We discovered Hassan Osman's "Write & Publish Your First Nonfiction Book on the Side" while researching practical publishing programs for time-strapped professionals. What caught our attention? The course promises to transform complete beginners into published authors in just four weeks, all while maintaining their day job.
After spending 15 hours analyzing the curriculum, we found this isn't your typical creative writing course. Instead, Hassan Osman (a Program Management Office Director at Cisco Systems) applies project management principles to the book publishing process. The program breaks down into four distinct phases: planning your book (Week 1), writing your first draft (Week 2), editing and polishing (Week 3), and publishing on Amazon KDP (Week 4).
What sets this apart from other publishing courses? The laser focus on actionable steps rather than theory. We noticed the course dedicates approximately 75 minutes of core video content, supplemented by templates and checklists, making it digestible for busy schedules. The curriculum covers everything from choosing profitable topics and outlining techniques to formatting requirements and keyword optimization for Amazon's algorithm.
Here's what we found particularly interesting: Hassan doesn't promise overnight bestseller status or six-figure earnings. Instead, he focuses on helping students produce what he calls a "minimum viable book", a concept borrowed from the startup world. This approach removes the perfectionism that often paralyzes first-time authors.
The course targets a specific audience: professionals who want to establish authority in their field through published work but can't quit their job to write full-time. Topics covered include time management strategies for writing, batch writing techniques, and how to leverage Amazon's self-publishing platform effectively.
One aspect that surprised us? The emphasis on realistic expectations. Hassan dedicates an entire section to "The Truth About Money," addressing potential earnings honestly rather than hyping unrealistic income claims (refreshing in this space, we must say).
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Learn A New Skill
Students consistently praise the course's practical approach and clear structure, with most reviews highlighting how it demystifies the publishing process. The 4.5/5 star average rating from over 4,200 students suggests strong satisfaction, particularly among complete beginners.
"Super fast and concise course on how to publish a non-fiction book on Amazon successfully." - Donald Wheeler
"Filled with useful information that is immediately actionable...helps students set realistic expectations." - Sherry Nelson, Ph.D.
"The material in Section 2, The truth about money, proved very helpful to manage my expectations and set my strategy for pricing." - Tom Carroll
"I never really had the time to sit down and write...this podcast helped me manage my time and become a better writer." - Rayangaming123
"Inspired me to take writing seriously...convinced me I could publish something of value." - Josh Duffney
Reddit discussions in self-publishing communities acknowledge Hassan as a legitimate instructor but debate whether four weeks provides enough time for quality work. Quora contributors who've taken the course generally recommend it for absolute beginners but suggest supplementing with additional writing resources.
For busy professionals seeking a structured introduction to self-publishing, the course delivers solid value. While the 4-week timeline may be optimistic, the systematic approach provides a useful roadmap for first-time authors.
The "4-week" promise requires significant qualification. While technically possible for a highly motivated individual writing a short book (10,000-20,000 words), most quality nonfiction books require 2-6 months. Hassan does provide a workable system, but the timeline represents an aggressive best-case scenario rather than typical results.
Listed at $29.99 on Gumroad, frequently discounted on Udemy to $13.99-$19.99 during platform-wide sales
Minimal upselling detected, some mentions of instructor's other books and courses but not aggressive
Multiple verified reviews confirm students successfully published books after completing the course, though specific sales figures or long-term success metrics remain unavailable
Honest marketing approach with realistic income discussions, though the 4-week timeline could mislead some students about the effort required
Udemy provides reliable streaming, lifetime access, and mobile apps for iOS/Android
Full lifetime access, downloadable resources, offline viewing through mobile apps
Excellent mobile experience through dedicated Udemy apps
Standard internet connection, any device capable of streaming video
Udemy's established infrastructure ensures smooth content delivery with zero technical barriers. The lifetime access model provides excellent value, allowing students to revisit materials as needed during their writing journey.
Some students report feeling the content lacks depth ("Better information available free on YouTube," according to one reviewer). A recurring concern involves the course title, with critics arguing "The 4-Week 'Publish Your Book on the Side' System" would be more accurate since writing instruction is minimal.
No reported issues with Udemy's standard 30-day money-back guarantee
The 4-week promise creates high expectations that many students struggle to meet. However, Hassan maintains transparency about realistic earnings and avoids the "get rich quick" messaging common in this niche.
Limited dedicated community support beyond Udemy's Q&A section, though Hassan reportedly responds to student questions
Minor concerns exist around the ambitious timeline and basic content depth, but no serious red flags emerged. The low price point and transparent marketing approach offset these issues.
At $29.99 (often less with discounts), the course provides solid ROI for beginners. While you won't master the craft of writing, you'll gain a practical framework for getting your first book published, easily worth 10x the investment if you apply the system.
After our thorough review, we can confirm Hassan Osman's course delivers on its core promise: providing a systematic approach to self-publishing for time-constrained beginners. The program excels at demystifying the Amazon KDP process and offering realistic guidance rather than hype.
Is the 4-week timeline achievable? For a polished, comprehensive book, probably not. But for a focused, shorter work (think 15,000-25,000 words), motivated students can realistically complete the process using Hassan's framework. We appreciated the honest discussion about earnings potential and the emphasis on "done over perfect."
The course's main limitation? It won't teach you how to write beautifully. If you're seeking to improve your prose or develop a unique voice, look elsewhere. But if you need a straightforward roadmap from blank page to published book on Amazon, this program provides exceptional value at its price point.
We particularly recommend this for consultants, coaches, and professionals who need to establish credibility through published work. The systematic approach removes guesswork and analysis paralysis, two common barriers for first-time authors.
Bottom line: For under $30, you get a proven blueprint that thousands have used successfully. Just adjust your expectations about the timeline and supplement with additional writing resources if you want to create truly exceptional content.
At $29.99 (often less with discounts), the course provides solid ROI for beginners. While you won't master the craft of writing, you'll gain a practical framework for getting your first book published, easily worth 10x the investment if you apply the system.
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