Who is Donna Barker?
Donna Barker is an author, author coach, and one of the minds behind the Creative Academy. Her book Scrappy Rough Draft offers 22 brief chapters to inspire, motivate, and educated authors who are struggling with completing a manuscript.
Big Question Answered

What I like about Scrappy Rough Draft
Barker knows her audience and meets them where they are so she can help them get to where they want to be.
I love that you can pick it up and read a chapter that speaks to you rather than read from front to back and it is still helpful.
Stuck on where to start? Read chapter 16.
Plus, each chapter comes with exercises to help you move past the theory and into action.
One of my favourite things is that she doesn’t dictate but gives you a structure to fill in for yourself. For example, chapter 3 talks about habits but doesn’t dictate certain habits. Instead, she encourages you to develop your own habits. You know how you hear authors, full of confidence, tell you their way is *the* way. They are successful with their habits and we are all the same, so you should be successful with their habits too. If you aren’t, it’s your fault. This book isn’t that!
Scrappy Rough Draft is never all or nothing, never fail or succeed. Life is all grey, and Barker honours that in this book letting you know that mindset will go far in helping you get your book finished, now or in 5 years.
As a bonus, she offers downloads and goodies which are on her website. Two things about that. You don’t need to re-invent the wheel and two this is an awesome marketing strategy. Pay attention.
The Downside
Who is the book for?
Do I Recommend Every Author Read This Book?
Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments!
– Keep writing
Melody Ann
Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.