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293. Writing for Impact: Shazad Carbaidwala on Creativity and Helping Others In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Shazad Carbaidwala, who shares his journey from a childhood filled with creativity and athletics to becoming an author and mentor. Shazad discusses the importance of personal branding, the role of mentorship in his life, and the challenges he faced while writing his books. He emphasizes the impact of his work on others, particularly through his recent children's book, and reflects on his aspirations to continue helping people through his experiences and stories. 3 Key Takeaways:
Why I think this minor celebrity cis het white guy getting a Romantasy book deal is actually a good thing - certainly not a new thing. Also successful furniture shopping and a good long weekend for me!Buy LoveLitCon tickets here https://lovelit.com/ Be sure to use my author-specific code for a $10 discount! LOVE8368STRANGE FAMILIAR is live! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar You can preorder MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/magic-rebornRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and the audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/VRbDm_ng7AkSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
Andrea Catalano is a historical novelist who holds a master of philosophy in historical studies degree from University of Cambridge, UK. Originally from the Boston area, she currently lives in Texas with her husband, children, two fluffy cats, and many, many books. Andrea's debut novel, The First Witch of Boston, comes out in September after years and years of honing her craft. Find her online at www.andreacatalanoauthor.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216
Want to learn how to get a book deal and become a published author? Well, you're in luck, as in this episode of The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast, we'll be going over how the traditional publishing process works step-by-step so you can go from blog to book! Our guest, blogger-turned-author Jen Ruiz, went from sharing travel stories on her blog, Jen on a Jet Plane, to landing a five-figure book deal for her memoir, 12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic—which even made it to Hudson Airport Bookstores! Today, she'll be sharing her best tips to help you do the same. By the end of this episode, you'll understand: How to decide between traditional publishing vs self-publishing The secrets to writing a strong query letter and pitching effectively How to leverage your blog to land a book deal Smart book marketing strategies to maximize sales And more! Bonus: Jen outlines the traditional publishing process step-by-step so you have a clear roadmap for how to go from blog to book.
Chat asks what indies can learn from traditional publishers and vice versa. Prepare for opinions... Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becoming a Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee supporter and for as little as $1 a month, you can help keep the podcast free and receive exclusive content. More information at https://patreon.com/drspodcast and https://buymeacoffee.com/drspodcast. #writing #fiction #podcast #chat #live #novel #story #narrative #publishing #author #writer #discussion #podcast #talkshow
Are you looking to elevate your authority, grow your business, and foster deep, profitable relationships through your podcast? In this episode of Podcast Talent Coach, I dive deep into the undeniable power of becoming a published author, and how your podcast is the perfect springboard to make it happen. BENEFITS OF BEING PUBLISHED A book isn't just a collection of words; it's the foundation of authority, visibility, and influence in your niche. Whether you've been podcasting for a year or have hundreds of episodes under your belt, you already have a treasure trove of content that can be repurposed into a high-impact book. I'll walk you through why having your name on a cover instantly elevates your credibility, opens new doors for speaking gigs, and sets you apart in your field. Let's face it... everyone wants to stand out, but not everyone knows how to do it strategically. In my conversation with book coach and editor Susan Crossman, we break down how you can curate your podcast episodes into a well-structured book. PUBLISHED WITH SUSAN CROSSMAN Susan Crossman is a book coach and editor who helps mission-focused coaches, consultants, and innovators write and publish compelling books that make a difference in their businesses and their world. She believes a well-written book can be a powerful force for good in our world and she takes delight in assisting her clients to greater author-ity. Susan's journey is as inspiring as her expertise. From her childhood dream of writing while perched in an apple tree to overcoming loss and transforming her own story into five published books, she shares actionable insights every aspiring author needs. We also tackle the big question: should you self-publish or pursue a traditional publisher? Susan cuts through the confusion, helping you decide what aligns best with your business goals and personal aspirations. Don't fall into the trap of thinking "if you write it, they will come." As we explore in this episode, writing a book is only 20% of the journey. The real impact comes when you masterfully market and leverage your book as part of your broader content strategy. Susan and I share real-world examples, from business leaders like Tony Robbins to rising entrepreneurs who found their true calling and built movements after publishing their first book. And yes, we get honest about the pitfalls of poor quality, AI-generated books and why investing in professional editing, structure, and heartfelt writing delivers results your audience will respect. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES The benefits of being a published author extend far beyond the book itself. We delve into the speaking opportunities, media exposure, and industry recognition that come with being a published author. Susan recounts how one of her clients, an accountant-turned-author, became a sought-after speaker and leader in her field - all by articulating her value and experience in a quality book. We also talk candidly about best-seller myths, the importance of audiobook versions, and how to avoid the embarrassment of a rushed, unpolished book. If you want your message to stick and your book to stand the test of time, this episode gives you a clear blueprint. GET PUBLISHED Ready to get started? Susan is hosting a powerful three-day event, "Write With Impact," specifically for coaches, consultants, and change-makers who want to create books that make a difference. I'm excited to offer you a free ticket to this event. Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/writewithimpact and use the code EARLYBIRDSPECIAL. Whether you're after legacy, client attraction, or a larger stage, there's never been a better time to transform your podcast content into a book that multiplies your influence. Need more personalized help? Reach out to me at coach@podcasttalentcoach.com or apply for a coaching session at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply. Let's get your message out of your head, onto the page, and into the hands of the people you're meant to serve!
Thrilled to be joined by author and publishing expert Courtney Maum! She gives us insight behind her terrific book, Before and After the Book Deal, and talks about the highs and lows of the publishing business. Tune in for her knowledgable tidbits about marketing, building an online platform, self-publishing, memoir, and more!Courtney MaumWebsite: https://www.courtneymaum.com/Substack: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/welcomeSocial: @cbmaumGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Eric Jorgenson from Scribe Media, who shares his remarkable journey from author to CEO after the company faced bankruptcy. Eric successfully rallied investors to acquire Scribe Media and is now leading its impressive turnaround, projecting growth from $6 million to $9 million. Beyond his leadership at Scribe Media, Eric is also a successful author with over 1.5 million books sold. This conversation delves into his strategies for business revival and leadership insights at Scribe Media. Other Resources: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness. The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it's FREE. Boost productivity by 7–23%, triple team engagement, and double retention with ESOPs! Expert Craig West reveals benefits, costs, and timelines. (Episode 55 - Craig West) The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company by Jack Stack Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Eric Jorgenson said the hardest thing in growing a small business is dealing with entropy, alignment, and constant surprises. He emphasized that it's not for the faint of heart and requires continuous effort to manage these dynamic challenges. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Eric Jorgenson's favorite business book that has helped him the most is Poor Charlie's Almanack. He also mentioned Zero to One by Peter Thiel as an exceptional book for understanding the foundational principles of business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Eric Jorgenson highly recommends Founders Podcast by David Senra. He described it as the most important and impactful podcast, where David dives deep into biographies of the greatest founders in history, extracting powerful lessons and patterns for business growth. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Eric Jorgenson recommends using ChatGPT as a powerful tool to grow a small business. He emphasized that everyone just became 2–10x more productive with it—if they learn to use it well—highlighting its potential to dramatically boost efficiency and innovation. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Eric Jorgenson's advice to himself on day one of starting out in business would be: "Spend a lot more energy figuring out what to focus on and then focus — build the discipline to reorient quickly and follow through on the most important things." He emphasized the importance of filtering noise, closing loops, and trusting your instincts through repetition and outcomes. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Writing a great book can change your life—and your business – Eric Jorgenson A small business flourishes when everyone rows in the same direction – Eric Jorgenson You're always one great hire away from transforming your company – Eric Jorgenson
Challenging traditional publishing norms An honest look at Clutterbugs, publishing and carving out a path to creativity On today's show, we look for Clutterbugs, chat about children's publishing, how to navigate your own writing path, taking risks, and ways to come up with new ideas. Plus, Liv tells us why we should never trust fish. She reviews 2 awesome picture books, one about family and one hilarious book about fish. Today's special guests is an author and playwright. Her acclaimed play, Fragments has been produced as a web series and a feature-length film. She is multi-award-winning picture book author, and a book reviewer for the CBCA and Reading Time magazines. Born in the USA, she gained a PhD in philosophy, before having her own Crocodile Dundee moment and marrying a genuine Aussie shearer. She's taken time today, away from her avocado farm, wombats, echidnas and lyrebirds on their NSW rainforest mountaintop property to share her amazing journey with us. So, everybody please welcome, the awesome Maura Pierlot.
Text us a review. Ep#236: Join host, Helen Edwards for this special solocast as she shares her current personal journey in the query trenches pitching her book to agents and the decision to republish her book Nothing Sexier Than Freedom. Learn some quick resources on where to query literary agents. Enjoy the show! You can now ‘Text Us a Review.' Or leave us a review on any of our audio and video platforms. Thank you for listening. If you would like to support our show, click the links below. Disclaimer: The hosts of this show are not doctors, therapists, psychologists, lawyers, or medical professionals of any kind. Although some of our guests are professionals in these areas, be advised if you have any life-threatening medical conditions or mental health, please see your doctor. National Suicide Hotline: 988 Helen Edwards is the International Author of Nothing Sexier Than Freedom and Host to the Sexy Freedom Media Podcast and Your Morning Sauce. For more information click here: https://linktr.ee/sexyfreedommedia Support the show "Buy us a coffee"https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Helofajourney https://www.buymeacoffee.com/januarylidl Support the show
Bryan Canter is an author, independent publishing consultant, and retired Army officer with overseas tours in Iraq, Korea, and Okinawa. Bryan helps authors navigate the complex world of independent publishing as a book and audiobook publishing consultant for My Word Publishing out of Denver. Additionally, he is an Amazon Ads specialist with the Successful Writer Marketplace. As an international speaker and educator, Bryan has addressed large groups and conducted training seminars in venues across the USA, Nicaragua, India, Scotland, the Middle East, and Japan. Bryan lives full-time in a motorhome with his wife, Dawn, visiting historic sites and enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the United States. This time on the podcast, Bryan takes offers a reality check for first-time authors. https://www.mywordpublishing.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens: www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216
In this episode, I share the journey of self-publishing my Amazon bestselling book 'Rewriting Your Story' - detailing the entire process from writing to marketing. 00:00 Introduction to Self-Publishing Success 03:09 The Writing Process: Crafting Your Book 06:02 Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing 09:13 Proofreading and Editing: Ensuring Quality 12:07 Marketing Strategies for Your Book 15:00 Achieving Amazon Bestseller Status 18:13 The Importance of Reviews and Ratings 21:03 Reflections on the Self-Publishing Journey Free Ebook: How To Move Your Personal Training Business Online https://briankeanefitness.com/personal-fitness-business-online-ebook Details for my six month 1:1 Mentorship Program or 12 Week Business Coaching: https://briankeanefitness.com/mentorship-and-business-coaching Online Business Courses: How To Start, Build and Grow Your 1:1 PT Business https://briankeanefitness.com/product/one-to-one-pt-course/ How To Move Your Business Online https://briankeanefitness.com/product/online-business-course/ How To Scale Your Online Health Or Fitness Business (1:1 to 1 To Many) https://briankeanefitness.com/how-to-scale-your-online-fitness-or-health-business/
In this week's episode, we continue our discuss about how seeking prestige can be dangerous for writers, specifically in the form of traditional publishing and the New York Times Bestseller list. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Shield of the Knight, Book #2 in the Dragonskull series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills), at my Payhip store: DRAGONSHIELD50 The coupon code is valid through March 21, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook for spring, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 241 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is February 28th, 2025. Today we are continuing our discussion of how to escape the trap of prestige for writers, specifically traditional publishing and The New York Times Bestseller List. Before we get to our main topic, we will do Coupon of the Week, an update on my current writing and audiobook projects, and then Question of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Shield of the Knight, Book Two in the Dragonskull series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills), at my Payhip store. That coupon code is DRAGONSHIELD50. As always, I'll include the coupon code and the link to the store in the show notes. This coupon code is valid through March 21st, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook as we start to head into the spring months, we have got you covered. Now an update on my current writing projects. I'm pleased to report I am done with the rough draft of Ghost in the Assembly. I came in at 106,000 words, so it'll definitely be over a hundred thousand words when it's done. I'm about 20% of the way through the first round of edits, so I am confident in saying that if all goes well and nothing unexpected happens, I am on track to have it out in March. I am also 10,000 words into Shield of Battle, which will be the fifth of six books in the Shield War series and I'm hoping to have that out in April, if all goes well. In audiobook news, recording for both Cloak of Dragonfire and Orc-Hoard is done. I'm just waiting for them to get through the processing on the various stores so they're available. There is also an audiobook edition of Half Elven Thief Omnibus One and Cloak Mage Omnibus Three that hopefully should be coming in March. More news with that to come. 00:01:55 Question of the Week Now let's move on to Question of the Week. Question of the Week is intended to inspire interesting discussions of enjoyable topics. This week's question: what is your favorite subgenre of fantasy, high fantasy, epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, historical fantasy, urban fantasy, LitRPG, cultivation, or something else? No wrong answers, obviously. Cindy says: Epic fantasy or those with a good history for that world. The Ghost Series are fantastic at this. Thanks, Cindy. Justin says: I enjoy all those sub-genres, if they are done well. In times past I would've said comic fantasy, but that is because Terry Pratchett at his best was just that good. Mary says: High fantasy. Surabhi says: I'd honestly read anything fantasy that's written well and has characters I'm attached to, given that it's not too gritty. Bonus points if there's humor! Also, I love your books so much and they're the perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, and characters. Your books were what really got me into Sword and Sorcery. Thanks, Surabhi. Matthew says: See, that's difficult. I love my sabers, both light and metal. I would say urban fantasy crosses the boundary the most. If it's a captivating story, it will be read. John F says: I can't choose one- Lord of the Rings or LWW, The Inheritance Cycle, The Dresden Files, Caina, Ridmark, or Nadia. I think what draws me is great characters who grow. The setting/genre is just the device. That's why I keep coming back to your books. You create great characters. Thanks, John F. John K says: I think I'm partial to historical fantasy. I enjoy all genres, but when I think of my favorites, they tend to be derivations of historical settings. Think Guy Gavriel Kay or Miles Cameron. That said, I was weaned on Robert E. Howard, Fritz Lieber, Michael Moorcock, Karl Edward Wagner, Jack Vance, so a strong sword and sorcery second place. Juana says: High fantasy. Belgariad, Tolkien, dragons, et cetera. Jonathan says: Sword and sorcery in space! Prehistoric sword and sorcery, sword and sorcery always. Quint: says Sword and sorcery! Michael says: Sword and sorcery. For myself, I think I would agree with our last couple of commenters and it would be sword and sorcery. My ideal fantasy novel has a barbarian hero wandering from corrupt city state to corrupt city state messing up the business of some evil wizards. I'm also very fond of what's called generic fantasy (if a fighter, a dwarf, an elf, and a wizard are going into a dungeon and fighting some orcs, I'm happy). 00:04:18 Main Topic of the Week: Escaping the Prestige Trap, Part 2 Now onto our main topic for the week, Escaping the Prestige Trap, Part 2, and we'll focus on traditional publishing and the New York Times Bestseller List this week. As we talked about last week, much of the idea of success, especially in the United States, is based on hitting certain milestones in a specific order. In the writing world, these measures of success have until fairly recently been getting an MFA, finding an agent, getting traditionally published, and hitting The New York Times Bestseller List. Last week we talked about the risks of an MFA and an agent. This week, we are going to talk about two more of those writing markers of prestige, getting traditionally published and having a book land on The New York Times Bestseller List. Why are they no longer as important? What should you devote your energy and focus to instead? So let's start with looking at getting traditionally published. Most writers have dreamed of seeing their book for sale and traditional publishing for a long time has been the only route to this path. Until about 15 years ago, traditional publishing was the way that a majority of authors made their living. Now that big name authors like Hugh Howie, Andy Weir, and Colleen Hoover have had success starting as self-published authors (or in the case of authors Sarah J. Maas and Ali Hazelwood, fan fiction authors) and then are getting traditional publishing deals made for them for their self-published works. It's proof that self-publishing is no longer a sign that the author isn't good enough to be published traditionally. Previous to the rise of the Kindle, that was a common belief that if you were self-published, it was because you were not good enough to get traditionally published. That was sort of this pernicious belief that traditional publishing was a meritocracy, when in fact it tended to be based on who you knew. But that was all 15 years ago and now we are well into the age of self-publishing. Why do authors still want to be traditionally published when in my frank opinion, self-publishing is the better path? Well, I think there are three main reasons for that. One of the main reasons is that the authors say they want to be traditionally published is to have someone else handle the marketing and the advertising. They don't realize how meager marketing budgets and staffing support are, especially for unknown authors. Many traditionally published authors are handling large portions of their own marketing and hiring publicists out of their own pocket because publishers are spending much less on marketing. The new reality is that traditional publishers aren't going to do much for you as a debut author unless you are already a public figure. Even traditionally published authors are not exempt from having to do their own marketing now. James Patterson set up an entire company himself to handle his marketing. Though, to be fair to James Patterson, his background was in advertising before he came into publishing, so he wasn't exactly a neophyte in the field, but you see more and more traditionally published authors who you think would be successful just discontented with the system and starting to dabble in self-publishing or looking at alternative publishers like Aethon Books and different arrangements of publishing because the traditional system is just so bad for writers. The second main reason authors want to be traditionally published is that they want to avoid the financial burden of publishing. This is an outdated way of thinking. The barrier to publishing these days is not so much financial as it is knowledge. In fact, I published a book entirely using free open source software in 2017 just to prove that it could be done. It was Silent Order: Eclipse Hand, the fourth book in my science fiction series. I wrote it on Ubuntu using Libre Office and I edited it in Libre Office and I did the formatting on Ubuntu and I did the cover in the GIMP, which is a free and open source image editing program. This was all using free software and I didn't have to pay for the program. Obviously I had to pay for the computer I was using and the Internet connection, but in the modern era, having an internet connection is in many ways almost a requirement, so that's the cost you would be paying anyway. The idea that you must spend tens of thousands of dollars in formatting, editing, cover, and marketing comes from scammy self-publishing services. Self-publishing, much like traditional publishing, has more than its fair share of scams or from people who aren't willing to take the time to learn these skills and just want to cut someone a check to solve the problem. There are many low cost and effective ways to learn these skills and resources designed specifically for authors. People like Joanna Penn have free videos online explaining how to do this, and as I've said, a lot of the software you can use to self-publish is either free or low cost, and you can get some very good programs like Atticus or Vellum or Jutoh for formatting eBooks for very low cost. The third reason that writers want to be traditionally published is that many believe they will get paid more this way, which is, unless you are in the top 1% of traditionally published authors, very wrong. Every so often, there's a study bemoaning the fact that most publishers will only sell about $600 worth of any individual book, and that is true of a large percentage of traditionally published books. Traditional publishers typically pay a lump sum called advance, and then royalties based on sales. An average advance is about the same as two or three months of salary from an office job and so not a reflection of the amount of time it typically takes most authors to finish a book. Most books do not earn out their advance, which means the advance is likely to be the only money the author receives for the book. Even well-known traditionally published authors are not earning enough to support themselves as full-time authors. So as you can see, all three of these reasons are putting a lot of faith in traditional publishers, faith that seems increasingly unnecessary or downright misplaced. I think it is very healthy to get rid of the idea that good writing comes from traditional publishers and that the prestige of being traditionally published is the only way you'll be accepted as a writer or be able to earn a living as a full-time writer. I strongly recommend that people stop thinking that marketing is beneath you as an author or too difficult to learn. Whether you are indie or tradpub, you are producing a product that you want to sell, thus you are a businessperson. The idea that only indie authors have to sell their work is outdated. The sooner you accept this reality, the more options you will have. Self-publishing and indie publishing are admittedly more work. However, the benefits are significant. Here are five benefits of self-publishing versus traditional publishing. The first advantage of self-publishing is you have complete creative control. You decide what the content of your book will be; you decide what the cover will be. If you don't want to make the covers yourself or you don't want to learn how to do that, you can very affordably hire someone to do it for you and they will make the cover exactly to your specifications. You also have more freedom to experiment with cross-genre books. As I've mentioned before, publishers really aren't a fan of cross genre books until they make a ton of money, like the new romantasy trend. Traditional publishing is very trend driven and cautious. Back in the 2000s before I gave up on traditional publishing and discovered self-publishing, I would submit to agents a lot. Agents all had these guidelines for fantasy saying that they didn't want to see stories with elves and orcs and dwarves and other traditional fantasy creatures because they thought that was passe. Well, when I started self-publishing, I thought I'm going to write a traditional fantasy series with elves and orcs and dwarves and other traditional fantasy creatures just because I can and Frostborn has been my bestselling series of all time in the time I've been self-publishing, so you can see the advantages of having creative control. The second advantage is you can control the marketing. Tradpub authors often sign a contract that they'll get their social media and website content approved by the publisher before posting. They may even be given boilerplate or pre-written things to post. In self-publishing, you have real time data to help you make decisions and adjust ads and overall strategy on the fly to maximize revenue. For example, if one of your books is selling strangely well on Google Play, it's time to adjust BookBub ads to focus on that platform instead of Amazon. You can also easily change your cover, your blurb, and so forth after release. I've changed covers of some of my books many times trying to optimize them for increased sales and that is nearly impossible to do with traditional publishing. And in fact, Brandon Sanderson gave a recent interview where he talked about how the original cover of his Mistborn book was so unrelated to the content of the book that it almost sunk the book and hence his career. You also have the ability to run ad campaigns as you see fit, not just an initial launch like tradpub does. For example, in February 2025, I've been heavily advertising my Demonsouled series even though I finished writing that series back in 2013, but I've been able to increase sales and derive a significant profit from those ads. A third big advantage is that you get a far greater share of the profits. Most of the stores, if you price an ebook between $2.99 (prices are USD) and $9.99, you will get 70% of the sale price, which means if you sell an ebook for $4.99, you're probably going to get about $3.50 per sale (depending on currency fluctuations and so forth). That is vastly more than you would get from any publishing contract. You also don't have to worry about the publisher trying to cheat you out of royalties. We talked about an agency stealing money last episode. Every platform you publish your book on, whether Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords and Apple will give you a monthly spreadsheet of your sales and then you can look at it for yourself, see exactly how many books you sold and exactly how much money you're going to get. I have only very rarely seen traditional publishing royalty statements that are as clear and have as much data in them as a spreadsheet from Google Play or Amazon. A fourth advantage is you don't have to worry about publishers abandoning you mid-series. In traditional publishing, there is what's called the Publishing Death Spiral where let's say an author is contracted to write a series of five books. The author writes the first book and it sells well. Then the author publishes the second book and it doesn't sell quite as well, but the publisher is annoyed enough by the decrease in sales that they drop the writer entirely and don't finish the series. This happens quite a bit in the traditional publishing world, and you don't have to worry about that in indie publishing because you can just publish as often as you want. If you're not happy with the sales of the first few books in the series, you can change the covers, try ad campaigns, and other strategies. Finally, you can publish as often as you want and when you want. In traditional publishing, there is often a rule of thumb that an author should only publish one book a year under their name. Considering that last year I published 10 books under my name, that seems somewhat ridiculous, but that's a function of the fact that traditional publishing has only so much capacity and the pieces of the machine involved there are slow and not very responsive. Whereas with self-publishing, you have much more freedom and everything involved with it is much more responsive. There's no artificial deadlines, so you can take as long as you want to prepare it and if the book is ready, you don't have to wait a year to put it out because it would mess up the publisher's schedule. So what to do instead of chasing traditional publishing? Learn about self-publishing, especially about scams and bad deals related to it. Publish your own works by a platform such as KDP, Barnes and Noble Press, Kobo Writing Life, Apple Books, Google Play, Smashwords, and possibly your own Payhip and/or Shopify store. Conquer your fear of marketing and advertising. Even traditionally published authors are shouldering more of this work and paying out of their own pocket to hire someone to do it, and if you are paying your own marketing costs, you might as well self-publish and keep a greater share of the profits. The second half of our main topic, another potential risk of prestige, is getting on The New York Times Bestseller List. I should note that I suppose someone could accuse me of sour grapes here saying, oh, Jonathan Moeller, you've never been on The New York Times Bestseller List. You must just be bitter about it. That is not true. I do not want to be on The New York Times Bestseller List. What I would like to be is a number one Amazon bestseller. Admittedly though, that's unlikely, but a number one Amazon bestseller would make a lot more money than a number one New York Times Bestseller List, though because of the way it works, if you are a number one Amazon bestseller, you might be a New York Times Bestseller, but you might not. Let's get into that now. Many writers have the dream of seeing their name on the New York Times Bestseller List. One self-help guru wrote about “manifesting” this milestone for herself by writing out the words “My book is number one on The New York Times Bestseller List” every day until it happened. Such is the mystique of this milestone that many authors crave it as a necessity. However, this list has seen challenges to its prestige in recent years. The one thing that shocks most people when they dig into the topic is that the list is not an objective list based on the raw number of books sold. The list is “editorial content” and The New York Times can exclude, include, or rank the books on the list however they choose. What it does not capture is perennial sellers or classics. For example, the Bible and the Quran are obviously some of the bestselling books of all time, but you won't see editions of the Bible or the Quran on the New York Times Bestseller List. Textbooks and classroom materials, I guarantee there are some textbooks that are standards in their field that would be on the bestseller list every year, but they're not because The New York Times doesn't track them. Ebooks available only from a single vendor such as Kindle Unlimited books, ebook sales from not reporting vendors such as Shopify or Payhip. Reference Works including test prep guides (because I guarantee when test season comes around the ACT and SAT prep guides or the GRE prep guides sell a lot of copies) and coloring books or puzzle books. It would be quite a blow to the authors on the list to realize that if these excluded works were included on the list, they would in all likelihood be consistently below To Kill a Mockingbird, SAT prep books, citation manuals, Bibles/other religious works, and coloring books about The Eras Tour. Publishers, political figures, religious groups, and anyone with enough money can buy their way into the rank by purchasing their books in enormous quantities. In fact, it's widely acknowledged in the United States that this is essentially a legal form of bribery and a bit of money laundering too, where a publisher will give a truly enormous advance to a public figure or politician that they like, and that advance will essentially be a payment to that public figure in the totally legal form of an enormous book advance that isn't going to pay out. Because this is happening with such frequency, The New York Times gave into the pressure to acknowledge titles suspected of this strategy with a special mark next to it on the list. However, these books remain on the list and can still be called a New York Times Bestseller. Since the list is not an objective marker of sales and certainly not some guarantee of quality, why focus on making it there? I think trying to get your book on The New York Times Bestseller List would be an enormous waste of time, since the list is fundamentally an artificial construction that doesn't reflect sales reality very well. So what can you do instead? Focus on raw sales numbers and revenue, not lists. Even Amazon's bestseller category lists have a certain amount of non-quantitative factors. In the indie author community, there's a saying called Bank not Rank, which means you should focus on how much revenue your books are actually generating instead of whatever sales rank they are on whatever platform. I think that's a wiser approach to focus your efforts. You can use lists like those from Publishers Weekly instead if you're interested in what's selling or trends in the industry, although that too can be manipulated and these use only a fairly small subset of data that favors retail booksellers, but it's still more objective in measuring than The New York Times. I suppose in the end, you should try and focus on ebook and writing activities that'll bring you actual revenue or satisfaction rather than chasing the hollow prestige of things like traditional publishing, agents, MFAs, and The New York Times Bestseller List. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.
Navigate the complex world of book publishing with industry veteran Terry Whalin, author of over 60 books and contributor to more than 50 magazines. In this episode, Terry debunks common publishing myths that hold entrepreneurs and aspiring authors back, drawing from his new book "10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed." Learn why expecting significant profits from your first book might be unrealistic and how to build marketing assets you actually control rather than relying on "rented platforms" like social media. Terry shares the inspiring story of Chicken Soup for the Soul's 160 rejections before finding success through their "Rule of Five" daily marketing approach. Whether you're considering self-publishing, seeking a literary agent, or exploring independent publishers like Morgan James, Terry's practical insights will help you develop the persistence needed to successfully bring your book to market and play big faster with your publishing goals.
Want to land a traditional publishing deal for your nonfiction book? This week's guest expert, Joelle Hann, also known as the Brooklyn Book Doctor, shares expert insights on crafting a winning book proposal, building an author platform, and navigating the publishing process.Joelle works with major publishers like HarperOne, Wiley, and Shambhala Publications, helping nonfiction authors refine their ideas and pitch their books successfully. In this episode, she reveals what it takes to grab a publisher's attention, the importance of a strong proposal, and how to transition from writer to published author.Key Takeaways:Start with a Proposal: Learn why a strong nonfiction book proposal is key to landing a traditional publisher.Build Your Platform: Discover how to attract publishers by increasing your visibility.Traditional Publishing Realities: Understand agent relationships, marketing expectations, and distribution challenges.Industry Trends: Stay ahead with insights on what publishers are currently looking for.Writer to Author Mindset: Shift from just writing to strategically serving your audience.Tune in to take your nonfiction book from idea to publishing success!*************************************************************************Be More Human: Do the Work that Matters Most with Generative AI Have you been using GenAI? The 2024 Work Trend Index report found that users of Generative AI are changing the workforce. They feel more motivated, are able to focus on more important work, and find their workload to be much more manageable.My friend Caelan Huntress has been a digital marketer for 15 years, and now he helps knowledge workers learn how to use Generative AI to improve their productivity, strategy, and creativity.He's also an American digital nomad, who just got his New Zealand citizenship this month!On Friday, 28 February at 1pm New Zealand time (which is Thursday, February 27th at 4pm Pacific time) he's hosting a free webinar about GenAI, called ‘Be More Human: Do the Work that Matters Most with Generative AI.'It's about how we can be better co-pilots of GenAI, and why the future of work belongs to professionals who are proficient operators of these tools.It's 45 minutes, with 15 minutes of Q&A for anyone who has a burning question about AI. You can register for his free webinar by subscribing to his newsletter here:https://genaitraining.co.nz/webinar
Delanie Fischer is joined by Literary Agent and Best-Selling Author, Lindsey Smith, to respond to your questions about the publishing and podcasting industries, share their experience with creative entrepreneurship, and offer a peak behind the curtain of their new book, MockTales: 50+ Literary Mocktails Inspired by Classic Works, Banned Books, and More. They're Addressing Questions Like:+ How To Find A Lit Agent, Self vs. Traditional Publishing, and More+ Making Money As A Podcaster, Streamlining Processes, and More+ Navigating Fluctuating Finances, Prioritizing Projects, and MoreMockTales is now available on Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon, and most places where books are sold: https://www.delaniefischer.com/Vote on topics, submit questions for guests, and more: https://www.patreon.com/selfhelplessYour Host, Delanie Fischer: https://www.delaniefischer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Have you ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the myths and challenges of publishing?Many aspiring authors believe that getting a book published guarantees success, but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, we debunk common publishing myths with Terry Whalin, an acquisitions editor, bestselling author, and industry expert with decades of experience. Discover the real path to publishing success and how to take control of your own writing journey.Learn why taking 100% responsibility for your book's success is the key to thriving in publishing.Discover the difference between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and independent publishing, and how to choose the best path for you.Uncover actionable strategies to market your book effectively, build your author platform, and avoid common publishing pitfalls.Don't let publishing myths hold you back! Tune in now to learn how to take charge of your writing career and set yourself up for success.˚KEY POINTS AND TIMESTAMPS:02:59 - The Wake-Up Moment: Taking Responsibility for Book Success07:21 - The Power of Consistency in Writing and Blogging13:30 - Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Weighing the Options18:39 - Debunking Publishing Myths: Making Money from Books25:31 - Actionable Steps for Book Marketing and Promotion27:25 - Are You a Writer Only If You Publish a Book?29:16 - Turning Blog Entries into a Book30:56 - Where to Find More Resources on Publishing˚MEMORABLE QUOTE:"Talk less and listen more. There's a lot of wisdom that we can gain from other people rather than talking ourselves."˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Mastery Seekers Tribe: https://masteryseekerstribe.com˚Want to be a guest on Personal Development Mastery?Send Agi Keramidas a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/personaldevelopmentmastery˚Personal development inspiration, insights, and actions to implement for living with purpose.˚Support the showPersonal development insights and actionable inspiration to implement for self-mastery, living authentically, finding your purpose, cultivating emotional intelligence, building confidence, and becoming authentic through healthy habits, meditation, mindset shifts, spirituality, clarity, passion discovery, wellness, and personal growth - empowering entrepreneurs, leaders, and seekers to embrace happiness and fulfilment.Join our free community "Mastery Seekers Tribe". To support the show, click here.
I'm taking signups for my ARC team if you're interested. Also some analyses on books I've been reading and some advice for the newbie-r writers out there on not trying to do too much. Also, keeping secrets too long.The ARC Team signup form is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3qh21bQ8g02eg3z_sej824qOaytfm1RhVjUKVcFIvM3GnJA/viewform
Video episode and more on patreon.com/agitator Live commentary on the first couple minutes of Tokyo Mafia 2: Wrath of the Yakuza. Brad Pitt as Alfredo Garcia. Sam Peckinpah's memorial service. Stefon King. Q-tip tampons and building a brand. Fuck, Marry, Kill. The physical logistics of Russian Roulette. Traditional publishing vs the entrepreneurial spirit. Keep up with the Agitator boys and friends: brokenriverbooks.com jdavidosborne.com kelbylosack.com The story "Podunk News" by Gadfly as read in the episode: https://www.hobartpulp.com/web_features/podunk-news Our latest Rare Candy appearance as referenced: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pgp0IDsf51x1nalnGRQaG?si=ZckBlbpeQ3ap5J3EAJjN9Q NOVEL MARKETING: Indie Publishing vs Traditional Publishing: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5L4CE0CktetNB3hWwJHZo2?si=eInOXofoQ0aOqJ9YdVZTxA The only good MOVIES podcast: https://www.patreon.com/c/lowres/posts This episode's theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2bkhRBHE2Q
To indie publish or traditionally publish? That is the question.For years, indie publishing was seen as a fallback for authors who couldn't land a traditional contract. But times have changed. Many indie authors now outsell and out-earn their traditionally published counterparts.And yet, while many traditionally published authors are switching to indie, it's far less common to see a successful indie author sign with a major publisher.What would make an indie author turn down a traditional publishing deal?I spoke with Scott LaPierre, an author and conference speaker, to find out.In this week's episode, we discuss:The biggest myths about traditional publishingHow signing a contract affected book salesTraditional publishing's take on pricing and marketingThe cost of getting your rights back and why it mattersScott gives a first-hand account of working as a traditional and indie author and where he landed after experiencing both routes.If you've ever wondered which path is right for you and your book, listen in or read the blog version of our conversation.Support the show
Editing is an essential process to writing a book. Contrary to what a lot of authors think, there might be several rounds of edits before a book hits the shelves. Today I'm talking with Stacy Juba to get more information about that as well as editing tips for authors, both indie and traditionally published. You can find Stacy Juba's Book Editing Blueprint here: https://katcaldwell.com/blueprintFind her editing masterclass here: https://katcaldwell.com/editing-masterclassFind her line editing magic freebie here: https://katcaldwell.com/line-editingYou can find all of Stacy's courses at https://www.shortcutsforwriters.com/Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing
On professional jealousy (yes, it's real), that one guy who *has* to say something, and print runs in traditional publishing. What we do and don't know, the effect of print on demand, and other forms of black magic, smoke & mirrors.
We all dream of making it big with our writing, but what happens when that dream doesn't unfold the way you expect? We'll talk about how that dream didn't quite come true for one author. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry and for the latest publishing news. The debate over blurbs in publishing, explained | Vox‘It's quite galling': children's authors frustrated by rise in celebrity-penned titles | Children and teenagers | The GuardianNew RomanceCosy KinkThe acquisition of Text Publishing by Penguin Random House is part of a worrying trend in Australian publishingFree Style Sheet TemplatesFree Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks
Bestselling thriller author Sophie Flynn reveals the raw truth about publishing—traditional vs. indie, rejection, and what it really takes to succeed. As Managing Director of Jericho Writers, she's seen what separates thriving authors from those who quit. We dive into storytelling psychology, career-defining decisions, and the mindset shifts every writer needs. ABOUT SOPHIE FLYNN Sophie Flynn is a psychological thriller author and the Managing Director of Jericho Writers. RESOURCES & LINKSBoldwood BooksBookoutureWhat Stays Unsaid by Sophie FlynnScrivenerSophie Hannah's Dream Author CoachingJericho Writers For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!
The RELUCTANT WIZARD audiobook is available wide! Preorder NEVER THE ROSES at B&N for 35% off today only! Also, my editorial meeting, participation in VOW for Girls, and the unbearable loudness of casita-building.Through today only, the B&N donation code for 35% off a print preorder is PREORDER25 The VOW for Girls donation link is here: vowforgirls.org/jeffe-kennedy Darynda Jones's Kickstarter is here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darynda/the-beep-and-osh-trilogy-exclusive-collectors-editionsVisit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar and MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/magic-rebornThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/U2oq3f_3MhQSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
I've started a few different novels, and I've hit some snags. I've had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I'm going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it's affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense.LinksLex Out Loud is now on Spotify.Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.Join my Book Club.How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.Support the show.Join my Discord server.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
All about my Marketing & Publicity meeting with Tor/Bramble, my upcoming editorial meeting and how creative angst is just a fact of life and never goes away. Also, two more books/series out on submission and can I finish STRANGE FAMILIAR in time???Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar and MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/magic-rebornThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/7Y1sSCRrPm8Support the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
Unlock the secrets to writing a book that boosts your business and positions you as a thought leader! In this episode of Command Your Brand, host Josh Silvestro talks with Courtney St. Croix, founder of LeadHer Publishing, about how entrepreneurs and professionals can leverage books to grow their business, establish credibility, and connect with their audience on a deeper level. Learn the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing, how to craft a book that serves your ideal reader, and even how to manage your time as a busy professional to make your author dreams a reality. Whether you're looking to enhance your brand, share your expertise, or create a lasting legacy, this conversation is packed with actionable tips to help you write and publish a book that truly makes an impact. Ready to take the next step in building your business empire? Start your journey to becoming a bestselling author today! Don't forget to subscribe for more expert advice, and let us know in the comments how you plan to use your book to boost your brand. #selfpublishing #selfpublishingmistakes #indieauthor #selfpublishingsuccess #publishingmotivation CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction of Courtney St. Croix 00:59 - Courtney's Background 04:08 - Why Write a Book: Purpose and Motivation 06:38 - What to Write About: Finding Your Topic 09:32 - How to Position Your Book: Marketing Strategies 15:31 - Pros and Cons of Writing a Book: Benefits and Challenges 18:08 - Finding Time to Write a Book: Time Management Tips 22:02 - Traditional Publishing vs Self Publishing: Key Differences 27:17 - Writing a Book Before or After Starting a Business: Timing Considerations 29:14 - Ideal Book Length: Guidelines and Recommendations 31:10 - Common Mistakes in Writing a Book: Avoiding Pitfalls 32:38 - Success Story: Inspirational Example 34:58 - Outro: Key Takeaways 38:59 - End ________________________________________________________________________ ⇩ LOOKING TO COMMAND YOUR BRAND? ⇩ BOOK A CALL: With Our Team to See How We Can Help https://commandyourbrand.com/book-a-call/ BOOK: Grab Your Copy of Our Book, Command Your Brand: Grow Your Impact, Income and Influence in the New Media Landscape, Rated the # PR Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Command-Your-Brand-Influence-Landscape/dp/B0CJXGKD15 ________________________________________________________________ DOWNLOAD AUDIO PODCAST & GIVE A 5 STAR RATING!: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/command-your-brand/id1570323509 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wE8jDVdlpsDCmNx8sYZTQ?si=41fd776e1a6b43be (also available Google Podcasts & wherever else podcasts are streamed _________________________________________________________________ ⇩ OTHER VIDEO PLATFORMS ⇩ ➤ RUMBLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rInZbdlLiU _________________________________________________________________ ⇩ SOCIAL MEDIA ⇩ ➤ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CYBmedia ➤ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/commandyourbrand ➤ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/commandyourbrand _________________________________________________________________ ➤ CONTACT: INFO@COMMANDYOURBRAND.COM
My guest today, MT Solomon, talks about her latest book, Liar Queen, and what it's like to be both traditionally and indie published at the same time.You can find out more about MT and order Liar Queen at https://themtsolomon.com/works/liar-queen/Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing
Updates on NEVER THE ROSES and the challenges of making bonus content. Also, reflections on housework, the contempt for expertise in the home, and being taught and *learning* the best way to do something.Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiar and MAGIC REBORN at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/magic-rebornThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/M2Ba-ENQozcSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
In this episode, we spoke to romantic fantasy author Imani Erriu, author of the recently released Heavenly Bodies, the first book in her beloved series of the same name. Imani is a lover of the fantasy genre (both as a reader and a writer), and her writing rose to virality on TikTok after she shared a single scene from her unfinished manuscript! Imani's next book, Fallen Stars, is the second in this five-book series. Heavenly Bodies is available in Canada and the US via Penguin Random House. Imani told us all about her writing journey, moving from indie publishing to traditional publishing, using astrology as writing inspiration, creating her own mythology for her world, advice on world-building, and much, much more! We had a great time chatting with Imani and sharing our own interest in astrology and love of the fantasy genre. Tune in to this invigorating interview – especially if you're a fantasy fan! Learn more on Imani's website and follow Imani on TikTok and Instagram.
Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this week's episode, I sit down with bestselling author J.D. Barker to explore the art of fearless storytelling and the ever-changing landscape of publishing. We delve into how asking 'What if?' fuels great stories, J.D.'s unique approach to navigating both Traditional and Indie publishing, and why building a brand is essential for authors. J.D. also shares invaluable advice for aspiring Indie authors, his thoughts on the future of publishing, and how autism shapes his creative journey. Join us for a deep dive into the mind of a master storyteller and discover & be inspired by the secrets behind J.D. Barker's success. Visit J.D.'s website here: https://jdbarker.com/ Follow J.D. on social media here: Facebook and Instagram Preorder J.D's book Something I Keep Upstairs here: https://jdbarker.com/books/something-i-keep-upstairs/ Enter to win a stay in the haunted house that inspired Something I Keep Upstairs here: https://woobox.com/vcevs2 Find J.D.'s other books here: https://jdbarker.com/books/ Resources mentioned in this episode: · Grab Stephen King's book On Writing here: https://amzn.to/3C4rjVW · Grab Stephen King's book Fairy Tale here: https://amzn.to/40flNI6 · Check out my Author Resources page here: https://jobuer.com/author-resources/ **Please note: Some of these links may be affiliate links that help support the show. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and is greatly appreciated. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, or a topic suggestion for a future episode, leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AlchemyForAuthors Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Follow me on Facebook: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/
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I'm burbling away today all the great stuff going on with NEVER THE ROSES - including the *super cool* Owl Crate edition plans, updates on the upcoming cover reveal, UK release, audiobook (dual narration!) and why working with traditional publishing can be so great.The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/5jV7HyF7tKISupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
Text us a review. Ep#225: Join hosts, Helen Edwards and January Liddell for this audio episode of their live recording event covering four different types of publishing: Traditional publishing, Self-publishing, Hybrid publishing, and Collaborative Anthology Publishing.You can now ‘Text Us a Review.' Or leave us a review on any of our audio and video platforms. Thank you for listening. If you would like to support our show, click the links below. Disclaimer: The hosts of this show are not doctors, therapists, psychologists, lawyers, or medical professionals of any kind. Although some of our guests are professionals in these areas, be advised if you have any life-threatening medical conditions or mental health, please see your doctor. National Suicide Hotline: 988Helen Edwards is the International Author of Nothing Sexier Than Freedom and Host to the Sexy Freedom Media Podcast and Your Morning Sauce. For more information click here: https://linktr.ee/sexyfreedommedia January Liddell is a Financial Expert, author, and military wife. More info click here: https://januaryliddell.com/Join Our Facebook Group: Sexy, Successful, and Soul Fed Support the show "Buy us a coffee"https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Helofajourney https://www.buymeacoffee.com/januarylidl Support the show
Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this week's episode, I chat with author Kendra Vaughan about her debut novel, The Plymbury Witch. Kendra also shares the pros and cons of doing an MFA, why she chose Indie Publishing over Traditional Publishing, and how a magical life has shaped her author career. Visit Kendra's website here: https://kendravaughan.com/ Grab your copy of The Plymbury Witch here: https://kendravaughan.com/the-plymbury-witch Listen to Kendra's Spotify Playlist for The Plymbury Witch here. Connect with Kendra on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/authorkendravaughan Connect with Kendra on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/kendravaughanauthor Other recommended resources: · Buy Relax to Riches by Renee Rose here. · Buy Write to Riches by Renee Rose here. · Looking for writerly gift ideas? Visit my Author Resources page here: https://jobuer.com/author-resources/ · Join the Money Magic Membership and get one month FREE when you use the coupon code JO at checkout, here. ** Please note: Some links may be affiliate links If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and is greatly appreciated. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, or a topic suggestion for a future episode, leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AlchemyForAuthors Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Follow me on Facebook: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/
This week Erin M. Evans, B. Dave Walters, and Treavor Bettis answer questions about Outline Endings,Traditional Publishing, and Secondary Plots. Starring: Erin M Evans (Empire of Exiles, Brimstone Angels) https://twitter.com/erinmevans B. Dave Walters (A Darkened Wish, Black Dice Society) https://twitter.com/BDaveWalters Treavor Bettis (Difficulty Class, Champions of Lore) https://twitter.com/TheTreavor Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/MdSVsfpTzu Email: writingaboutdragonsandshit@gmail.com Buy Relics of Ruin! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Relics-Ruin-Books-Usurper-2/dp/031644104X Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/relics-of-ruin-erin-m-evans/1143299833?ean=9780316441049 Check out B. Dave's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bdavewalters Enroll in B. Dave's 14 Day Writer: https://www.theundisputedacademy.com/14-day-writer-home-page
In this episode, hosts and guests dive into Thomas J. Devans' new project, The Dregs - exploring the creative and logistical challenges of cover art, the themes in his book, and the complexities of the publishing world. They touch on the writing process, genre transitions, and how independent authors can maintain visibility. The episode is infused with humor and deep insights into both traditional and self-publishing.Buy The Dregs: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Thomas-J-Devens-ebook/dp/B0DHV3YBJXFind Thomas: https://fallofemros.blogspot.com/Find Fletcher: https://michaelrfletcher.com/Find Chris: https://www.youtube.com/@chrismohan and https://www.youtube.com/@TheChronicleofChrisFind Jarrod: https://www.youtube.com/@thefantasythinkerKey Takeaways:Cover Art & Marketing: Effective cover art is essential; stock image use presents unique challenges.Book Structure: Each book in Devans' series can stand alone, providing flexibility to readers.Writing & Experience: Personal experiences shape the writing process and influence content.Genre Transitions: Switching genres is challenging but can yield creative rewards.Visibility Strategies: Keeping a backlog of work helps sustain author visibility.Sales & Reviews: Independent authors often face challenges tracking sales; a single positive review can significantly boost book visibility.Humor & Dark Themes: Humor can be an effective tool, even within darker storylines.Publishing Realities: The path to publishing is full of surprises and requires resilience.Community & Collaboration: Authors benefit from critique, pre-sales strategies, and relationships within the writing community. Helping others is valuable but requires clear boundaries.Creative Dedication: Passion and dedication are vital in the creative process, as is recording ideas for future use.Self-Publishing Evolution: Modern tools have made self-publishing more accessible, offering creative freedom while demanding patience and strategic effort.Contract Literacy: Understanding publishing contracts is critical for authors.Launching a Book: Celebrating a launch is a distinct experience, varying widely among authors.Learning & Growth: Insights from experienced editors and constructive critique help writers develop their skills.Send us a textSupport the showPageChewing.comPAGECHEWING: Comics & Manga PodcastFilm Chewing PodcastLens Chewing on YouTubeSpeculative Speculations PodcastBuy me a coffeeLinktreeJoin Riverside.fm
In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we dive into a crucial question for authors pursuing the traditional publishing route: How much do you pay a literary agent? We'll explore not only the cost but also the value that literary agents bring to the table, the benefits of working with them, and how to ensure you're getting a good fit for your book and career.By the end of this episode, you'll know:What a literary agent does and how they help you land a traditional publishing dealThe typical commission structure for literary agents (hint: it's usually on both of your advance and royalties)The red flags to watch out for when evaluating agents, especially when it comes to feesKey questions to ask when deciding if a literary agent is a good fit for youHow to find the right literary agent for your genre and goalsSubmit a Question. Ask a question to be featured on the podcast. Ask HereLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Sara Gentry is a Math Ph.D. turned Author Accelerator certified book coach for fiction, memoir, and nonfiction book writers. She uses her analytical and logical superpowers to help writers structure their ideas into a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with their audience. Sara is the host of KidLit Summer Camp and Novel Kickoff, and she is a member of the SCBWI, 12x12 Challenge, and WFWA writing communities. You can connect with Sara on her website (solutionsforwriters.com), and on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter @writewithsara. Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing
After years of listening to Brad and Dave extoll the virtues of self-publishing, a ComicLab listener signed with a corporate publisher. Poor sales and paltry marketing left them dissatisfied, so of course, they wrote in with one burning question: Who should I sign with next? Also, should you ever explain a joke?TopicsThe first publisher was a disappointment... and we want to try it againillustrated novelsUPDATE: The USPTO has canceled Marvel and DC‘s trademark filing for superhero Should you EXPLAIN A JOKE when someone says, “I don't get it?"SummaryIn this episode of Comic Lab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the intricacies of publishing comics, publishers' expectations, and the benefits of self-publishing. They delve into the importance of audience engagement, the challenges of explaining jokes, and the recent trademark changes in the comic industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for creators to focus on their craft and the passion behind their work rather than getting bogged down by negative feedback or industry norms.TakeawaysPublishers may not fulfill their promotional responsibilities.Self-publishing can be more beneficial than traditional publishing.Building a passionate audience is more important than sheer numbers.Explaining a joke often diminishes its impact.Every audience member has a different understanding of humor.The quality of your work is paramount to its success.Don't let negative feedback derail your confidence as a creator.Trademark laws can significantly impact the comic industry.Engagement with your audience is crucial for success.Creativity thrives when you focus on your passion. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.
Links: Scribe Media Paul's website The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd Good Work by Paul Millerd Paul on X Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:15) - Introducing Paul, and the early days of the publishing industry. (00:06:48) - The earliest days of publishing, distribution of profit, and printing methods. (00:17:46) - The 2014 E-book collusion (00:20:27) - The self-publishing surge, the $4.99 sweet spot, and where authors can optimize. (00:24:47)- The history of paperbacks (00:37:28) - Book deals and agents (00:48:15) - The India market, publisher problems, and compounding disinterest. (01:06:06) - The future of publishing To support this podcast: >> Explore writing or publishing your book with Scribe: Scribemedia.com >> Buy a copy of the Navalmanack: www.navalmanack.com/ >> Buy a copy of The Anthology of Balaji: https://balajianthology.com/ >> Sign up for my online course and community about building your Personal Leverage: https://www.ejorgenson.com/leverage >> Invest in early-stage companies alongside Eric and his partners at Rolling Fun: https://angel.co/v/back/rolling-fun >> Join the free weekly email list at ejorgenson.com/newsletter >> Text the podcast to a friend >> Or at least give the podcast a positive review to help us reach new listeners! Here's what we explored in the episode: We dive deep into the quirky history of the publishing industry, tracing it all the way back to the 1400s. In the 19th century, authors could increase their earnings by co-investing in fixed costs, like print plates and bookbinding. Traditional Publishing has always seen hardcovers as “the real books” and sought to protect them and their profits. Trade paperback was published only after a successful hardcover, with those rights often sold separately. Self-publishing changed the game for authors, with Amazon enabling print-on-demand and much higher royalty percentages. If you are an author signing with a traditional publisher, realize YOU ARE NOT THE CUSTOMER–book retailers are their customers. Lots of authors who earned big money retained their rights. Stephen King retained his paperback rights an early successful book. After the hardcover version succeeded, he sold those rights for $400,000 Harper Lee made significant earnings from To Kill a Mockingbird by retaining movie adaptation rights. Tom Clancy held on to his film and international rights. This later became highly lucrative as his popularity grew and more of his books got adaptations. Traditional Publishers often prioritize prestige, tradition, and their profits – which doesn't always align with author's goals. Indie authors can now disregard tradition and experiment with pricing strategies to maximize reach, revenue, and their own personal results. Important Quotes from the podcast on Business and Entrepreneurship There is no skill called “business.” Avoid business magazines and business classes. - Naval Ravikant You have to work up to the point where you can own equity in a business. You could own equity as a small shareholder where you bought stock. You could also own it as an owner where you started the company. Ownership is really important. Everybody who really makes money at some point owns a piece of a product, a business, or some IP. That can be through stock options if you work at a tech company. That's a fine way to start.
Several pieces of good news here, including that the Jennifer K. Lambert website is now live! Also, a discussion of being aware of changing social media expectations and why you don't diss other authors' books. Like, ever.Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is almost here!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAYou can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authorsJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/4DjcWL5f_UkSupport the showSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!
Send me your feedback!There is no universal right or wrong way to publish your book. Self-publishing will be better for some authors while traditional publishing will be better for others. In today's episode, I'm going to share the TOP THREE factors you should take into consideration when trying to decide which publishing model is right for YOU. If you want to learn ALL the factors, be sure to download my free guide, Your Path to Publishing. The guide also explains the hybrid publishing model that I'm not discussing today. And, of course, as you listen to the episode, pray about the direction God wants you to take. Ready for the rundown? Let's dive in!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:1:1 Coaching Session - single breakthrough session to gain strategy and clarity1:1 Coaching Bundle - Your choice of 4, 12, or 24 weeks of weekly coachingConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Ink and Impact Free Facebook GroupEmail: info@inkandimpact.comWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook group for Christian writers.
Guest Brian Asman discusses his move from indie horror author to traditional publishing for his new novel GOOD DOGS (which hit stores the day this episode was released). Indie authors know the grind of doing everything by themselves, from writing to publishing to marketing to promotion and on and on. What's it like for an indie author with a hit novel under his belt to get a support team behind him? Listen in and find out. Brian's 2021 indie novel MAN, F**K THIS HOUSE put him on the map and led to his signing with Blackstone Publishing, the publisher of GOOD DOGS. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2024 by Empty Set Entertainment Make your business howl at the moon with a new domain. The GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG slashes 99% off the first year of a three-year new domain registration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz Morrow (@liz_morrow) and Ariel Curry (@arielkcurry) are the co-authors of Hungry Authors (@hungryauthors): The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book (Rowman & Littlefield).They are a special team and — with their powers combined — created a wonderful guide that is tactical, practical, and informative about how to navigate the business to get your book published.Newsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmShow notes: brendanomeara.comSupport: Patreon.com/cnfpod
Self Publishing School : Learn How To Write A Book And Grow Your Business
Ever wondered which publishing route is right for your book? Join us as we chat with Kelly Notaris, the visionary founder of KN Literary Arts, who breaks down the paths of self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid publishing. Whether you're an aspiring author or a seasoned writer, Kelly's insights will reveal how each option can elevate your status as a thought leader and help you effectively market your book in today's competitive landscape.Kelly shares the behind-the-scenes magic of book editing, from content to copy editing, emphasizing its critical role in both traditional and self-publishing. We'll discuss the tangible benefits of professional editing and how it can make the difference between a good book and a bestseller. Learn about the advantages of traditional publishing—like professional sales teams and cover designs—and discover how self-published authors can catch the eye of traditional publishers by proving their book's marketability.Finally, we explore the transformative power of ghostwriting and the potential of AI in the publishing world. Kelly's personal experiences highlight how even moderate successes can pivot an author's career toward greater opportunities. We also touch on leveraging a published book to grow your business, establish expertise, and attract clients. Get ready for a comprehensive guide to navigating the world of publishing and maximizing your book's potential!Watch the free training: https://selfpublishing.com/freetrainingSchedule a no-cost call with our team: https://selfpublishing.com/schedule Here are some links that might come in handy: Apply for a free book consultation Register for our free on-demand training Must-watch episodes: SPS 044: Using A Free + Shipping Book Funnel with Anik Singal SPS 115: Using Atomic Habits To Write & Publish A Book with James Clear SPS 127: Traditional vs. Self Publishing: Which You Should Choose with Ruth Soukup SPS 095: The Five Love Languages: Selling 15 Million Copies with Gary Chapman SPS 056: How I Sold 46M Copies of My Self Published Book with Robert Kiyosaki
A Note from James:I'm so excited. I'm like a fanboy of my favorite TV show of the year. It's called Dark Matter, and it's on Apple TV Plus. I don't know how to describe it. It's a thriller, it's drama, it's science fiction, and it's emotional. It's just a well-written show. Every episode's a cliffhanger, and it's based on one of my favorite novels, Dark Matter, by one of my favorite novelists, Blake Crouch. Blake was also involved in writing the TV show. Blake agreed to come on the podcast, and we talk all things writing, thrillers, Dark Matter, TV, publishing, and he answered all my questions about my favorite show and his writing process. Here's Blake.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher interviews Blake Crouch, the mastermind behind the novel and TV adaptation of "Dark Matter." They discuss the intricacies of writing thrillers, the challenge of adapting a beloved novel for the screen, and the science and emotion behind the concept of the multiverse. Blake shares his insights into the creative process, his experiences with traditional and self-publishing, and the importance of emotional resonance in storytelling. Whether you're a fan of "Dark Matter" or an aspiring writer, this episode offers a deep look into the mind of a successful author navigating the intersection of science fiction and human experience.What You'll Learn:The creative process behind writing and adapting "Dark Matter" for television.Insights into the multiverse theory and its narrative potential.The emotional and existential questions that drive Blake's storytelling.The evolution of Blake's writing career from self-publishing to mainstream success.The balance between science fiction concepts and human emotions in creating compelling stories.Chapters:02:39 Exploring the Multiverse Concept05:21 Character Development and Performance08:52 Blake Crouch's Writing Journey16:07 Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing22:58 Defining the Thriller Genre29:43 The Art of Surprising the Reader33:12 The Art of Surprising Readers34:03 Cliffhangers vs. Surprises35:01 The Challenge of Writing Endings35:59 The Value of a Great Book36:59 Exploring Existential Questions38:36 The Science of Gene Editing43:29 The Appeal of Wayward Pines45:23 The Complexity of Plot Twists50:23 The Writing Process55:35 The Impact of Success01:00:04 Conclusion and Future WorksAdditional Resources:Blake Crouch's Official WebsiteWayward Pines SeriesRecursion by Blake CrouchUpgrade by Blake Crouch ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
A Note from James:Charlie Hoehn has quietly become the go-to expert on self-publishing your book. Charlie has worked with some of the best authors out there, like Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, David Goggins, Ramit Sethi, and Cody Sanchez. Charlie has touched every part of the book-making process—from coming up with the right idea to marketing the book in the most efficient and high-quality way.I've been writing books for over 20 years, and in this one-hour podcast, Charlie gave me so many new ideas I had never thought of before. This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about writing a book. Share it with your friends who are authors or aspiring authors, and be sure to check out Charlie's site, charliehoehn.com, where you can subscribe to his newsletter and all his self-publishing tips. This is important stuff to listen to.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Charlie Hoehn, the self-publishing maestro who has helped best-selling authors like Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin bring their book ideas to life. Charlie shares his unique approach to self-publishing, offering insights that go beyond the traditional publishing route. He discusses the power of crafting compelling book titles, the importance of building a personal brand through your writing, and how to market your book effectively without a massive budget. Whether you're an established author or just starting, Charlie's strategies will help you rethink the entire book creation process and achieve self-publishing success.What You'll Learn:How to effectively self-publish a book and the advantages over traditional publishing.The art of crafting compelling book titles that attract readers.Strategies for marketing your book on a budget.The importance of building a personal brand through your writing.How to use personal stories and experiences to create a powerful and relatable narrative.Chapters:[00:01:30] Introduction to Charlie Hoehn: The Self-Publishing Expert[00:02:47] Catching Up: Life Updates and Personal Challenges[00:05:21] The Quest: Rediscovering Chess Mastery[00:10:12] The Power of Play: Transforming Anxiety into Joy[00:20:35] The Art of Book Marketing: Testing Titles and Strategies[00:31:00] Navigating Criticism and Resilience[00:43:06] The Benefits and Challenges of Self-Publishing[00:58:25] Starting Your Book Journey[01:10:33] Structuring and Drafting Your Book[01:18:15] Writing for Your Former Self[01:23:50] Building a Tribe Through Your Book[01:32:40] Finding Your Unique Voice[01:40:17] The Power of Personal Experience[01:50:30] Additional Resources for Aspiring AuthorsAdditional Resources:Charlie Hoehn's WebsiteJames' "How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days" CourseHelpThisBook.comINeedABookCover.comTim Ferriss's BooksSeth Godin's BlogDavid Goggins's Book "Can't Hurt Me"Ramit Sethi's “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn