriculum from someone who has built these systems from scratch — and can explain them without the jargon.

That's what Draft & Discern is.

The Curriculum

Three things nobody teaches authors.
We teach all three.

01

Your Audiobook, Demystified

Narration options, ACX vs. Findaway, how to set up your project, what rights to keep, and how to actually get it done without a studio or a big budget.

Production
02

Metadata That Works While You Sleep

Keywords, categories, descriptions, and retailer-specific settings that actually move your book in front of readers. The difference between invisible and discoverable.

Marketing
03

AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch

Practical AI workflows for writing, editing, ideation, and marketing — that keep your voice intact. No hype, no shortcuts. Real techniques from a working author who's actually using them.

Craft & Efficiency

This is for you if

You're serious.
Not famous. Serious.

  • You have a finished or nearly-finished manuscript
  • You're planning to indie publish (or seriously considering it)
  • You've hit walls around the "business" side of authorship
  • You want to use AI thoughtfully — not blindly
  • You're willing to show up and give real feedback

This is not for you if

A few honest
disqualifiers.

  • You're still in the early drafting stages
  • You want someone to write your book for you
  • You're not willing to spend 2–3 hours a week on the material
  • You're looking for a get-rich-quick publishing formula

The Beta Agreement

Here's exactly what this costs you. And what you get.

This cohort is free. Full stop. In exchange, I ask for one thing.

What you get:

  • 30 days of full access to all Draft & Discern training modules
  • The complete audiobook setup curriculum
  • The metadata and marketing framework
  • The AI tools for authors workflow
  • Direct access to ask questions and get real answers

What I ask in return:

  • One 15-minute feedback call at the end of your 30 days
  • Honest answers about what worked, what didn't, what was confusing
  • That's genuinely it

Ten spots. When they're gone, they're gone. The next version will be paid.

Join the Waitlist

Tell me about your book.
I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

This isn't an automated system. I read every application personally.

There are no cohort spots open right now. Submit your details and you'll be first to hear when the next round opens.

No spam. No credit card. Just a conversation about your book.

L

L.J. Ribar

Author · Publisher · Software Engineer

I spent 45 years building software systems before I became a full-time author and indie publisher. I know what it's like to stare at a publishing platform and feel like it was designed to exclude you.

I've built the tools, written the books, set up the audiobooks, cracked the metadata, and figured out how to use AI without losing my voice. Draft & Discern is my attempt to hand that knowledge directly to authors who need it — without the fluff.

This beta cohort is small on purpose. I want to learn from you as much as you learn from me.