This is why I created the Top Three Authors membership.

I’m AJ Harper.

I’m an editor and publishing strategist on a mission to help authors write foundational books readers dog-ear, underline, and rave about.

Over the past 21 years, I’ve written for notable thought leaders, co-built and sold an award-winning publishing house, developed speech and book writing curriculum, and mentored hundreds of authors and helped them navigate the publishing industry.

In that timespan, I have also watched hundreds of authors quit–some before they finished their first draft, some before they published, and many within the first year after they published their book.

I’ve also helped authors beat the odds and sell thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of books. I’ve ghostwritten or edited hundreds of books. And I’m the author of the multi-award winning book, Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives–Including Your Own.

Here are just some of the authors who are members of the Top Three Authors community:

Let’s break down everything included in your

Top Three Authors membership.

Access to AJ

If you want to talk directly with me–to get feedback on your book idea, strategic guidance about your publishing path, or brainstorm a way to sell more books, for example–you can do it in Top Three Authors. Here are the ways you can learn from me and connect with me:

• Deep dive educational Mastercraft workshops where you learn and practice, and I offer feedback
• Bimonthly 60-minute Q&As focused on craft or publishing and marketing
• (Most) Fridays, I host our weekday writing sprints, and you can hit me up with questions
• Book sales mastermind every other month to help you sell more books than you ever thought possible
• Private 45-minute strategic call with me (for annual pay members)

Access to Writing Sprints

Writing sprints are focused writing time. You can do them alone or with other people. We do them together, which allows our authors to establish a writing practice that works for them, get support, and make connections. In other communities, you might get a writing sprint every week. Because I want you to have a true home for authorship online, we have two writing sprints every single weekday. 

• We meet on Zoom Monday through Friday at 9:00am and 4:00pm Eastern to write for an hour
• You’ll have time to write and a brief time for questions
• Our community culture is noncompetitive and supportive
• You’ll be the first to know about our classes and events, many of them free

Access to My Education Library

When authors in my community ask me for more detailed information about how to do something–how to write or edit a specific part of a book, how to get more pre-orders, how to create a workbook – I develop a class. Not just any class – a Mastercraft. These are deep dive workshops where I teach, you try it, and then I give you feedback. The goal is to not just learn but get work done during the class. 

I’ve also created longer, self-driven educational programs over the years, always at my authors’ request. As a Top Three Authors member, my education library is available to you to explore at your own pace based on where you are in your authorship journey.

• The recording, tools, and worksheets for every Mastercraft I’ve offered. Here’s a sample Mastercraft list: 
• The Art of the Interview
• How to Create a Transformational Workbook
• How to Write a Book Proposal that Sells
• How to Write a Transformational Outline for Your Book
• How to Write a Chapter One that Compels Readers to Turn the Page
• How to Write a Killer Intro
• Write a Better Conclusion: The Call to Greatness
• How to Weave in Research, Studies and Anecdotes
• How to Use Your Personal Story
• How to Build a Pre-order Campaign
• How to Prepare for Your Book Launch
• Post Reader Engagement and Ongoing Sales  

• Get Ready to Write Your Must-Read, a self-guided program for people who want to write a book in the future, but either don’t have time to dedicate to it yet or are still in the early stages of development. Book development requires quite a lot of thinking about your book, your reader, and your own goals, and this program will help you gain the clarity you need to hit the ground running when you’re ready to write your book.
• Test Drive Your Content, a self-guided program to help you make sure the ideas, frameworks, exercises, and processes work for your readers before you write your book. Test drives also help you build your platform and gather content for your book, and in this program, I show you how. 

Access to New, Live Mastercraft Workshops

Every year, I create new Mastercraft workshops based on what our community wants and needs and in response to changes in the publishing industry. As a Top Three Authors member, you’ll have free registration for all Mastercrafts and for our annual Authorship Planning full-day workshop, which helps you plan your year based on your authorship goals. If you can’t come live, no worries. We post the recording within 24 hours and you can come to one of the bimonthly Q&As to ask me follow-up questions.

What's on deck for 2027:

If you paid for everything in this program individually, here’s what you’d spend in one year:

Annual members receive a bonus: 45-minute private Strategic Call with AJ ($1,500)

To inquire about scholarships for traditionally marginalized authors, email hello@ajharper.com.

And… Access to Dibs and Discounts

• Top Three Authors members receive a $3,000 discount on my Editing Retreats on Madeline Island and get “dibs” on the limited slots before registration opens to the public
• I don’t take private clients. I do offer limited 1:1s for members at a discounted rate.
• Because I don’t take referral fees, Top Three Authors members enjoy discounts from publishing industry experts and vendors

Top Three Authors membership is a steal, that’s true. Why do I offer it at such a low price? Because the number one determining factor in an author’s success is not talent, not connections, not even good writing: It’s perseverance. 

I want paying for membership to be a no-brainer for you. If it’s a no-brainer, you are more likely to stick around. If you stick around, you’ll get the education, support, and strategic guidance you need. And if you get all you need, you are less likely to quit on your authorship dreams. And if you continue to reach for your authorship dreams, we all benefit, because we get your ideas, your stories, and your solutions–we get the change you want to see in the world.

I hope to see you!

FAQ

How will I know if I’m ready to start my Top Three Authors Membership?

You can join at any stage, whether you have a kernel of a book idea that needs development, already writing your book, on the road to publication, or already published. 

What if I already wrote or published my book? What is the benefit of Top Three Authors membership for people who are already on the journey?

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you want to sell more books and reach more readers. In Top Three Authors, we are not just focused on writing craft, we help authors with every lane of authorship. Further, I developed a formula and system for setting and reaching sales goals for your book and a mastermind to help you follow-through and share ideas with other members. Publishing is a long, long game and the rules change frequently. As a Top Three Authors member, you’ll have access to my strategic guidance to help you stay the course.

How will I know where to start in AJ’s Education Library?

The library is divided up for where you may be in the process, development, writing, editing, publishing or marketing. Still in development? You have a menu to choose from! New members have the opportunity to meet with my Dean of Students for a guided tour through all we have to offer, and she will help you maximize your experience with a bespoke plan to meet your needs.

What if I need editorial support for my book? Will AJ read my manuscript?

Not in membership, no. If you’d like my personal editorial feedback, you can attend one of our summer Editing Retreats on Madeline Island or sign up for Top Three Book Workshop.

How is Top Three Authors membership different from AJ’s annual program, Top Three Book Workshop?

Top Three Book Workshop is an annual 14-week program in which I walk authors through the process of developing, writing, and editing a must-read book. I teach classes live and work 1:1 with authors throughout the process as their editor. Because this is a time-intensive program, I limit each cohort to 15 students.

Will AJ connect me with publishers and agents?

No, but I will help you navigate the traditional publishing process and advocate for yourself when working with industry professionals.

Do you offer refunds?

No, I don’t. 

If I pay monthly, can I cancel any time?

Absolutely! You can also pause your monthly membership and come back around when it suits you.

How can I get the most out of membership?

Show up live whenever you can. It’s in our live gatherings, whether it’s Writing Sprints or a Mastercraft, where you get direct feedback and answers from me and from my team, and this is where you build author relationships that will help you in myriad ways over the course of your author journey.

No matter where you are in the process, just firming up your book idea as a novice or a pro with a book or more behind you, Top Three Authors Membership is how you can continue to grow as an author and network organically with authors who share your values. It’s here that you can find solutions that help you get past gatekeepers, resolve sticky publishing conflicts, and successfully navigate the ever-changing publishing landscape. 

In Top Three Authors, we like to say, “We leave the porch light on for you and your book.” We mean that. On any given day, you can login to a writing sprint, or a Q&A with AJ, or a class and get the inspiration, knowledge, or support you need.