Elizabeth Dougherty

About

Elizabeth Dougherty has been a developmental editor and writer since 1988, working in books, magazines, and digital media. She coauthored The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide: Plan, Write, and Publish Your Nonfiction Book (The Collective Book Studio, June 2026) with Marisa Solis. They believe that there are experts who can transform lives by writing a book. The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide gives them the tools to succeed. Elizabeth and Marisa cofounded Book Structure Pros, a boutique editorial services company that helps subject matter experts become book authors. Its mission is to change the world for the better—one book at a time. Services include book coaching, developmental editing, manuscript assessments, and book proposal development. They also offer customized workshops, webinars, and speaking events. 

As executive editor at Weldon Owen, Elizabeth ran book programs for brands such as Gymboree, Pottery Barn Kids, and Hallmark. She has been a freelance editor, writer, and book coach since 2012 (BestBookEditor.com). Her clients include individual authors and publishers such as Klutz, New Harbinger Publications, and Sunset Books. Her topical super-specialties are health and wellness, women's leadership, and all things parenting. Her work has appeared in outlets such as BabyCenter, HealthCentral, Healthy Aging, VIA magazine, and Stanford Law School Magazine. Elizabeth holds a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.