Independent publishing gives you the freedom to make your own decisions about your book. But it also gives you what feels like a billion decisions to make about a process that’s probably unfamiliar to you.

That's where I come in.

I bring years of publishing experience, a researcher's training and curiosity, and a practical understanding of how the pieces fit together. I help authors make informed decisions, solve problems, and move forward with confidence.

I believe good publishing support should make your life easier, not take your book out of your hands. My job is to offer the knowledge, judgment, and hands-on help you need—not to take over, complicate things, or turn every question into a bigger project.

And when you work with me, you work with me. Not a chatbot, not a team of anonymous specialists, not an account manager, and definitely not an artificial corporate persona.

Just an experienced, professional human person who takes your book seriously, enjoys figuring things out, and believes the publishing process can be fun rather than overwhelming.

I'm Jane Ryder, the owner and only (human) employee of Ryder Author Resources.
I've spent nearly two decades helping authors turn manuscripts into professionally published books—and I've learned that good publishing decisions don’t come from following one set formula.

My background combines degrees in creative writing and library science with years of hands-on experience in writing, editing, research, marketing, and book shepherding. I’ve been a librarian, a freelance editor, and a freelance nonfiction writer (among other things), and I worked with Ross and Renni Browne at The Editorial Department for nearly a decade before founding Ryder Author Resources in 2016.

That means I bring a writer's appreciation for the author’s journey, a librarian's research skills, and a publishing professional's practical knowledge of how things actually work—along with the knowledge and discernment to recognize what makes each book special.

I work with authors at just about every stage of the publishing process, from figuring out what to do with a finished manuscript to navigating distribution platforms with their ever-changing rules, to connecting with readers. I genuinely love what I do, because I love figuring things out: untangling complicated publishing questions, spotting opportunities that aren't immediately obvious, and helping authors understand their options so they can make decisions that further their goals.

But books are more to me than just a problem to be solved. I believe books are essential to human communication, empathy, and empowerment. They matter. Your book matters.

I work independently and deliberately keep my client roster small. When you hire me, you get my attention, my experience, my skills, and my knowledge—not a program, or some other staff member.

Though my cat, Agatha, reserves the right to sit in on meetings. She considers herself management.

A Note About AI

Yes, I use AI. Thoughtfully.

I believe in using appropriate tools to make work more efficient, and AI can be an excellent research assistant, brainstorming partner, image generator, and problem-solving resource, particularly since I don’t have any coworkers (other than Agatha). But it's a tool, not a substitute for professional skills, experience, judgment, discernment, or decision making.

I evaluate the information, make the recommendations, and take responsibility for the work I deliver. When you hire Ryder Author Resources, you're hiring me, not an algorithm.

And because your intellectual property deserves to be treated with care and respect, I'll be transparent about how AI fits into our work and discuss any use involving your material—published or unpublished—with you first.