Podcasts about Publishing

Anna David is a New York Times bestselling author, publisher, and founder of Legacy Launch Pad Publishing, a boutique publishing company that helps high-level entrepreneurs turn their ideas into books that build authority, influence, and revenue. She is the author of eight books spanning fiction, memoir, recovery, and business strategy, and the host of the podcast Behind the Book Cover. Anna first rose to prominence with her semi-autobiographical novel Party Girl, which explores addiction, ambition, and recovery in Hollywood and is currently in development as a feature film. Since then, she has become widely recognized not just as a bestselling author, but as a leading expert on how books can be used strategically to grow a business and establish credibility. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itskatecasey?lang=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecaseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode Description:This second installment of “From the Archive” returns to James's early, unfiltered conversation with Tim Ferriss. They unpack how to market by creating newsworthy moments (including a frigid book-launch fiasco turned lesson), how to learn anything using Tim's DISS framework (Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing, Stakes), and why “possibility is negotiable” when you seek outliers and test assumptions. Tim explains fear-setting, slow-play networking that leads to real mentors, and the origin story of BrainQUICKEN → BodyQuick, including direct-response tactics, offline ads, and early UFC sponsorships. The through-line: run small experiments, protect your best energy, and stack skills to raise your odds.What You'll Learn:How to engineer “newsworthy” launches and recover from execution misses without losing momentum.The DISS method for rapid learning (Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing, Stakes) you can apply to languages, poker, orFear-setting, not goal-setting: define worst-case scenarios, prevention steps, and recovery plans to make bolder moves.Mentors without asking “be my mentor”: add value first, build loose ties, and let a few relationships compound.From side-hustle to exit: repositioning, channel selection (including print/radio), and why out-of-fashion inventory can be a bargain.Timestamped Chapters:[02:20] A launch-day disaster in 10° weather—and the customer-recovery playbook.[05:00] “Possibility is negotiable” vs. the default “probable” path.[06:57] Finding mentors by learning before earning: the slow-play relationship strategy.[10:00] Optionality: the angel-investing analogy for career and mentors.[14:00] The DISS framework for learning anything.[18:50] Hunt the outliers: why “who shouldn't be good at this—but is?” unlocks technique.[24:30] Fear-setting: risk = likelihood of an irreversible negative outcome.[26:20] Micro-experiments to de-risk big transitions.[27:24] Secret origin: BrainQUICKEN → BodyQuick; from nootropics to non-stimulant pre-workout.[31:55] Repositioning, targeted niches, and early UFC placements.[33:13] Don't ignore “old” channels: print and radio as arbitrage.[33:55] Burnout, one-way ticket to London, and systems that led to a sale.[40:36] Title testing (and red herrings) in publishing.[46:16] The 4-Hour Workweek started by accident [52:14] Publishing myths: how “impossible” ideas become inevitable [01:07:58] TV vs. podcasting: control, constraints, and creative freedom [01:31:34] Investing: bet on people (the beer test + mall test) Additional Resources:Tim Ferriss — official site/podcast hub: tim.blog • The Tim Ferriss ShowThe 4-Hour Workweek (Expanded & Updated): Amazon listingThe 4-Hour Body — official site: fourhourbody.comThe 4-Hour Chef — official site: fourhourchef.comThe 4-Hour Workweek — official site: fourhourworkweek.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Sometimes boundaries are messy, but they are rooted in a lot of thought, intention and goodwill.” — Sally EkusThis episode is your invitation to explore how creativity doesn't have to be confined to work, it can flow through conversations, routines, parenting, and the ways we show up for others. I'm joined by Sally Ekus, cookbook literary agent, Substack writer, mother, and improv performer who leads who heart, humor, and honesty.Sally reminds us that creativity can come in many forms: Securing publishing deals for authors she works with, answering questions mid-walk during her “Huff and Puffs,” or performing on the improv stage. She speaks candidly about honoring boundaries, navigating grief, and the gift of community support.We talk about the emotional intensity of writing a book, the importance of doing your homework, and what it means to be in service to both your clients and your own creations. Sally opens up about the tension between consistency and capacity especially, when it comes to writing her Substack, Not So Secret Agent.Whether you're writing a cookbook, considering a Substack, or curious about publishing, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and a peek behind the scenes of the literary world. Bonus: If you've ever thought no one cares about your work, let Sally gently prove otherwise.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras & @sallyekus to share your takeaway from the episode.xo CarlaPS: Upgrade to Nourished Creator Studio on Substack for quick-hit micro workshops, BTS Podcast, and simple tools to help you work on your creative dreams now, not someday.Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chefcarla.substack.com/subscribe

THE VIEW FROM THE WINDOW SEAT—Despite its name, Direction of Travel is not a travel magazine. Sure, it's a celebration of a certain kind of travel, but this is not a publication that takes you somewhere. Unless you think of Air World as a destination. Which I do.Founder Christian Nolle is an AvGeek. Which is not an insult. More an acknowledgement of a state of mind. Christian loves all things aviation. And mostly he loves how it looks and feels and, perhaps more importantly, how it looked and felt.Direction of Travel is a loving homage to route maps, in-flight entertainment, ticket offices, and airports. It is a magazine about the culture of flight and the aesthetics one finds in Air World. And for anyone with even the slightest interest in flight, it is a glorious—and loving—celebration of that world.Regular listeners of this podcast may have noticed that I've been speaking to quite a few people from travel magazines recently, and there are reasons for that. One could argue that no other type of magazine has had to weather such a variety of competition from the digital space. And travel itself is subject to forces that have nothing to do with travel itself. But it remains aspirational even to those lucky enough to travel often.So whether you're a frequent flying business person, or someone who might fly once in a while, the magic of lift off—and touch down—remains.—This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025 Everything I Know About Publishing - TAKEOVER with Deborah Abela, Sarah Armstrong, Lian Tanner and Zanni Louise. Listen to four different experiences of the publishing industry over the years.

On today's show, Alex and Calvin sit down with the co-authors of a viral op-ed in The Chronicle of Higher Education regarding the controversial restructuring of the English Department at Carnegie Mellon University: Dr. Sheila Liming (Associate Professor of Writing & Publishing, Champlain College) and Catherine Evans (doctoral candidate in Literary and Cultural Studies, Carnegie Mellon University). This article is particularly significant for Calvin and Alex, who also earned their PhDs in Rhetoric from the CMU English Department and had many cherished mentors and colleagues in the Literary and Cultural Studies (LCS) program. In the article, entitled "A Coup at Carnegie Mellon?," Sheila and Catherine examine the administrative pivot at CMU from LCS to a new degree in Computational Cultural Studies (CCS). Specifically, the authors analyze and interrogate the institutional rhetoric of innovation - a buzzword that puts a positive spin on undemocratic changes, such as dissolving or downsizing university programs, staff, and/or faculty.In our conversation, we talk with Catherine and Sheila about how values like "interdisciplinarity" and "innovation" are paradoxically being used to hollow out the humanities at Carnegie Mellon as they privilege a more narrow set of research priorities. They take us through the major findings in their article regarding the opaque administrative process that "froze out" faculty and student input, effectively replacing a program centered on the critique of power with one focused primarily on training with computational tools. We also discuss the broader implications of the "AI hype" cycle in higher education, the validity of arguments regarding job market prospects for humanities graduates, and the vital importance of studying literature and culture for their own sake - rather than as case studies for purportedly "neutral" data-driven methodologies.Sheila and Catherine's co-authored article: Liming, S., & Evans, C. A. (2025). A Coup at Carnegie Mellon? The Chronicle of Higher Education.Works & Concepts Referenced in this Episode: England, J. & Purcell, R. (2020). Higher Ed's Toothless Response to the Killing of George Floyd. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Gitelman, L. (2008). Always already new: Media, history, and the data of culture. MIT Press.Kirschenbaum, M. (2025). The U.S. of A.I. (Public lecture, Princeton University). Williams, J. J. (2016). Innovation for What? Dissent.An accessible transcript of this episode can be found here (via Descript)

Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is a phenomenal trailblazer. Dr. Seele is celebrating over 38 years of providing vision and leadership in areas of technical support to strengthen the capacity of faith institutions in the United States and Africa to eradicate health disparities by promoting health education and services within their local communities.Born in the heart of the south, this Lincolnville native always shares a special love for South Carolina. Dr. Seele received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science from Clark Atlanta University in 1976 & 1979, respectively, later receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of New Rochelle, NY, in 2007.As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Time Magazine 100, who named Dr. Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35 Anniversary issue, named Dr. P one of the 35 Most Beautiful and Remarkable Women In The World. Clark Atlanta University honored Dr. Seele with the 2008 Pathway of Excellence Award, citing her as one of its most outstanding graduates of all time. In May 2010, Dr. Seele was selected as 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.Dr. Seele is well known for her extraordinary vision and ability to create national and global partnerships among leaders of various cultures and religious doctrines in the areas of health. As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions.She has worked with three US presidential administrations on issues of health in the United States and abroad. Dr. Seele was an invited guest of former President and First Lady Laura Bush for the State of the Union Address representing a symbol of President Bush's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2010, Dr. Seele was invited to participate in the Fortune TIME CNN Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, along with President William “Bill” Clinton and a host of international leaders and Fortune 100 chief executive officers to focus on challenges and solutions in the developing world.October 2017, His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, bestowed the Pierre Toussaint Medallion upon Dr. Seele.Publishing her first book Stand Up to Stigma! How to Reject Fear & Shame in 2017. Dr. Seele is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Welcome to 2026! Each new year brings the opportunity to begin anew, yet that can be daunting. Rather than start the new writing year feeling overwhelmed out of the gate, Mark Leslie Lefebvre provides encouragement on how to set realistic goals to keep you and your book publishing aspirations on track in 2026.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Will publishing fewer books make more money? It feels counterintuitive, but when you look closer, it frees up the ability to market more specifically, edit more thoroughly, and generally give more care in attention to what you've got going on. Find out how Joe & Elly made the decision to find Microcosm's "optimal number" of titles per season, and how they've discovered that more isn't always better.************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

In this engaging conversation, Lori Woodley-Langendorff discusses her book 'SEL Muscle Mastery' and the importance of practical skills in education. The dialogue explores the journey of writing and publishing a book, the significance of social-emotional learning (SEL), and the application of practical skills in everyday life. Lori emphasizes the need for curiosity, effective communication, and self-reflection in educational settings, while also highlighting the importance of empathy and compassion. The conversation concludes with reflections on personal growth, recognition in the counseling field, and the joy of pursuing one's passions. https://www.allittakes.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to SEL Muscle Mastery 02:54 The Journey of Writing and Publishing a Book 06:07 Understanding SEL Muscles and Their Importance 09:07 Practical Skills for Everyday Life 11:52 The Q-Tip Principle: Quit Taking It Personally 15:06 Curiosity and Its Role in Education 17:48 Creating a Supportive Learning Environment 20:47 Understanding Different Communication Styles 27:48 The Cycle of Self-Criticism 29:58 Empathy and Compassion in Education 32:56 Finding Joy Amidst Challenges 36:04 Authenticity and Self-Reflection 40:57 Celebrating Achievements and Milestones 46:10 Pursuing Passion and Overcoming Doubts Start your free Solution-Focused  3-day training here: https://www.thefocusedmindset.com/leadwithhopechallenge  TEDx: How to Lead with Hope: Solution Focused Conversation Navigation https://youtu.be/Am3ZoF53BS0?si=ZaflEtnhsdjgJ2oN Instagram: Cher Kretz The Focused Mindset Podcast https://www.instagram.com/cherkretz_thefocusedmindset/ TikTok: @Cher Kretz The Focused Mindset https://www.tiktok.com/@cherkretz?lang=en      

What happens if you don't verify your SCAC? Is this the beginning of the end for freight fraud in non-Class 8 carriers? Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor are back on the show to discuss the launch of SCAC Verify on February 26, 2026, NMFTA's new mandatory identity and address verification program designed to close a major security gap impacting sprinters, box trucks, hotshots, and other non-Class 8 carriers! We talk about how the fast 1–3 minute verification process works using government ID, biometric selfie matching, and DMV checks across 42 states, why failure to comply could mean losing your SCAC code renewal, and how verified carriers gain a significant competitive edge with shippers, brokers, and insurers. We also cover why this move is about fraud prevention, cargo theft reduction, and carrier trust, how it creates a clean accountability paper trail without storing personal data, and why this standard is likely a preview of future FMCSA and federal regulations. The bottom line of our conversation? This is a leveling of the playing field, a trust signal for legitimate carriers, and potentially a path to lower insurance premiums in a market that has been crushed by fraud! Visit https://nmfta.org/scac/ to learn more!   About Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs. Holly Taylor is the Director of Product at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. In her current role, Holly leverages her diverse background to lead cross-functional teams, shape strategic product visions, as well as anticipate and deliver solutions that exceed market expectations. Her unique blend of technical expertise and leadership skills has driven product success and customer satisfaction, positioning her as a pivotal force in shaping the future of NMFTA's products. With over 24 years of extensive experience in the software industry, Holly is a seasoned professional known for driving innovation and excellence across the product lifecycle. She began her career as a Technical Writer, where she honed a meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of user needs. Progressing to roles such as Documentation Manager and eventually Senior Product Manager, she built a reputation for transforming complex technical concepts into clear and intuitive applications. Holly earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Penn State and a Masters of Arts in English from SNHU. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Publishing from the University of Denver. During her time at Oracle, Holly was a member of Oracle Women's Leadership and a charter member of OWL at the Columbia, MD location.  

On this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Elizabeth Pittman is joined by theologian, author, and podcast host Bryan Wolfmueller to discuss his newest book with CPH, Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this short book, Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Get the book at cph.org/finallyfree. Show NotesIn the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus tells a story most of us know by heart. Yet beneath its familiarity, He exposes three kinds of bondage that touch every human heart: the pull to do whatever we want, the fear that we've sinned too much to be welcomed back, and the quiet pride that trusts in our own goodness. In this episode, author Bryan Wolfmueller talks about his book Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son and explores how Jesus uses this beloved parable to reveal our slavery to sin and, more importantly, the freedom He gives through His suffering, death, and resurrection. QuestionsThe parable of the prodigal son is one of the most familiar stories in Scripture. What made you willing to take the risk of writing an entire book on such a well-known text? In Luke 15, Jesus tells three lost-and-found parables in a row. How does the presence of the older brother change the pattern of “lost, found, joy” in the third parable?You argue that the older brother is not a side character but the entire point of the parable. Why do we so often overlook him, and what do we miss when we do?The first slavery you discuss is “Belly Slaves” What is this and how does the younger son illustrate it? Why is this slavery so appealing? How does the younger son illustrate our enslavement to pleasure, desire, and self-rule—and why is that slavery so appealing?What happens when an entire culture succumbs to belly slavery?You say despair, the second slavery, is a theological slavery. Tell us about this.You write that the third slavery, pride, is a two-fold slavery. What do you mean by this?You write that each of us has “a little Pharisee living in our hearts.” What are some subtle ways this Pharisee shows up in our church life and personal faith?About the GuestPastor Bryan Wolfmueller is the pastor at St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX.  Prior to that he was the pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO since 2005. He is the co-host of Table Talk Radio, the world's most famous Lutheran theological game show. Bryan has a new hobby every day, but he always comes back to reading about Law and Gospel. Bryan lives in Round Rock, TX with his wife Keri and four children.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!An elementary school librarian by day. A writer by night (and other spare moments). Somewhere in between, a whole book got written.In episode 154, I'm joined by Cassie Miller, author of the upcoming young adult contemporary sports romance Meet Me Under the Lights (Viking, March 2026). We talk about how she balanced teaching, writing, and real life long enough to finish a novel—and then had the courage to send it into the traditional publishing world.Cassie walks through her querying experience with refreshing honesty. The waiting. The no's. The small wins that kept her going. And the moment it shifted from “maybe someday” to seeing her story become a real book.We also dig into what helped her stay grounded while juggling deadlines and expectations, and why writing while working full-time didn't disqualify her from success. Instead, it helped shape it.This conversation isn't about overnight breakthroughs or perfectly optimized writing schedules. It's about showing up consistently, trusting the work, and letting progress count even when it feels slow.*****READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025 Everything I (Don't) Know About Publishing with superstars Pip Harry and Kate Foster. They chat about the opaque publishing industry and the changes they'd like to see occur in the publishing industry. They discuss writing market versus writing an author wants to write, the importance of creatives having access to data, and balancing creativity with business. An episode not to be missed if you want to know more about publishing. Listen now!

EPISODE 664 - Susan Sloate - The Power of Music Captured in Story - Scenes From a SongSusan Sloate is the best-selling, award-winning multi-genre author of more than 25 books. She's also a publisher, former podcast host and ghostwriter, and never met a good story she didn't love!Major WorksSusan's latest novel is Scenes From a Song, the emotional saga of a 1960's band that achieves monstrous success, and a special song from their catalogue that changes the lives of its listeners. It went live as a Kindle book on Amazon in August 2025 and in its first 24 hours became the #1 New Release in TWO of its book categories, the fastest-launching book she's ever had!Susan also co-authored (with Kevin Finn) Forward to Camelot: The Final Edition (2024), a time-travel thriller about the JFK assassination, which was re-published in 2013 as the 50th Anniversary Edition before its current 2024 edition. Recently declassified JFK assassination documents confirm that Susan and Kevin's original theory about the identity of the assassination planner--who appears as a major fictional character in the novel--was, in fact, actually true.Stealing Fire is a passionate May-December romance set against the backdrop of Broadway musical theater. The audiobook version, narrated by actress Mapuana Makia, is also available on Audible and AmazonSusan also co-wrote (with Ron Doades) Realizing You, a 2013 release that pioneered a genre: the self-help novel. Blending a fictional story with exercises designed to teach you more about yourself and your dreams and goals, the book received glowing reviews from both critics and readers and continues to inspire those on personal-growth journeys.Publishing and PodcastingFor two years, pre- and post-pandemic, with her author friend Kelly Fitzgerald Fowler, Susan co-hosted Talk Jam, a podcast potpourri exploring topics from the Bible to pop culture, history and conspiracy. With nearly 100 episodes recorded, the show was an international fan favorite and further showcased Susan's gift for lively storytelling.She is the founder/owner of Covfefe Press, her independent publishing imprint, and also serves as editor/project manager for the Kyle & Corey middle-grade mystery series by author Joe Stephens. Susan has also been featured in a 2009 MysteryQuest special on The History Channel, exploring the mysteries of Alcatraz, based on her children's nonfiction book Mysteries Unwrapped: The Secrets of Alcatraz. She is the author of 17 published young-adult books. She's also ghostwritten projects for a number of prominent historians and businesspeople.Creative Work and CoachingSusan has also written two produced stage plays, both of which she co-directed in their world-premiere runs. Two of her original screenplays have also been optioned for film development. She is currently adapting a long-forgotten novel into a musical play, writing both book and lyrics, which is a whole new adventure for her!In 2007, Susan founded a local authors festival to promote literacy in local schools, reaching over 10,000 students in a single day. In 2014 she launched The Writers Workshop, which brought together playwrights, actors, and directors to develop new works through staged readings and collaborative feedback. Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Six years ago, Kate Morgan walked away from the sale of her business just days before closing. Since then, she's endured some rough stretches, fighting through the pandemic and a slump in the software sector where many of her clients live. She's managed to stay profitable, and she sees lots of opportunity ahead, but the grind has worn her down. After years of pushing, adapting, and holding on, she says she's had enough. She believes a strategic sale makes the most sense, and she's working her network to find the right buyer. This week, she talks through her plan with David C. Barnett and Ted Wolf, two owners who—unlike most—have actually sold businesses and lived with the consequences. They push Kate to think carefully about her options and the pitfalls that trip up so many owners.Plus: One reason Kate is ready to sell is that she's recently published a book, and she'd like to devote more time and energy to accepting speaking opportunities. As it happens, Ted has written two books that he's trying to figure out how to get published. Kate and David compare notes on the very different paths they've taken—David self-publishing through Amazon, Kate paying a big fee to work with Forbes Books. Both are quite happy with the choices they made.

Podcasting takes time. Usually more time than you expect. If your show feels like a lot of work with very little return, the problem probably isn't your commitment. It's your production process. I see this all the time as a podcast coach. Podcasters reacting week to week instead of working from a repeatable system. Scrambling for topics. Recording whenever there's a free moment. Editing on the fly. Publishing late. Promoting inconsistently. It's common, but it's also the fastest way to burn out before your podcast ever pays off. In this episode, I break down why efficiency matters more than hustle when it comes to podcasting for your business. Not because podcasting should be easy, but because narrowing the gap between effort and return is the only way to stay consistent long enough to see results. You'll hear what actually makes a podcast production process efficient, what most podcasters are missing, and how a clear structure, intentional batching, and a documented workflow can dramatically reduce the time and energy cost of your show. This isn't about cutting corners. It's about building a process that supports consistency, quality, and long-term momentum. If you're just starting out, efficiency helps you build the right habits from day one. If you're already podcasting and wondering why the return doesn't match the effort, this episode will help you see where things are breaking down. If you want help tightening up your production process or figuring out how to get it right from day one, book a free private podcast coaching call. Let's build a podcast production process to serve you instead of draining you. Find my coaching programs at: https://podcastperformancecoach.com   FULL SHOWNOTES HERE: https://podcastperformancecoach.com/253-efficient-podcast-production-process-saves-time/  

Episode 167 with Jamie Ryu who is on the show to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry. Plus her own journey to starting a company bridging the gap between traditional publishing and self-publishing, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com JamieIsReading.com Contrarian Publishing Other Links About Alex (or Big Chill 2.0) Gets it Right when Tearing Down Fake Online Friendships I'm Damn Glad Tim Matheson Wrote His Autobiography Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--

In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, author Laura Buchwald shifts the focus to the business of publishing, the impact of AI on writing, and the evolving publishing industry. Continuing from Part 1's exploration of spirituality and storytelling, this episode offers a practical and forward-looking discussion for writers navigating today's creative economy.Laura also discusses the changing publishing landscape, including discoverability, marketing, and the strategic decisions authors must now make in an increasingly digital and competitive market.A key topic in this episode is the importance of book cover design and visual branding, highlighting how strong cover art directly impacts reader engagement, sales, and first impressions. Laura explains why cover design is not just aesthetic, but a critical part of a book's storytelling and commercial success.The conversation also spotlights Laura's podcast, People Who Do Things, where she interviews creatives and explores the creative process, problem-solving, and what it really takes to bring ideas to life. Together, this episode provides valuable insight into writing, publishing, creativity, and innovation, making it essential listening for authors, creatives, and anyone interested in the future of books.visit: www.LauraBuchwald.comvisit: www.TheRawVibe.comread a sample: https://amzn.to/4jPzWFa

Ken Jones is an experienced book publishing software expert. Before founding Circular Software, he served as the Technical Production Manager, software trainer, and automation developer at Penguin. Circular Software is a UK company that specializes in software, training, and strategic guidance for publishers—including Quarto Group, Bonnier Books, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Pan Macmillan—helping them get the most from their print and digital workflows.Ken joined us on the Booksmarts Podcast to discuss the role of fixed-layout EPUBs in modern publishing exploring how they differ from reflowable ebooks and PDFs, along with their design, content, and accessibility considerations. During the conversation, he referenced a recent Circular Software article on Groundbreaking No-Code Accessibility for Fixed-Layout EPUB, which highlights how the company helped Pottermore Publishing achieve top quality accessibility standards.He also recommended Canva's Affinity Studio as a free alternative to Adobe—a highly valuable resource for publishers that can accommodate ebook capabilities.To learn more about Circular Software, visit their website.

In this episode of the Paywall Podcast powered by Leaky Paywall, Pete and Tyler conduct a detailed teardown of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, analyzing its visitor experience, subscription models, and operational challenges. Learn the seven specific mistakes this legacy giant is making and, more importantly, how you can avoid them to build a frictionless, profitable publication.

What if the most transformative thing you can do for your writing craft and author business is to face what you fear? How can you can find gold in your Shadow in the year ahead? In this episode, I share chapters from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. In the intro, curated book boxes from Bridgerton's Julia Quinn; Google's agentic shopping, and powering Apple's Siri; ChatGPT Ads; and Claude CoWork. Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty [MoonShots with Tony Robbins]; and three trends for authors with me and Orna Ross [Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast]; plus, Bones of the Deep, Business for Authors, and Indie Author Lab. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. What is the Shadow? The ‘creative wound' and the Shadow in writing The Shadow in traditional publishing The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author The Shadow in work The Shadow in money You can find Writing the Shadow in all formats on all stores, as well as special edition, workbook and bundles at www.TheCreativePenn.com/shadowbook Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words The following chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn. Introduction. What is the Shadow? “How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.” —C.G. Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul We all have a Shadow side and it is the work of a lifetime to recognise what lies within and spin that base material into gold. Think of it as a seedling in a little pot that you're given when you're young. It's a bit misshapen and weird, not something you would display in your living room, so you place it in a dark corner of the basement. You don't look at it for years. You almost forget about it. Then one day you notice tendrils of something wild poking up through the floorboards. They're ugly and don't fit with your Scandi-minimalist interior design. You chop the tendrils away and pour weedkiller on what's left, trying to hide the fact that they were ever there. But the creeping stems keep coming. At some point, you know you have to go down there and face the wild thing your seedling has become. When you eventually pluck up enough courage to go down into the basement, you discover that the plant has wound its roots deep into the foundations of your home. Its vines weave in and out of the cracks in the walls, and it has beautiful flowers and strange fruit. It holds your world together. Perhaps you don't need to destroy the wild tendrils. Perhaps you can let them wind up into the light and allow their rich beauty to weave through your home. It will change the look you have so carefully cultivated, but maybe that's just what the place needs. The Shadow in psychology Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist and the founder of analytical psychology. He described the Shadow as an unconscious aspect of the human personality, those parts of us that don't match up to what is expected of us by family and society, or to our own ideals. The Shadow is not necessarily evil or illegal or immoral, although of course it can be. It's also not necessarily caused by trauma, abuse, or any other severely damaging event, although again, it can be. It depends on the individual. What is in your Shadow is based on your life and your experiences, as well as your culture and society, so it will be different for everyone. Psychologist Connie Zweig, in The Inner Work of Age, explains, “The Shadow is that part of us that lies beneath or behind the light of awareness. It contains our rejected, unacceptable traits and feelings. It contains our hidden gifts and talents that have remained unexpressed or unlived. As Jung put it, the essence of the Shadow is pure gold.” To further illustrate the concept, Robert Bly, in A Little Book on the Human Shadow,uses the following metaphor: “When we are young, we carry behind us an invisible bag, into which we stuff any feelings, thoughts, or behaviours that bring disapproval or loss of love—anger, tears, neediness, laziness. By the time we go to school, our bags are already a mile long. In high school, our peer groups pressure us to stuff the bags with even more—individuality, sexuality, spontaneity, different opinions. We spend our life until we're twenty deciding which parts of ourselves to put into the bag and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.” As authors, we can use what's in the ‘bag' to enrich our writing — but only if we can access it. My intention with this book is to help you venture into your Shadow and bring some of what's hidden into the light and into your words. I'll reveal aspects of my Shadow in these pages but ultimately, this book is about you. Your Shadow is unique. There may be elements we share, but much will be different. Each chapter has questions for you to consider that may help you explore at least the edges of your Shadow, but it's not easy. As Jung said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.” But take heart, Creative. You don't need courage when things are easy. You need it when you know what you face will be difficult, but you do it anyway. We are authors. We know how to do hard things. We turn ideas into books. We manifest thoughts into ink on paper. We change lives with our writing. First, our own, then other people's. It's worth the effort to delve into Shadow, so I hope you will join me on the journey. The creative wound and the Shadow in writing “Whatever pain you can't get rid of, make it your creative offering.” —Susan Cain, Bittersweet  The more we long for something, the more extreme our desire, the more likely it is to have a Shadow side. For those of us who love books, the author life may well be a long-held dream and thus, it is filled with Shadow. Books have long been objects of desire, power, and authority. They hold a mythic status in our lives. We escaped into stories as children; we studied books at school and college; we read them now for escape and entertainment, education and inspiration. We collect beautiful books to put on our shelves. We go to them for solace and answers to the deepest questions of life. Writers are similarly held in high esteem. They shape culture, win literary prizes, give important speeches, and are quoted in the mainstream media. Their books are on the shelves in libraries and bookstores. Writers are revered, held up as rare, talented creatures made separate from us by their brilliance and insight. For bibliophile children, books were everything and to write one was a cherished dream. To become an author? Well, that would mean we might be someone special, someone worthy. Perhaps when you were young, you thought the dream of being a writer was possible — then you told someone about it. That's probably when you heard the first criticism of such a ridiculous idea, the first laughter, the first dismissal. So you abandoned the dream, pushed the idea of being a writer into the Shadow, and got on with your life. Or if it wasn't then, it came later, when you actually put pen to paper and someone — a parent, teacher, partner, or friend, perhaps even a literary agent or publisher, someone whose opinion you valued — told you it was worthless. Here are some things you might have heard: Writing is a hobby. Get a real job. You're not good enough. You don't have any writing talent. You don't have enough education. You don't know what you're doing. Your writing is derivative / unoriginal / boring / useless / doesn't make sense. The genre you write in is dead / worthless / unacceptable / morally wrong / frivolous / useless.  Who do you think you are? No one would want to read what you write. You can't even use proper grammar, so how could you write a whole book? You're wasting your time. You'll never make it as a writer. You shouldn't write those things (or even think about those things). Why don't you write something nice? Insert other derogatory comment here! Mark Pierce describes the effect of this experience in his book The Creative Wound, which “occurs when an event, or someone's actions or words, pierce you, causing a kind of rift in your soul. A comment—even offhand and unintentional—is enough to cause one.” He goes on to say that such words can inflict “damage to the core of who we are as creators. It is an attack on our artistic identity, resulting in us believing that whatever we make is somehow tainted or invalid, because shame has convinced us there is something intrinsically tainted or invalid about ourselves.” As adults, we might brush off such wounds, belittling them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We might even find ourselves saying the same words to other people. After all, it's easier to criticise than to create. But if you picture your younger self, bright eyed as you lose yourself in your favourite book, perhaps you might catch a glimpse of what you longed for before your dreams were dashed on the rocks of other people's reality. As Mark Pierce goes on to say, “A Creative Wound has the power to delay our pursuits—sometimes for years—and it can even derail our lives completely… Anything that makes us feel ashamed of ourselves or our work can render us incapable of the self-expression we yearn for.” This is certainly what happened to me, and it took decades to unwind. Your creative wounds will differ to mine but perhaps my experience will help you explore your own. To be clear, your Shadow may not reside in elements of horror as mine do, but hopefully you can use my example to consider where your creative wounds might lie. “You shouldn't write things like that.” It happened at secondary school around 1986 or 1987, so I would have been around eleven or twelve years old. English was one of my favourite subjects and the room we had our lessons in looked out onto a vibrant garden. I loved going to that class because it was all about books, and they were always my favourite things. One day, we were asked to write a story. I can't remember the specifics of what the teacher asked us to write, but I fictionalised a recurring nightmare. I stood in a dark room. On one side, my mum and my brother, Rod, were tied up next to a cauldron of boiling oil, ready to be thrown in. On the other side, my dad and my little sister, Lucy, were threatened with decapitation by men with machetes. I had to choose who would die. I always woke up, my heart pounding, before I had to choose. Looking back now, it clearly represented an internal conflict about having to pick sides between the two halves of my family. Not an unexpected issue from a child of divorce. Perhaps these days, I might have been sent to the school counsellor, but it was the eighties and I don't think we even had such a thing. Even so, the meaning of the story isn't the point. It was the reaction to it that left scars. “You shouldn't write things like that,” my teacher said, and I still remember her look of disappointment, even disgust. Certainly judgment. She said my writing was too dark. It wasn't a proper story. It wasn't appropriate for the class. As if horrible things never happened in stories — or in life. As if literature could not include dark tales. As if the only acceptable writing was the kind she approved of. We were taught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that year, which says a lot about the type of writing considered appropriate. Or perhaps the issue stemmed from the school motto, “So hateth she derknesse,” from Chaucer's The Legend of Good Women: “For fear of night, so she hates the darkness.” I had won a scholarship to a private girls' school, and their mission was to turn us all into proper young ladies. Horror was never on the curriculum. Perhaps if my teacher had encouraged me to write my darkness back then, my nightmares would have dissolved on the page. Perhaps if we had studied Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or H.P. Lovecraft stories, or Bram Stoker's Dracula, I could have embraced the darker side of literature earlier in my life. My need to push darker thoughts into my Shadow was compounded by my (wonderful) mum's best intentions. We were brought up on the principles of The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and she tried to shield me and my brother from anything harmful or horrible. We weren't allowed to watch TV much, and even the British school drama Grange Hill was deemed inappropriate. So much of what I've achieved is because my mum instilled in me a “can do” attitude that anything is possible. I'm so grateful to her for that. (I love you, Mum!) But all that happy positivity, my desire to please her, to be a good girl, to make my teachers proud, and to be acceptable to society, meant that I pushed my darker thoughts into Shadow. They were inappropriate. They were taboo. They must be repressed, kept secret, and I must be outwardly happy and positive at all times. You cannot hold back the darkness “The night is dark and full of terrors.” —George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords It turned out that horror was on the curriculum, much of it in the form of educational films we watched during lessons. In English Literature, we watched Romeo drink poison and Juliet stab herself in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. In Religious Studies, we watched Jesus beaten, tortured, and crucified in The Greatest Story Ever Told, and learned of the variety of gruesome ways that Christian saints were martyred. In Classical Civilisation, we watched gladiators slaughter each other in Spartacus. In Sex Education at the peak of the AIDS crisis in the mid-'80s, we were told of the many ways we could get infected and die. In History, we studied the Holocaust with images of skeletal bodies thrown into mass graves, medical experiments on humans, and grainy videos of marching soldiers giving the Nazi salute. One of my first overseas school field trips was to the World War I battlegrounds of Flanders Fields in Belgium, where we studied the inhuman conditions of the trenches, walked through mass graves, and read war poetry by candlelight. As John McCrae wrote: We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Did the teachers not realise how deeply a sensitive teenager might feel the darkness of that place? Or have I always been unusual in that places of blood echo deep inside me? And the horrors kept coming. We lived in Bristol, England back then and I learned at school how the city had been part of the slave trade, its wealth built on the backs of people stolen from their homes, sold, and worked to death in the colonies. I had been at school for a year in Malawi, Africa and imagined the Black people I knew drowning, being beaten, and dying on those ships. In my teenage years, the news was filled with ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and massacres during the Balkan wars, and images of bodies hacked apart during the Rwandan genocide. Evil committed by humans against other humans was not a historical aberration. I'm lucky and I certainly acknowledge my privilege. Nothing terrible or horrifying has happened to me — but bad things certainly happen to others. I wasn't bullied or abused. I wasn't raped or beaten or tortured. But you don't have to go through things to be afraid of them, and for your imagination to conjure the possibility of them. My mum doesn't read my fiction now as it gives her nightmares (Sorry, Mum!). I know she worries that somehow she's responsible for my darkness, but I've had a safe and (mostly) happy life, for which I'm truly grateful. But the world is not an entirely safe and happy place, and for a sensitive child with a vivid imagination, the world is dark and scary. It can be brutal and violent, and bad things happen, even to good people. No parent can shield their child from the reality of the world. They can only help them do their best to live in it, develop resilience, and find ways to deal with whatever comes. Story has always been a way that humans have used to learn how to live and deal with difficult times. The best authors, the ones that readers adore and can't get enough of, write their darkness into story to channel their experience, and help others who fear the same. In an interview on writing the Shadow on The Creative Penn Podcast, Michaelbrent Collings shared how he incorporated a personally devastating experience into his writing:  “My wife and I lost a child years back, and that became the root of one of my most terrifying books, Apparition. It's not terrifying because it's the greatest book of all time, but just the concept that there's this thing out there… like a demon, and it consumes the blood and fear of the children, and then it withdraws and consumes the madness of the parents… I wrote that in large measure as a way of working through what I was experiencing.” I've learned much from Michaelbrent. I've read many of his (excellent) books and he's been on my podcast multiple times talking about his depression and mental health issues, as well as difficulties in his author career. Writing darkness is not in Michaelbrent's Shadow and only he can say what lies there for him. But from his example, and from that of other authors, I too learned how to write my Shadow into my books. Twenty-three years after that English lesson, in November 2009, I did NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and wrote five thousand words of what eventually became Stone of Fire, my first novel. In the initial chapter, I burned a nun alive on the ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River. I had watched the bodies burn by night on pyres from a boat bobbing in the current a few years before, and the image was still crystal clear in my mind. The only way to deal with how it made me feel about death was to write about it — and since then, I've never stopped writing. Returning to the nightmare from my school days, I've never had to choose between the two halves of my family, but the threat of losing them remains a theme in my fiction. In my ARKANE thriller series, Morgan Sierra will do anything to save her sister and her niece. Their safety drives her to continue to fight against evil. Our deepest fears emerge in our writing, and that's the safest place for them. I wish I'd been taught how to turn my nightmares into words back at school, but at least now I've learned to write my Shadow onto the page. I wish the same for you. The Shadow in traditional publishing If becoming an author is your dream, then publishing a book is deeply entwined with that. But as Mark Pierce says in The Creative Wound, “We feel pain the most where it matters the most… Desire highlights whatever we consider to be truly significant.” There is a lot of desire around publishing for those of us who love books! It can give you: Validation that your writing is good enough Status and credibility Acceptance by an industry held in esteem  The potential of financial reward and critical acclaim Support from a team of professionals who know how to make fantastic books A sense of belonging to an elite community Pride in achieving a long-held goal, resulting in a confidence boost and self-esteem Although not guaranteed, traditional publishing can give you all these things and more, but as with everything, there is a potential Shadow side. Denying it risks the potential of being disillusioned, disappointed, and even damaged. But remember, forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Preparation can help you avoid potential issues and help you feel less alone if you encounter them. The myth of success… and the reality of experience There is a pervasive myth of success in the traditional publishing industry, perpetuated by media reporting on brand name and breakout authors, those few outliers whose experience is almost impossible to replicate. Because of such examples, many new traditionally published authors think that their first book will hit the top of the bestseller charts or win an award, as well as make them a million dollars — or at least a big chunk of cash. They will be able to leave their job, write in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean, and swan around the world attending conferences, while writing more bestselling books. It will be a charmed life. But that is not the reality. Perhaps it never was. Even so, the life of a traditionally published author represents a mythic career with the truth hidden behind a veil of obscurity. In April 2023, The Bookseller in the UK reported that “more than half of authors (54%) responding to a survey on their experiences of publishing their debut book have said the process negatively affected their mental health. Though views were mixed, just 22%… described a positive experience overall… Among the majority who said they had a negative experience of debut publication, anxiety, stress, depression and ‘lowered' self-esteem were cited, with lack of support, guidance or clear and professional communication from their publisher among the factors that contributed.” Many authors who have negative experiences around publishing will push them into the Shadow with denial or self-blame, preferring to keep the dream alive. They won't talk about things in public as this may negatively affect their careers, but private discussions are often held in the corners of writing conferences or social media groups online. Some of the issues are as follows: Repeated rejection by agents and publishers may lead to the author thinking they are not good enough as a writer, which can lead to feeling unworthy as a person. If an author gets a deal, the amount of advance and the name and status of the publisher compared to others create a hierarchy that impacts self-esteem. A deal for a book may be much lower than an author might have been expecting, with low or no advance, and the resulting experience with the publisher beneath expectations. The launch process may be disappointing, and the book may appear without fanfare, with few sales and no bestseller chart position. In The Bookseller report, one author described her launch day as “a total wasteland… You have expectations about what publication day will be like, but in reality, nothing really happens.” The book may receive negative reviews by critics or readers or more publicly on social media, which can make an author feel attacked. The book might not sell as well as expected, and the author may feel like it's their fault. Commercial success can sometimes feel tied to self-worth and an author can't help but compare their sales to others, with resulting embarrassment or shame. The communication from the publisher may be less than expected. One author in The Bookseller report said, “I was shocked by the lack of clarity and shared information and the cynicism that underlies the superficial charm of this industry.” There is often more of a focus on debut authors in publishing houses, so those who have been writing and publishing in the midlist for years can feel ignored and undervalued. In The Bookseller report, 48 percent of authors reported “their publisher supported them for less than a year,” with one saying, “I got no support and felt like a commodity, like the team had moved on completely to the next book.” If an author is not successful enough, the next deal may be lower than the last, less effort is made with marketing, and they may be let go. In The Bookseller report, “six authors—debut and otherwise—cited being dropped by their publisher, some with no explanation.” Even if everything goes well and an author is considered successful by others, they may experience imposter syndrome, feeling like a fraud when speaking at conferences or doing book signings. And the list goes on … All these things can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and embarrassment; loss of status in the eyes of peers; and a sense of failure if a publishing career is not successful enough. The author feels like it's their fault, like they weren't good enough — although, of course, the reality is that the conditions were not right at the time. A failure of a book is not a failure of the person, but it can certainly feel like it! When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Despite all the potential negatives of traditional publishing, if you know what could happen, you can mitigate them. You can prepare yourself for various scenarios and protect yourself from potential fall-out. It's clear from The Bookseller report that too many authors have unrealistic expectations of the industry. But publishers are businesses, not charities. It's not their job to make you feel good as an author. It's their job to sell books and pay you. The best thing they can do is to continue to be a viable business so they can keep putting books on the shelves and keep paying authors, staff, and company shareholders. When you license your creative work to a publisher, you're giving up control of your intellectual property in exchange for money and status. Bring your fears and issues out of the Shadow, acknowledge them, and deal with them early, so they do not get pushed down and re-emerge later in blame and bitterness. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. Be clear on what you want to achieve with any deal. Empower yourself as an author, take responsibility for your career, and you will have a much better experience. The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author Self-publishing, or being an independent (indie) author, can be a fantastic, pro-active choice for getting your book into the world. Holding your first book in your hand and saying “I made this” is pretty exciting, and even after more than forty books, I still get excited about seeing ideas in my head turn into a physical product in the world. Self-publishing can give an author: Creative control over what to write, editorial and cover design choices, when and how often to publish, and how to market Empowerment over your author career and the ability to make choices that impact success without asking for permission Ownership and control of intellectual property assets, resulting in increased opportunity around licensing and new markets Independence and the potential for recurring income for the long term Autonomy and flexibility around timelines, publishing options, and the ability to easily pivot into new genres and business models Validation based on positive reader reviews and money earned Personal growth and learning through the acquisition of new skills, resulting in a boost in confidence and self-esteem A sense of belonging to an active and vibrant community of indie authors around the world Being an indie author can give you all this and more, but once again, there is a Shadow side and preparation can help you navigate potential issues. The myth of success… and the reality of experience As with traditional publishing, the indie author world has perpetuated a myth of success in the example of the breakout indie author like E.L. James with Fifty Shades of Grey, Hugh Howey with Wool, or Andy Weir with The Martian. The emphasis on financial success is also fuelled online by authors who share screenshots showing six-figure months or seven-figure years, without sharing marketing costs and other outgoings, or the amount of time spent on the business. Yes, these can inspire some, but it can also make others feel inadequate and potentially lead to bad choices about how to publish and market based on comparison. The indie author world is full of just as much ego and a desire for status and money as traditional publishing. This is not a surprise! Most authors, regardless of publishing choices, are a mix of massive ego and chronic self-doubt. We are human, so the same issues will re-occur. A different publishing method doesn't cure all ills. Some of the issues are as follows: You learn everything you need to know about writing and editing, only to find that you need to learn a whole new set of skills in order to self-publish and market your book. This can take a lot of time and effort you did not expect, and things change all the time so you have to keep learning. Being in control of every aspect of the publishing process, from writing to cover design to marketing, can be overwhelming, leading to indecision, perfectionism, stress, and even burnout as you try to do all the things. You try to find people to help, but building your team is a challenge, and working with others has its own difficulties. People say negative things about self-publishing that may arouse feelings of embarrassment or shame. These might be little niggles, but they needle you, nonetheless. You wonder whether you made the right choice. You struggle with self-doubt and if you go to an event with traditional published authors, you compare yourself to them and feel like an imposter. Are you good enough to be an author if a traditional publisher hasn't chosen you? Is it just vanity to self-publish? Are your books unworthy? Even though you worked with a professional editor, you still get one-star reviews and you hate criticism from readers. You wonder whether you're wasting your time. You might be ripped off by an author services company who promise the world, only to leave you with a pile of printed books in your garage and no way to sell them. When you finally publish your book, it languishes at the bottom of the charts while other authors hit the top of the list over and over, raking in the cash while you are left out of pocket. You don't admit to over-spending on marketing as it makes you ashamed. You resist book marketing and make critical comments about writers who embrace it. You believe that quality rises to the top and if a book is good enough, people will buy it anyway. This can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when you launch your book and it doesn't sell many copies because nobody knows about it. You try to do what everyone advises, but you still can't make decent money as an author. You're jealous of other authors' success and put it down to them ‘selling out' or writing things you can't or ‘using AI' or ‘using a ghostwriter' or having a specific business model you consider impossible to replicate. And the list goes on… When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Being in control of your books and your author career is a double-edged sword. Traditionally published authors can criticise their publishers or agents or the marketing team or the bookstores or the media, but indie authors have to take responsibility for it all. Sure, we can blame ‘the algorithms' or social media platforms, or criticise other authors for having more experience or more money to invest in marketing, or attribute their success to writing in a more popular genre — but we also know there are always people who do well regardless of the challenges. Once more, we're back to acknowledging and integrating the Shadow side of our choices. We are flawed humans. There will always be good times and bad, and difficulties to offset the high points. This too shall pass, as the old saying goes. I know that being an indie author has plenty of Shadow. I've been doing this since 2008 and despite the hard times, I'm still here. I'm still writing. I'm still publishing. This life is not for everyone, but it's my choice. You must make yours. The Shadow in work You work hard. You make a living. Nothing wrong with that attitude, right? It's what we're taught from an early age and, like so much of life, it's not a problem until it goes to extremes. Not achieving what you want to? Work harder. Can't get ahead? Work harder. Not making a good enough living? Work harder. People who don't work hard are lazy. They don't deserve handouts or benefits. People who don't work hard aren't useful, so they are not valued members of our culture and community. But what about the old or the sick, the mentally ill, or those with disabilities? What about children? What about the unemployed? The under-employed? What about those who are — or will be — displaced by technology, those called “the useless class” by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his book Homo Deus? What if we become one of these in the future? Who am I if I cannot work? The Shadow side of my attitude to work became clear when I caught COVID in the summer of 2021. I was the sickest I'd ever been. I spent two weeks in bed unable to even think properly, and six weeks after that, I was barely able to work more than an hour a day before lying in the dark and waiting for my energy to return. I was limited in what I could do for another six months after that. At times, I wondered if I would ever get better. Jonathan kept urging me to be patient and rest. But I don't know how to rest. I know how to work and how to sleep. I can do ‘active rest,' which usually involves walking a long way or traveling somewhere interesting, but those require a stronger mind and body than I had during those months. It struck me that even if I recovered from the virus, I had glimpsed my future self. One day, I will be weak in body and mind. If I'm lucky, that will be many years away and hopefully for a short time before I die — but it will happen. I am an animal. I will die. My body and mind will pass on and I will be no more. Before then I will be weak. Before then, I will be useless. Before then, I will be a burden. I will not be able to work… But who am I if I cannot work? What is the point of me? I can't answer these questions right now, because although I recognise them as part of my Shadow, I've not progressed far enough to have dealt with them entirely. My months of COVID gave me some much-needed empathy for those who cannot work, even if they want to. We need to reframe what work is as a society, and value humans for different things, especially as technology changes what work even means. That starts with each of us. “Illness, affliction of body and soul, can be life-altering. It has the potential to reveal the most fundamental conflict of the human condition: the tension between our infinite, glorious dreams and desires and our limited, vulnerable, decaying physicality.” —Connie Zweig, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul The Shadow in money In the Greek myth, King Midas was a wealthy ruler who loved gold above all else. His palace was adorned with golden sculptures and furniture, and he took immense pleasure in his riches. Yet, despite his vast wealth, he yearned for more. After doing a favour for Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, Midas was granted a single wish. Intoxicated by greed, he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold — and it was so. At first, it was a lot of fun. Midas turned everything else in his palace to gold, even the trees and stones of his estate. After a morning of turning things to gold, he fancied a spot of lunch. But when he tried to eat, the food and drink turned to gold in his mouth. He became thirsty and hungry — and increasingly desperate. As he sat in despair on his golden throne, his beloved young daughter ran to comfort him. For a moment, he forgot his wish — and as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, she turned into a golden statue, frozen in precious metal. King Midas cried out to the gods to forgive him, to reverse the wish. He renounced his greed and gave away all his wealth, and his daughter was returned to life. The moral of the story: Wealth and greed are bad. In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.” He's wealthy but does not share, considering Christmas spending to be frivolous and giving to charity to be worthless. He's saved by a confrontation with his lonely future and becomes a generous man and benefactor of the poor. Wealth is good if you share it with others. The gospel of Matthew, chapter 25: 14-30, tells the parable of the bags of gold, in which a rich man goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with varying amounts of gold. On his return, the servants who multiplied the gold through their efforts and investments are rewarded, while the one who merely returned the gold with no interest is punished: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Making money is good, making more money is even better. If you can't make any money, you don't deserve to have any. Within the same gospel, in Matthew 19:24, Jesus encounters a wealthy man and tells him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, which the man is unable to do. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth is bad. Give it all away and you'll go to heaven. With all these contradictory messages, no wonder we're so conflicted about money! How do you think and feel about money? While money is mostly tied to our work, it's far more than just a transactional object for most people. It's loaded with complex symbolism and judgment handed down by family, religion, and culture. You are likely to find elements of Shadow by examining your attitudes around money. Consider which of the following statements resonate with you or write your own. Money stresses me out. I don't want to talk about it or think about it. Some people hoard money, so there is inequality. Rich people are bad and we should take away their wealth and give it to the poor.  I can never make enough money to pay the bills, or to give my family what I want to provide. Money doesn't grow on trees.  It's wasteful to spend money as you might need it later, so I'm frugal and don't spend money unless absolutely necessary. It is better and more ethical to be poor than to be rich. I want more money. I read books and watch TV shows about rich people because I want to live like that. Sometimes I spend too much on things for a glimpse of what that might be like.  I buy lottery tickets and dream of winning all that money.  I'm jealous of people who have money. I want more of it and I resent those who have it. I'm no good with money. I don't like to look at my bank statement or credit card statement. I live off my overdraft and I'm in debt. I will never earn enough to get out of debt and start saving, so I don't think too much about it. I don't know enough about money. Talking about it makes me feel stupid, so I just ignore it. People like me aren't educated about money.  I need to make more money. If I can make lots of money, then people will look up to me. If I make lots of money, I will be secure, nothing can touch me, I will be safe.  I never want to be poor. I would be ashamed to be poor. I will never go on benefits. My net worth is my self worth. Money is good. We have the best standard of living in history because of the increase in wealth over time. Even the richest kings of the past didn't have what many middle-class people have today in terms of access to food, water, technology, healthcare, education, and more. The richest people give the most money to the poor through taxation and charity, as well as through building companies that employ people and invent new things. The very richest give away much of their fortunes. They provide far more benefit to the world than the poor.  I love money. Money loves me. Money comes easily and quickly to me. I attract money in multiple streams of income. It flows to me in so many ways. I spend money. I invest money. I give money. I'm happy and grateful for all that I receive. The Shadow around money for authors in particular Many writers and other creatives have issues around money and wealth. How often have you heard the following, and which do you agree with? You can't make money with your writing. You'll be a poor author in a garret, a starving artist.  You can't write ‘good quality' books and make money. If you make money writing, you're a hack, you're selling out. You are less worthy than someone who writes only for the Muse. Your books are commercial, not artistic. If you spend money on marketing, then your books are clearly not good enough to sell on their own. My agent / publisher / accountant / partner deals with the money side. I like to focus on the creative side of things. My money story Note: This is not financial or investment advice. Please talk to a professional about your situation. I've had money issues over the years — haven't we all! But I have been through a (long) process to bring money out of my Shadow and into the light. There will always be more to discover, but hopefully my money story will help you, or at least give you an opportunity to reflect. Like most people, I didn't grow up with a lot of money. My parents started out as teachers, but later my mum — who I lived with, along with my brother — became a change management consultant, moving to the USA and earning a lot more. I'm grateful that she moved into business because her example changed the way I saw money and provided some valuable lessons. (1) You can change your circumstances by learning more and then applying that to leverage opportunity into a new job or career Mum taught English at a school in Bristol when we moved back from Malawi, Africa, in the mid '80s but I remember how stressful it was for her, and how little money she made. She wanted a better future for us all, so she took a year out to do a master's degree in management. In the same way, when I wanted to change careers and leave consulting to become an author, I spent time and money learning about the writing craft and the business of publishing. I still invest a considerable chunk on continuous learning, as this industry changes all the time. (2) You might have to downsize in order to leap forward The year my mum did her degree, we lived in the attic of another family's house; we ate a lot of one-pot casserole and our treat was having a Yorkie bar on the walk back from the museum. We wore hand-me-down clothes, and I remember one day at school when another girl said I was wearing her dress. I denied it, of course, but there in back of the dress was her name tag. I still remember her name and I can still feel that flush of shame and embarrassment. I was determined to never feel like that again. But what I didn't realize at the time was that I was also learning the power of downsizing. Mum got her degree and then a new job in management in Bristol. She bought a house, and we settled for a few years. I had lots of different jobs as a teenager. My favourite was working in the delicatessen because we got a free lunch made from delicious produce. After I finished A-levels, I went to the University of Oxford, and my mum and brother moved to the USA for further opportunities. I've downsized multiple times over the years, taking a step back in order to take a step forward. The biggest was in 2010 when I decided to leave consulting. Jonathan and I sold our three-bedroom house and investments in Brisbane, Australia, and rented a one-bedroom flat in London, so we could be debt-free and live on less while I built up a new career. It was a decade before we bought another house. (3) Comparison can be deadly: there will always be people with more money than you Oxford was an education in many ways and relevant to this chapter is how much I didn't know about things people with money took for granted. I learned about formal hall and wine pairings, and how to make a perfect gin and tonic. I ate smoked salmon for the first time. I learned how to fit in with people who had a lot more money than I did, and I definitely wanted to have money of my own to play with. (4) Income is not wealth You can earn lots but have nothing to show for it after years of working. I learned this in my first few years of IT consulting after university. I earned a great salary and then went contracting, earning even more money at a daily rate. I had a wonderful time. I traveled, ate and drank and generally made merry, but I always had to go back to the day job when the money ran out. I couldn't work out how I could ever stop this cycle. Then I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, a book I still recommend, especially if you're from a family that values academic over financial education. I learned how to escape the rat race by building and/or accumulating assets that pay even when you're not working. It was a revelation! The ‘poor dad' in the book is a university professor. He knows so much about so many things, but he ends up poor as he did not educate himself about money. The ‘rich dad' has little formal education, but he knows about money and wealth because he learned about it, as we can do at any stage in our lives. (5) Not all investments suit every person, so find the right one for you Once I discovered the world of investing, I read all the books and did courses and in-person events. I joined communities and I up-skilled big time. Of course, I made mistakes and learned lots along the way. I tried property investing and renovated a couple of houses for rental (with more practical partners and skilled contractors). But while I could see that property investing might work for some people, I did not care enough about the details to make it work for me, and it was certainly not passive income. I tried other things. My first husband was a boat skipper and scuba diving instructor, so we started a charter. With the variable costs of fuel, the vagaries of New Zealand weather — and our divorce — it didn't last long! From all these experiments, I learned I wanted to run a business, but it needed to be online and not based on a physical location, physical premises, or other people. That was 2006, around the time that blogging started taking off and it became possible to make a living online. I could see the potential and a year later, the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle launched, which became the basis of my business as an author. (6) Boring, automatic saving and investing works best Between 2007 and 2011, I contracted in Australia, where they have compulsory superannuation contributions, meaning you have to save and invest a percentage of your salary or self-employed income. I'd never done that before, because I didn't understand it. I'd ploughed all my excess income into property or the business instead. But in Australia I didn't notice the money going out because it was automatic. I chose a particular fund and it auto-invested every month. The pot grew pretty fast since I didn't touch it, and years later, it's still growing. I discovered the power of compound interest and time in the market, both of which are super boring. This type of investing is not a get rich quick scheme. It's a slow process of automatically putting money into boring investments and doing that month in, month out, year in, year out, automatically for decades while you get on with your life. I still do this. I earn money as an author entrepreneur and I put a percentage of that into boring investments automatically every month. I also have a small amount which is for fun and higher risk investments, but mostly I'm a conservative, risk-averse investor planning ahead for the future. This is not financial advice, so I'm not giving any specifics. I have a list of recommended money books at www.TheCreativePenn.com/moneybooks if you want to learn more. Learning from the Shadow When I look back, my Shadow side around money eventually drove me to learn more and resulted in a better outcome (so far!). I was ashamed of being poor when I had to wear hand-me-down clothes at school. That drove a fear of not having any money, which partially explains my workaholism. I was embarrassed at Oxford because I didn't know how to behave in certain settings, and I wanted to be like the rich people I saw there. I spent too much money in my early years as a consultant because I wanted to experience a “rich” life and didn't understand saving and investing would lead to better things in the future. I invested too much in the wrong things because I didn't know myself well enough and I was trying to get rich quick so I could leave my job and ‘be happy.' But eventually, I discovered that I could grow my net worth with boring, long-term investments while doing a job I loved as an author entrepreneur. My only regret is that I didn't discover this earlier and put a percentage of my income into investments as soon as I started work. It took several decades to get started, but at least I did (eventually) start. My money story isn't over yet, and I keep learning new things, but hopefully my experience will help you reflect on your own and avoid the issue if it's still in Shadow. These chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn  The post Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Founder of the Next Big Idea Book Club, Panio Gianopoulos, discusses his career in publishing and what led him to lead a non-fiction book subscription business, including the failures along the way. Plus, find out what SNL's Kate McKinnon has to do with his trajectory. (Bonus points: Can you guess who Panio's wife is? I had no idea!) Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZiYDQVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby's Important People! As a Z.I.P., you'll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby's Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours – allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more! 00:00 Welcome04:09 Writing tip: Watch Shrek07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath09:30 Word of the week: ‘Cucumiform’13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore17:55 Music inspirations for the book20:00 Defining what a ‘boy band’ is22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets23:55 Publishing journey insights24:52 Writing process and routine27:52 Balancing writing and editing29:00 Deciding whodunnit31:22 What to cut34:21 The role of community in writing37:23 Future projects and staying on brand41:04 Rebecca’s tip for writers43:00 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textEpisode SummaryWhat does it actually take to get a non-fiction book published in today's market? In this episode, literary agent and author Alia Hanna Habib pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry. Alia shares insights from her new book, Take It From Me, a practical guide for writers looking to navigate the complex journey from idea to bookshelf. Whether you are a debut author or a seasoned writer, this conversation explores the essential elements of a successful non-fiction proposal, the evolving role of a literary agent, and how to stay resilient in a competitive market.Key Takeaways & Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: Meet Alia Hanna Habib, literary agent at The Gernert Company for acclaimed writers like Nicole Hannah-Jones and Clint Smith.[02:15] The "Why" Behind the Book: Alia discusses what inspired her to write Take It From Me and why transparency in the publishing process is more important than ever.[07:40] Crafting a Winning Proposal: The non-negotiable elements every non-fiction writer needs to include to catch an agent's eye.[15:20] Delivery & Acceptance: Insight into Alia's Substack newsletter and how she uses it to share candid, behind-the-scenes industry advice.[22:10] The Author-Agent Partnership: How the relationship works and what authors should realistically expect during the publishing cycle.[30:05] Closing Thoughts: Practical steps for writers who are just starting their non-fiction journey.About the Guest: Alia Hanna HabibAlia Hanna Habib is a veteran literary agent and the author of Take It From Me: A Practical, Behind-the-Scenes Guide to Getting a Non-Fiction Book Published. Named one of New York Magazine's "most powerful New Yorkers you've never heard of," she represents leading voices in journalism, history, and literature. She also writes the popular Substack newsletter, Delivery and Acceptance.Resources Mentioned in this EpisodeBook: Take It From Me by Alia Hanna Habib (Available January 28th)Newsletter: Delivery and Acceptance SubstackWebsite: Writers with Wrinkles Official SiteConnect with UsFollow the Podcast: Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!Ask a Question: Have a question for Beth and Lisa? Send it our way for a future "Ask Beth and Lisa" episode.Visit the Blog: Find more show notes and author resources at writerswithwrinkles.net. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

In this episode of Your Message Received, hosted by John Duffin, we are joined by Kelly Schuknecht, Chief Elevation Officer of Two Mile High Marketing. Kelly has had documented, transformational success in converting business vision into impact. Kelly shares her journey from losing her job after her company was acquired to starting her own successful marketing firm. With over 17 years of experience, Kelly delves into the importance of thought leadership, personal branding, and the tactical steps involved in effective marketing. Learn about Kelly's concept of the 'Authority X Factor,' tips for developing your thought leadership platform, and the significance of taking quick, decisive actions in business. Also, Kelly's new book is coming soon!Speaking of writing, at the end of the episode, Kelly discusses "Flow", her first writing retreat for women. Look out for the second retreat tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026. For anyone looking to scale their business, publish a book, or hone their authentic voice, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical advice. To learn more about Kelly, check out these links. https://kellyschuknecht.com/https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknecht00:00 Facing Job Uncertainty00:35 Welcome to Your Message Received01:14 Introducing Kelly Schuknecht03:24 Kelly's Journey in Publishing and Marketing04:43 The Birth of Two Mile High Marketing05:20 Defining the Authority X Factor09:21 Marketing Strategies and Tactics13:31 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship15:13 Navigating Job Loss and Starting Anew23:42 Decisiveness and Decision-Making Skills24:40 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Encouraging Decisiveness25:43 Helping Clients with Speaking Events and Clarity26:35 Popular Topics in Business Speaking27:53 The Rise of Thought Leadership and Personal Branding28:39 Defining Thought Leadership32:32 Launching a Podcast to Elevate Thought Leadership34:07 Challenges and Learnings from Podcasting35:24 Diverse Topics and Personal Development Books39:29 Emotional Magnetism and Personal Insights46:05 Promoting a Writing Retreat for Women47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Watch as a full video on YouTubeWe're back! On this week's episode, we discuss the show everyone is talking about - The Traitors! With crime author Harriet Tyce's appearance, we chat about the impact it has had on her book sales, and also wonder which reality show we would choose to go on to boost our publicity (there is also some spoiler discussion about this season of the UK Traitors, so be careful if you are not up-to-date!)Plus, we talk about big money's interest in Romantasy, and whether that will crowd out the market for other genres, and also discuss the rapid rise of scam marketing emails that are being sent to authors thanks to AI...00:00 Intro01:34 Dollars & Dragons - Is Big Money Skewing Fiction?16:52 The Flattery Trap - Predatory Promo Offers27:30 Killer Marketing? - The Traitors Effect44:14 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration49:33 Off Script - Final Chapter: What we've been watching and readingLinks:Chernin Group invests in Romantasy publisher EntangledAuthors hit with deluge of scam emails from fake marketersWhy crime writers make good Traitors contestantsAdventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the rarest of creatives. As a writer, he started from the bottom and worked his way up to become an internationally bestselling author of over 190 books, 58 of which have been national or international bestsellers. He then became a publisher – Wordfire Press. Following this, he co-created the Superstars Writing Workshop. He is now also the director of a Publishing Graduate Program at Western Colorado University—the subject of this interview. Kevin has also been a Writers of the Future judge for over 25 years and a very trusted partner helping with the growth of the Contest.

'Back to the Egg' was meant to be a bold new beginning for Paul McCartney & Wings—but it ultimately became their final statement. In this episode, I dig into the ambition, experimentation, and turbulence surrounding Wings' last album, and why it marked the end of an era. I'm joined by author Luca Perasi, who has written an in-depth book on Back to the Egg, to explore its creation, context, and lasting legacy within McCartney's post-Beatles career.Purchase a copy of Back to the Egg: The Story of Wings' Last Album (Milestones)Follow Luca PerasiBlueskyFacebookInstagramXVisit the L.I.L.Y. Publishing website

Katrina Sawa, founder of Jumpstart Your Biz Now and Jumpstart Publishing, a business coach and book publisher who helps entrepreneurs grow their income, streamline their operations, and boost their authority through publishing.Through her coaching, live events, and publishing services, Katrina guides clients to refine their pricing, positioning, and marketing, while helping them get their books written, published, and working as powerful credibility builders.Now, Katrina's journey from sustaining multiple six-figure revenue for over 15 years to navigating a challenging year marked by health issues, a fire, and family demands demonstrates true resilience and adaptability.And while continuing to support business owners worldwide, she's proving that you can overcome personal hurdles and still create success, impact, and lasting influence.Here's where to find more:Main website: https://www.JumpstartYourBizNow.com Publishing website: https://JumpstartPublishing.net Speaker Webpage: https://www.JumpstartYourBizNow.com/speakingSocial Media Links:https://www.facebook.com/katrinasawa https://www.facebook.com/JumpStartYourBizNowhttps://www.YouTube.com/KatrinaSawa https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinasawa https://www.instagram.com/katrinasawa________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself

New year! New Game! Quarantine Zone has spread across the world, and to celebrate its viral success Igor Korpak and Evgeniy Guliya of Brigada Games infect this episode of the ForkCast to tell all about how this zombie checkpoint simulator metastasized across the internet.

00:00 — “I believed him.” Why believing in someone else's dream cost Roger his own.00:12 — When loyalty kills the dream How misplaced loyalty gives others control over your life.00:26 — Being added to Cassie's lawsuit The moment that forced Roger to speak — and why he stayed silent for years.00:40 — “I won't let anyone do that to my mother, sister, or daughter.”00:45 — Nine years with Diddy & prison time How loyalty, proximity, and survival shaped his choices.00:51 — Why most people didn't speak up00:58 — The biggest lesson from business, Puff, SR Boyz, and the streets Setting the stage for the full interview.01:20 — Ash Cash transition to sponsor message02:23 — Welcome to Inside the Vault Introducing Roger Bonds: high-level sales strategist, cultural marketer, former head of security, and leader of SR Boy South.02:35 — Who is Roger Bonds? Marketing, culture, influence, distribution, and street-level execution.03:14 — How products actually move & why trust converts to sales04:03 — Early years: Harlem, street influence & business lessons How the block became the foundation for brand domination.05:03 — Applying street marketing to corporate sales Understanding competition, consistency, and consumer behavior.06:04 — How SR Boy South was built Why Roger created a national network of B- and C-level influencers.08:01 — The conversation with Diddy that sparked SR Boy South09:23 — Multi-city expansion: Atlanta, Philly, Jersey, NYC, California10:21 — Roger's 10 years as Diddy's head of security The transition from security to brand ambassador.11:04 — Diabetes as the strategic exit Using illness as the only safe way to leave the situation.11:52 — When admiration for Puff faded Watching the shift from hero to hardship.12:52 — The second wind of fame & repeating toxic cycles13:57 — Behind the scenes: leaving quietly to survive financially14:55 — Sponsor message #215:44 — Public backlash: “Why is Barnes talking?” Losing friends and dealing with street opinions.17:01 — Why Cassie naming him changed everything “They don't know what I know.”18:09 — God's push to speak up now19:08 — The truth about the Cassie incident What really happened that night on Sunset Blvd.20:26 — Why nobody else's name was in the lawsuit21:10 — Loyalty, promises & broken trust22:00 — Roger's son in Africa The devastating story: wrongful charge, no evidence, 13 years awaiting trial.23:45 — Puff's broken promises to help24:53 — “I believed him.” How loyalty blinded his self-belief.25:50 — The power imbalance & why speaking mattered27:01 — Lack of credit for SR Boyz success Millions of cases sold — with no acknowledgment.28:21 — Puff's jealousy When the student becomes a threat.29:35 — Booking fees, disrespect, and the “I made you” moment31:04 — Street credibility vs corporate manipulation32:51 — Life lessons from the 20-year experience “Put yourself first.”34:10 — Blind loyalty vs strategic loyalty What he teaches the youth today.35:31 — Signs of character we ignore36:05 — Corporate gangsters vs street gangsters How to survive emotionally in business.37:40 — How faith helped him transition from rage to restraint38:54 — “If Puff called me today…” What Roger would say.40:06 — The future: domestic violence advocacy, anger management, certification work Turning pain into purpose.41:14 — Speaking to men: self-belief as a survival tool42:06 — Speaking to women: the “Cassie problem” & self-worth43:17 — How people sacrifice their dreams without realizing it44:12 — Legacy: what Roger wants his daughter to know45:06 — Why the streets are over46:10 — Ash Cash on Bonds' legacy beyond the Diddy story47:17 — Why this book is different Lessons + story = transformation.48:23 — Global interest: Russia, France, Italy & more49:15 — Publishing details: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target50:10 — The audiobook is coming50:30 — Where to follow Roger Bonds IG: @TheRealRogerBonds FB: Roger Bonds YouTube: RogerBonds531751:09 — Closing the Vault Follow Inside the Vault: @InsideTheVault Follow Ash Cash: @IAmAshCash Join the Abundance Community.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Autumn A. Arnett joins us to talk about the EFA and what you should keep in mind when looking for the right editor for your book.The Editorial Freelancers Association is a nonprofit organization that advances excellence among a dynamic community of freelance editorial professionals by providing opportunities for business development, learning, and networking. EFA members are editors, writers, indexers, proofreaders, researchers, desktop publishers, translators, and others who offer a broad range of skills and specialties.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

In this weekly Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan and Kipp open with reflections on consistency, discipline, and what long-term success actually requires. They then tackle listener questions on deeply held beliefs, fatherhood, masculinity, and how perspectives change with age and experience. The conversation moves into practical advice on building strong male circles, writing and publishing a book, and preparing for marriage with clarity and intention. As always, the episode blends personal insight, hard-earned lessons, and actionable guidance for men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Welcome and Consistency 09:08 - Question on Strong Beliefs and Doubt 17:00 - Fatherhood, Leadership, and Manhood Expectations 29:09 - Finding High-Caliber Men and Brotherhood 36:32 - Writing and Publishing a Book 44:27 - Preparing for Marriage 50:24 - Iron Council Update and Closing Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

The underground content system that works in nap time and pays like a full-time salary EPISODE SUMMARY This episode explores how busy parents can leverage their limited evening hours (as little as 73 minutes) to build profitable AI content agencies generating $5,000+ monthly without employees or office overhead. Host Tracy Brinkmann reveals the exact system working for parents right now, including the three-tool foundation, service packaging strategies, and the Weekend Launch Method to land your first $500 client in 72 hours. TIMESTAMPS & KEY INSIGHTS 00:00 The 73-Minute Parent Revolution 01:05 Episode Overview 02:05 Controversial Truth 02:45 Success Story 05:10 Three-Tool Foundation 07:40 Service Package Framework 08:30 Weekend Launch Method 09:55 Scaling System 11:15 Pricing Psychology 13:40 The Bigger Picture 16:20 Whiskered Wisdom STRATEGIES SHARED The Three-Tool AI Content Stack Content Creation: ChatGPT Plus for all written content Visual Design: Canva Pro for graphics and templates Automation: Blotato for publishing and client management Service Packaging Strategy Tiered pricing model with clear value propositions Monthly recurring revenue focus Scalable deliverables that don't require constant manual work Weekend Launch Method Friday: Research and identify prospects Saturday: Create proof-of-concept content Sunday: Outreach with value-first approach Scaling Without Burnout Batch content creation using AI Automated publishing schedules Single dashboard client management Evening/weekend work schedule RESOURCES MENTIONED Essential Tools ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) - Content creation Canva Pro ($15/month) - Visual design Blotato.com ($29/month) - Publishing automation Newsletter & Community AI Escape Plan Newsletter - DarkHorseSchooling.com Practical AI strategies for parent entrepreneurs Family-time-protecting side hustle systems Pricing Packages Content Starter: $1,500/month Content Pro: $2,500/month Content Authority: $4,000/month ACTION STEPS TO TAKE Immediate Actions (This Week) Research Local Businesses: Identify 10 businesses with poor social media presence Set Up Tools: Get ChatGPT Plus, Canva Pro accounts Create Sample Content: Make 3 social media posts for one business Practice Pitch: Develop your value proposition statement Short-Term Goals (Next 30 Days) Launch Weekend Method: Execute the 72-hour client acquisition process Refine Service Packages: Finalize your three-tier offering structure Build Content Templates: Create reusable frameworks for efficiency Test Blotato.com: Explore automation platform capabilities Long-Term Vision (3-6 Months) Scale to $5K Monthly: Acquire 3-4 clients at different package levels Systematize Operations: Full automation of content creation and publishing Expand Service Area: Consider additional local markets or service types Build Referral System: Leverage satisfied clients for growth CALL TO ACTION SECTIONS Sign up for the AI Escape Plan newsletter at DarkHorseInsider.com - your roadmap to more money, more freedom, and more of what truly matters.  

Send us a textIn this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Joey Pinz sits down with Sharon Florentine, Editorial Director at CyberRisk Alliance, to explore the intersection of creativity, leadership, community, and the ever-changing MSP landscape. Sharon shares her roots as a rhythm guitarist, her love of knitting, and the creative habits that keep her grounded before diving into the bigger questions facing today's MSPs.Sharon breaks down the three biggest challenges MSPs face—security, human capital, and sustainable growth—and explains how media, community, and honest storytelling can help leaders navigate them. She discusses how CyberRisk Alliance supports MSPs with trusted reporting, events, education, and authentic industry insight.The conversation also explores the evolution of publishing, the role of AI in editing, the importance of company values, and the subtle but powerful impact of workplace culture. Sharon also opens up about her personal journey quitting smoking and how consistency, clarity, and self-awareness shape both personal and professional success.This episode blends heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom—perfect for anyone building a business, a team, or a better version of themselves.

In December 2025, a sports romance series off Harlequin's backlist, with modest sales and a niche fanbase, exploded into an overnight international sensation when the first two episodes of Heated Rivalry aired on Crave and HBO Max. New fans scrambled to get their hands on copies of the six-book series and were quickly disappointed by the realization that the titles were sold out everywhere. What could Harlequin have done to meet the unexpected demand and avoid unknown losses in book sales? What can other publishers and authors do to capitalize on the moment? To start, they can listen to Lauren & Matt explore solutions for publishers and authors facing unexpected virality and demand that outpaces inventory supply. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Fear of failure shows up early for most authors. And despite what you may think, it doesn't magically disappear once you're published.In this episode, I get honest about how fear, rejection, and unmet expectations quietly shape the writing process, especially in nonfiction and memoir. Drawing from years of editing experience (and my own hard-earned lessons), I break down why failure so often feels personal—and why that belief keeps writers stuck.This conversation reframes failure as one thing: information. I'll challenge the myth of overnight success, name the role imposter syndrome plays for authors at every stage, and offer a more realistic definition of success—one that actually supports long-term creative work.If you've ever questioned your talent, taken rejection personally, or wondered whether you're “doing this wrong,” this episode will feel familiar in the best way.READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

Time for the first 2026 instalment of what is publishing this season! Jess and Lauren look ahead to the next few months, making predictions for books publishing that they are looking forward to, based on the author, cover and blurb aloneBooks Mentioned in this episode:Woman Down by Colleen Hoover Half His Age by Jennette McCurdyWreck by Catherine NewmanLove By The Book by Jessica GeorgeThe Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill She Wanted More: Reimagine your future and live by your rules by Poorna Bell Book Reccos Website, Shop & newsletter: Don't forget to check out our website and checkout the Book Reccos shop to purchase your very own Book Reccos Reading Journal! And whilst you're there sign up to our newsletter to receive a monthly email from us to fill you in on our favourite reccos of the month. Head to www.bookreccos.com Get in Touch: Instagram: @bookreccos Email: hello@bookreccos.comWebsite: www.bookreccos.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this High Value Publishing session, Eric Shanfelt is joined by Jez Walters of What's New in Publishing to unpack what the latest AI and distribution shifts actually mean for magazine and news publishers.The conversation gets practical fast:- How much traffic are publishers really seeing from ChatGPT?- Is it worth optimizing your content for AI?- Is Facebook going to start charging for link posts?- What is changing inside Google Discover.- A cautionary tale about a large paywall vendor causing big problems for a major publication.- And more ...Learn more at https://nearviewmedia.com/

Miss Marple and Poirot have been household names for decades but now one of Agatha Christie's lesser-known sleuths – Lady Eileen ‘Bundle' Brent - is finally getting her time in the spotlight. The fearless young amateur detective is the focus of new Netflix mystery series Seven Dials. Mia McKenna-Bruce is the award-winning actor bringing ‘Bundle' to the screen, alongside Helena Bonham-Carter and Martin Freeman, and Mia joins presenter Nuala McGovern live in the studio.How do you spot misinformation online? BBC Bitesize has launched a new series for schools tackling the problem, after new research with more than 400 teachers highlighted their growing concern about teenagers' relationship with online content. It shows most teachers believe critical thinking is now the most essential skill for young people, yet only a third feel able to teach it. Nuala is joined by psychologist Dr Martha Deros Collado and Pip Sanderson from the Center for Digital Information Literacy in Schools to discuss the issue and how to approach talking to teenagers about it. A new BBC investigation has been examining one of Russia's most covert war operations: the recruitment of foreign nationals as frontline soldiers for its invasion of Ukraine. A central figure of the documentary is a woman called Polina Alex-an-drovna Azarnykh. She's a former teacher turned recruiter who is now accused of misleading economically vulnerable men across the world into joining Russia's military. BBC documentary Into the Void: Putin's Foreign Fighters follows Senior International Investigations Correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi as she exposes this shadowy system and the human cost behind it. She joins Nuala to discuss the story. Publishing "isn't taking the power of older women seriously" according to author Lesley Kara, in an article for industry bible The Bookseller. Lesley wrote about the number of older female authors, why there aren't enough books about middle-aged and older women and why she thinks the protrayals that do exist are often cliched. She joins Nuala along with book critic and journalist Alex Clark.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths

This week's self-publishing news covers why some authors get paid while others do not, including how rights reversion can affect payouts tied to AI settlements and future legal actions. We also touch on important updates and conversations involving Writer Beware, the Authors Guild, Apple Books, Spoken, ProWritingAid, Twin Flames Studios, and a new discussion on networking for authors. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for January 13, 2026. Author Nation After Party (digital replay) - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNationReplay (affiliate link) - Writer Beware: Reversion Redux - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/01/09/reversion-redux/  Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com  Spoken - https://spoken.press  ProWebWriter - https://prowebwriter.com/  Miblart: 10 Book Cover Design Trends that Await Us in 2026 - https://miblart.com/blog/book-cover-trends-this-year/  Author Marketing Experts: 10 Book Marketing Campaigns That Drive Real Results - https://amarketingexpert.com/2025/12/23/10-proven-book-marketing-campaigns-that-actually-work/  ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link) Twin Flames Studios: The State of Publishing in 2026 - https://twinflamesstudios.com/publishing-2026?partnerid=r1397  Authors Guild: Money Isn't the Worst! Personal Finance 101 for Creatives - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YjXJv97PSLi2xy7bmADKjA#/registration  The Novel Marketing Podcast: Networking for Authors - https://youtu.be/BRXpvf1Np_4?si=YJCNrjjWHH3UYN57  Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp  Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships  Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord   Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts  My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.  Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

The boyband Blue perform one of the biggest early hits - One Love - and talk to Tom Sutcliffe about celebrating 25 years together with new album Reflections and a major tour. Marty Supreme director Josh Safdie discusses his film about an ambitious 1950s table tennis player. Timothee Chalamet won a Best Actor Golden Globe for the title role this week.It's 40 years since Poems on the Underground was launched and a new collection is being released to mark the anniversary.And Claire Malcolm tells Tom about plans for the new Centre for Writing and Publishing in Newcastle.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Lucy Collingwood

Christopher Lee Maher is the author of Free for Life, a book born not from theory but from a personal reckoning. After years as a Navy SEAL, Christopher looked physically elite yet struggled with insomnia, chronic pain, and nervous system overload. His book documents the system he built to understand why strong bodies break down—and how to restore them.In this episode, Christopher unpacks the core ideas behind Free for Life and the method he calls True Body Intelligence, which addresses stress and distortion across the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body. He explains how prolonged exposure to cold and high stress shortened muscle chains, disrupted sleep, and trapped tension in the nervous system—and how most fitness routines unknowingly make this worse.We talk through the practical framework at the heart of the book: using all three muscle contractions—concentric, eccentric, and isometric—to lengthen tissue, stabilize joints, and release stored stress. Christopher shares why most workouts overtrain one contraction, how slowing the lowering phase can change everything, and why daily “resets” matter more than intensity.We also zoom out to the author journey. Christopher reflects on self-publishing Free for Life, choosing a slow, values-driven marketing strategy, and prioritizing purpose over visibility. This conversation is for writers and authors interested in embodied knowledge, meaningful nonfiction, and what it looks like to build a book—and a body—around long-term integrity rather than quick wins.Have a comment? Text me! Support the show****************************************************************************Connect with Natasha If you're ready to write your book, I'd love to help you bring your story to life.

Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. In this episode, we were so excited to be joined by author consultant and assistant Kate Tilton for a second time to discuss all things indie author administration. Listen in for some great advice on how to organize your goals, avoiding burnout, and more. In this episode, author consultant Kate Tilton joins us on the podcast this week to discuss figuring out your goals as an indie author and what practices to implement in order to reach them. Kate started out in the publishing industry as an author's assistant, and she talks to us about what prompted her to start her own business, why authenticity is key when it comes to social media, and why avoiding burnout as an indie author is so much easier than recovering from it.  To learn more, visit Kate's website.

Yehuda Niv is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spines, the only comprehensive AI-powered publishing platform simplifying the authorship journey so writers can focus on what they do best - telling great stories. The Spines platform revolutionizes every aspect of the publishing process, from editing, proofreading, and formatting to cover design, distribution, and marketing. Authors simply need to upload their manuscripts, and within less than three weeks, they will be able to see their books published, optimized, and available to readers globally. The company's total funding stands at 22.5 million dollars. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Perfection is the enemy of publishing. Finish the manuscript and let professionals elevate it. 2. AI won't replace authors; it will empower them to create faster, better, and more affordably. 3. Success in writing and in business requires resilience, not credentials. Check out Yehuda's website to explore packages, meet a publishing expert, or start your manuscript's next phase - Spines Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Quo - The modern alternative to run your business communications. Try Quo for free plus get 20 percent off your first 6 months when you go to Quo.com/fire. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business this year. Check out QuickBooks money tools today! Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Pharice Brown is a literary activist, book publisher, and founder of Pain to Prosperity Publishing, a platform dedicated to amplifying powerful Black and Brown voices too often overlooked in mainstream publishing. Leveraging her background in corporate strategy and her passion for professional and personal storytelling, Pharice has created a company focused on legacy, impact, and authentic representation. She helps future authors overcome doubt, discover their stories, and navigate the publishing process to create works that resonate and inspire. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Robert Plank sits down with Pharice Brown to discuss the journey from corporate boardrooms to literary entrepreneurship. Pharice shares how everyone has a story worth telling, why personal experiences and professional expertise both deserve an audience, and the importance of visibility and marketing in the publishing journey. They dig deep into the biggest challenges authors face, especially getting started, being open to feedback, and embracing creativity and fun through marketing. You'll hear about overcoming imposter syndrome, strategies for finishing and launching a book, the differences between self-publishing and working with a publisher, and real-world success stories of new authors. Pharice offers practical advice, motivational support, and free 15-minute strategy calls to help aspiring writers take the first step. Quotes: “Everyone has a book inside them. The real question is how you choose to spend it and whether you'll let it be read.” “Your core idea doesn't need to change, but your information might. Growth comes from being open enough to refine the message so it's truly worth reading.” “Write the book. Show up consistently. Have fun. Be creative and let the world decide its value.” Resources: Connect with Pharice Brown on LinkedIn Explore Pain2ProsperityPublishing

Listen to a replay of 2025's 3rd most popular episode! #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer spoke with me about cutting her teeth on fanfiction, working briefly in publishing, and THE HAPPY WRITER, a guide to writing with less stress and more JOY. Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve. Marissa also created and hosted a popular podcast, The Happy Writer, that inspired her debut writing guide, The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond. Described as, “Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines—from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published—The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey.” Marissa holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University. [This episode is sponsored by Ulysses. Go to⁠ ⁠ulys.app/writeabook⁠⁠ to download Ulysses, and use the code FILES at checkout to get 25% off the first year of your yearly subscription."] [Discover⁠ The Writer Files Extra⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at⁠ writerfiles.fm⁠] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please⁠ click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Marissa Meyer and I discussed: How an overactive imagination led to a lifetime of storytelling What she learned about the author/editor relationship early on  Why optimism has always been a part of her brand How to bring more joy to your writing “process” Embracing lifelong creativity And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠marissameyer.com⁠ ⁠The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond⁠ By Marissa Meyer ⁠Marissa Meyer Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need⁠ by Jessica Brody (Amazon) ⁠Marissa Meyer on Facebook⁠ ⁠Marissa Meyer on Instagram⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark interviews award-winning author Darcy Pattison about publishing childrens' books. In their conversation, Mark and Darcy talk about: Darcy's background on getting into being an author of children's book The 70 books Darcy has written in the past 13 years The number of different illustrators Darcy has worked with over the years The Moments in Science picture books Darcy has written with along with the specific illustrator who has worked on a dozen of those titles with her The books for authors Darcy is releasing in January 2026 that collect details about the current state of publishing for children's books The challenge of doing layout for a children's picture book The importance of an author being clear on their own definition of success How children's book authors can find the right illustrator and/or designer How Darcy fulfills orders online for her books Getting her books into education distributors (Follett, etc - Follett can order their books through Ingram) The EPIC app and how Darcy earns money from it The various reviews Darcy gets, including paid Kirkus reviews (which are important) Who you are writing for versus who you are selling to when it comes to kids books Fiction VS Non-Fiction The importance/difference of being good at illustration versus being good at text (or even layout) The challenge of scaling up things like school visits The benefit of finding places that will sell a kids' book in bulk And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the unique element of the two audiences for childrens' books, as well as the efficient business mind-set Darcy adopted in her approach to how to grow a more scaleable author business. Links of Interest: Indie Kids Books  Mims House Books  Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast ("Laser Groove") was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

A recent YouGov poll found that nearly 40 percent of Americans did not read a single book in 2025. So 2026 is a perfect time to help turn that trend around, and get reading! All Of It and Get Lit producer Jordan Lauf discusses her most anticipated new books of the year. Plus, stay tuned for a very special announcement.