PublishHer Podcast

Joel Pitney, founder of Launch My Book, joins Alexa to bust common self-publishing myths, from bookstore dreams to Amazon hacks. They dive deep into what it really takes to succeed in publishing—plus, how his company helps authors publish professionally without giving up creative control. This episode is a must-listen for authors navigating the complexities of publishing and looking to make informed decisions about their books.

Alexa is joined by five dynamic authors from different genres to talk all things book marketing—what worked, what didn't, and how the Book Launch in a Box program helped them succeed. Real advice, real results, and a whole lot of encouragement for authors at every stage.

Alexa Bigwarfe and Hannah Jacobson dive deep into business-building for authors and publishing pros. They cover funding models, pricing mistakes, automation, AI tools, and the essential mindset shift from "just an author" to entrepreneur. It's honest, funny, and full of hard-won wisdom. A must-listen for creative business owners!

In this special Memorial Day episode, Alexa Bigwarfe shares the powerful—and too often untold—stories of seven remarkable American women who gave their lives in military service. From the first Native American woman killed in combat to elite combat photographers and Marine officers, this tribute honors their legacy and explores why storytelling matters. Alexa also highlights authors writing about women in the military, shares her thoughts on Ashley's War by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, and honors the legacy of America's most daring female spies.

Damon Courtney, CEO of BookFunnel, joins Alexa to share how authors can use BookFunnel for more than just ebook delivery. From building email lists and distributing audiobooks to selling direct and collaborating with other authors, Damon covers the essential tools that make BookFunnel a must-have for indie success.

Meet Danielle Anderson of InkWorthy Books—a soulful nonfiction coach and publishing pro with a passion for helping authors write books that heal, inspire, and change the world. In this episode, Danielle walks us through her unique 6-phase approach to writing and publishing soulful nonfiction, including what most authors miss, how to revise like a pro, and why your “why” matters more than your word count.

JD Barker shares how his talent and strategic business decisions—like trademarking his name and building multiple revenue streams—paved the way for a powerhouse fiction career, including co-authoring with James Patterson. Learn how smart authorpreneurship helped him grow beyond books and into a scalable creative empire.

Publishing expert Patricia Marshall breaks down the differences between hybrid and self-publishing, shares her journey founding Luminare Press, and offers vital advice for authors navigating publishing choices in a fast-changing industry.

In this inspiring solo episode, Alexa shares how to shift your mindset around book marketing and turn it into something you actually enjoy. From leveraging your strengths to building buzz through authentic relationships, this is a must-listen for any author dreading the “M” word.

Claire Tak shares how she uses Substack to grow her audience, share her memoir journey, and connect with other writers—without the overwhelm of traditional platforms.

Brooke Black joins Alexa to talk about building strong author communities, navigating the unknowns of publishing, and how The Hive Collective empowers writers at every stage. Whether you're querying or self-publishing, you'll find insight, support, and inspiration in this episode.

In this episode, Alexa chats with Karen Ferreira, founder of Children's Book Mastery, about the journey of writing, publishing, and marketing children's books. They explore traditional vs. self-publishing, common pitfalls, and how authors can find success by aligning strategy with personality. A must-listen for aspiring children's book creators!

Alexa talks with author and therapist Nathalie Himmelrich about the healing power of writing, how grief informed her six books, and why authors don't need to be marketing experts to make an impact. They dive into book inspiration, business alignment, and how storytelling serves as a bridge between pain and purpose.

This powerful panel brings together trailblazing women in publishing to share their personal journeys, industry challenges, and unwavering hope for the future. From systemic inequities to breakthrough moments, discover how these leaders are rewriting the rules, building community, and lifting each other up—one story, one voice, one book at a time.

In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe interviews Karen Strauss, founder of Hybrid Global Publishing. Karen shares her journey from traditional publishing to hybrid publishing, the challenges authors face, and the hidden costs of publishing. Learn how a book can elevate your business, establish authority, and open doors to new opportunities.

Alexa Bigwarfe interviews ghostwriter Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane about the art of ghostwriting, its benefits, and misconceptions. Roxanne shares her journey from journalism to ghostwriting, explains her process, and discusses why hiring a ghostwriter is a smart choice for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and experts looking to publish impactful nonfiction books.

Offset printing, printing options for children's books, and board books! Lori and Taylor from MCRL cover everything from choosing the right printing method to understanding the costs and logistics of bulk printing. Plus, get insider tips on formatting, fulfillment, and how to make your book stand out. If you're considering offset printing, board books, or just want to know more about the book production process, listen in!

What happens to your books and business if you're no longer here? In this must-listen episode, Alexa and attorney Kelley Way dive into estate planning for authors—covering copyright transfers, trusts, wills, and protecting your royalties. Don't leave your legacy to chance—tune in now and safeguard your creative future!

In this episode, Alexa chats with media strategist Markeyla Hinton about the power of PR, branding, and visibility for authors and entrepreneurs. They discuss how to be contagious instead of chasing virality, the impact of strategic media placements, and how Media Blitz Day helps women step into the spotlight.

Danica Favorite, Community Manager at PublishDrive and a multi-published hybrid author, discusses how authors can leverage AI and PublishDrive's powerful tools to streamline their publishing journey. Danica also shares insights on using AI responsibly, overcoming writing challenges, and maximizing book visibility.

Alexa Bigwarfe chats with award-winning writer and writing coach Alida Winternheimer about the essentials of story craft. They explore the three-act structure, including how to craft a compelling Act 1 with hooks, stakes, and inciting incidents, and how Act 1 reflects the entire story. Alida shares insights on balancing showing vs. telling, navigating feedback, and transitioning between genres like nonfiction, literary fiction, and romantic comedies. With actionable writing tips, advice on working with editors or coaches, and a focus on developing your craft, this episode is perfect for aspiring and experienced authors alike.

Mindy Kuhn and Alexa Bigwarfe discuss the unique benefits of hybrid publishing, including retained author rights, professional editing and design, and higher royalty rates. Mindy shares tips for authors on choosing the right publishing model, polishing manuscripts, and marketing their books.

Marketing expert and Hay House author Nikki Nash shares her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship, offering actionable insights on leveraging books for big-picture impact and monetization. Listeners will learn how to align their writing with their vision, think beyond book sales, and take bold steps to create lasting change. This episode encourages listeners to step back, dream big, and take intentional actions toward creating a lasting impact.

In this episode of Alexa's Publishing Chat, host Alexa Bigwarfe interviews Leanne Janzen from FriesenPress, a leading self-publishing service provider. Leanne shares insights into the self-publishing process, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right publishing route based on an author's goals, budget, and timeline. Leanne also explains how FriesenPress supports authors through every stage.

Everything that is Write|Publish|Sell, Kat Biggie Press, Purple Butterfly Press, and the Women in Publishing Summit came from Alexa Bigwarfe's journey to heal after losing her infant daughter. She shares some background and history, lessons learned, encouragement, motivation, and inspiration in this special episode.

In this episode of Alexa's Publishing Chat, host Alexa Bigwarfe speaks with USA Today bestselling romance author Danika Bloom about the power of building an author network and community. They discuss the benefits of connecting with fellow authors, from mindset support and skill-building to effective collaboration strategies that help expand readership and boost sales. Danika also offers advice on nurturing author relationships and shares creative collaboration examples, such as shared worlds, anthologies, and Kickstarter campaigns.

In this episode of Alexa's Publishing Chat, Alexa Bigwarfe sits down with Elizabeth Barbour, an intuitive life and business coach, shamanic practitioner, and author, to explore the power of writing rituals in boosting creativity and productivity. Elizabeth explains how intentional rituals can transform the writing process, helping authors create a sacred space that nurtures focus and inspiration. They discuss simple yet meaningful practices, from sensory cues to habit stacking, that can help writers establish consistency and deepen their connection to their work. Elizabeth also shares post-publication rituals to honor the journey and offers insights into her coaching practice, inviting listeners to bring more joy and intention into both their writing and everyday lives.

Fiction authors who want to write about Native Americans face a challenging minefield riddled with dos and don'ts, and no clear answers. Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer shares valuable insights into terminology, the need for accurate research, and strategies for respectfully engaging with Native American communities. She covers ways to avoid stereotypes, build genuine cultural connections, and address common pitfalls in representing Native American characters.

JF Garrard provides tips for authors on how to use the author network and network effectively to increase your platform and sell more books.

Lindsay Gibson and Savannah Carlisle talking about writing Romance, working with a small traditional press, and more!

This podcast interview with Isabella Nanni (translator) explores how indie authors and publishers can benefit from this scenario to expand their international audience and escalate their business with no need to rely on an intermediary.

Karen Rowe shares everything you need to know if you want to write a book, which includes when you should do it, common mistakes to avoid, and some strategies and hacks to help you get started on your book right away.

Angela Yarber and Alexa Bigwarfe discuss the importance of finding a publisher that is aligned with your mission, especially for authors who are writing books to have a bigger impact in social justice topics. If you're looking for a publisher with a commitment to BIPOC writers, Tehom Center Publishing may be the place for you.

Sharissa Bradley is the co-owner of Project Seed Money, helping to fund women's writing dreams. While running her publishing house 5 Two Press, she learned the hard way how much it costs to publish books. In order to help fellow creatives, she started Project Seed Money with her partner Wendy to help offset the costs involved with writing and to help get funding into underrepresented communities.

This interview with Derek Doepker is all about how to get book reviews without begging family and friends. Derek provides some excellent tips and ideas for getting reviews, which will result in more sales.

Two book marketing experts, Alexa Bigwarfe of Write|Publish|Sell & the Women in Publishing Summit and Keri-Rae Barnum of New Shelves Book, dish out book marketing advice and trends for authors.

Joni B. Cole is an author teaches writing online and at her writing center. Her books help authors write more (and better) and also teach strategies for dealing with negative feedback and negative self-talk to get out of their own ways. This is an inspirational and fun interview.

We're rebranding! The location of the podcast will stay the same, but you'll see a new name: Alexa's Publishing Chat! We're also talking about Trademark Violations in this episode... and yes, the two topics are related!

Amy Goldmacher shares what nonfiction authors who want to traditionally publish their books need to know about book proposals.

Host Alexa Bigwarfe and guest, Michelle Glogovac discuss how to utilize podcasting as a means to growing your platform as an author. Join us as we unveil the expert insights and strategies of an expert in the art of crafting compelling pitches and leveraging podcast interviews to create a massive promotional impact.

In this episode, join host Alexa Bigwarfe as she and Jenna O'Malley discuss the ways Beta Readers can grow your reading audience.

Join host Alexa Bigwarfe as she discusses book proposals and successful pitching proposals with author Amy L. Bernstein. They cover many topics including marketing tools, growing readership, proposals, publishing options and more.

Join Alexa Bigwarfe, with guest, Mel Torrefranca on this episode of PublishHer Podcast. Mel is an award winning author from the San Francisco Bay area now residing between the jungle Mountains of Northern Thailand. She is a young author and is known for writing stories with dark vibes, and interesting morally ambiguous characters. In addition to her own projects, Mel shares the work of others at her indie publishing house, Lost Island Press.

Ellie Hall shares her journey to becoming a USA Today bestselling author in the sweet romance genre through self-publishing. She shares the journey she's taken, mistakes she's made, and her successes along the way.

Stacy Ennis, a best-selling author, coach, and speaker, joins host Alexa Bigwarfe to delve into the pivotal topic of maximizing productivity for writers. This episode is a must-listen for writers in need of productivity tips and time management strategies.

Do you want to build a career as a speaker? Jess Ekstrom shares insightful tips for authors who are aspiring speakers, highlighting the importance of focusing on the value you bring to your audience over just your personal story.

The PublishHer Podcast is back with Season 4! Host Alexa Bigwarfe gives a short overview of what's to come, and then shares some encouragement around taking the small steps to see big wins, how to habit stack, and why it's important to take the necessary actions to achieve your goals!

Discover the unexpected secret to improving manuscript quality and reducing editing expenses for self-publishing authors with Autocrit! Alexa Bigwarfe and Katherine Graham dig into all Autocrit offers to help authors write and improve their manuscripts.

Larissa Soehn shares her journey first as an author, then as a book coach and why she's so passionate about books and helping women be successful.

In this episode of the PublishHer Podcast, host Alexa Bigwarfe interviews Emily Myers, an author who delves into romantic suspense, mafia romance, and poetry. Emily's writing journey, from her initial struggles with romantic suspense to finding her niche in mafia romance, sheds light on the importance of tackling her own personal growth and healing so that she could move forward with her other creative pursuits. Her recent poetry collection, "I Still Have Love to Give," serves as a powerful outlet for emotional healing and offers support and inspiration to others facing similar experiences.

Jenny Hubert is a freelance editor and writer based in the NYC area. This episode covers how and when to find the just right editor, and what the different types of editing are. We dig into knowing and understanding your genre as well!