Write the Damn Book Already: Recent Episodes
Elizabeth Lyons
Writing, publishing, and marketing a book doesn’t have to be complicated and overwhelming. From myths and misconceptions, to practical tips and sound strategies, to the REAL reasons you likely still haven’t written and released your amazing story, Elizabeth Lyons (5X author, book writing coach, and the founder of Finn-Phyllis Press) is here to help you untangle the process by untangling yourself.
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Eli McCann never planned to write a novel. He wrote one chapter kind of, maybe, to prove to himself he couldn't. But when he handed it to his husband, who both laughed and cried reading it, his curiosity and determination grew.
That chapter became Stitched, his debut novel about competitive quilting, unlikely friendships, and found family. The story of how it got published is required listening for any first-time author who's ever been told to change their book to make it more marketable.
We talk about the year Eli spent building a storytelling following before he had a book to sell, the agent who warned him publishing has a bias problem against older women (and how unfortunately correct she turned out to be), why he refused to rewrite his book into something it wasn't just to land a deal, and what it was actually like to narrate his own audiobook, complete with dialogue-heavy scenes from multiple distinct voices.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Ten books in, Meg Mitchell Moore still doesn't know what her plot is going to be when she starts writing.
Meg Mitchell Moore has published ten novels. And she still starts most of them with no idea what's going to happen. No outline, no plot, sometimes not even a reason her characters are in the room together. She figures it out as she goes, often with her agent's or editor's help.
If that sounds like it shouldn't work, that's kind of the point of this conversation. It does work. It's worked ten times! And I love how honest Meg is about the fact that her first drafts are a mess and revisions are where it all comes together.
We also get into the parts of book publishing that show up in very few highlight reels. Meg talks about learning, book by book, how much of a "big author moment" (the 10-city tour, the massive publisher push) is actually the author funding it themselves. She talks about the fear of writing a book with no contract attached to it, and how that fear doesn't necessarily go away with experience.
We talk about the business-versus-art tension every working writer eventually has to make peace with, and why the current pace of the industry has authors feeling more frantic than they perhaps did fifteen years ago, even as the community itself has gotten more supportive.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This episode quickly got personal because I'm elbow-deep in my first novel after six nonfiction books, and Angela Brown writes the kind of fiction that makes one feel quite seen.
Angela is the author of Olivia Strauss Is Running Out of Time, Some Other Time, and her newest, Ways to Find Yourself. And I will fully admit I read the prologue the night before we recorded and had a moment. Not a cute moment. A "why am I like this" moment. So we start there, obviously.
But this conversation goes way past my feelings about her book (though we do talk about her characters, her sneaky habit of naming them after real people in her life, and the "what if" questions that kick off each of her novels). We get into the actual mess of writing fiction: how she doesn't always know where a story is headed when she starts it, the time an entire book arrived in the shower (why does all our best thinking happen there?) and she wouldn't leave her desk for two hours because she was afraid it would vanish, and the moment (mid-draft) when she realized the book wasn't broken—she was just writing from the wrong point of view.
We also talk about her MFA (Was it worth it?), the myth that there's one right way to write a book, and how she's getting much better at saying one simple word: no.
Oh, and stick around for the end. You'll walk away saying "no ploblem" for the rest of your week. You're welcome.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
TV writer, screenwriter, and author Eric Garcia has published six books (so far). He sold three of them to Hollywood and somehow still managed to write his latest novel entirely by accident. He set out to write a short story. Then it got longer. Then it was a novella. Then it was 80,000 words and he had to admit he'd written a whole book, mostly at night, while still juggling film and TV work.
We also talk about what's changed in publishing since his Random House days (Hint: mid-list used to mean stable; now everyone's terrified of it), why chasing trends is a losing game when a book takes years to reach shelves, and why there are no rules for how long a chapter should be, except the one that matters: Don't make me want to stop reading.
We also bond hard over the Oxford comma as well as the correct use of "less" and "fewer." I nearly combust with joy over our shared grammar rage.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I chat with children's book author and illustrator Erin Thorburn. (She also happens to be my best friend.) We wax not so poetic on book writing, publishing, marketing children's books (her lane, not mine), and navigating the creative industry with humor and properly set expectations.
CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Challenges of publishing (and marketing) children's books
- Marketing strategies for authors
- The myths (and, of course, truths) of our experiences building both confidence and community
- How to navigate industry egos and rejection without making it mean you should quit (or just plain quitting)
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Nadia Hashimi's newest novel (her seventh published book), City of Widows (William Morrow), releases in July 2026.
She's already published four books for adults: The Pearl that Broke Its Shell (which is an international bestseller), When the Moon in Low, A House Without Windows, and Sparks Like Stars, as well as two middle grade novels, One Half from the East and The Sky at Our Feet.
Our conversation was both fascinating and enlightening as we talked about Afghan culture, the importance of discipline in creative work, and Nadia's writing process. As a mom of four and pediatrician, her schedule most certainly doesn't allow for "easy" writing blocks, and her encouraging, honest words will no doubt reassure new and seasoned authors alike.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, Ann Garvin (who will release her 7th novel, Tell Two Friends, in September 2026 with Lake Union) discloses the often messy, unglamorous truth of how a story actually starts. For her, that's usually as some tiny thing Ann can't stop thinking about, long before it has a plot or even characters attached to it.
We talk about how to take that one nagging "kernel" of fascination and slowly build a book around it, and why your characters' flaws are usually what make readers care. Ann also walks through a deceptively useful trick for getting unstuck: asking, "What's the worst possible thing that could happen to this character right now?" (and then doing that to them).
Whether you write memoir, self-help, or fiction, this conversation is really about the same question every writer eventually has to answer: What am I actually fascinated by, and am I brave enough to explore it further? No matter how you're published or what genre you're writing, the part about having to sit down and write the damn book is the same for everyone!
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
The woman. The myth. The legend: Jordan Roter.
She's a TV writer, screenwriter, author, and one of the funniest and most genuine people I know. I truly could talk to her for days (and I'd like to, as it would preclude the need any sort of formal abdominal workout).
Her novel, Moms Like Us (2025, Little A), was recently optioned for the screen, and she's back to give her hot takes on:
- Midlife transitions (welcome, all my fellow perimenopause travelers!)
- Self-publishing versus traditional publishing
- The currently hot TV shows I was previously afraid to watch (Heated Rivalry, Off Campus, and Euphoria)
- Navigating publicity and marketing as an author
- The importance of remembering that you only need 1 "yes"
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this heartfelt interview, author Cinelle Barnes shares her journey through writing A Way Home (Little A, June 9, 2026), a heart-wrenching memoir about remembering and rebuilding a life after everything known disappears in a flash.
Her latest memoir takes us alone with her as she recovers from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm. But her journey was far more than physical. It's the healing of soul, of body, of identity. It's a woman/mother/daughter/immigrant/writer redrawing the map of herself. The mere existence of this book is a triumph, and the beautiful magic of it is a feat of awe.
Cinelle is also the author of Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir and Malaya: Essays on Freedom.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, Elizabeth Lyons and Liz Lawson discuss Liz's journey from YA to adult fiction (It Happened One Murder, July 2026), the realities of book launches, and insights into the publishing industry. She shares personal experiences, misconceptions about launch days, and the evolving landscape of genre categories.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
- Transitioning from YA to Adult Fiction
- Understanding Reader Expectations
- The Differences in Writing YA vs. Adult
- Navigating Genre and Audience
- The Evolution of YA and Adult Fiction
- The Challenge of Engaging Young Readers
- The Complexity of Book Marketing
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, Joan F. Smith, author of Your Soulmail is Attached (her debut adult novel), shares her journey through the publishing world, her writing process, and insights into navigating multiple editors, genres, and the realities of a writing career.
TOPICS COVERED
- Writing process and outlining techniques
- Navigating multiple editors and genre shifts
- Balancing income and writing career
- Handling feedback and critique partners
- Publishing industry insights and author experiences
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Louise Marburg has spent years devoted to the short story form. So naturally, she accidentally wrote a novel. Her debut, Fancy Meeting You, features Laura Harrigan: a psychiatrist, mother of twin boys, and pathological liar who apparently had too much personality to stay confined to a short story. Louise and I talked about what it was like to finally write a character she didn't want to let go of, and why she'd actually consider a sequel (which, she says, she'd never say about anything else she's written).
We also got into the bigger picture stuff: the current state of publishing, why small presses are having a real moment, and why luck is a bigger factor in this industry than most people want to admit. Louise is refreshingly clear-eyed about the money side of writing (hint: making loads of money isn't the point), and her take on what a publicist is actually for might shift the way you think about hiring one!
Plus we talked AI, the two completely separate industries that both call themselves "the book world," and what Louise is reading right now—including one very famous book she was not a fan of (because no book is for everyone!).
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If you've ever thought "I could write a book about this" while watching a reality TV show at 10pm, you're going to love this episode!
Amy Mass spent years writing for TV (you might recognize "The Goldbergs" and "Last Man Standing" from her credits), and after relocating from LA to a charming small town outside Atlanta during COVID, she channeled all of that storytelling experience into her debut novel, Reality Bites, out May 12, 2026 from Harper Perennial.
In this episode, Amy and I talk about what it actually looked like to make the leap from TV writer to novelist, including writing three books and two movies in four years, going out on submission, shelving her first manuscript, and finally landing a deal with a major publishing house.
We also get into her writing process (she's both a pantser and a plotter), why she writes dialogue first, and how she keeps a running collection of joke scraps and character notes scattered across her phone, her laptop, and random Post-its around the house.
We also talk about what it was like getting notes from her agent and her editor, and how to push back on notes without being precious about it. Her phrase "find the note behind the note" is one to hold onto!
And then we get into the part that surprises most authors: how much marketing is still on you. Amy was genuinely caught off guard by how much time, energy, and social media hustle a book launch requires—even with a publicity team in your corner.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Most authors don’t realize that publishing isn’t just about writing a book. Before long, it often becomes a full-on entrepreneurial rollercoaster.
In this episode, I talk with Allie Hill, author of the Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting, about what really happens after you hit "publish." She reveals what surprised her, what flopped, and what secretly skyrocketed her confidence.
This episode is perfect for first-time authors, seasoned writers, or anyone curious about the gritty truth behind that glossy book cover.
(And just wait until you hear her book recommendation from the "What I'm Reading Now" segment!)
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Rachel Beanland has written three novels (her newest, The Half Life, releases on July 14, 2026 from Simon & Schuster), and she's still surprised by how much each book teaches her.
In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to challenge yourself as a writer—specifically, her decision to write her latest novel, The Half-Life, in first person for the first time.
(As I've recently learned while working on my own novel, it's harder than it sounds, and Rachel has the perfect explanation as to why.)
We also get into how personal history shapes fiction (her first novel grew out of a family tragedy from nearly a century ago), why a strong sense of place isn't optional, and what happens when you trust your instincts even when the process feels messy as hell.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Rachel Weaver wrote her memoir Dizzy at a seven-day writing residency in Wyoming where she was, by her own description, "the depressed one in the corner the whole time." The (ultimate) result? A beautifully structured, deeply honest book about chronic illness, power dynamics, and what it takes to keep living the life you want even when your body has other plans.
In this conversation, we dig into the craft and business of writing memoir. Rachel talks about why she swore she'd never write one, what finally changed her mind, and the specific structural problem that kept the book feeling like "just a story about me" for years.
We also get into the pitch that got her on this podcast (four sentences, total), what it actually means when agents say a genre is "hard to sell," why bringing in outside eyes too early can kill your momentum, and what her writing group friend Erika Kraus said about her early draft that I am going to be repeating for the rest of my life.
If you're writing a memoir and you've wondered how to make it about something bigger than yourself without losing your own story in the process, this episode's for you.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If your book has been sitting in a half-finished state for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode is for you.
I'm in the middle of writing my seventh book — my first real attempt at fiction — and I'm not even going to pretend it's going smoothly. In this episode, I talk about what keeps stalling the manuscript, what finally got me moving again, and what happened when I locked herself in a hotel room for a weekend to try to power through it (the pool situation was a distraction I did not anticipate).
This episode covers the writing retreat reality check. In other words:
- why booking the coziest hotel might actually work against you
- why having even a loose plan beats having none
- what it means to "zoom out" and add anchors to your story instead of obsessing over any one scene or chapter
I also talk about working with my critique partners (Neely Tubati Alexander and Ann Garvin), why their blunt feedback on a certain Ferris wheel scene was exactly what I needed, and how being too close to your own work is just an unavoidable part of the process.
Whether you're writing memoir, nonfiction, or fiction, and whether you've been at it for three months or three years, stalling is not failure. It's writing. And this episode is a reminder that literally every author goes through it.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Lori is a traditionally published author of seven books whose latest novel, Kiss, Marry, Kill, releases April 7th with HarperCollins. Last time she was on the show, we talked about her novel, Romantic Friction. This time? We get into the business of publishing — the stuff most authors don't hear about until they're already in the thick of it.
Plus, what Lori does (and questions) when it comes to her own marketing hustle, and why she goes all in every launch season even when she's not sure the return is worth it.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel?
In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin’s Press and how a canceled conference sparked her fiction journey—without a soul telling her she should.
In this episode:
- How Jennifer’s fascination with medieval women and their visions inspired her novel, The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton
- The serendipitous week in London that kickstarted her writing process
- Scrapping outlines and embracing the messy, fun process of discovery
- The unexpected ease of her path to publication
- Insights into marketing a traditionally published book when the house does some of the heavy lifting (emphases on "some")
- Her thoughts on the complexity of writing multiple timelines and switching points of view
- The importance of embracing revision as part of the creative process
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Many indie authors lose sleep over the idea of getting banned on Amazon. Honestly? That fear makes sense. It's not possible to guarantee that your account would be suspended or deactivated, but if it is, there are steps you can take to rectify the situation.
In this episode, I'm breaking down what actually causes account suspensions (things you can absolutely control), the tactics some authors use to game visibility that end up backfiring spectacularly, and what to do if you find yourself on the wrong end of Amazon's AI-based decisions.
We'll cover keyword stuffing, category gaming, review-related red flags, and the not-so-obvious mistakes that put accounts at risk. Plus, what a real appeal process looks like and when it might be worth diversifying your distribution altogether.
Because here's the thing: There's almost always a way forward. If you're self-publishing and want to stay legit, steady, and sane, this one's for you.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Creative careers look glamorous from the outside. The inside is usually…a little messier.
In episode 160, I sit down with Liz Astrof, TV writer ("Stumble," "King of Queens," "Pivoting," etc.) and author of Stay-At-Work Mom, to talk about the real mechanics of building a career in entertainment and publishing. Not the highlight reel. The actual process.
Liz shares what it’s like to write for television while also stepping into the world of books. Different mediums. Different pressures. Same core truth: Good work takes time to find its footing.
We talk about the long stretch between idea and green light. The pitches that don’t land. The projects that stall. And why collaboration is both the magic and the madness of working in TV (and being an author!).
She also shares a candid look at her version of resilience. Not the motivational-poster version but the practical version, where you keep showing up, keep refining, and keep creating—even when the timeline isn’t cooperating (which, let's face it, is the one constant).
If you’ve ever wondered how creative careers actually unfold—or questioned whether persistence alone is enough—this conversation will feel familiar and encouraging in the best possible ways.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I’m joined by Emma Grey, whose newest novel, Start at the End, publishes on April 7, 2026. We talk about writing brave stories and building a creative life that can withstand rejection.
Emma shares how vulnerability fuels her fiction. Not for shock value, but how honest emotions earn their place on the page. We talk about how she approaches structure, how she stays grounded in character, and why the process of storytelling keeps evolving right alongside the writer.
We also get into rejection. The real kind, the kind that stings. Emma’s take? It’s part of the path, and it's not a verdict on your talent.
And then there’s what’s next for Emma—TV adaptation plans and the shift from prose to screen. What changes? What stays? And how do you protect the emotional core of a story when new collaborators step in?
If you’re writing something that feels personal—or wondering whether you’re resilient enough to keep going—this conversation is a must-listen.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I’m joined by U.K.-based bestselling author Alexandra Potter, known for Confessions of a Forty-Something Fk-Up and her newest release, So, I Met This Guy... We talk about her writing journey, the freedom (and risk) of genre versatility, and why she refuses to be boxed in (as should you!).
Alexandra shares how she develops characters with depth and momentum. A friend calls her the “cork board queen,” and once you hear her plotting process, you’ll understand why.
We also dive into the heartbeat of her current books: female friendships. The kind that carry you through heartbreak, reinvention, and the messy middle of midlife. She makes a strong case for why we need a female equivalent of the word “bromance.” (I've been contemplating an appropriate term ever since!)
We touch on the role of timing, the importance of community, and the ever-unpredictable path to bestseller status.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Can you write a memoir without putting your name on it?
In this episode, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear from aspiring memoirists: Can I stay anonymous? and What makes a book successful?
I break down why selling a memoir without a personal identity attached is tough. Readers connect to people, not just stories. And when the story is personal, anonymity adds a level of friction you can’t ignore.
I also share why the best memoirs often read like fiction. Strong scenes. Real tension. Clean narrative arc. Which is why, if anonymity feels non-negotiable, writing the story as fiction might actually be the smarter move.
Then there’s the success question.
Is it bestseller lists? Revenue? Or simply finishing a draft you once thought you couldn’t write?
If you’ve been circling your story but stuck on fear, privacy, or what “counts” as success, this conversation will help you ground your next step.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
It's critical to understand the dynamics of book distribution, the advantages of ebooks, and strategies for increasing sales, especially as an indie author. So in this conversation, I discuss recent updates in the self-publishing world, focusing on distribution platforms for authors, particularly the new option for ebook distribution through Bookshop.org.
The conversation also touches on the challenges indie authors face in getting their books into physical bookstores and how I suggest indie authors best utilize various distribution platforms for maximum effectiveness.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Video: How to Update Your Fonts if KDP Rejects Your Manuscript
Episode 98: Going Wide Vs. Amazon Exclusivity (KDP Select)
Getting Your Self-Published Book Into Bookstores
Author Email Toolkit: 30+ Templates for Building Buzz, Selling More Books, and Growing Your Reader List
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Sarah Vacchiano’s journey from querying 100 agents to publishing with one of the industry’s top houses is a story of patience, "luck," and the power of building genuine relationships.
In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes details of her publishing journey, including how a chance reconnection with an editor led to her debut novel’s acquisition and publication. You'll discover how her strategic persistence, timing, and a bit of serendipity turned a decade-long work into a real-life success story that defies typical timelines.
We break down:
- The unconventional path from manuscript to publication, including querying, rejection, and a six-year pause
- How the universe conspired through a friend’s recommendation to seal her deal with Little A (an imprint of Amazon)
- The magic of editorial collaboration, with insights into the intensive editing process
- The importance of vulnerability and personal growth reflected in her characters and story
- Why embracing failure and loss as part of growth unlocks opportunities we never imagined
This episode is perfect for aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating the unpredictable road to success. Sarah’s story proves that sometimes, the biggest wins happen when you least expect them.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
An elementary school librarian by day. A writer by night (and other spare moments). Somewhere in between, a whole book got written.
In episode 154, I’m joined by Cassie Miller, author of the upcoming young adult contemporary sports romance Meet Me Under the Lights (Viking, March 2026). We talk about how she balanced teaching, writing, and real life long enough to finish a novel—and then had the courage to send it into the traditional publishing world.
Cassie walks through her querying experience with refreshing honesty. The waiting. The no’s. The small wins that kept her going. And the moment it shifted from “maybe someday” to seeing her story become a real book.
We also dig into what helped her stay grounded while juggling deadlines and expectations, and why writing while working full-time didn’t disqualify her from success. Instead, it helped shape it.
This conversation isn’t about overnight breakthroughs or perfectly optimized writing schedules. It’s about showing up consistently, trusting the work, and letting progress count even when it feels slow.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Fear of failure shows up early for most authors. And despite what you may think, it doesn’t magically disappear once you’re published.
In this episode, I get honest about how fear, rejection, and unmet expectations quietly shape the writing process, especially in nonfiction and memoir. Drawing from years of editing experience (and my own hard-earned lessons), I break down why failure so often feels personal—and why that belief keeps writers stuck.
This conversation reframes failure as one thing: information. I'll challenge the myth of overnight success, name the role imposter syndrome plays for authors at every stage, and offer a more realistic definition of success—one that actually supports long-term creative work.
If you’ve ever questioned your talent, taken rejection personally, or wondered whether you’re “doing this wrong,” this episode will feel familiar in the best way.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I discuss the significance of context in the author space, emphasizing the need for transparency in marketing. I also talk about that dreaded task: building an author email list.
EPISODE CHAPTERS
01:37 - The Power of Quiet Reflection
04:09 - When Navigating the Author Space: Context Matters
10:02 - Building Your Email List: A Key to Success
15:04 - Commitment to Growth: Choosing Your Platform
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This episode starts with a question that’s been tapping me on the shoulder all year: What would it look like to choose ease without giving up momentum?
I’m reflecting on the past year in book writing and publishing, and sharing what I’m carrying forward into 2026. Less hustle-for-hustle’s-sake. More sustainable progress that feels livable.
I talk about why consistency in book sales matters more than viral spikes, and why realistic goals tend to outperform ambitious ones you can’t maintain.
There’s an honest look at marketing, too. It takes time. It’s rarely linear. And there’s no shortcut that replaces steady effort and experimentation.
Finally, I dig into the quieter side of growth: building community, focusing on connection over vanity metrics, and staying open to adapting your approach as the market (and your life) changes.
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Episode 150 provides the reset many authors quietly crave as Jenn Hanson-dePaula returns to help us modify (if not outright rebuild) our expectations, systems, and perspectives when it comes to book sales.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
• How to implement a "2 sales a day" strategy.
• Becoming "profitable, not popular." (Hint: Clicks matter. Likes and views don’t.)
• The simple link path that outperform complicated funnels every time.
• The easiest daily selling you're probably NOT doing.
We also walk through how to measure what actually moves readers, not what flatters the algorithm. Jenn breaks down clean DM workflows, repeatable content, and approaches that spark joy so you can stop force-feeding content.
We also look at the quieter parts of growth: handling criticism, building systems before you’re “big,” and treating your author life like a business, even when it still feels small.
If you want calm, clarity, and a plan that won’t chew through your energy the way I'm currently going through the pantry pack of Peppermint Patties in my freezer, this episode lands exactly where you need it.
CONNECT WITH JENN
Website: jenndepaula.com
Instagram: @jenndepaulabookmarketing
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I share 8 books that reshaped how I parent, relax, and think about storytelling in 2025.
Books:
Just Do Nothing (for Parents) by Joanna Hardis
The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram
What Happened to Lucy Vale by Lauren Oliver
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Small Victories by Anne Lamott
Moms Like Us by Jordan Roter
📚 Author Visibility Bundle (200+ customizable email and social media templates just for authors)
🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT
Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers.
🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint
Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.
*episode sponsor
✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP
You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time).
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, we walk through 5 mistakes that quietly undermine first-time self-publishers and show how to fix each one with practical, doable steps.
We start by tightening your audience with a one-sentence framework that keeps every chapter aligned to a clear promise.
From there, we map a real editing workflow: self-edit, gather targeted beta feedback on structure and flow, then bring in a professional editor who can strengthen the developmental and line work.
We also get honest about design. DIY your interior with reliable templates and checklists. But your cover? Invest in that. It needs to signal genre, earn clicks, and meet exact printer specs for spine width, trim, and image quality.
Then we dig into metadata, the quiet engine behind discoverability. Keywords, categories, and a clean description help the right readers find you on the world’s third-largest search engine.
If you’re tired of guessing and want a simpler way to publish with confidence, this conversation gives you clarity and next steps you can trust.
MENTIONED RESOURCES:
Workshop with Jane Friedman: The Indie Author’s Guide to a Standout Amazon Listing
Date: January 16, 2026
Time: 10am PST / 11am MST / noon CST / 1pm EST
Sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__NjEykZNSwSpeZ48tydhpw
Self-Publishing Starter Kit: https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/selfpublishing101
Self-Publishing Action Plan:
https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/actionplan
🗞️ The Damn Good "Can't Stop Writing" Formula
Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow:
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/chapterone
Your readers are waiting! Let's get your book published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If you’re writing a nonfiction book or memoir and your draft feels messy, scattered, or “not quite ready,” this episode will help you clean it up fast. I’m sharing 5 editing rules that instantly improve any nonfiction manuscript — the same rules I use to help guide the authors whose manuscripts I edit.
These are the patterns I’ve seen again and again after coaching hundreds of authors, editing countless drafts, and publishing six nonfiction books of my own. When you understand these rules, your writing gets clearer, tighter, and far more compelling. And most importantly, your reader stays with you.
Inside the episode, you’ll learn:
– Why your intro is probably too long
– How writing for ONE reader changes everything
– How to make each chapter deliver a single promise
– The difference between clarity and jargon
– How to end chapters with momentum (and why that matters more than you think)
If you want help starting your book, you can grab my free “Can't Stop Writing” guide here:
https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/chapterone
And if you’re ready to self-publish a book that looks and feels professional — without getting lost, overwhelmed, or making amateur mistakes — the full Publish the Damn Book Already program is here:
https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/publish
🗞️ The Damn Good "Can't Stop Writing" Formula
Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow:
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/chapterone
Your readers are waiting! Let's get your book published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Wanting life to be wonderful and wanting to be wonderful aren’t the same thing, and that gap is where today’s conversation lives.
Israeli journalist and author Lihi Lapid joins me to talk about motherhood’s messy truths, the pressure to be “more” than "good enough," and the writing choices that make a story feel honest. From bestselling novels to a children’s book that calms homes during chaotic times, Lihi's path as an author reframes what success and impact really mean.
We unpack her new book’s dual narrative: a “princess” self alongside the unfiltered woman doing dishes once the spotlight fades. It’s a sharp mirror of how we perform on the outside while wrestling with doubt inside.
This episode serves as an important reminder that grace and grit can coexist, and that being real might be the easiest, hardest, and most wonderful act of all.
🗞️ The Damn Good "Can't Stop Writing" Formula
Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow:
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/chapterone
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Your readers are waiting! Let's get your book published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Today I'm sharing 5 quick wins that make self-publishing feel simple, not scary, and show how small moves can build sustainable momentum. By the end of these 5 steps, you will have:
• locked in a clear (and easy to pronounce over and over again) working title
• chosen a credible publishing company name
• and understanding of ISBNs and taken the first step toward purchasing yours
• selected a trim size that best fits your word count
• gathered cover inspiration that guides your final design
• drafted dedication and acknowledgments pages
Want all this in writing, step by step? Just go to publishaprofitablebook.com/jumpstart to get the 5 quick wins delivered directly to your inbox, one day at a time
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Ever felt like everyone else has the secret playbook for publishing while you’re just winging it? Same.
In this episode, I spill everything I'd tell you as the author of six books (and having published 50+ for others) if I wasn't afraid you'd unfollow or outright block me.
I'll get real about the financial side of authorship—the thin margins, the myth of “making it” with one viral post, and the practical ways nonfiction authors can pair their books with courses, workshops, or speaking to create lasting impact.
And because no creative path is linear, I also dive into the human stuff: editors who disagree, 3 a.m. regrets, friends who vanish at launch. The fix for all of it? A simple but powerful rule: adopt a no-panic zone mindset.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
A single question on a cold Hudson Valley walk: What if there’s a body in that hunter’s tent? sparked the debut thriller The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar.
In this episode, we chat about how she wrote the first draft by instinct, then shifted gears into precision: charting dates, timelines, and cause-and-effect until every twist landed in a way that made sense.
When the manuscript worked its way to 100K+ words, cutting became an act of getting clarity on what stays, what goes, and how much weight the opening chapter really has to carry.
As it turns out, her years working at Starbucks trained the same muscles that make a thriller work: anticipating and executing under pressure. We talk about turning that fast-twitch instinct into a writing rhythm, plus the art of finishing one idea before chasing the next.
We also chat about how querying parallels sales strategy: staggering submissions, treating rejections as market data, and refining pages until they convert. The mindset shift from “why not me?” to “what did I learn?” keeps momentum alive until the right agent says yes.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What happens when a traditionally published debut novel suddenly appears on Kindle Unlimited while still showing wide? That unexpected twist opens into a bigger conversation about publishing decisions (and what’s actually within an author’s control).
In this episode, Turner Gable Kahn, author of The Dirty Version (Harper Perennial), shares how she honored her grandmothers with a pen name, threaded #MeToo-era questions into a contemporary romance, and wrestled with multiple endings before landing on the one that aligned with her feminist lens.
We also dig into her writing process. And, the publishing side. A sharp agent and editor helped shape her manuscript, but much to many authors' chagrin, even with a major publishing house, you’re still the one creating assets, posting, and doing the lion's share of marketing.
If you’re weighing traditional vs. indie, fighting the mid-book slump, or simply trying to finish without losing your mind, this conversation offers both clarity and solidarity.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Maid meets Under the Tuscan Sun!
Betsy Cornwell built her career writing young adult fantasy, but her newest book tells an entirely different story. In this episode, Betsy opens up about her memoir, Ring of Salt, which chronicles her escape from an abusive marriage and her creation of a sanctuary for single-parent artists.
At the center is the Old Knitting Factory in western Ireland, a historic building she transformed into a childcare-inclusive residency. What began as a crowdfunded dream became both a physical refuge and a symbol of resilience, reshaping her creative life.
Betsy also shares wisdom about the writing process itself. Teaching creative writing at the University of Galway, she knows firsthand how perfectionism derails authors and offers that waiting to write or release a book until it’s guaranteed “good” is like refusing to give birth unless you know the baby will be perfect.
This is an episode for anyone wrestling with the voice that says “not good enough.” Ring of Salt releases September 30th.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Most authors have as big a stack (if not bigger) of abandoned drafts as they do books that actually make it into the world. Jane Hamilton—bestselling author of The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World and two-time Oprah Book Club pick—is refreshingly open about that reality.
Her newest novel, The Phoebe Variations, took nearly a decade to finish. Not because she was “blocked,” but because finding the center of a story often means writing and tossing out entire versions until one finally lands. “I wrote probably seven distinct novels before I got to what it is now,” she told me.
She talks about putting “Spanx” on her drafts while acknowledging the boxes of pages she’ll likely never read again. As I always say, those pages weren’t wasted; they were the stepping stones to the book she ultimately wrote. “I just have to make it the best failure I can,” she says, “and in doing so I get to the next place.”
For writers who may also feel stuck (*raises own hand), her perspective is freeing. Writing isn’t mechanical. It’s unpredictable and sometimes maddening. But it's always a process of discovery.
Whether you’ve read Jane’s work for years or are just meeting her now, this conversation is a candid look at the messy road to great storytelling.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Copyright. Piracy. LibGen. AI scraping. If just reading that list makes you want to hide under your desk with a bottle of...something...you’re not alone. Indie authors are being forced to navigate a landscape that feels murkier by the day, and most of us didn’t exactly sign up to become copyright attorneys.
Unfortunately, the “poor man’s copyright” trick (mailing yourself a sealed copy of your manuscript) I used to suggest won’t do a thing to protect you in 2025. What does matter? Understanding when and how to formally register your copyright, what that three-month filing window really means, and how to handle it when you discover your book has been pirated.
In this episode, I break down:
- Whether copyright registration is worth the time and money for indie authors
- What to do (and what not to do) if your book shows up on LibGen or other shady sites
- The difference between healthy protection and exhausting paranoia
I’ll show you how to balance protecting your work with staying focused on what really matters—building genuine connections with readers who do want to support you.
Want to go deeper? Check out Jenn Hansen-dePaula’s conversation with attorney Olivia Maynes for a legal perspective here: https://jenndepaula.com/podcast/90
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
There are more than 42 million books on Amazon right now. So how in the world do you help your book stand out? One word: keywords.
Think of keywords as Amazon’s GPS. They tell the algorithm exactly where your book belongs and who should see it. However, Amazon only gives you seven keyword boxes to work with. Seven! Which means every slot has to pull its weight.
In this episode, I walk you through how to make those keywords work harder for you. We cover:
- Why those “optional” keyword boxes are actually non-negotiable if you want readers to find you.
- The difference between broad, hopelessly crowded terms (like romance or personal growth) and the kind of long-tail keywords that actually connect you to the right readers.
- Simple (and sometimes free) ways to research what your audience is really typing into Amazon.
- Paid (but not ghastly expensive) tools that can save you time if you want to dig deeper.
- How to maximize all 50 characters in each slot.
- The big no-nos: other authors’ names, book titles, quotation marks (all off-limits).
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Amazon ads don’t have to be complicated (or eat up your entire marketing budget) to actually sell books. In this episode, I’m sharing my approach to making Amazon ads simple(r) without endless spreadsheets, confusing dashboards, or the kind of budget that makes you wonder if you should’ve stuck with free bookmarks.
Common Questions Tackled:
- Do I really need to spend $50–$100 a day like people recommend for Meta ads? Or can I start with $2–$3 and still see results?
- How do I actually know if my ads are working?
- Everyone says to use 300+ keywords. Do I actually need that many? (No, you don't.)
- Should I even bother with ads if my book listing isn’t fully optimized yet?
- How often am I supposed to tweak campaigns?
- What’s more important: impressions and clicks, or actual conversions (aka sales)?
- Can I determine the exact words people are typing into Amazon when they find my book?
If you’ve been curious about trying Amazon ads but feel completely overwhelmed by the process, head to publishaprofitablebook.com/amazonads and see how simple this process can actually be.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Writers dream of the day they’ll hold their finished book, but few warn you about how intense the editing phase can be. In this episode, debut novelist Jill Beissel gets real about the messy, magical process of turning a rough draft into a polished novel readers will love.
Jill’s upcoming book, Glitter and Gold (out October 7!), went through what she calls “color-coded chaos”—a DIY system using highlighters, sticky notes, and sheer persistence to untangle plot issues and deepen character arcs.
She also shares what it’s like to write while raising two young kids and working full-time. Some nights she wrote 500 words, others just 50, but she kept showing up. Her writing sprints, “progress over perfection” mindset, and decision to celebrate any words written (instead of beating herself up for what she didn’t write) are what more of us need to hear.
We talk about dual timelines, beta readers, and why sometimes, the bravest thing a writer can do is shelve a manuscript after 100+ rejections and start fresh.
And if you’re near Phoenix, join her for the launch of Glitter and Gold at Changing Hands Bookstore on October 17. Come for the celebration and stay for the reminder that persistence and patience really do pay off.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Ever feel like everyone has some secret book marketing hack? Most of those “shortcuts” are just expensive detours.
In this episode, I’m calling out three distractions that keep indie authors spinning their wheels. First up: Kirkus Reviews. Are they legit? Yes. Are they worth the price for most self-published authors? Maybe. But if you're hoping a $400 review is going to move thousands of copies, well, it probably won't.
Then we dive into the Amazon Bestseller badge obsession.
Finally, we'll talk about AI. As someone who edits A LOT of manuscripts, I can spot AI-generated content from a mile away. So can readers. In publishing, the long game truly is the shortcut.
Want to learn how to actually get your book in front of the right readers? My Amazon Ads for Indie Authors course is officially open—with early bird pricing! Now live at publishaprofitablebook.com/amazonads.
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If you’re the kind of person who devours psychological thrillers but also wants to be emotionally sucker-punched (in the best way), Lauren Oliver’s What Happened to Lucy Vale needs to be on your radar.
In this episode, Lauren takes us behind the scenes of what might be her most structurally daring novel to date. Set in a small Indiana town with a possibly-haunted house at its core, Lucy Vale unspools two eerie mysteries—one set in the past, one unraveling in real time—using both traditional storytelling and a collective “we” voice (think The Virgin Suicides meets Reddit sleuth thread).
This book took years to write, and when you hear how the pieces click into place, you’ll understand why.
Through this book, she challenges us to ask: What if we’re not always the hero in someone else’s story?
We also dive into Lauren’s writing journey, which is less “neat staircase to the top” and more “rollercoaster meets overgrown hiking trail.” She talks honestly about the pressure to stick to one genre, the heartbreak of writing books that don’t land, and the weird freedom in failure. “I’d rather have a diversified breaking of my heart,” she says.
So whether you’re obsessed with fresh storytelling formats, fascinated by how online culture is warping our real-life relationships, or just here for the haunted-house vibes, What Happened to Lucy Vale is a must-read and this conversation is a must-listen.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Graham Charkosky to talk about her forthcoming memoir, Living Proof (October 21, Little A), a book written and shaped over years of writing and rewriting.
At just 11 years old, Tiffany lost her mother. For decades, she believed it was an unexplainable tragedy, until a DNA test unearthed information that changed everything. That discovery didn’t just reshape her understanding of her mother’s death; it also made her question what she might unknowingly pass on to her own children.
INSIDE THE EPISODE
- The emotional (and editorial) decision-making around what belongs in a book
- How long it took for her story to find its true shape (and why)
- The surprising speed of her publishing deal once it all came together
- How do we process loss as kids versus adults? And what happens when new information forces us to reinterpret our past?
Tiffany’s story is as deeply personal as it is universally relatable.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If you’ve been chasing the magical marketing strategy that will finally make your book “take off,” welcome to the club. In this episode, I’m addressing the question nearly every author eventually asks: What does it actually take to make a book successful?
Spoiler: there’s no guaranteed formula. Even authors with six-figure advances, NYT bestsellers, or celebrity blurbs still worry their latest book won’t sell.
So what are we really buying when we shell out thousands for a publicist? Often, it’s access and visibility, not actual sales. You can land your book in front of all the right people, and still... crickets. Why? Because readers are human. Think about how long you’ve let a book sit in your online cart before clicking “buy,” even if you really wanted to read it.
Success usually requires a mix of good writing, staying power, and yes, a little luck. But maybe it’s time we stop defining success only by sales numbers. What if it’s about writing something you’re proud of? Or connecting deeply with a few readers who say, “Your book changed me”?
Marketing will always involve experimentation. And when it starts to feel like a full-time job you didn’t apply for, you have every right to pause, pivot, or try something wildly different. Your book might find its audience next week—or three years from now—in a way you never expected.
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Miranda Cowley Heller's father was a book editor; her grandfather edited Jack Kerouac and was friends with Hemingway. That legacy, while inspiring, left her frozen when it came to pursuing her own writing.
Instead, she built a thriving career in publishing and TV, eventually heading up drama series at HBO. Then, in her 50s, she wrote the novel she’d been carrying around for years, The Paper Palace, which became a New York Times #1 bestseller and a Reese’s Book Club pick.
Now, she's returned to her first creative love—poetry—with a stunning new collection: The Deep Water Knows. “Poetry is almost like putting snapshots of your soul into the world,” she tells me.
In this episode, Miranda gets real about the myth of getting wiser with age, the vulnerability of releasing creative work into the world, and why your voice is never too late to matter.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Author Lori Gold is pulling back the curtain on publishing, in both this interview and her newest novel, Romantic Friction.
INSIDE THE EPISODE
• Yet another reason bestseller lists aren’t what you think (I didn't know this until I read her book!)
• A great tip for handing reviews without spiraling (or swearing off Goodreads forever)
• What AI is doing to authors' voices, and why it should concern all of us
• How writing happens even when you're not writing
• How Lori studies the bones of books she loves to make her own writing even stronger
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What started as sharing her story online about living with chronic illness turned into a book deal with Penguin Random House. In this episode, Gigi Robinson shares how she leveraged consistency, relationships, and a clear vision to go from content creator to published author.
Here’s what we get into:
- Why she chose to write A Kid’s Book About Chronic Illness (and how it ended up getting picked up by Penguin/DK).
- The ridiculously simple promo strategy Gigi swears by: bring the book everywhere and make it part of the conversation.
- Why she went the children’s book route to make a heavy topic more digestible.
- Her take on promotion as storytelling, not selling.
- How she filters advice from all the "experts” while staying aligned with her bigger vision.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This week, I’m joined by publicist Emily Florence, and we’re talking about how to set publicity goals before you start chasing them, why a Today Show appearance might not sell nearly as many books as you think, and how to make your marketing feel less like shouting into the void and more like having conversations that matter.
Here’s what we get into:
- Why knowing your goals (career author? credibility? visibility?) makes all the difference
- The surprising truth about big media hits (and what works better)
- Building an author platform that doesn’t rely on hacking the algorithm or pretending to be someone you’re not
- How to build a real-deal, supportive author community (no fake “collabs” required)
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz has published nearly 80 books (yes, 80), and in this episode, she shares what it really takes to build and sustain a long-term writing career. From surviving the shifting tides of publishing to protecting what gets you "in the mood" to write, she shares the kind of wisdom every author loves hearing.
INSIDE THE EPISODE:
• Melissa's advice: Don’t quit your day job until the math says you can
• Success is wonderful; it also resets with every new book
• How to protect your creative hours (8am–1pm, in her case)
• Books are logic puzzles, not lightning strikes (I love this analogy!)
• If social media isn’t fun, don’t do it. Period. (Who's cheering?)
• The final sprint before deadline is where the magic (and panic) often happen
Whether you're writing book 1 or book 71, this episode's packed with truths you'll be grateful for.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Thriller author N.L. Blandford isn't afraid to go dark—like, murder scene dark—and she absolutely loves it.
In this episode, she talks about writing gritty thrillers with complex villains you’ll root for and recoil from. Natasha never planned to become an author. She just wanted to cross “write a book” off her bucket list. Now she’s five books in, spanning multiple series, and shows no signs of slowing down.
We talk about:
- Why she never plots in advance (hint: her characters have strong opinions)
- Her secret weapon for book sales (spoiler: it’s not bookstores)
- Why she chose to publish “wide” to support Canadian platforms like Kobo
- What she’s loving and learning while writing a new series about a fictional mob family in Nova Scotia
- Why “show vs. tell” trips up so many new writers (and how she works through it)
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this no-fluff episode, publishing powerhouse Jane Friedman speaks to the aspects of writing and publishing that every aspiring author needs to hear about.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT:
- The myth of the full-time writer dream—and why your day job might be your secret weapon
- How to build an author platform without selling your soul
- The hard truth about bookstore distribution and hybrid publishing
- How sponsorships can turn your author newsletter into a profitable platform—and why subscriptions might not be the move
- What nobody tells you about post-publication anxiety (spoiler: publishing a book doesn’t magically fix your inner critic)
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, author Audrey Ingram spills the tea on what inspired her newest novel, The Summer We Ran (coming June 3, 2025). Think: teenage love, political ambition, and a dual-timeline structure that spans 25 years and manages to hit you right in the gut and makes you think.
We also dig into how Audrey traded in her life as a practicing attorney for full-time writing and mom-life. The decision to pivot careers during a pandemic? Bold. Brave. And totally intentional. Plus, it’s given her a fresh lens on fulfillment, feminism, and what it really means to choose your own adventure.
INSIDE THE EPISODE:
🎙️ Why the publishing world is actually a surprisingly supportive crew—and how connecting with fellow writers can keep you sane
🎙️ How redefining feminism helped her embrace passion over pressure
🎙️ Her 12-week first draft practice, and why editing is where the magic happens
🎙️ The role of trusted early readers (and how she uniquely approaches this step)
🎙️ How she ups the ante with every book by challenging herself structurally
🎙️ Her secret weapon for leveling up as a writer
🎙️ What she does with thoughtful reviews, and how she ensures she stays true to her own voice
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
She’s back! One of my all-time favorite guests, Neely Tubati-Alexander, returns to talk about her third novel, Courtroom Drama. As always, she brings a refreshing, no-nonsense take on staying creative and productive in the unpredictable world of publishing.
INSIDE THE EPISODE
📚 Why Neely sprints through her first drafts instead of obsessing over every word
📚 How she embraces her "pantser" style (yep, she often writes the beginning and end first, with no outline in sight)
📚 What it’s really like to write books in the cracks of everyday life, and how reality TV, genre-hopping, and real-life fascinations all sneak into her stories
📚 Using the writing of the next book to stay grounded when the release of the current one is causing stress
📚 Why research is her secret creative fuel, from courtroom procedures to video game design
📚 How the evolution of publishing is finally making room for authors to explore their full range of creativith
Neely’s approach is honest, energizing, and a great reminder that there’s no one “right” way to do this writing thing.
Follow Neely on Instagram @NeelyAlexanderWrites and look for Courtroom Drama releasing May 20th, 2025 from HarperCollins.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What happens when your first novel becomes a global sensation, and your next one takes nearly a decade?
In this episode, bestselling author Nicola Kraus (of The Nanny Diaries fame) gets delightfully honest about what it really takes to write, edit, and publish a book in today’s ever-shifting landscape. From the high highs to the humbling in-betweens, she shares what she’s learned about trusting your process (even when it’s slooooow), navigating a traditional publishing world that’s barely recognizable, and why writing in the present tense might just save your story.
Inside the episode:
- Why her latest novel took nearly a decade to write and release
- How editing is actually where the magic happens (even if it feels like a root canal)
- The sneaky power of tense, and why it matters more than you think
- What authors really need to know about publishing today (spoiler: it’s not just “write the book”)
- The simple truth about how readers find books they love
If you enjoy this episode, please follow or subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you know who has a great story but isn't sure what to do next.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This week, I sat down with debut author Noël Stark, who went from wrangling chaos behind the scenes in the TV and film world to wrangling words on the page, often in 15-minute bursts. Her novel, Love Camera Action, flips the script on Hollywood romance by spotlighting the crew, not the stars (and the 3 peppers on the spice scale are sure to attract an audience quickly.
Inside the Episode:
- Why Noël intentionally wrote a love story about the people behind the camera.
- How it took her three years to finish her manuscript (and why that timeline is totally okay if not to be expected).
- The rollercoaster of Pitch Wars, querying 40+ agents, and the 18-month wait from “yes” to launch day.
- Choosing not to read reviews during launch (because sanity matters, and confidence is a fragile beast).
- Why she tailors content differently for Instagram vs. TikTok, and how showing up as her real self resonates most.
- What’s next: a sequel that turns the spotlight on the actors from book one, and an intriguing speculative fiction project that has her lit up.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What do a flooded house, a nine-month (and still going) renovation, and a debut novel have in common? Angelika Morini.
In this episode, Angelika shares what it actually looked like to finish her first novel, Do You See Me Now?—while living in chaos (read: house stripped to the studs). We talk about why character development can feel a lot like falling in love with someone mysterious and how launching a book is less of a finish line and more like Mile One of a marathon you didn’t know you signed up for.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The (not so) glamorous reality of writing and editing during a home renovation from hell
- Why marketing Book One while dreaming up Book Two can feel like a bit of a tightrope act
- The decision to write in English (even though she’s German)
- Weaving the complexities of post-reunification Germany into her novel
- The way she allowed her characters to show up and surprise her (no outline, no problem!)
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
You’ve probably heard the phrase “your book is your business card.” While it sounds cute for a Canva graphic, it totally downplays the blood, sweat, and editing tears that go into creating a book that actually matters. We’re not here for books that gather dust—we’re here for books that make an impact (and, at the very least, pay for lunch).
If you’re dreaming of launching a book that does more than take up space in your trunk, this episode with Naren Aryal, CEO and publisher of Amplify Publishing Group, is for you!
Inside this episode:
📚 Why the “book as a business card” mindset can actually cost you more than it helps
💸 What most authors really need in order to turn a profit (hint: it’s more than just book sales)
🤖 How AI can be a brilliant assistant for your research and marketing; but no, it can’t tell your story for you
🛒 What you need to know about Amazon ads (yes, they work, but only when you know your niche)
💃 The truth nobody wants to hear: If you want your book to sell, you have to show up, regardless of how you published it
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Have you ever sat through a back-to-school night and thought, Wow, this could be a novel? Jordan Roter did—and then she actually wrote it. Moms Like Us (coming May 2025 from Little A) hilariously unpacks the cutthroat social hierarchy of LA moms, complete with all the messy, cringey, and oh-so-relatable moments of motherhood and friendship.
In this laugh-out-loud episode, we chatted about:
🔥 Jordan’s career hops from YA author to TV writer (American Housewife, The Watchful Eye) and back to novel writing.
🔥 The painfully awkward school event that sparked her book idea.
🔥 Why juggling multiple POVs is like hosting a dinner party where everyone wants to talk at once.
🔥 Hollywood vs. publishing: one’s a chaotic circus, the other’s...slightly less chaotic
🔥 Writing the real (sometimes dark, often hilarious) thoughts moms have but rarely admit
🔥 The shift toward "radical truth-telling" in motherhood writing (because perfection is overrated)
🔥 And also...how she ended up with an Amy Poehler blurb
Buckle up, because this episode is a good one.
Visit publishaprofitablebook.com or find Elizabeth on Instagram (@elizabethlyonsauthor) for more book writing and publishing tips and solutions.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Ever walked past one of those cute Little Free Libraries and thought, Wonder if I could sneak my book in there? Spoiler alert: you totally can. And that’s just one of the brilliantly simple, low-cost book marketing strategies I dish out in this episode—ideas so simple many authors never even think about them!
Here’s the thing: no matter how you publish—traditionally, hybrid, or self—marketing is your job. And I know, that realization hits like a rogue wave. But before you panic-Google “best book publicist on an extremely limited budget,” take a breath. You don’t need deep pockets or an extrovert’s energy to get your book in front of readers.
In this episode, I break down ridiculously doable, budget-friendly ways to keep your book casually showing up in the world. Think: leaving copies in waiting rooms, slipping them onto airport lounge tables, or—one of my personal favorites—perching them on a pumpkin display at Trader Joe’s (because...why not?).
And for my fellow introverts who would rather not chat up strangers about their book? I've got you covered with my (ethical) “discreet book drop" ideas. No awkward small talk required.
Bottom line? You don’t need to go viral—you just need to stay visible. So grab one or two of these ideas, and give 'em a try! Oh, and let me know how it goes and what other creative ideas you've tried!
MENTIONS
Do You See Me Now by A. Morini
From Manuscript to Market (book launch roadmap) - 25% off for a limited time with code AUTHOR25
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This week, I had a really fun conversation with Nanda Reddy about her journey from "secret writer" to novelist (her debut novel, A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl, just hit the USA Today bestseller list!).
Inside this Episode:
- Writing without being "formally trained" (read: no MFA) and navigating the industry through persistence and determination
- Evolving from a pure "pantser" to incorporating more structure while maintaining creative flexibility
- The way many authors discover the perfect title organically after beta reader feedback
- Suggestions for strategically working with beta readers
- Nanda's great suggestion (first time I've heard this one!) for navigating those "I'm stuck" moments we all encounter
- Collaborating with an audiobook narrator when you need them to authentically represent characters from different backgrounds
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Publishing a book requires long-term strategy, patience, and flexibility, not magic bullets or gimmicky shortcuts. The long game is the shortcut when it comes to building a sustainable author career.
In this episode, I answer some of the questions that have come my way recently via email and Instagram DMs, including:
✅ Why does one's writing perspective often evolves from third-person past to first-person present as authors become more emotionally connected to their material
✅ How to "suss out" unsolicited offers to review your book for payment
✅ How many reviews you should accumulate on Amazon before you begin investing in Amazon advertising
✅ The best way to accumulate reviews (everything, everywhere, all at once is NOT a good strategy!)
✅ How to best use the Universal Book Link to direct readers to the appropriate Amazon store based on their location
✅ When and how to use Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) as an indie author
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
If the thought of asking for Amazon reviews makes you break out in hives, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: reviews are gold for indie authors. They help boost visibility, credibility, and—most importantly—book sales. The good news? You don’t have to beg, bribe, or feel weird about it.
In this episode, we’re breaking down how indie and self-published authors can ethically and confidently get more Amazon reviews without feeling sleazy or pushy. You’ll discover:
✔️ Why Amazon reviews matter (and how they impact your book’s success)
✔️ Creative, no-pressure ways to ask for reviews that actually work
✔️ The power of social media, email, and direct outreach in gathering reader feedback
✔️ Common mistakes that keep authors stuck (and how to avoid them)
✔️ Real-world examples from indie authors who’ve cracked the code on getting reviews
If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to follow/subscribe, drop a quick review (see what we did there?), and share it with another writer who’s working hard to get their book into the right hands!
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Keywords: they either fascinate you or they're the bane of your existence.
For me, it's the second.
Which is why I'm so excited to bring you this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast with guest Dave Chesson, founder of Kindlepreneur, where we do an in-depth exploration of the significance of keywords and categories when it comes to a book's success on Amazon.
We discuss strategies for choosing keywords that maximize book discoverability and allow you to run effective Amazon ads, as well as best practices for connecting with your ideal readers.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Understanding the profound role of keywords in discoverability
• Strategies for optimizing Amazon ads based on keyword effectiveness
• Common misconceptions surrounding keywords
• The necessity of consistent sales patterns for enhanced visibility
• Insights on crafting compelling book descriptions for better conversion rates
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPECIAL DEAL ON PUBLISHER ROCKET ($30 off when you purchase, plus get Dave's Keywords and Categories course (normally $50) absolutely free. This is a total of $80 in savings.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
One can easily overlook that little piece of the Amazon upload process where you specify 7 keywords related to your title. After all, who wants to filter through the millions of options to find 7 that are most likely to ensure your book is seen by the readers actively looking for it?
It might not sound fun, but it's a step you don't want to ignore or breeze through.
In short, strategically choosing keywords helps to ensure visibility and connection with the right audience. In this episode, we explore practical keyword strategies and how tools like Publisher Rocket that can help authors succeed in an incredibly saturated marketplace.
TOPICS COVERED:• The importance of keywords in book discoverability
• Common misconceptions about keyword relevance
• Strategies for selecting effective keywords
• How to analyze competitor keywords
• The unique benefits of long-tail keywords
• How intentionally crafted book descriptions can enhance keyword effectiveness
RESOURCES MENTIONED
*Publisher Rocket: How to Choose the Most Effective Keywords
Google Suggestion Expander extension
*Affiliate link
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Navigating hybrid publishing can feel overwhelming, but understanding the unique way it helps indie authors grow their author career helps authors make informed decisions.
This episode covers fundamentals of hybrid publishing, identifies potential red flags, and highlights critical questions to ask publishers before signing any agreements.
TOPICS COVERED:
• Differentiating between hybrid publishing and self-publishing
• Key red flags in hybrid publisher contracts
• The importance of understanding upfront fees and backend profits
• Questions to ask hybrid publishers before signing
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
This episode explores the critical role ISBNs play in the self-publishing journey. It's not the most glamorous part of publishing, but understanding the role of the ISBN is critical when it comes to managing book sales and metadata ownership.
Topics covered:
• The importance of ISBNs for indie and self-published authors
• Differences in acquiring ISBNs in various countries
• Components of an ISBN, explained
• Challenges authors may face with hybrid publishers
• Situations where it’s acceptable to use a free ISBN
Resources MentionedKindlepreneur barcode generator
Bowker Publishing Services
7 Critical Questions to Ask Hybrid Publishers
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What happens when a seasoned television writer known for his work on irreverent comedies such as Beavis & Butthead, Just Shoot Me, and King of the Hill takes a leap into the author world?
In this episode, Michael Jamin reveals the more personal and vulnerable side of his writing through his release of A Paper Orchestra. From navigating the intricacies of the TV industry to exploring the art of storytelling and the decision to self-publish, Michael offers an unfiltered glimpse into the realities of a creative career.
Michael candidly discusses the contrast between writing for TV and writing for oneself. His reflections on creativity, inspired by authors like David Sedaris, offer insight into the importance of staying true to oneself in a world full of (neverending) expectations.
You'll also hear about the joys and hurdles Michael experienced with the self-publishing process, including the role of social media in building an audience (as well as what led to his decision to abandon his quest for a traditional publisher).
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Have you ever imagined trading a stable career for the unpredictability of writing and publishing? That's exactly what Patti Hall did, transitioning from urban design to becoming a full-time writer and publishing strategist.
Patti and I dive deep into the kind of personal transformation that makes most people's comfort zones quake. Her journey isn't just a career shift—it's a masterclass in resilience, triggered by her son's diagnosis with gigantism and propelled by an unwavering commitment to storytelling that matters.
Our conversation takes a candid look at the realities of traditional publishing. And, as we explore the myths surrounding bestseller status, we underscore the importance of writing with a purpose and focusing on genuine connections with specific communities rather than chasing commercial success.
Buckle up for an episode that's part hilarious writing room confessional, part vulnerable heart-to-heart. We're talking editing battles, narrative vulnerability, and those magical moments when personal story intersects with universal truth.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, I speak with the legendary Jenn Hanson-dePaula about strategies authors are using today to promote their books.
Learn how to create content that resonates with your target readers and get greater clarity on the vital role of empathy in crafting messages that engage readers across genres—from fiction to nonfiction to poetry to memoir.
We also unravel the complexities of platforms like Substack and the impact of AI on content creation, offering practical advice for maintaining authenticity while leveraging time-saving new technologies.
Finally, discover how focusing on building a dedicated core fan base can revolutionize your marketing efforts, rather than chasing after a massive audience.
With actionable tips and a fresh perspective on the role of algorithms, you'll be inspired to enhance your book marketing strategy and connect more authentically with your audience as we head into 2025!
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
An episode that celebrates the joys of writing and never-ending search for inspiration, this laughter-filled chat with the incredibly witty Jane Costello, bestselling author of romantic comedies and women's fiction, also features the prep for the release of her upcoming novel (her fifteenth), It's Getting Hot In Here (Zibby Books, Feb 2025).
Peek behind the curtain into Jane's disciplined yet creative writing world, where structured planning and spontaneous inspiration meet. We reflect on the highs and lows of the publishing world, where timing and market trends often dictate a book's success. Jane's candid reflections on social media book events also bring a fresh perspective on connecting with readers and the creative community.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Want the insider secrets to creating book events that actually sell books and build superfans? This episode is your masterclass!
I'm joined by the absolutely magnetic Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast and literary event connoisseur, for a conversation that's packed with actionable insights for authors at every stage. If you've ever wondered how to transform your book events from awkward readings to memorable experiences that drive real connection (and sales!), you'll want to grab your notebook for this one.
We dive deep into:
- The massive mistakes many authors make at their events (and how to avoid them!)
- Why the traditional publisher-author relationship is broken (and what to do about it)
- Traci's genius strategies for building genuine reader relationships
- How to leverage your unique story and personality to ensure an unforgettable events
- An author event framework Traci loves for driving book sales and engagement
Whether you're launching your debut or working on book #10, this episode delivers a blueprint for creating author events that actually move the needle on your author business.
✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.
👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook
WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?
Grab my 25+ done-for-you email templates, book launch graphics, and book promo tools designed to help nonfiction, memoir, and fiction authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy.
🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates
Support the show
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Amy Wilson, the brilliant co-host of the "What Fresh Hell" podcast and author of Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser (Jan 2025, Zibby Books), joined me for a fabulous conversation about owning your story through writing.
We dive right into the real stuff—like what it’s actually like to share personal essays (and how to spill your truth without accidentally blowing up your family’s group chat). Amy opens up about her journey from writing the hilarious chaotic When Did I Get Like This? on parenting to exploring deeper themes, like people-pleasing, that resonate with an audience far beyond parents.
And for anyone out there staring down an editing deadline or wondering what in the world the publishing gods are up to—Amy shares some hard-earned wisdom. From her writing routines to her secret recipe for mixing humor with “let’s get real” moments, she provides an inside look at what makes her stories connect with so many people.
So, grab your favorite drink (and maybe one of your new notebooks--I know you have one), and get ready for some relatable insights, laughs, and just the right amount of “you’ve got this” inspiration.
Let's get you published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
What if you could transform a lived experience into a compelling narrative that reads like fiction?
In this episode, I chat with the talented Sarah Gormley, author of The Order of Things. In a candid discussion about "memoir plus," we explore how memoir can deliver powerful messages while engaging readers with its storytelling.
The conversation also turned to the intricacies of publishing. We explored the merits of hybrid publishing versus publishing services, with insights into marketing strategies that can elevate an author's reach.
Let's get you published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
From writing the first chapter of The Undercurrent (Zibby Books, Oct 2024) as a standalone piece to fleshing out a full literary suspense novel I can’t put down, Sarah Sawyer has quickly become one of my new favorite authors.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we discussed:
- What has most suprised her about the publishing process
- Sarah's view of the editing process (which is one to adopt immediately, if not sooner!)
- The formidable task of securing blurbs (which even traditionally published authors often have to do themselves)
- How writing this book has caused her to look at other books and authors differently
LINKSSarah's debut novel, The UndercurrentSarah’s website: www.sarahsawyerauthor.com
Sarah’s Instagram: @SarahSawyerAuthor
WHAT SARAH’S READINGJames by Percival Everett
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
Swift River by Essie Chambers
Let's get you published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Amazon ads are one of my favorite tools for indie authors to boost book sales and visibility, but they can feel so complicated that it's easy to avoid using them.
I'm sharing key insights from my 12-week "experiment" with a new campaign for my book, Write the Damn Book Already, including targeting relevant keywords and categories, setting appropriate budgets, and monitoring ad performance to optimize results.
MENTIONED RESOURCES:
Original IG post about ads experiment
Link to blog post detailing setup of this ads campaign
Link to Publisher Rocket software
Link to audiobook of Enough: The Simple Path to Everything You Want ($4.99)
Let's get you published!
PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (uses code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Megan Tady's second novel, Bluebird Day, launches on Dec. 3, 2024 (pre-order now!) In her second appearance on the podcast, we had the most wonderful chat about:
- How book launching is like a salmon run (it's such a great analogy).
- Strategies for best working with an editor while writing
- Meg's writing process, from first to final draft, and how it evolved from the first to the second book
- The best part of Meg's publishing journey
- Meg's strategies for navigating the “wacky and wild” publishing industry and What she wasn’t at all prepared for when it comes to being an author
LINKSOrder your copy of Bluebird Day
Meg's Instagram: @megtady
Meg's website: MeganTady.com
Meg's writing, editing & strategy services: Word Lift
Meg's first WTDBA podcast interview: Episode 36
WHAT MEG'S READING NOWAll Fours by Miranda
Big in Sweden by Sally Franson
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
BOOKS MENTIONED
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Ready to start your own podcast?
Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101
"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"
--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast host
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
Emma Grey is the Australian author of the international bestseller, THE LAST LOVE NOTE, which was both a Book of the Month and Target Book Club pick, and was praised in Oprah Daily as “relatable, hilarious and charming".
She’s back this November with her new novel, PICTURES OF YOU — a suspense-filled romance about love and control that explores the way a sparkling relationship can morph into darkness and what might happen with a second chance at first love.
In her second appearance on the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about Emma's experiences with prologues, her collaborative work with editors (from different countries, no less), and the evolution of her book-writing process. She also reflects on the challenges of writing a second novel after the success of her first, emphasizing the importance of pushing through the "messy first draft."
CONNECT WITH EMMA
Emma's website: www.emmagrey.com.au
Emma's Instagram: instagram.com/emmagreyauthor
Click here to order The Last Love Note
Click here to order Pictures of You
WHAT EMMA'S READING NOW
The Haters by Robyn Harding
Tilda is Visible by Jane Tarda
MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH EMMA
Click here to listen to my first conversation with Emma about her debut novel, The Last Love Note.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Ready to start your own podcast?
Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101
"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"
--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast host
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!
In this episode, we explore the critical decision of whether to distribute your ebook "wide"—across multiple platforms—or stay exclusive to Amazon through their KDP Select program.
Going wide means your ebook is available on platforms beyond Amazon, such as Kobo or Google Play, giving you access to a broader audience globally. This approach can increase visibility, particularly in countries where Kindle isn't the dominant e-reading platform.
On the other hand, exclusivity with Amazon through KDP Select offers perks like participation in Kindle Unlimited, higher royalties in certain regions, and access to exclusive promotional tools. However, this exclusivity comes with restrictions, including a 90-day lock-in period and the inability to sell your ebook elsewhere, even on your own website.
The right choice depends on your genre, goals, and audience. Romance, mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy often perform well on KDP Select due to the voracious reading habits of their audiences. However, if your readership spans multiple countries or platforms, going wide might be the better option.
Top questions tackled:
- What does it mean to go wide or stay exclusive to Amazon for ebook distribution?
- What are the pros and cons of enrolling in Amazon's KDP Select program versus going wide?
- How should an author decide which distribution strategy is best for their genre, audience, and goals?
MENTIONED RESOURCES
Ep 90: Creating Audiobooks with Drew Linsalata
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Until somewhat recently, streamlined pre-orders were only possible for traditionally published authors. Now, indie authors can also benefit from pre-orders as well, helping them with:
Building Excitement and Engagement: Pre-orders allow authors to generate buzz and excitement around their upcoming book, encouraging readers to take action before the release date.
Community Building: Offering pre-orders helps authors build and nurture a community by gathering email addresses and establishing a direct connection with readers, which can lead to quicker reviews and word-of-mouth promotion.
Data Collection: Through pre-orders, authors can collect valuable reader data (like email addresses) that is otherwise inaccessible when books are sold through platforms like Amazon. This data allows authors to maintain a relationship with their readers post-purchase and make future marketing efforts more effective.
This episode of Write the Damn Book Already discusses not only the benefits and considerations of offering books for pre-order but also the potential hiccups (and how to avoid them!) such as unexpected costs due to Amazon's handling of pre-orders through IngramSpark.
RESOURCES MENTIONEDPublish the Damn Book Already self-publishing course - 25% off with code AUTHOR25
Jane Friedman's Hot Sheet bestseller list
Pre-Order Packages workshop with Mary Belle
Follow Mary Belle on Instagram: @mary.belle.books
Jenn Hanson-dePaula's website (author marketing/PR)
Follow Jenn Hanson-dePaula on Instagram: @mixtusmedia
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Many indie authors find the idea of creating a publishing house overwhelming. But with the right steps, it becomes both manageable and highly beneficial. Here’s why setting up a publishing house is essential and how to do it.
First, it’s crucial to understand that forming a publishing house is not about creating a giant company like Amazon. Instead, it's about legally separating your personal and professional assets. This separation is vital as an author, because it protects your personal finances from any potential legal issues that may arise.
While many creatives shy away from the business aspects of publishing, treating your book as a business can help you reach a broader audience. This means embracing some business tasks (even those you might not enjoy, like accounting. Just me?).
Setting up a publishing house may seem daunting, but it’s simpler than it appears. The key is to create a legal entity, like an LLC, to protect your assets, which isn't nearly as complicated or expensive as it used to be. You can often set up an LLC yourself or use services like LegalZoom for additional support.
You don’t need a complex infrastructure to start a publishing house. A simple logo for your book’s spine and a business bank account are sufficient. Today, many online banking options make it easy to set up a no-fee, no-minimum business account without visiting a physical bank. There’s also no need for an elaborate office setup or expensive branding packages.
The challenge often comes when authors overcomplicate this step, perhaps assuming they need an extensive branding package, a physical office space, or expensive accounting software. But none of this is necessary.
It’s a worthwhile investment for protecting your assets and managing your book sales professionally. For a detailed guide on this process, including how to create a logo and manage business essentials, refer to the third module of "Publish the Damn Book Already," which walks you through the necessary steps without overwhelming you with unnecessary details, ensuring you can focus on what you do best: writing.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:Episode 1 of publishing series: WTH is an ISBN
Publish the Damn Book Already self-publishing course
Wave accounting: www.waveapps.com/accounting
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
🎙️ Feeling Overwhelmed Writing Your Nonfiction or Memoir? This Episode is For You!
Do you feel like you have multiple books' worth of material? Are you wrestling with imposter syndrome or struggling to organize a mountain of thoughts?
My work with authors typically focuses on two key genres: transformative nonfiction and inspirational memoir (yes, I made up these terms). Transformative Nonfiction aims to guide the reader through a specific journey. It's infused with personal stories that help the reader relate and feel connected to the author.
Inspirational Memoir, on the other hand, shares the author’s personal experiences to inspire and resonate with readers, but in a way where the author is unattached to how (or when) the reader is inspired (or whether they're inspired at all!).
🚀 Feeling stuck?
Start by identifying your core message and the first step in your journey.
Remember, it’s about sharing the steps of your story, not prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution. By focusing on your unique path and experiences, you can create a relatable and impactful narrative without the pressure of being seen as "the ultimate expert."
💡 Tune in to hear my tips on overcoming self-doubt, structuring your content, and finding peace in sharing your personal story. This episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity!
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Click here to check out the Publish A Profitable Book / Publish the Damn Book Already course (currently 25% off with code AUTHOR25).
Click here to access Kindlepreneur's free barcode generator tool.
Understanding the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is crucial for indie authors. But new authors often wonder what the heck it is and feel a bit "silly" asking!
In short, the ISBN is a unique identifier for books, similar to the UPC for products. It allows books to be easily tracked and purchased globally and enables indie authors' work to be more easily discovered by a larger audience, including libraries, bookstores, and online retailers.
But still, new authors are left with questions such as:
- Why do I have to have an ISBN?
- Where do I get them (and how much will they cost?)
- Should use a free one from Amazon/KDP?
- Do I only need one for each book?
- Does an ISBN provide copyright protection?
This episode clears your questions up!
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Mary Jones' book, The Goodbye Process(July 30, 2024, Zibby Books), is, in four words, hard to put down. Her raw, vivid descriptions of characters and experiences alike quickly pierced my soul and extended my bedtime!
In this episode, Mary and I discussed her love of the short story form, some (perhaps surprising truths about writing and organizing short stories/essays, thoughts on beta readers, the querying and submission process, and our mutual love of "Days of Our Lives."
CONNECT WITH MARY
Book: The Goodbye Process
Instagram: @maryjoneswriter
X: @maryfjjones
Threads: @maryjoneswriter
Website: www.maryjoneswriter.com
WHAT MARY'S READING
All Fours by Miranda July
MENTIONS
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
I've recently had a key realization about book writing, especially when it comes to writing memoir and non-fiction.
Many times, people think the writing process will allow them to quickly (and easily) unlock or unravel buried feelings or insights. But this misconception sets an unrealistic expectation and creates potential roadblocks.
As is the case with therapy (ask me how I know), there’s no set timeline for completing a book, and the process is often more complex and time-consuming than anticipated.
So here's my $0.02 on how to best navigate the unexpected detours that often arise while writing a book you'll be incredibly proud to release to the world.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK WRITERS COLLECTIVE *
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Gail Priest is the author of five books (including a trilogy). Her latest, Soul Dancing, was released on April 2024 through Red Adept Publishing.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Gail shares her process for writing using techniques like mind mapping to discover new story elements. We also discuss her approach to marketing her books through social media and pitching her work, even though, like so many of us, she sometimes finds outreach daunting.
CONNECT WITH GAIL
Instagram: @gailpriest_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGailPriest
Website: gailpriest.com/
GAIL'S BOOKS
Soul Dancing
Eastern Shore Shorts
Annie Crow Knoll: The Complete Collection:
WHAT GAIL'S READING NOW
A Very Crowded House by Kelly Elizabeth Huston
Of Lies and Honey by Donna Norman-Carbone
When the World Goes Quiet byGian Sardar
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Ready to start your own podcast?
Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101
"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"
--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast host
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Drew Linsalata has been my go-to for years when it comes to audiobooks and podcasts as well as any "How do I get the most bang for my buck?" questions when it comes to tech hardware.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, he helps dissect the why, when, and how of audiobook creation.
Topics include:
- Gear setup (for under $70)
- The popular mic everyone thinks they should use (but shouldn’t)
- What device to read your book from for best flow and quality
- Recommended audio editing software (that’s free!)
- The truth about the cost of producing an audiobook as well as expected earnings (advertised numbers are a bit misleading)
- How to determine if it’s “worth it” to create an audiobook
- The biggest misconceptions authors have about audiobooks
CONNECT WITH DREWThe Anxious Truth: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Panic, Anxiety, and AgoraphobiaSeven Percent Slower: A Simple Trick for Moving Past Anxiety and Stress: The Anxious Truth: Anxiety Education and Support
An Anxiety Story: How I Recovered from Anxiety, Panic, and Agoraphobia
Drew’s podcast: The Anxious Truth
CREATE CAPTIVATING AUDIOBOOKS: A PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN WORKSHOPClick here to learn more and sign up
MENTIONS
Samantha Garcia's audiobook: Regenerative Business: How to Align Your Business with Nature for More Abundance, Fulfillment, and Impact
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Ready to start your own podcast?
Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101
"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"
--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast host
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
In the latest episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Joselyn Takacs and I discussed her first novel, Peace Oysters (Zibby Books, 6/25/2024).
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Her writing process (and the system she and her adviser had for keeping her consistent)
- Free writing versus stream-of-consciousness writing
- The fun way she’s including the book’s theme in her upcoming book events
- Joselyn's top tricks for getting through writer’s block
- How writing ahead can help authors figure out the book’s trajectory
ABOUT JOSELYN
Joselyn Takacs holds a PhD in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Fiction from Johns Hopkins University. Her fiction has appeared in Gulf Coast, Narrative, Tin House, Harvard Review, The Rumpus, DIAGRAM, Columbia: A Journal of Art and Literature, and elsewhere.
She has published interviews and book reviews in the Los Angeles Review of Books and Entropy. Joselyn has taught writing at the University of Southern California and Johns Hopkins University.
She lived in New Orleans at the time of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill, and in 2015, she received a grant to record the oral histories of Louisiana oyster farmers in the wake of the environmental disaster. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
CONNECT WITH JOSELYN
Website: www.joselyntakacs.com/about
Instagram: @joselyn_takacs
Purchase a copy of Pearce Oysters
WHAT JOSELYN'S READING
F
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Ready to start your own podcast?
Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101
"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"
--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast host
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Send me your writing and publishing questions!
Ava Dellaira’s adult debut novel, Exposure, comes out with Zibby Books on September 10th, 2024. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novels In Search of Us and Love Letters to the Dead, which was named Best Book of the Year by Apple, Google, BuzzFeed, the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library.
She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow, and the University of Chicago. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now lives in Altadena, CA with her husband and their two young children.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- The challenges of writing in identities that aren’t your own (and the risks involved in writing outside your own point of view)
- Where Ava’s story ideas originate, and what she aimed to tackle through writing Exposure
- Ava’s editing process preferences, including how she views the editing process and ensures she receives feedback most positively
- Different approaches for when to start one's next book
CONNECT WITH AVAWebsite: https://avadellaira.com
Instagram: @ava.dellaira
Exposure(Zibby Books, Sept 2024)
Love Letters to the Dead(Square Fish, 2015)In Search of Us(Square Fish, 2020)
WHAT AVA'S READINGAll Fours byMiranda July
Victim by Andrew Boryga
WHAT ELIZABETH'S READINGThe New Menopause by Marie Claire Haver
ELIZABETH'S BOOK REC OF THE WEEKCutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
This episode of Write the Damn Book Already features two of the best pieces of writing advice I’ve received (and I've received a lot of writing suggestions over the years!).
BOOK OF THE WEEKJust Do Nothing by Joanna Hardis
Joanna's Instagram: instagram.com/joannahardis
Ep 55: How to Write While Feeling Discomfort (with Joanna Hardis)
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Ava Dellaira's forthcoming book, Exposure (Zibby Books, Sept 2024)
Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genesby Jessica Fein
Episode 22: Writing Breath Taking (A Memoir) with Jessica Fein
Love Buzzand In A Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander
Episode 78: Traditional Publishing Lessons with Neely Tubati Alexander
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
With the rise of available options for indie authors, authors are more curious than ever about how to navigate so many options without being overwhelmed or disappointed (simply because they didn't know what questions to ask!).
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we cover:
- the various indie publishing options, from self-publishing to hybrid publishing to working with a publishing service provider
- the temptation to work with publishing houses that make lofty promises regarding bestseller status and publicity assistance
- what questions to ask to ensure that your expectations are met should you decide to partner with an indie publishing company for assistance/expert guidance
- the importance of considering the long-term implications of partnering with any publishing house
- what questions authors should ask (and what red flags they should be looking for) when evaluating indie publishing options
RESOURCES MENTIONEDJenn Hanson-dePaula, Book Marketing
Chip Valutis's book, Talent-Driven Growth: Your BluePrint for Scalable Organizational Success
Ep 85: Marketing Tips from Publicist and Industry Expert Kathleen Schmidt
Adazing.com (for 3D book graphics)
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
As the Founder and CEO of Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations, Kathleen is a well-respected voice in book publishing with in-depth experience in all aspects of the industry, including as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter.
Her career encompasses 30 years of creating and directing impactful and strategic global media, marketing, and branding campaigns for politicians, A-List celebrities, athletes, and high-profile personalities.
To date, she has worked on 50 New York Times bestsellers, and her clients have continuously appeared in top-tier national print, broadcast, and radio outlets such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Vogue, Elle, Financial Times, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Sirius XM.
I was thrilled to chat with her about her perspective on book publishing as well as the rise in indie author opportunities.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Navigating the current negativity/collective rut in book publishing
- The truth about bookstore distribution today (including the average number of copies an appearance on the Today Show sells)
- The HOW of Book publicity for indie authors and how to decide what makes sense when it comes to selling more books without having to take out a second mortgage
- The important difference between publicity, marketing, and sales
- The slippery slope of partnering with “influencers” for promotion
CONNECT WITH KATHLEEN
Click here to Subscribe to her Substack newsletter
Instagram: @kathmschmidt
Threads: @kathmschmidt
Website: kmspr.co
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Donna Norman-Carbone's second novel, Of Lies and Honey, just launched (April 24, 2024, Red Adept Publishing), and it was wonderful to have her on as a repeat guest.
Her first novel, All That Is Sacred, came out less than a year ago (June 2023, Red Adept Publishing), and chatting about the differences between book 1 and book 2 proved as fun and insightful as I knew it would!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- The biggest differences between the first launch and the second (including the task she full-on forgot to do when launching the first book!)
- How Donna navigates looking at sales numbers and reviews
- Using NetGalley for reviews: the benefit of being with a smaller publisher versus a Big 5 publisher
- The admission that made me question whether Donna and I could be friends (yes, that’s clickbait.)
- The challenge of writing back cover copy/book jacket summary
- Donna's strategy for ensuring she doesn’t get “stuck” while writing a book
ABOUT DONNA
Donna Norman-Carbone's debut novel, All That is Sacred, was released in June 2023 and has earned eight awards. The BookFest Awards featured All That is Sacred among the other winners on the Tower billboard in Times Square. Donna holds a master’s degree in English from Southern CT State University and is a member of the WFWA, CAPA, WNBA. She is the co-host of the podcast Authors Talking Bookish and program director for Bookish Road Trip. Donna has a passion for writing women’s fiction that tugs at the heartstrings.
After having taught as a university adjunct and adult educator, Donna currently teaches writing, film and British literature to high school students. She lives in a small Connecticut suburb where she and her husband have raised three wonder
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
The time has come! We're finally able to move on from the days of traditional offset printing to print-on-demand options when it comes to children's books and cookbooks. Whether you're contemplating watercolor illustrations for a children's book or publishing a mouthwatering cookbook, this episode is for you!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Managing the balance between print quality, profitability, and the different book distribution methods at your disposal.
- The nitty-gritty of offset printing vs. the economics of self-publishing
- The pros and cons of overseas printing
- The real costs of self-distribution
- Demystifying the printing process to ensure your images pop off the page.
**RESOURCES MENTIONED
Publish A Profitable Book discount: For a limited time, we're celebrating the updates to the Publish A Profitable Book course with 15% off! Use code PUBLISH15** at checkout (applies to pay-in-full AND payment plan options!).
Which publishing approach is best for you? Click here to find out!
Click Here for spreadsheet detailing considerations to prioritize when publishing a cookbook or children's book
Click Here to listen to podcast detailing Elizabeth's Threads PR Crisis of 2024.
Scaredy Cat by Erin Thorburn
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
The story is always unfolding...
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Diana Naranjo about her memoir (which is currently on submission). She recounts a pivotal moment where a professional connection with author Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone, The Covenant of Water) led to her first agent connection.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- How Diana learned to write after completing her first draft
- The nuanced difference between memoir and creative non-fiction
- Her strategies for finding agents and the value of learning from the author community's experiences.
- The challenge of identifying as "a writer"
ABOUT DIANADr. Diana Naranjo is a professor at Stanford University and a clinical psychologist. She’s a leading expert in children's health and equity, and has written a memoir. THE ART OF FLYING is a story about growing up with her Ecuadorian father who suffered from bipolar disorder.
In her journey from academic writing to creative writing, she’s been as excited about the process of learning how to write and about the writing industry as she has been the actual writing. When tasked with “growing her platform” from feedback on submission as a debut memoir author who isn’t “famous,” she almost lost hope. But then, in a serendipitous moment taking The Shit No One Tells You About Writing’s Deep Dive course, she heard from Dr. LaToya Watkins about her writing process. LaToya is a method-writer, taking her characters to therapy. Diana thought, "Wow, now that’s something I would love to do!" And that’s how her podcast idea THE CHARACTERIST was born—where she is the therapist for fictional characters and brings authors onto the show to take their favorite characters for therapy.
CONNECT WITH DIANAInstagram:
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
This solo episode discusses the pressure authors face to follow specific strategies and approaches when writing and promoting their books. I share my observations about the conflicting advice authors receive about book writing, publishing, and marketing (and how to handle it without losing your mind!).
Key Takeaways:
- Don't feel obligated to follow every piece of advice or strategy suggested by others. Choose what feels right for you and aligns with your goals.
- Experiment with different approaches and give yourself permission to change course if something doesn't feel enjoyable or authentic.
- Consistency is key. Stay committed to your chosen path and keep going, even if you don't see immediate results.
- Avoid overthinking and second-guessing yourself. Trust your instincts and focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment in the writing and publishing process.
- Be aware of the expectations and assumptions you have about different strategies. Evaluate them objectively and adjust your approach accordingly.
Resources Mentioned:
Creative Explained on Instagram: @creative_explained
Sister Golden Shop on Instagram: @sistergoldenshop
Enough: The Simple Path to Everything You Want(Elizabeth's 5th book)
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
In this solo episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I respond to listener's questions, including:
- How do I make sure I'm not infringing on someone else's copyright by referencing their advice, book, or insights in my book?
- Why is publishing so complicated?
- Why do I become an insecure mess whenever I sit down to write?
RESOURCES MENTIONEDCory Goodrich's book, Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Lauren Kay's young adult debut novel, We Ship It, was a dream come true, but it wasn't easy to get there. Now, she helps other writers achieve the same joy, minus the roadblocks. Having secured eight agent offers in a month, she works with authors dreaming about a traditional publishing deal to help them write irresistible query letters.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- The 7-year path to her first novel, for which she received a 6-figure advance (best quote: "Lightning speed in this industry is 7 years.")
- The importance of transparency in the book industry when it comes to timelines, sales figures, and overall expectations
- The idea of an author “deserving” their lead author status (I hadn't heard this before, and loved the discussion around it!)
- How changing our expectations as authors can lead to far better results
- The “before” and “after” of publishing
- Top mistakes to avoid when writing query letters + how to navigate the world of querying without becoming (too) disappointed
CONNECT WITH LAUREN:
Query letter masterclass: https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/insiders-guide-to-publishing
Lauren's YA Rom-Com Debut: We Ship It
Instagram: @laurenkaywrites
Website: www.laurenkaywrites.com
TikTok: @laurenkaywrites
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Neely Tubati Alexander's second novel, In a Not So Perfect World (March 2024, Harper Perennial), was noted a "Best Romance to Read in 2024" by Cosmopolitan and received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.
In her second appearance on the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed her two-book deal with HarperCollins, and how her writing process and industry perspective shifted from Book 1 to Book 2.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
What changed the most between books 1 and 2 when it came to her writing and marketing processes
* How Neely's expectations for book sales change from book to book
* The benefit of being a debut author versus releasing subsequent books
* How Neely “protects the bubble” in order not to be influenced by others’ opinions so she can tell the story she* most wants to tell
* Whether she reads her reviews (and when), and which she pays strong attention to (and even allows to impact the final book edits)
ABOUT NEELY TUBATI ALEXANDERNeely is the author of women’s fiction with rom-com feels you can escape into with a smile. If you like seeing women pursuing love AND careers, you'll love her books! If she's not tucked away at the little desk in her bedroom writing, you can find her at some kiddo activity (so many activities), drinking wine, or watching reality TV, usually both of the last two together.
CONNECT WITH NEELY(purchasing from Bookshop.org supports indie bookstores)
In a Not So Perfect World
Love Buzz
INSTAGRAM: @neelyalexa Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Armed with quick wit, relatable characters, themes of resilience, and always a happy ending, award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Kathryn R. Biel writes comfort reads.
In the most recent episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we chatted about her journey thus far as an indie author.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Kathryn's favorite part of self-publishing
- The type of opportunity that would compel her to consider a traditional publishing deal after self-publishing 20 books
- Her experience selling books via a Shopify store and TikTok shop
- How she defines success for herself (and how that barometer has changed over the years)
ABOUT KATHRYN
Balancing drama and angst with laughter and love, Kathryn weaves stories that will whisk you away for a few hours and have you rooting for the underdog, whether it's through sports romance, romantic comedy, or lighter women's fiction.
By day, Kathryn is a pediatric physical therapist and Chief Domestic Officer of the Biel household. By night, when not writing, Kathryn can be found at the dance studio, knitting, watching sports with her husband and son, cuddling with her four cats, embarrassing herself on TikTok, and doing absolutely anything to avoid cleaning her house.
Kathryn is the author of 20 books, including the award-winning Live for This, Made for Me, and The UnBRCAble Women Series (Ready for Whatever, Seize the Day, and Underneath It All)CONNECT WITH KATHRYNTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@author_kathrynrbiel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynrbiel
Instagram: https://www.instagram
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
These days, almost everyone dreams of having a post or reel go viral. That is, until they do.
At that point, they realize it doesn't often have the "magic bullet" benefits we're led to believe. At best, it has a neutral impact, and at worst, it can go very (very) wrong before you have a chance to get your arms around it. (Thinking you can get your arms around it is often your first mistake!)
But also, everything that goes "wrong" in this life brings with it an opportunity to see something differently (oftentimes, that something is oneself) and to evolve as a human being.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I share the top 7 lessons I learned from recently going viral on Threads. I've often said if I ever went viral, it would be for tripping over a pebble or walking straight into a freshly cleaned glass wall, and in this case, I think I would have preferred either of those!
This happened thanks to a taken-out-of-context writing suggestion that was reposted (and negatively commented on) by a well-known, highly respected fiction author who's sold millions of books and has what could effectively be described as a rabid fan base.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
1. The word "hybrid" often has different meanings in the fiction and nonfiction worlds. Knowing the difference can provide incredible clarity and remove a whole lot of "shoulds"!
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As an author (or otherwise creative person), you will probably be negatively labeled at some point. When that happens, here's what you can do to avoid becoming defensive.
-
A critical point to remember about any competitive industry that will keep you from quitting.
-
The people most important in your author journey (if you want to continue to grow as a person while writing books).
-
What you can (almost) always take away from being
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Elle Evans is an anesthesiologist and a novelist whose debut novel, Wedding Issues, comes out April 2, 2024 with Zibby Books. And was this ever a fascinating conversation!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- The first book Elle wrote (that was never officially published, even with the best title ever)
- Elle's writing process, including how she sets goals and deadlines
- The probable stop on the publishing journey she specifically advises writers to “buckle up” for
- How her first two novels ended up "dead on submission" (and what she's planning for them now!)
- How she's coordinating book launch activities with her operating room schedule
- Her process for letting go of one book’s characters in order to start fresh on another
- Her unique perspective when it comes to title/cover changes by a publisher
ABOUT ELLE
A Boston native, Elle Evans spent five years in Nashville soaking up sweet Southern hospitality and even sweet iced tea. She now lives in Philadelphia with her husband and rescue dog Calypso, the first of many pets named from Greek mythology characters. Elle enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and attempting ambitious cocktail recipes. She writes under a not-so-secret pseudonym to maintain separation from her academic research papers and professional life.
CONNECT WITH ELLE
Instagram: @elle.evans.books
Website: ElleEvansBooks.com
Wedding Issues: A Novel -- Buy at Bookshop.org to support indie bookstores
WHAT ELLE’S READING NOW
Last Call At The Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
In the latest episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Julie Chavez, author of the incredibly well-received memoir, Everyone But Myself (January 2024, Zibby Books).
After Julie's life experience turned into a book idea, she wrote 30,000 words and thought that surely it was a complete, publishable book. Newsflash: It wasn’t. But she stuck with it, and within a few weeks of launch, it became a USA Today Bestseller.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Why being naive is the greatest gift for authors sharing vulnerable stories
- Thoughts on why aspiring authors don’t understand the challenges involved in book writing (it's one of the things this podcast hopes to rectify!)
- Metrics authors use to determine “success” (including Julie's) + an exploration of the “machine” side versus the human side of writing
- How to trust when you've healed "enough” to write about challenges
- The lesser-known benefits of having an agent (beyond getting a book deal)
ABOUT JULIE
Julie Chavez is an elementary school librarian in Northern California. Her writing has been featured in Real Simple, the New York Post, and Zibby Mag, and she is the author of the USA TODAY bestselling memoir, Everyone But Myself. Julie lives with her husband and two tall teenagers in a house where she arranges her books by color.
CONNECT WITH JULIE
Website: juliewriteswords.com
Instagram: @juliewriteswords
Buy Everyone But Myselfwhile supporting indie bookstores!
WHAT JULIE’S READING NOW
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Transitioning between genres can feel like learning a new dance with the same set of feet. In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Zibby Owens shares her experience shifting from memoir (Bookends, July 1, 2022, Little a) to fiction (Blank, March 1, 2024, Little a).
We discuss what it takes to draft a compelling "base layer" for a story. Meanwhile, as the current Goodreads controversy continues to unfold, we chat about the harsh realities of online ratings and the significance of author advocacy in the digital age. Learn how to navigate the murky waters of social media hijacking, and why fortifying a diverse online presence is more important than ever.
ABOUT ZIBBY OWENSZibby Owens is the creator and host of the award-winning, daily podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books. Zibby is also the founder and CEO of Zibby Media, dubbed “the Zibby-verse” (L.A. Times). It includes publishing house Zibby Books, online magazine Zibby Mag, Zibby’s Book Club, retreats, classes, and events. She owns Zibby’s Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Santa Monica, CA. A regular contributor to “Good Morning America” and other outlets, she loves recommending books as “NYC’s Most Powerful Book-fluencer” (Vulture).
Zibby is the author of Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature and children’s book Princess Charming, and editor of two anthologies, Moms Don’t Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology and Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology.
A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Zibby currently lives in New York (with frequent visits to L.A.) with her husband, Kyle Owens of Morning Moon Productions, and her four children ages
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
With the book publishing industry overflowing with titles vying for attention, I aim to guide aspiring authors through the important steps of writing and publishing high-quality books that get noticed.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we'll a few reminders every author (including myself) can benefit from hearing (or hearing again), including:
- The pitfalls of prioritizing speed over substance and the pressures that can lead writers to rush the creative process
- How to assemble a dream team, even if you're an indie author
- A new strategy for managing overwhelm, one piece at a time
RESOURCES MENTIONEDLucy E.M. Black - The Brickworks
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast featuring Lucy E.M. Black
WTDBA episode with Sarahlyn Bruck
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Jessica Saunders's debut novel, Love, Me, was released on January 16, 2024 (Union Square & Co.)
In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Jessica and I chatted about the power of pursuing a literary dream as she discussed her debut novel, Love, Me, (January 2024, Union Square & Co) with raw and captivating honesty. We also discussed the delicate balance between rigorous careers and the pull of creative passions, the catalysts that drive us to write, and the sacrifices made along the way—including, sometimes, a brief hiatus from all things Netflix!
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Finalizing the title, from the initial idea to the final decision
- Jessica's writing process, what prompted her to (finally) write the damn book already, and her approach to plotting versus pantsing
- Which writers' workshop helped her get her first draft out
- How she decided between traditional and self-publishing and found her agent, Elizabeth Bewley (Sterling Lord Literalistic)
- Her experience connecting with the author community and planning for the book's launch and ongoing marketing
ABOUT JESSICA
Jessica Saunders is a lawyer, who, after years of writing scintillating legal briefs, was finally able to fulfill her lifelong dream of writing fiction. A graduate of Cornell University and St. John’s University School of Law, where she was a St. Thomas More Scholar, Jessica currently lives in Westchester, New York with her husband and two daughters. Love, Me is her first novel.
CONNECT WITH JESSICA
Instagram: @jessicasaundersbooks
Website: jessicasaundersbooks.com
Order Love, Me (via Bo
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I unveil my 6 predictions for 2024 in the world of self-publishing. I hope to continue to lend transparency to the self-publishing process and the growing opportunities available while helping you determine whether self-publishing is the right approach for your first (or next) book.
As we tackle the nuances of self-publishing today, you'll learn about:
- Assembling a team of professionals as a self-published author (it's critical and doable!)
- The still-circling myths (and truths) surrounding the self-publishing model
- The ways bookstore distribution is shifting
- The new "desired" length for a debut novel
- The significance of branding in an author's career
- The burgeoning role of AI in publishing
- The implications of having a strong and intentional marketing strategy in a newly AI-heavy landscape.
With advice on maintaining visibility and the necessity for intentional outreach, this episode will inspire you to foster a community around your work, helping you stand out in a crowded market.
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Have you ever wondered how authors juggle character's voices when writing from multiple perspectives? In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, it's just one aspect of the creative labyrinth I chat through with Sarahlyn Bruck, author of Light of the Fire (Lake Union Publishing, January 2024) as well as Daytime Drama and Designer You.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- The evolution of authors' writing processes and the essential practice of breadcrumbing to keep readers hooked.
- The art of writing in multiple POV
- Unforeseen delays and the art of book release timing
- Personal challenges authors face when weaving their personal threads into the tapestry of fiction and memoir
- Sarahlyn's experience working with a book coach (she still has one!) and the impact of editorial feedback
**ABOUT SARAHLYN
Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary, book club fiction and is the award-winning author of three novels: Light of the Fire (January 2024), Daytime Drama (2021), and Designer You (2018). When she’s not writing, Sarahlyn moonlights as a full-time writing and literature professor at a local community college. From Northern California, she now lives in Philadelphia with her family.
CONNECT WITH SARAHLYNWebsite: https://sarahlynbruck.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/sarahlynbruck
Facebook: Facebook.com/sarahlynbruck
BOOKS:
Light of the FireDaytime DramaDesigner You
WHAT SHE'S READIN
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Interested in creating a companion journal or workbook to complement your book?
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I dive into the true cost and labor involved in creating a companion guide (don't panic; I have multiple solutions!) as well as the importance of a ready-made audience before heading down this route.
To be clear, creating a companion guide isn't a magic bullet for low book sales (nothing is besides consistent marketing), but it can be a powerful tool if incorporated properly.
To that end, I also explore the world of digital products for authors, from customizable templates to selling on platforms like Etsy or Shopify. Plus, you'll discover why printed digital products are rapidly gaining popularity as physical journals. Whether you're a seasoned author or newly published (or soon-to-be-published), this episode will guide you in both creating and marketing your companion journals and workbooks without losing your mind.
RESOURCES MENTIONEDJust Leaves by Lauren Best
Ditching the Dream by Bethany Clemenson
Ditching the Dream Companion Journal by Bethany Clemenson
FAVORITE WRITING PODCASTS
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Helping Writers Become Authors
On Writing
The Creative Penn
PODCASTS THAT HELP ME WRITE
Smartless with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
2024 PODCAST PLANNERS FOR BOOK LOVERS AND AUTHORS
2024 Podcast Planner - printable
2024 Podcast Planner - digital
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Are you ready for an honest conversation about what skill authors will most require in 2024?
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I tackle the sometimes harsh realities of the creative industry while stressing the importance of patience and persistence.
No author's success is an overnight miracle. Instead, it’s akin to the restaurant business, demanding hard work and time. Together, let's redraw your mental map of the author journey, equipping you with a realistic and resilient mindset to conquer 2024 as a published author.
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Struggling to keep the creative flame burning? I hear it a lot: "Elizabeth, where do YOU get accountability? How can I get back to this being fun? I’ve lost the joy."
In this episode, I'm sharing four personal strategies that have kept me disciplined and accountable as an author.
But make no mistake, it's not just about discipline and accountability. It's also about inspiration, which can make a surprise appearance in the most unexpected places. We'll explore the significance of taking breaks to recharge and ignite new ideas, and how surrounding yourself with inspiring influences can be incredibly helpful.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the intriguing concept of the 'third layer why' and how it can guide you when the going gets tough.
- The common yearning for accountability
- The notion that a need for accountability might stem from a lack of clarity on what you want to achieve through writing a book (or on your book's direction).
RESOURCES MENTIONED
All of the instant-access workshops (pay-what-you-can starting at $10)
Episode 13: Deep dive into the "3rd-layer why"
Join the Write the Damn Book Already Facebook group!
K.M. Weiland on Instagram
Join the Book Writers Collective
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Every novel writer has a different process, a fact I love because it reminds me that my own process is neither "right" nor "wrong."
This gives me comfort for a whole eleven seconds before I again automatically wonder, "Am I doing this right?"
Talking with Donna Hemans, author of The House of Plain Truth (Zibby Books, January 2024), further reinforced that all authors have their own process, and that process often evolves and shifts within and between books.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- What changed about her writing process between books 1, 2, and 3?
- Not being able to get the story “just right”
- Where her plot process starts
- Her second book was featured in “O” magazine - how that came to be and the end result
- What success means to Donna in the area of book writing
- How she decides when the draft is “good enough” to send to her agent or editor
- The co-working space for writers she runs in DC (DC Writers Room) ABOUT DONNA
Donna Hemans is the author of three novels, River Woman, Tea by the Sea, and The House of Plain Truth (forthcoming in February 2024). Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Slice, Electric Literature, Ms. Magazine, The Rumpus, Crab Orchard Review, among others. She received her undergraduate degree in English and Media Studies from Fordham University and an MFA from American University. She lives in Maryland, and is also the owner of DC Writers Room, a co-working studio for writers based in Washington, D.C.
CONNECT WITH DONNA
Website: donnahemans.com
Instagram: instagram.com/donna_hemans
Facebook: facebook.com/DonnaHemansWriter
Book: The House of Plain Truth
Book: Tea by the Sea
DC Writers Room
MENTIONED RESOURCES
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Ann Garvin writes books for "women to do too much in a world that asks too much." Enough said; take all my money already!
She published her first book in her late forties, even though one of her professors/mentors used to say to her on a regular basis, “You’re the worst writer I’ve ever met.” (He wasn’t being funny.)
During this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Ann and I had so much fun discussing the novel-writing journey, from writing to publishing to marketing (and a whole lot in between!).
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Ann's journey from being a nurse (with a PhD) to being a full-time writer and how she thinks about her future in this space.
- A fascinating look into what’s moving the levers in the publishing space right now. It’s extremely eye-opening, and allows YOU, as the author, to make much more well-informed decisions when it comes to publishing and marketing.
- Going from 102 to 21K reviews (and whether she reads those reviews!)
- How her process has evolved when it comes to working with her editor to remain true to the story she wants to tell
- How she avoids the “lowest hanging fruit” in plot lines to keep her readers (and herself) curious and pleasantly surprised while reading
- Ann's take on self-publishing versus traditional publishing (and her best advice for all aspiring and second-time-around authors)
- Ann's thoughts on the #1 reason why people won't get published (which I couldn't agree with more!)
ABOUT ANN
Ann Garvin, Ph.D. is the USA Today Bestselling author of five funny and sad novels. She writes about people who do too much in a world that asks too much from them.
Ann worked as an RN and after receiving her Ph.D. taught Exercise Physiology
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
In Episode 63 of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with Pamela Gwyn Kripke, a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in dozens of publications, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, and Parenting.
Pamela's novel, At the Seams (Open Books, April 2023), details the journey of precocious eight-year-old Kate Nichols, whose understanding of her world is shattered when she learns of an uncle who died inexplicably in the hospital just days after his birth.
Interview Highlights:
- How to turning a real-life event into the premise for a novel (plus when---and why---the fiction component took over)
- Pamela's unique writing process when it comes to “layering in” detail (that doesn't work for most people!)
- Thoughts on why experiences stick with us well enough that we can write about them in great detail decades later (even though we can’t remember what we have for breakfast that morning)
- Pamela's publishing journey, and why she ended up choosing a traditional small press
- Her fun, diverse approach to book marketing
- The differences between journalistic writing and book writing (all you journalists/freelance writers will love this part of the conversation)
ABOUT PAMELA
Pamela Gwyn Kripke is a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, Medium, New York Magazine, Parenting, Redbook, Elle, D Magazine, Creators Syndicate, Gannett Newspapers and McClatchy.
H
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
When The Last Love Note by Emma Grey showed up on my doorstep, I knew we had a problem. A book with a cover that good had to have a story even better within its pages. And I wasn't wrong!
I could've talked to Emma for hours (if not days), and in the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed:
⭐️ The backstory behind the book and how it came to be, a bit unexpectedly.
⭐️ How long it took Emma to write while “wrangling grief.”
⭐️ Where Emma started writing her book and how that moment it came full circle when Zibby Books offered to be her US publisher
⭐️ Emma's writing process, including how long it took to get her skeleton draft (65K words) and how many drafts she went through before sending it to first publisher in Australia.
⭐️ Knowing when chapters don’t propel the story forward (and how to handle it when you're advised to cut 30K words)
⭐️ Her agent's advice on how quickly to write the first draft
⭐️ Emma's perspective on alpha readers, beta readers, prologues, and chasing 100 rejections
**WARNING: The revelation at the 41:40 mark about what happened with the acquisition of her book will shock you!
ABOUT EMMA
Emma Grey is a novelist, feature writer, photographer, professional speaker and accountability coach.
She has been writing fiction since she first fell for Anne of Green Gables at fourteen and is the author of the YA novels Unrequited: Boy band meets girl, Tilly Maguire and the Royal Wedding Mess, the non-fiction title, I Don’t Have Time (co-authored with Audrey Thomas), and the parenting memoir Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum.
Along with her schoolfriend, dual ARIA-winning composer, Sally Whitwell, Emma co-wrote two musicals,
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
A little over a decade ago, Bethany Clemenson, author of Ditching the Dream: How to Live Life on Your Terms (Finn-Phyllis Press, 2022), found herself in a place where, on the outside, it looked like she was killing it. But on the inside, it was killing her.
She had climbed the corporate ladder and was an award-winning leader in the company. She and her husband had built their dream home. They had two healthy children. And they were financially healthy.
But behind the scenes, Bethany worked 80-plus hours a week, was on-call 24/7, and traveled regularly. She and her family were disconnected, and she felt exhausted, unfulfilled, resentful, and frustrated.
She began thinking about what she really wanted and started saying no to everything that didn't align. She found that all the pressure she felt was her own doing, and that she was both the problem and the solution.
As a result, she left her corporate role, she and her family sold everything and traveled the US in a motorhome, and she's been (jubilantly) living life on her terms ever since.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about:
🎙️ Other people navigating your book and their role in it (even when you’ve been nothing but complimentary!)
🎙️ How writing a book helps you recognize how far you’ve come
🎙️ How to know when your book is finished (when you’re finished writing)
🎙️ Creative (and fun) marketing techniques
🎙️ Living out the message of your book
CONNECT WITH BETHANY
Website: www.bigliferesources.com
Instagram:
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Alix Strauss recently reissued The Joy of Funerals, 20 years after its initial release (with St. Martin's Press). This fascinated me, as so often I hear authors wonder, "Can I still promote my book? It's been out for a year!"
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about:
- what compelled her to reissue the book
- what she's doing differently this time around
- how being a frequent contributor to the NYT informs her confidence about being a "good" writer
- what she loves most about the writing community
- how she summons and nurtures unflinching belief in her book.
I had to sit quite far from the mic for the majority of the interview so it didn't pick up my near-constant laughter; the woman is hysterical!
ABOUT ALIX
Alix Strauss is a trend, culture, and lifestyle journalist; an award-winning, four-time published author; speaker; and frequent contributor to The New York Times.
Her books include: The Joy of Funerals (St. Martin’s Press & Palagram Press), Based Upon Availability (Harper Collins), and Death Becomes Them: Unearthing the Suicides of the Brilliant, the Famous and the Notorious (Harper Collins). She is also the editor of Have I Got a Guy for You (Simon & Schuster), an anthology of mother-coordinated dating horror stories. Her work has been optioned for several TV and film projects.
A media-savvy social satirist, she has been a featured lifestyle, travel, and trend writer on national morning and talk shows including ABC, CBS, CNN, and the Today Show. During the past 25 years, she has written over 1500 articles. Her articles have appeared in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Conde Nast Traveler, the Financial Times, Time Magazine, and Departures, among others, and
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
I love a good string of lessons learned. Given the popularity of my post detailing the 9 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Sooner on Instagram, I thought I'd expand upon a few of them (and add one more!).
It's been a wild and wonderful 19+ years in this space, and while I wouldn't change a thing, knowing some of this earlier on would certainly have saved me some late-night anxiety runs to the ice cream section of the grocery store!
While I'll always support late-night ice cream runs, my hope is that this list will help you make them from a calm, happy space!
MENTIONED RESOURCES
Creating Captivating Audiobooks workshop with Drew Linsalata
Carly Watters' Instagram post about author visibility challenges
The Book Writers Collective (monthly membership)
Holy Sh*t…I’m Having Twins! The Definitive Guide to Remaining Calm When You're Twice as Freaked Out (still my top-selling book, even after 19 years!)
Podcast Episode 9: What Makes a Book a Bestseller?
WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON YOUR BOOK
BOOK EDITING
For all the details on my book editing services, click here
WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY
A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write powerful nonfiction or memoir (an
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
I was thrilled to get the opportunity to speak with Kristen McGuiness, 2x author and founder of both Rise Books and Ascent Publishing, in the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast.
Kristen shares the incredibly relatable rollercoaster of emotions and experiences that come with navigating the book publishing realm as well as the process of finding the right fit for your manuscript, whether it's a big-name, boutique publisher, or hybrid publisher.
ABOUT KRISTENKristen McGuiness is the founder of Storyboxing, which provides content, coaching and courses for people looking to write the good fight. In addition, she is a co-founder, Vice President, and Editor-at-Large of Row House, a disruptive publishing imprint at the intersection of wellness + social justice, founded by best-selling author Rebekah Borucki.
Kristen is also the bestselling author of 51/50: The Magical Adventures of a Single Life, which was optioned by Original Films/CBS Cable with Alison Brie attached to star. She has over twenty years’ experience in book development, writing, and editorial, working with such authors as Dr. Phil McGraw, Dr. Stephen Covey, Chris Matthews, Leon Logothetis, Joe Gorga, Darren Prince, Rebekah Borucki, and more.
She began her career working in publicity for St. Martin's Press before joining the editorial departments of Simon & Schuster, Free Press, and Judith Regan at Harper Collins. Since then, Kristen has also worked in non-profit fundraising as a strategic grants and marketing director, helping to raise millions for local and international non-profits.
Kristen has appeared on the “TODAY Show,” in USA Today, and in Marie Claire, and has written for numerous publications, including Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, Psychology Today
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL
I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.
It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.
Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
When seeking a publisher, it can feel downright impossible to know who to trust and where to invest should you decide to pursue hybrid publishing. Of course you want to do everything possible to ensure that you're getting exactly what you sign up (and pay) for.
Reputable hybrid publishing houses are wonderful! They're providing an important service by helping so many amazing books make their way into the world and supporting their authors along the way.
But just like every industry, there are some "bad players" (and the number seems to be increasing).
So in this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I break down the GREEN flags (as in, these guys are good!), the yellow flags, and even an orange flag or two when it comes to working with a hybrid publisher so you can filter the good from the not-so-good and more quickly be on your way to an incredible author experience.
WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON YOUR BOOKBOOK EDITING
For all the details on my book editing services, click here
WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY
A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write powerful nonfiction or memoir (and avoid common, unnecessary mistakes along the way)
✍️ Crave support, knowledgeable guidance, and compassionate ass-kicking when you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)
✍️ Want to be part of a community of authors who provide accountability, feedback, creative suggestions, and inspiration (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)
and
✍️ Group coaching/masterminding with Elizabeth every other week to help you navigate roadblocks so you can get to the fi
Guygiene lets youequip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands, developed just for teen and 'tween boys.
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout.
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
What happens after the book is published is often not what authors expect. We expect the inevitable "dip" in sales. We expect to spend time coming up with new strategies for getting the book in front of new readers.
But we often don't expect a post-publication "funk."
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I dive into this reality of book publishing and what authors can do to mitigate it.
WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON YOUR BOOKBOOK EDITING
For all the details on my book editing services, click here
WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY
A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write powerful nonfiction or memoir (and avoid common, unnecessary mistakes along the way)
✍️ Crave support, knowledgeable guidance, and compassionate ass-kicking when you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)
✍️ Want to be part of a community of authors who provide accountability, feedback, creative suggestions, and inspiration (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)
and
✍️ Group coaching/masterminding with Elizabeth every other week to help you navigate roadblocks so you can get to the finish line of writing a book you're immensely proud to release into the world
Learn more >>
PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK
A complete step-by-step program to help you publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.
This is for you if you:
📚 Want no-fluff, step-by-step directions to publishing a top-quality book on your terms and timeline
📚 Want to retain all rights, creative control, and earnings so you can start building a lucrative career as an author
📚 Want access to a patient, committed (fun!) six-time author every two weeks to guide you through questions and areas of
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website
Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
Every time I tell Joanna Hardis how much her book, Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way, has impacted me, her jaw drops. She truly can’t seem to believe how deeply her unique approach and perspective to getting out of one’s way is resonating with readers.
Join us for this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast as Joanna shares her incredible journey from self-doubt to powerful author. Discover how her unique perspective on overcoming obstacles can inspire you to write your own damn book. Plus, learn from her experiences as a therapist-turned-author, and find out how she tackles the challenges of writing and marketing with wisdom and insight that will resonate with every aspiring writer.
ABOUT JOANNA Joanna Hardis, LISW-S, is a cognitive behavioral therapist based in Cleveland, Ohio. Committed to using evidence-based treatments, Joanna helps people get “unstuck.” Through her private practice as well as virtual workshops on distress tolerance, Joanna shows people how to respond to being uncomfortable by giving them the knowledge and tools they need to move forward. She may drop a favorite Yiddish word (or two) during a session, and her goal is always for her clients not to need her anymore.
She has been quoted in The Today Show, Self, and Well and Good magazines.
She received her B.S. at Cornell University and her M.S.S.A. at Case Western Reserve University. She earned her certification from the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy in 2000, SPACE (Supportive Counseling for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Certification in 2016, and she’s one of a handful of clinicians with the highest training in Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD in Northeast Ohio.
In her spare time, Joanna enjoys powerlifting, doing anything with her three kids, traveling, and getting sucked into bad Reality TV.
WHAT JOANNA'S READING Outline by Rachel Cusk
The Guest by Emma Cline
CONNECT WITH JOANNA Instagram: instagram.com/joannahardis
Website: joannahardis.com
Book: Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way
RESOURCES MENTIONED Book Outlines Made Simple: A Pay-What-You-Can Workshop
The Anxious Truth Podcast episode Joanna recently appeared on (Episode 272)
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we simplify the sometimes complicated landscape of book editing, clarifying the various editing stages.
From developmental editing that shapes the overarching structure to line editing that refines prose to copyediting that makes sure grammar and syntax are correct, you'll discover the important roles each phase plays in refining a manuscript's clarity and impact.
You'll also hear my tips for creating an effective editor-author partnership (not to mention how and where to find a great editor to begin with!).
RESOURCES MENTIONED Joanna Hardis's new book: Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way
Blog post: What a Good Book Editor REALLY Does
Source for book editors: Reedsy.com
Source for book editors: Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)
Blog post on average editing rates
(Another) blog post on average editing rates
ELIZABETH'S EDITING OPENINGS I continue to be incredibly passionate about partnering with authors as their editor, and I accept new editing clients as my schedule permits. I typically work on fiction (rom-com, women's fiction, contemporary romance), entrepreneurship, self-help, memoir, and business.
To discuss available openings, please email me at elizabeth@elizabethlyons.com.
To see a sample of the books I've edited and learn more about my process and rates, click here.
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number)---it's one of the lesser-understood components of book publishing, but it's incredibly important to understand (especially if you're an indie author).
In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I simplify exactly why the ISBN is important, why you need it one (likely more than one), and why the way you acquire it (and from whom) is more important than ever.
RESOURCES MENTIONED Bowker Identifier Services
How AI-Generated Books Could Hurt Self-Published Authors by Jane Friedman
MY STEP-BY-STEP SELF-PUBLISHING COURSE "This course is worth every penny. I'd be lost without it."
-Mary Belle, author of Vivi Il Momento
Publish A Profitable Book
Publish A Profitable Book shows you step-by-step how to self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller (while retaining your rights, maximizing your profits, and shortening your time to market.
Learn more >>
When Neely Tubati-Alexander started working on her first novel (Love Buzz; HarperPerennial, May 2023), she wished someone could give her a straightforward understanding of the steps she'd need to take, from writing her first draft to properly querying agents to getting that often-sought-after publishing deal.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, she illuminates the path from draft to deal---at least the one she took---so that other aspiring authors have more of an understanding of what to expect, what to avoid, and how to keep going when things seem go awry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * The #1 way to piss off a literary agent (don't worry, it’s easy to avoid). * Should you have a manuscript edited (and to what degree) before querying a literary agent? * How to develop a strong query plan (and choose the best agents to query for your book). * The 3 most important things to know about your book before querying a literary agent. * What agents and editors look for beyond a great book. * The submissions process from agent to acquisitions editors.
ABOUT NEELY TUBATI-ALEXANDER Neely is the author of women’s fiction with rom-com feels you can escape into with a smile. And if you like seeing women pursuing love AND careers, you'll love her writing! If she's not tucked away at the little desk in her bedroom writing, you can find her at some kiddo activity (so many activities), drinking wine, or watching reality TV, usually the last two together.
FOLLOW NEELY Instagram: @neelyalexander
Website: neelytubatialexander.com
Love Buzz (debut novel): https://amzn.to/45N6Luz
OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED Carly Watters: @carlywatters
Cece Lyra: @cecelyra
Bianca Marais: @biancamarais
WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER! Book Outlines Made Simple (outlining workshop) Through this pay-what-you-can on--demand workshop, you'll discover the 5 components of all bestselling books, learn how to zero in on your core message, and get access to the outlining spreadsheet I've used to write six books (and help countless authors write theirs) so you can masterfully organize your thoughts, perspectives, and insights.
Learn more >>
Write the Damn Book Already! (memoir/nonfiction writing program) A program for writing powerful nonfiction or memoir that readers can't put down. it's time to share your message, tell your story, and make your impact.
Learn more >>
The Book Writers Collective (monthly membership) The Book Writers Collective provides twice monthly coaching/guidance calls and co-writing sessions. It’s a monthly membership that you can cancel anytime (or upgrade into Write the Damn Book Already to get access to the online book writing trainings).
Learn more >>
Publish A Profitable Book (self-publishing program) Publish A Profitable Book shows you step-by-step how to self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller (while retaining your rights, maximizing your profits, and shortening your time to market.
Learn more >>
From Manuscript to Market (book launching program) From Manuscript to Market walks you step-by-step through my 12-day book launch strategy (including customizable social media and email templates) so you can sell more books and build a tribe of loyal, raving readers.
Learn more >>
These days, there's more than just one path to getting a book published.
From traditional publishing to hybrid publishing to self-publishing, every aspiring author has an opportunity to have her voice heard and to make an impact on readers.
For as many people who hail one approach, there are just as many who eschew it.
To be sure, there are pros and cons to each. The key is knowing what those pros and cons are so you can make the best decision for your book project (and the decision may very well change from book to book!).
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, you'll gain a more thorough understanding of traditional, hybrid/vanity, and self-publishing.
And while I believe each model has its place, there's one I consistently advise authors to stay (far) away from. I've never heard of an experience with this publishing model ending well.
Resources Mentioned 25 Days of Bold Moves (free challenge)
Episode with Neely Alexander, author of Love Buzz
Episode with Jamie Varon, author of Main Character Energy
Podcast Ep 35: I want to write a book, but where do I start?
Finn-Phyllis Press - hybrid publishing house
Ways We Can Work Together on Your Book! Book Outlines Made Simple (workshop) Through this pay-what-you-can on--demand workshop, you'll discover the 5 components of all bestselling books, learn how to zero in on your core message, and get access to the outlining spreadsheet I've used to write six books (and help countless authors write theirs) so you can masterfully organize your thoughts, perspectives, and insights.
Learn more >>
Write the Damn Book Already! (memoir/nonfiction writing program) A program for writing powerful nonfiction or memoir that readers can't put down. it's time to share your message, tell your story, and make your impact.
Learn more >>
The Book Writers Collective (monthly membership) The Book Writers Collective provides twice monthly coaching/guidance calls and co-writing sessions. It’s a monthly membership that you can cancel anytime (or upgrade into Write the Damn Book Already to get access to the online book writing trainings).
Learn more >>
Publish A Profitable Book (self-publishing program) Publish A Profitable Book shows you step-by-step how to self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller (while retaining your rights, maximizing your profits, and shortening your time to market.
Learn more >>
From Manuscript to Market (book launching program) From Manuscript to Market walks you step-by-step through my 12-day book launch strategy (including customizable social media and email templates) so you can sell more books and build a tribe of loyal, raving readers.
Learn more >>
Jamie Varon is an author, designer, digital course creator, and creative consultant living in Calabasas, CA. Her first nonfiction book, Radically Content, was published April 12th, 2022 with Quarto Books.
Her debut novel, Main Character Energy, (which she wrote in an hour a day, because no, you don't have to devote your entire life to it!) will be published fall 2023 with HarperCollins’ imprint, Park Row.
In Episode 49 of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed: * How writing a "Novel Zero" can be a game-changer for nonfiction writers. * The daunting task of transitioning from nonfiction to fiction writing and why it can feel incredibly challenging, even for experienced writers. * The subjective nature of books and the unique challenges authors face in getting their works written and published. * Jamie's experience utilizing a book writing coach to overcome obstacles and complete her novel. * Jamie's unconventional outlining practice and why it differs from traditional methods. * Tips on finding a great editor who can truly enhance your writing journey. * What writers can learn from musicians when it comes to the book-writing process.
CONNECT WITH JAMIE Website: jamievaron.com
Radically Content: https://amzn.to/44Vsi3Z
Main Character Energy: https://amzn.to/3DBSKUr
Instagram: instagram.com/jamievaron
Facebook: facebook.com/jamievaron
Twitter: twitter.com/jamievaron
RESOURCES MENTIONED Love Buzz by Neely Tubati Alexander
Ways We Can Work Together on Your Book! 25 Days of Bold Moves (free challenge) Get instant access to my 25 TOP TIPS to finish your book, boost book sales, and increase your reach as an author.
Sign up here >>
Book Outlines Made Simple workshop Through this pay-what-you-can on--demand workshop, you'll discover the 5 components of all bestselling books, learn how to zero in on your core message, and get access to the outlining spreadsheet I've used to write six books (and help countless authors write theirs) so you can masterfully organize your thoughts, perspectives, and insights.
Learn more >>
Write the Damn Book Already! A program for writing powerful nonfiction or memoir that readers can't put down. it's time to share your message, tell your story, and make your impact.
Learn more >>
The Book Writers Collective The Book Writers Collective provides twice monthly coaching/guidance calls and co-writing sessions. It’s a monthly membership that you can cancel anytime (or upgrade into Write the Damn Book Already to get access to the online book writing trainings).
Learn more >>
Remember Kara Forney’s @BoyMomsBook reel that got 4 million+ views, brought in 13,000+ followers, and sold 70+ books in the first 6 days?
We said we didn’t know how she did it. And we don’t 100% know. Not to the extent that we can now sell you on “the perfect formula to reach IG and life stardom in 27 seconds.”
Yes, it seemed random, and one certainly never knows what will “hit.”
A viral reel is rarely the singular key to "success." But even though Kara's reel wasn't necessarily "intentionally strategic" (meaning that she didn't spend hours concocting the perfect video, verbiage, caption, and hashtags), we did identify four key takeaways EVERY author can benefit from.
GET TO KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE It’s not just about getting people to follow YOU. You need to know what hooks the types of people you want to attract!
Boy Moms: Collective Tales of Mothers and Sons launched a year ago. Since then, Kara has been keeping tabs on where her ideal audience is. In other words, who are other Boy Moms are following, and what kinds of posts get traction with that audience?
Put simply, she set out to understand the “Instagram language” of her audience.
She determined the answer to be short, funny, repurposed posts, so that's what she posts a lot of.
“When that particular video clip came across my feed,” she told me, “I absolutely recognized I could do something with it ‘my’ segment of the Boy Mom audience would relate to. Did I think it would get 3.5 million views? Definitely not. But I knew that, on some level, Boy Moms would think it was funny.”
STAY IN YOUR LANE Kara isn’t a “boy mom coach.” She doesn’t help people become better boy moms. Her book isn’t directive or prescriptive in any way, nor is it meant to be.
She’s an extremely successful corporate consultant. (Remember The Bump? She founded it. It was later acquired by The Knot.)
Her book isn’t about how to be a better boy mom. It’s not filled with explicit tips on how to raise boys. It’s a collection of essays written by boy moms about the heartwarming, hilarious, idiotic things boys do as they’re unknowingly teaching us about life and about ourselves.
Knowing that her target audience isn’t looking to her for advice or guidance but simply the kind of content that makes you declare, “That’s so true!” while laughing out loud at the relatability, or clutch your heart while holding back tears, she knows to focus on creating posts that attract Boy Moms who love that.
They’re the exact moms most likely to purchase her book.
DON’T DISAPPEAR Once this post “hit” and she watched her follower count go through the roof (compared to what it was), she knew she couldn’t take her foot off the gas. Did this mean pulling an all-nighter creating oodles of content? Of course not. But now that she had fresh eyeballs who not only liked the reel but followed her as a result, she wanted to be sure she was serving them.
With similar-toned posts (and a quick post that showcased her book so new followers know she has one and older followers are reminded), repurposing other funny content to make it applicable to moms of boys, she continues to speak to and serve this audience exactly what they followed her for to begin with. Which is why the majority of them will stick around!
If they show up as your new follower and then all you deliver are ads and content that isn’t the same “vibe” as the one that got them interested to begin with, you’ll lost them.
This is why jumping on trends—if they aren’t in line with your “brand”—isn’t sustainable. People feel like they met one person, but now they’re on a date with someone different. And they want to go home and get in their own bed. Alone!
BRAND VERSUS CONCEPT Kara isn’t positioning herself as the brand. The brand speaks for itself. It’s similar to Third Eye Thoughts or Thirty Something Probs (Not expert-based direction)
Resources Mentioned Within Episode The reel that went viral
Boy Moms: Collective Tales of Mothers and Sons
Write the Damn Book Already program
Ways We Can Work Together on Your Book! Book Outlines Made Simple workshop Through this pay-what-you-can on--demand workshop, you'll discover the 5 components of all bestselling books, learn how to zero in on your core message, and get access to the outlining spreadsheet I've used to write six books (and help countless authors write theirs) so you can masterfully organize your thoughts, perspectives, and insights.
Learn more >>
Write the Damn Book Already! A program for writing powerful nonfiction or memoir that readers can't put down. it's time to share your message, tell your story, and make your impact.
Learn more >>
The Book Writers Collective The Book Writers Collective provides twice monthly coaching/guidance calls and co-writing sessions. It’s a monthly membership that you can cancel anytime (or upgrade into Write the Damn Book Already to get access to the online book writing trainings).
Learn more >>
Publish A Profitable Book Step-by-step guidance on how to self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller (while retaining your rights, maximizing your profits, and shortening your time to market).
Learn more >>
From Manuscript to Market Eliminate book launching overwhelm for good so you can sell more books and build a tribe of loyal, raving readers
Learn more >>
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Lauren Eckhardt, author and founder of Burning Soul Collective and Burning Soul Press. We discussed the changing landscape of the publishing industry, the importance of marketing your book in a way that feels authentic, and the therapeutic aspect of book writing.
Lauren shared her insights on different publishing opportunities and paradigms, emphasizing the need to align your values with your chosen approach. She also debunked the idea of being published for free and provided guidance on self- and hybrid publishing, encouraging authors to be more curious about the hidden value of paying someone else to publish their work.
We also discussed how Lauren helps authors overcome imposter syndrome and shared her own strategies for battling "writer's block" and lack of inspiration.
Finally, we explored a new perspective on book launches, an alternative to the traditional "finish line" mentality. Overall, the conversation was filled with valuable insights and practical advice for both aspiring and established authors.
ABOUT LAUREN Lauren is an award-winning and best-selling author and CEO, ghostwriter, and book coach at Burning Soul Press. She’s also the mama to two little guys who are her why that drives her every day. She’s an advocate for determined and passionate writers who listen to their soul’s calling and the number one cheerleader for our authors.
CONNECT WITH LAUREN Coaching Website: BurningSoulCollective.com
Author website: authorlaureneckhardt.com
Instagram: @authorlaureneckhardt and @burningsoulcollective
ELIZABETH'S CORE WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write a powerful, top-quality book, making sure you're avoiding common (and unnecessary) mistakes along the way
✍️ Crave the support of a solid book-writing process as well as knowledgeable guidance and compassionate ass-kicking (when necessary) when the adventure feels “sticky” and you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)
✍️ Desire to be part of a community of authors who provide you with accountability, motivation, and support (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)
and
✍️ 2x/month group coaching/support/guidance sessions with Elizabeth to help you navigate roadblocks (both tactical and mindset-based) so you can get to the finish line of writing a book you're immensely proud of
Learn more >>
PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK A complete step-by-step program to help you self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.
This is for you if you:
📚 Are ready to publish your book on your terms and your timeline
📚 Want to retain all rights, creative control, and profits so you can start building your career as an author
📚 Want 2x/month coaching support from a 6x author to guide you through those second-guessing moments and areas of confusion (we all have them!)
Learn More >>
FROM MANUSCRIPT TO MARKET A complete step-by-step program to help you launch (or re-launch) your book so you can sell more copies while building a tribe of loyal, raving readers
This is for you if you:
🚀 Are getting ready to publish (or have already published) and think, "Book marketing isn't my area of expertise."
🚀 Want to get your book in the hands of as many people as possible without feeling uber salesy
🚀 Like having easy-to-customize templates and graphics so you don't spend time spinning when it comes to what to say or how to post on social media with ease.
From Manuscript to Market details the complete 12-day book launch strategy that I use to launch all of my books and that most Finn-Phyllis Press authors use to launch theirs—without overwhelm, overthinking, or unnecessary breakdowns!
Learn More >>
Click here to sign up for the Social Media for Authors + Writers Workshop (July 20, replay will be sent if you can't attend live!)
When it comes to book writing, "I'm waiting for inspiration/motivation" is often code for "I have no idea where this is going and it scares the sh*t out of me so I'll figure it out another day."
But there are ways around (read: through) this challenge.
In today's episode, I offer some of my favorite tips so that you can get out of "waiting" and into writing!
ELIZABETH'S CORE WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write a powerful, top-quality book, making sure you're avoiding common (and unnecessary) mistakes along the way
✍️ Crave the support of a proven book-writing process as well as knowledgeable guidance and compassionate ass-kicking (when necessary) when the adventure feels “sticky” and you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)
✍️ Desire to be part of a community of authors who provide you with accountability, motivation, and support (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)
and
✍️ 2x/month group coaching /support/guidance sessions with Elizabeth to help you navigate roadblocks (both tactical and mindset-based) so you can get to the finish line of writing a book you're immensely proud of
Learn more >>
PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK A complete step-by-step program to help you self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.
This is for you if you:
📚 Are ready to publish your book on your terms and your timeline
📚 Want to retain all rights, creative control, and profits so you can start building your career as an author
📚 Want 2x/month coaching support from a 6x author to guide you through those second-guessing moments and areas of confusion (we all have them!)
Learn More >>
FROM MANUSCRIPT TO MARKET A complete step-by-step program to help you launch (or re-launch) your book so you can sell more copies while building a tribe of loyal, raving readers
This is for you if you:
🚀 Are getting ready to publish (or have already published) and think, "Book marketing isn't my area of expertise."
🚀 Want to get your book in the hands of as many people as possible without feeling uber salesy
🚀 Like having easy-to-customize templates and graphics so you don't spend time spinning when it comes to what to say or how to post on social media with ease.
From Manuscript to Market details the complete 12-day book launch strategy that I use to launch all of my books and that most Finn-Phyllis Press authors use to launch theirs—without overwhelm, overthinking, or unnecessary breakdowns!
Learn More >>
"Sometimes, the writing comes easy because we have been thinking about it for so long. It has taken years come to fruition, but it is already there. We are writing to explore both what we know and what we don’t know."
-Rick Rubin
Sometimes, content flows easily.
Sometimes, it’s like pulling a rock out of solid concrete with your bare fingers.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, you'll discover often-overlooked reasons for why the writing sometimes feels "hard" (reasons that will have you both curious and eager to get your butt back in the chair!).
READY TO GET YOUR BOOK OUTLINED? Consider enrolling in my pay-what-you-can Book Outlines Made Simple workshop!
MORE OF ELIZABETH'S WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.
This is for you if you:
✍️ Want to write a powerful, top-quality book, making sure you're avoiding common (and unnecessary) mistakes along the way
✍️ Crave the support of a proven book-writing process as well as knowledgeable guidance and compassionate ass-kicking (when necessary) when the adventure feels “sticky” and you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)
✍️ Desire to be part of a community of authors who provide you with accountability, motivation, and support (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)
and
✍️ 2x/month group coaching /support/guidance sessions with Elizabeth to help you navigate roadblocks (both tactical and mindset-based) so you can get to the finish line of writing a book you're immensely proud of
Learn more >>
PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK A complete step-by-step program to help you self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.
This is for you if you:
📚 Are ready to publish your book on your terms and your timeline
📚 Want to retain all rights, creative control, and profits so you can start building your career as an author
📚 Want 2x/month coaching support from a 6x author to guide you through those second-guessing moments and areas of confusion (we all have them!)
Learn More >>
FROM MANUSCRIPT TO MARKET A complete step-by-step program to help you launch (or re-launch) your book so you can sell more copies while building a tribe of loyal, raving readers
This is for you if you:
🚀 Are getting ready to publish (or have already published) and think, "Book marketing isn't my area of expertise."
🚀 Want to get your book in the hands of as many people as possible without feeling uber salesy
🚀 Like having easy-to-customize templates and graphics so you don't spend time spinning when it comes to what to say or how to post on social media with ease.
From Manuscript to Market details the complete 12-day book launch strategy that I use to launch all of my books and that most Finn-Phyllis Press authors use to launch theirs—without overwhelm, overthinking, or unnecessary breakdowns!
Learn More >>
Few people (in my age bracket, anyway) aren't familiar with the perennial bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie. Published in 2002, the book highlights the lessons passed down from Morrie Schwartz (a college professor) to his student, Mitch Albom.
Morrie passed away before the book was released (before a word of it was written, in fact). And years after his death, Rob discovered a manuscript in the drawer of his father's desk.
That manuscript would become The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully, released April 18, 2023 (Blackstone Publishing).
On this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Rob and I talked about his discovery of the manuscript, and the decision for him to edit it and seek a publisher who would help continue to spread Morrie's timeless insights.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS * How Rob discovered the manuscript (and the surprising condition it was in) * How "easy" it was to find an agent and then publisher for the book given the success of Tuesdays with Morrie (this will surprise you) * What Rob most appreciates about his publisher (it's not one of the Big 5!) * Why “waiting” so many years between discovery and publication might have hurt (and, more importantly, might have helped!)
ABOUT ROB SCHWARTZ Rob Schwartz is a writer, producer, and entrepreneur. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Interview and Melody Maker, among many others.
He was a script editor at NHK World TV in Japan for fourteen years and has been an Asia Correspondent for Billboard magazine since 2008. In 2005 he founded the electro-rock crossover label Dynastic Records in Japan.
Rob produces feature films, including Putty Hill (2010) and Bernard and Huey (2017); actively invests in tech-based startups; and is currently a partner in the virtual concert-creation platform Moshpit (www.Moshpit.Live). Rob is one of the producers of Onetopia, a benefit festival for mental health slated for May, 2024 (onetopia.com)
CONNECT WITH ROB Website: WisdomOfMorrie.com
Upcoming Benefit Music Festival: Onetopia.com
Rob’s Instagram: @rob_schwa
Purchase The Wisdom of Morrie
MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH'S WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @elizabethlyonsauthor
All Programs: Elizabeth's book writing, publishing, and marketing programs & resources
Donna Norman-Carbone's debut novel, All That is Sacred, released on April 11, 2023 (Red Adept Publishing).
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed her journey to writing and publishing the novel, which was inspired by true events.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS * How Donna got started writing, and the story and characters who inspired her debut novel * Donna's process of writing through both grief AND difficult conversations to sort through her feelings and thoughts (as a fellow emotional being, this made my ears perk up!) * How long the book ended up taking to write and be published given all the other things going on in her life * The details of her unique publishing journey, which started with querying agents and ended with her querying her publisher directly (which isn’t common) * One of her favorite offerings provided by her publishing house (I think every publishing house should have this for their authors!) * Within the editing process, a suggestion was made to go from 5 POVs (points of view) to 1 and to write an entirely new first chapter. We talked about how she responded and worked with those suggestions without feeling like she was starting all over. * A perspective-shifting way to think about where you are in the book-writing process when you send your book to the editor (hint: you’re NOT 95% to the finish line) * What Donna is most excited about when it comes to promotion (as someone who doesn’t like to speak in front of others, even though she’s a teacher!)
ABOUT DONNA Donna Norman-Carbone’s debut, All That is Sacred, a women’s fiction released on April 11, 2023, is published by Red Adept Publishing. A member of the WFWA and CAPA and a tour guide for Bookish Road Trip, Donna also teaches English in CT where she resides with her husband and family. She enjoys reading and traveling.
AUTHORS REFERENCED IN EPISODE Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue
Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, author of Joy is My Justice
CONNECT WITH DONNA www.donnanormancarbone.com
Instagram: @donnanormancarbone
Facebook: @dncarboneauthor
TikTok: @dcarbs727author
Twitter: @dcarbs727author
Book: Purchase a copy of All That is Sacred
Jill Krzyzanowicz writes under the pen name Margo Reilly, which I found fascinating since her first book, When the Apple Falls Far from the Tree, is memoir.
Many people wonder whether they can (or should) write memoir under a pen name, and in all cases (up until speaking with Jill), I advised against it for a variety of reasons that Jill and I spoke about.
But Jill's rationale made perfect sense, and it provides a great additional perspective for anyone considering the same approach.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Jill and I had a wonderful time chatting about the book writing, publishing, and marketing processes, as well as her plans for a second book.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * Why pseudonyms (pen names) can be a real problem when you’re writing memoir, and why Jill chose to use one (plus, her publisher’s surprising direction on her choice of a pen name) * The conversation with her friend, whose words, “This conversation will help so many more people than it will hurt” moved her to action * How she (successfully) promotes a book that’s written under a pseudonym * Jill's fears about whether anyone would be angry after reading her book (and whether anyone did get mad angry) * How Jill started writing (even though she fell into the “I’m not a writer” club), and why she encourages everyone to write through their journey—even if they aren't writing a book * How to get out of the “I’m writing a book” mindset to get into the greatest, juiciest details and epiphanies
ABOUT JILL KRZYZANOWICZ (MARGO REILLY) After 20+ years in public education, Jill has decided to use her masters degree and teaching experience to become a personal empowerment mentor. Her newly published book entitled, When the Apple Fall Far from the Tree, outlines a lifetime of adversity and the tools she used to make it to the other side.
From growing up chaotic in a house of violence, to cancer recovery, multiple weight loss surgeries, and a newly sober lifestyle, Jill feels compelled to share the “gifts” she has discovered along her path of personal growth.
She is the creator of the blog site justbeingjill.com and also writes under the pen name Margo Reilly. Jill has recently completed a life coach course and soon hopes to be assisting others with their own transformational journeys. She is currently working on her second memoir, When You Shake the Family Tree, a DNA discovery story.
CONNECT WITH JILL Website: justbeingjill.com
Instagram: @justbeingjill
Order a copy of When the Apple Falls Far From the Tree
ARTISTS MENTIONED Mixed Media Artist: Katie Goldstone
Illustrator: Henry Lyons
MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH'S WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @elizabethlyonsauthor
Elizabeth's book writing, publishing, and marketing programs and resources
When people talk about selling 867,386 books (in a week), it sounds good. It's also probably a lie; most authors intent on making an impact on their readers, whether through entertainment, education, insights, or all three, have no idea what the numbers really are. That's not their focus.
What is their focus is the ONE person who needs their message and will be so grateful to have it in their life.
(And if one person will love it, two will. Twenty will. 1000 will. We start with one.)
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Cara Sapida and I chatted about her book, Not the Breast Year of My Life (which, as of this posting, already has 66 5-star reviews on Amazon).
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS * What compelled Cara to write a book on a topic that’s quite saturated in the book world * How, when initially blogging about her breast cancer diagnosis and experience, she filtered out comments that didn’t serve her * What someone in the publishing community said to her early on about her book that could have kept it off the market forever (and not in of the hands of at least 1,000 individuals who are already so grateful for it!) * Her thoughts, as an ambivert (part introvert, part extrovert), on having a book signing versus a book reading * The heavily misunderstood commercialization of pink “stuff” in support of breast cancer (and how people can TRULY help breast cancer patients and medical research) * How Cara handled naysayers when it came to self-publishing (and her advice to others considering that path) * Plus, the book she took with her to every treatment
ABOUT CARA SAPIDA Cara Sapida is an award-winning journalist for WPXI-TV, the NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh. A mother of two, Cara navigated a stage two triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis amidst the chaos of the 2020 global pandemic and a personal journey through divorce.
With a deep-rooted passion for writing dating back to the second grade, Cara loves crafting compelling stories. Her debut book, Not the Breast Year of My Life, is a captivating and heartfelt memoir born from personal experiences and overcoming hardships. In addition to her journalistic achievements, Cara has also showcased her talent in the culinary world as a finalist in the prestigious Pillsbury Bake-Off.
CONNECT WITH CARA https://www.facebook.com/CaraSapida
https://www.instagram.com/carasapida
Purchase a copy of Not the Breast Year of My Life
MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH'S PROGRAMS Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @elizabethlyonsauthor
Elizabeth's book writing, publishing, and marketing programs and resources
Jamie Gagnon’s first book, Imagine My Love (an illustrated children’s book), was released in September 2022. With a degree in early childhood education and preschool teacher certification, it makes sense that she'd write a children's book.
But it was ultimately the love for her two children (combined with an "interesting" experience that showed her the power of words to young children) that compelled her to write this wonderful book.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we talked about the process of writing a children's book as well as the importance of recognizing the season of your life that you're in and not forcing yourself into others’ definition of success or opinions on how you “should” market your book.
Episode Highlights: [3:55] The root of her reason to write this book (what her 2nd grade and 6th grade teachers taught her about the power of words)
[5:17] How she found that “motherhood made an incredible mess of her” and compelled her to find a way to lead her own kids with her love
[10:40] Industry standards for children’s books (and how Jamie avoided getting hung up not knowing exactly how to adhere to them)
[11:30] How Jamie found a children’s book writing mentor (and who that person is!)
[14:57] How she found and partnered with her amazing illustrator, Sandra Jessop
[18:11] Her biggest concern when embarking on the partnership with her illustrator (and how she grew through embracing the challenge)
[21:40] The process of getting the illustrations from creation (hand-painting) to being combined with Jamie’s text and printed as a book.
[25:48] Her distribution plans for bulk orders, indie bookstore events, and general sales [and how she feels about being carried by the BIG bookstores, which was shocking]
Connect with Jamie Instagram: @the.rendered.root
Website: TheRenderedRoot.com
Facebook: The.Rendered.Root
Purchase Imagine My Love
Resources mentioned Marianne Richmond (children’s book mentor)
Sandra Jessop (illustrator)
Jessica Fein's first book, Moving On: How to Make the Transition from College to the Real World (which I'm still trying to figure out) was published in 1996. She has also been a Boston Globe columnist and Huff Post contributor.
But one of her most remarkable accomplishments is as a mom of three amazing kids. When her beautiful daughter Dahlia passed away in March 2022 from an ultra-rare mitochondrial disease called MERRF syndrome, she was compelled to transition from how-to format and personal essay to long-form memoir.
Her newest book, tentatively titled Breath Taking, is scheduled to be released in 2024 (which cannot get here soon enough).
In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we talked about her journey through the writing and acquisition of this newest book.
Highlights include: * Discovering in what unexpected ways her story was extraordinary WHILE writing. For Jessica, this marks the difference between “Here’s what happened” and “Here's why it mattered.” * How the book kept blossoming into a bigger and bigger story (and how she got her arms around all while not getting overwhelmed by the massive amount of content/story) * Going from "This is a tough read" to writing so people will be uplifted and inspired, because that’s what the overall theme/message is * The story behind the title (which could NOT be more perfect). * The process of writing and submitting to agents today versus for her previous book * Her favorite part of the story to write (and the part she fell even MORE in love with while writing) * How she dipped her toe back into the waters that felt the scariest write about, as well as the scenes that were almost too hard to relive and how she navigated them in a self-supporting way * How she included others’ role in the story (even when they were main characters) in order to protect others’ experiences and ownership of their own story * The expected editing timeline with her traditional publisher (it might surprise you how the process works behind the scenes) * The BEST words when it comes to how to write your first draft * Learning how to edit/revise as a memoirist versus a journalist * Why Jessica still hesitates to claim the label of “writer” (even though she's already published and was a columnist for a major national publication and a contributor to another)
CONNECT WITH JESSICA Jessica Fein on Instagram (@feinjessica)
Jessica Fein on Facebook
Being able to interview Cory Goodrich a second time (click here to listen to our first interview), this time doing a deeper dive into the writing of Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA, was a gift that's I just know is going to keep on giving.
An actor, painter, singer, songwriter, and all-around creative person, it shocked me to no end to hear that Cory didn't consider herself a "writer" and, in fact, didn't initially write with the intention of publishing a book.
And yet, maybe this is precisely how it was all meant to come together.
In this insightful episode, Cory shares:
- What surprised her the most while writing Folksong (I can almost guarantee you’re going to identify with this)
- How much the writing helped her to process her grief and grow her trust that her story will help others
- How she worked through not identifying as a “writer”
- Her relaxed perspective on book marketing (and who she wants to play her in the screen adaptation)
- Her overall goal as a creator (it’s not “selling”)
- How she deals with disappointment as a creative
- The biggest lesson she learned from writing this book
- An offered shift in perspective on having gratitude for “bad” things that happen in our lives
I can't wait to hear your takeaways from this episode!
CONNECT WITH CORY www.CoryGoodrich.com
Follow Cory on Instagram
Follow Cory on Facebook
Buy Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA
Even the most optimistic, curious, open-minded of us occasionally have moments when we worry, "Oh sh*t. What if...?"
If you're like me, it's enough to keep you stuck in one place for hours (if not days. Or months).
Many of us have two sides: we have a side that says, "Oh sht, what if...?" and* we have a side that says, "I've got this! I'll figure it out!"
When writing your book (or, ultimately, getting ready to publish or starting on your fifth marketing campaign), how can you effectively (and quickly!) switch from a "Holy sh*t. What if...?" mindset to one of excited curiosity?
I'll tell you exactly how I do it in this episode of Write the Damn Book Already.
Resources mentioned Floret Flower
Book Writing Made Simple
Chris Martinez's journey as an author is one I've had the privilege of being part of since the beginning.
We've now worked on six books together, and his perspective on being of service through a published book (as well as why he keeps writing more!) is one that every author can benefit from hearing.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we discussed:
[9:30] One of Chris's most heavily recommended books (that I've yet to read, even though it's a perennial bestseller)
[13:22] The biggest reasons why he keeps writing more books (it's not about money)
[11:35] How one book can provide you with a principle you'll refer back to for the rest of your life
[12:28] Chris's philosophy when it comes to looking at book sales figures
[14:13] The biggest opportunity that came as the result of just one book sale (it changed his life)
[27:32] How Chris manages promoting 6 books (while running multiple businesses and promoting other programs and services)
Connect with Chris Instagram: Instagram.com/chrisjmartinezatx
Website: CarSalesSuccess.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjmartinezatx/
A rock-solid outline takes the book-writing experience from overwhelming and complicated to exciting and empowered. And it's not nearly as complicated as you may think!
My simplified book-outlining process helps you:
💥 Write a book that tells your story or shares your message in a meaningful way (without feeling overwhelmed or confused, or making the common mistakes others make)
💥 Never again question which pieces of your story, perspective, or experience to include versus which to save for emails, social media posts, or blogs
💥 Develop unshakeable confidence in the unique way you tell your story...even if you don't consider yourself a writer (most of my clients don't consider themselves writers!)
The best news: My on-demand Book Outlines Made Simple workshop is FREE!
Click here to get instant access to the first training!
Joanna Rakoff has been a writer for as long as she can remember---even back to the days when people more routinely stated things like, "A career in the arts isn't realistic."
That said, her journey has taken more than a few twists and turns. From believing she wanted to follow a specific writing journey that didn't exactly "pan out" as she expected to discovering what type of writing she's truly passionate about (and why one needn't ever utter the words "I thought it was 'bad' to want [fill in the blank]," her story offers no fewer than 973 lessons in perseverance, the value of self-awareness, and the rewards that come from following the unique beat of one's heart.
On this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed:
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Joanna's ultimately realization that she desired "to make art rather than comment on it" (having started out with a more journalistic pursuit)
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The process of having her second book, My Salinger Year, optioned for film and the experience that resulted from choosing a producer with her heart, not her head.
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Her thoughts on the publishing industry sometimes wildly underestimating what readers actually want, and how it plays into books that become an unexpected success
What we think goes on behind the scenes of authors walking red carpets (not to mention what was involved in getting there to begin with) is often quite off-base, and a result of us trying to keep ourselves safe by thinking, "Well, that could never happen to me anyway because..."
But when we realize that, just like Us magazine likes to tell us every week, celebrities are "just like us," we can actually begin to get curiously creative about telling ourselves a different story---one that supports amazing and unexpected opportunities.
Connect with Joanna Author website
Joanna Rakoff on Instagam
Joanna Rakoff on Facebook
Joanna Rakoff on Twitter
Buy My Salinger Year
Buy A Fortunate Age
AMAZING UPGRADE to Book Writing Made Simple We now have pop-up co-writing containers!
This is an opportunity for you to join a Zoom room for 60 minutes, where everyone will be on mute, writing their book or catching up on trainings (so they can efficiently and excitedly write their book!).
My hope is that this will help to create a collective energy of "doing the damn thing" that ALL of us need from time to time!
BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE is a 12-month program for writing powerful, thought-provoking non-fiction or memoir that readers can't put down.
The book writing process I provide through Book Writing Made Simple is the result of 18+ years of writing 6 of my own books and helping hundreds of authors get their books written as well.
It addresses the critical (and often overlooked) aspects of writing a book that:
👏 makes a deep and lasting connection with readers (and is therefore recommended again and again)
👏 creates unshakeable confidence in the author's (that's you!) ability to help others create transformation in their lives
👏 doesn't feel like you're trying to squeeze water from a stone each time you sit down to write
To learn more about Book Writing Made Simple (or get yourself enrolled), simply click here!
Talking to people face-to-face (whether 1:1, in a small group, or from a stage) allows you to gauge their response (and pivot if/when necessary).
But when you’re writing a book, you don’t have that luxury.
Even when writing posts, you can get pretty quick feedback. But a book feels so…permanent!
In this episode, I'll guide you through how to write through the feeling that you’re writing “in a vacuum” where no one is giving you the same kind of immediately reaction you get when talking face-to-face and give you a great secret for writing through this new experience in a way that feels empowering and expansive!
AMAZING UPGRADE to announce for Book Writing Made Simple We now have pop-up writing containers!
This is an opportunity for you to join a Zoom room for 60 minutes, where everyone will be on mute, writing their book or catching up on trainings (so they can efficiently and excitedly write their book!).
My hope is that this will help to create a collective energy of "doing the damn thing" that ALL of us need from time to time!
BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE is a 12-month program for writing powerful, thought-provoking non-fiction or memoir that readers can't put down.
The book writing process I provide in Book Writing Made Simple is the result of 18+ years of helping hundreds of authors get their books written. It addresses the critical (and often overlooked) aspects of writing a book that:
👏 makes a deep and lasting connection with readers (and is therefore recommended again and again)
👏 creates unshakeable confidence in the author's (that's you!) ability to help others create transformation in their lives
👏 doesn't feel like you're trying to squeeze water from a stone each time you sit down to write
To learn more about Book Writing Made Simple (or get yourself enrolled), simply click here!
As a book coach, I hear a lot of people say, "What I've gone through happened for a reason" or "I'm sharing my experience so that it has purpose."
I ALSO hear a lot of people say, "I made a decision to write this book, and everyone says the universe starts moving things around in your favor once you make a decision, but all I see happening is more challenges being placed in my way."
I've come to believe these statements represent two sides of the same coin, and that there's a piece of "everything happens for a reason" that we're not talking about enough when it comes to personal growth.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I explore that a bit in the hopes that it offers a different perspective on what's REALLY happening when things don't seem to be moving in your favor and how you might look at the delay (and your active participation in it) in a different way.
Whenever you're ready, here are a sampling of ways we can work together: Book Writing Made Simple is a 12-month book writing & coaching program (for those writing non-fiction and memoir) that allows you to:
- move people to take action toward the best version of themselves
- attract incredible opportunities for you to reach more people with your message
- expand your experience of yourself and the depth of your unique insights in ways you never imagined.
[FREE] 25 Days of Bold Moves shows you how to trust yourself more, love thinking bigger, stop seeing “yes” as the biggest (or only) win, and recognize that even the sky isn’t the limit when it comes to what you’re capable of creating.
Publish A Profitable Book is a complete step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to self-publish an irresistible book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller!
You have the vision and the hook and the Third-Layer Why and the outline, but it STILL feels "hard" to sit down and actually do the writing. What's the deal?
The deal is simple. You're telling yourself a story that:
- It's different for other authors
- You're doing it "wrong"
In this episode, I invite you to consider the way a brilliant symphony (or opera or Broadway musical) comes together in order to reframe your perspective on what it takes to go from "I have an idea" to "I've outlined the idea" to "I'm writing the idea, and the first draft is going to be sh*tty---as it is for EVERYONE---and that's okay."
Whenever you're ready, here are a sampling of ways we can work together: Book Writing Made Simple is a 12-month book writing & coaching program (for those writing non-fiction and memoir) that allows you to:
- move people to take action toward the best version of themselves
- attract incredible opportunities for you to reach more people with your message
- expand your experience of yourself and the depth of your unique insights in ways you never imagined.
[FREE] 25 Days of Bold Moves shows you how to trust yourself more, love thinking bigger, stop seeing “yes” as the biggest (or only) win, and recognize that even the sky isn’t the limit when it comes to what you’re capable of creating.
Publish A Profitable Book is a complete step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to self-publish an irresistible book that's indistinguishable in quality from any New York Times bestseller!
Meeting Cory Goodrich and working on her book, Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discover, and DNA has been one of the greatest gifts. Yes, she's wonderful. And kind. And funny. And talented as hell.
It also reminded me that there are no coincidences in this life.
While Cory will join me again in coming weeks to chat about the writing and launching of Folksong, this conversation was focused more on the importance of trust, patience, and recognizing that "coincidence" is little more than confirmation and reassurance when it comes to the path you're traveling when writing a book.
CONNECT WITH CORY www.CoryGoodrich.com
Buy the Book
Follow Cory on Instagram
Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Apple
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Book Writing Made Simple is my newest program to help you write powerful, thought-provoking memoir or non-fiction that readers can't put down, so you can start a new business, expand your current business, or simply share your story.
Learn more about the program by clicking here!
Identifying your motivation for writing a book is about far more than simply saying, "I want to write a book about my experience learning how to nurture an organic garden" (for example).
One thing I've discovered over the past nearly 2 decades is that stopping at that layer of clarity is what keeps many authors in a state of stagnancy once they've started writing and lost a bit of their initial momentum.
Which is why it's important to take the time to peel back the layers of your why until you get to the third layer, revealing what I refer to as your Third Layer Why.
What are the 3 layers? Your first layer why is often your knee-jerk reaction or response when asked, "Why do you want to write this book?"
For example, I'm working on my 6th book right now, which is about how to write non-fiction and memoir. That's a surface-level summary that barely touches the surface of why I actually want to write this book now.
Taking the organic gardening book as an example, the author might say, "I want to teach people how to grow an organic garden, even if they think they couldn't have a green thumb if they were paid to." Intriguing, but also surface level.
Your second layer touches a bit more intimately what's new or different about your book, compared to others already available on the subject. For my own book, my second layer is, "I want to speak to both the tactical and the energetic aspects of writing non-fiction and memoir, which I don't believe many have done.
In many cases, the tactical how-to process alone isn't enough to get someone's book out of them, onto paper, and out into the world. I believe I know why, and that's something I'd like to address.
For the gardening book, the author might say, "I want to teach people how to start and sustain a thriving organic garden and also how they can incorporate aspects of gardening into their life to reduce stress and increase longevity."
You're taking your WHY a layer deeper in order to speak not just to what YOU want to say and to what your reader wants to learn on the surface but to an emotional level that will resonate with your reader.
The third layer addresses an underlying belief you have related to your topic. When it comes to writing non-fiction and memoir, I believe that there are so many magical stories, perspectives, and insights that aren't being told because people are caught up in both the "I don't know how to do this" AND the "I'm scared it's going to suck and no one is going to read it."
This borderline haunts me because I've read so many amazing books in my life that provided me with a shift in perspective or approach that truly changed the trajectory of my life. If that author had been too afraid to share his or her viewpoint, I never would have received the gift of their experience.
I deeply believe that all of us are connected by our sameness---even when we have no idea that that sameness exists (until we read it in a line that takes our breath away because it's so true).
With the gardening example, the author might say, "I deeply believe that organic gardening heals the soul and the planet. I believe that everyone has the ability to thrive through the art of building and sustaining a thriving garden. Not only are people unaware of how simple it is to create such a garden but they are being robbed of the benefits of doing so---benefits they don't even know about!"
When you are able to identify and come back to that Third Layer Why each time you start feeling stuck, doubtful, or outright terrified, it reminds you of your SOUL'S desire when it comes to sharing yourself through a book. And it's pretty hard to ignore or talk yourself out of!
I encourage you to take some time to identify your Third Layer Why. If you'd like more support with this, it's a topic we dive much more deeply into in our monthly Book Writing Made Simple coaching sessions.
Book Writing Made Simple helps you write powerful, thought-provoking memoir or non-fiction that readers can't put down so you can start a new business, expand your current business, or simply share your story.
You can learn more about the program (and get yourself enrolled) by clicking here!
Annabel Monaghan's debut adult novel, Nora Goes Off Script, was released on June 7, 2022. In her words, "Writing it was probably the most fun I’ve ever had" (and she did it during quarantine, so there's that!)
Before Nora, she wrote YA fiction and the popular column, "Does this Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?" about motherhood and womanhood.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Annabel and I talked about her journey to Nora and some of the key moments of her writing career, many of which will likely (delightfully) surprise you, as they did me.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS [7:22] How Annabel got a "late" start as an author (at 37) co-writing a book for teens that she had zero intention of writing
[11:30] The impetus for writing a novel for women and the inspiration for the plot of Nora Goes Off Script (it involves the Hallmark channel)
[13:49] Annabel's process for fleshing out the plot (hint: it’s not what she recommends that others do or what she told her students when she taught novel writing at the The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College).
[14:05] Her rationale for writing fiction versus non-fiction—in other words, her belief on what you have to do in non-fiction versus fiction. This deeply affected the way I think about why I like writing fiction.
[15:34] The ONE thing she knows about writing, related to how long she has to be able to commit to writing before sitting down to write)
[19:20] The length of the first draft of Nora (this will SHOCK you!)
[20:22] Annabel's perspective on beta readers/early readers and her secret for choosing early readers who WON’T kill her confidence
[22:20] The value of writers networks for support and encouragement, and how Annabel formed her group of writing friends
[23:53] The agent pitch/proposal process for the book (she almost gave up entirely)
[32:40] Why Annabel feels such pressure to write the "hook" or "elevator pitch" for her books (this one's gonna resonate!)
[35:22] How Annabel handles selling (as someone who doesn’t love selling), pushes through resistance to asking for reviews, and hit the nail on the head in terms of why creative people oftentimes struggle with sales.
[41:10] Annabel's philosophy on reading her book reviews
CONNECT WITH ANNABEL http://annabelmonaghan.com/
Annabel Monaghan on Instagram
Annabel Monaghan on Twitter
Annabel Monaghan on Facebook
Purchase Nora Goes Off Script
Tyler Merritt is an Actor, Author, Activist, and Encourager, and speaking with him on this latest episode of Write the Damn Book Already was nothing short of joy-giving.
His first book, I Take My Coffee Black, is part personal story, part history lesson, part laugh-out-loud humor, and part perspective-considering/shifting, and it's a must-read I'll be recommending for years to come.
I N T E R V I E W H I G H L I G H T S [6:13] The reality of not knowing what will resonate with a reader and trusting your own voice (Plus, honoring the value of content that you include JUST FOR YOU!)
[6:58] The community writing approach Tyler uses to keep himself "in check" (that prevents getting too much outside opinion that confuses him more than helps him)
[12:50] How Tyler sees his book as a love letter to all the things he loves, and how he intentionally and subtly included points intended to educate without shaming or proselytizing
[14:30] Elizabeth's "stupid" question of the month (asking this was my BOLD MOVE of the day!)
[20:20] How Tyler figured out how to organize so much content and not be overwhelmed by everything he wanted to say (it's a secret that involves Jay-Z)
[34:31] The Magic of Trapper Keepers (IYKYK)
[38:45] What writing this book gave Tyler such a new and appreciated perspective on (that he thought he already truly understood)
[54:42] What Tyler most highly underestimated about how people would be impacted by the book (this might be my favorite new question to ask authors!)
C O N N E C T W I T H T Y L E R Before You Call the Cops (viral video featured on Jimmy Kimmel)
Connect with Tyler on Instagram
Purchase I Take My Coffee Black
If you've ever wondered whether other people really have it easier than you do when it comes to writing and publishing a bestselling book, my interview with the incredible Zibby Owens is one to listen to.
Author of the recently released, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, as well as editor of Moms Don't Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology, Zibby is has a unique and thought-provoking perspective on writing, publishing, and just about everything in between.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS [4:35] The actual journey behind Bookends (hint: it was NOT "I think I'll write a book" and then the book was written).
[7:50] Zibby's "secret weapon" for improving her own writing
[9:02] How rejection before acceptance feels different from 273 rejections before "BUT THEN it was accepted."
[9:58] Handling setbacks and Zibby's "why" that compels her to continue to press on
[13:55] Wisdom on assumptions about how "easy" it is for someone else, and what we need to remember about other people's perspectives
[16:25] How Zibby decided on a unique structure for Bookends (the answer will surprise you, and it isn't exactly what I recommend, but it worked!)
[21:40] The unexpected formation of and mission for her publishing house, Zibby Books
CONNECT WITH ZIBBY Website: https://zibbyowens.com/
Book: https://www.bookendsmemoir.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zibbyowens/
SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to Write the Damn Book Already on your favorite streaming platform so you don't miss an episode!
(And please review and share if you enjoy it so I can get the word out---pun intended---to more people).
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What makes a book a bestseller? I was asked a question last week about how I define success for my book writing programs.
The reason the answer made me so excited was that the answer has changed.
Truthfully, my answer to this question a few years ago was very dangerous, even though I didn't realize it at the time.
If you have a similarly dangerous perspective (without realizing it) when it comes to your book, your program, your product, or your service, this episode is an invitation to reconsider so you can have MORE confidence and excitement about how you're sharing your value with the world.
Are you ready to get your non-fiction or memoir (finally) written or published so your experiences and insights can impact others?
Click here to check out the various ways we can work together!
SUBSCRIBE to the Write the Damn Book Already Podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Apple Podcasts
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Julie Solomon has built quite a name for herself in the coaching space as the creator of multiple high-value programs and masterclasses and as the host of The Influencer Podcast.
In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we discussed her recently released first book, Get What You Want: How to Go from Unseen to Unstoppable.
While Julie has built an enormous business and following over the years, I only just learned of her a few weeks ago while listening to Amy Porterfield's podcast! (I love waking up each day and wondering who I'll discover. Also, the reminder that no matter how "big" or "small" you are, there's always someone out there just waiting to find you and your perspective.)
Interview Highlights * How Julie made the leap to write a bestselling book---having never written a book and self-describing as someone who's the worst at grammar and doesn't know the first thing about editing * Bringing a book into the world is a team sport (and how to make the most of this when you're someone who loves to create in isolation) * The difference between purpose and passion when it comes to getting clear on what you want to do and why * Why Julie chose to write this book now (and when she believes is the magic time to take the leap rather than continue to put it off)
Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple podcasts! If you enjoy this episode, please take just a quick moment to rate, subscribe and leave a review on Apple podcasts so I can continue to help more people just like you get their stories written, published, and out into the world where they can make an unimaginable impact on others.
Podcast Resources Book: Julie's book, Get What You Want
Website: www.JulieSolomon.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julssolomon
Podcast: The Influencer Podcast
Amy Porterfield's podcast featuring Julie Solomon
Listen, I love money. I welcome it. I appreciate it.
I celebrate when my clients receive it in exchange for their guidance. And I celebrate when I receive it in exchange for mine. An overflow of money makes a lot of things easier. But let’s be honest. It’s just one type of win. It feels like lately, in the coaching space, the focus is heavily on wins like:
🥳 My client generated $12K after just two weeks in the program 🥳 Sarah was living in an alley last year and now she owns two castles outside of Rome 🥳 Cliff attracted a $30K client immediately after investing $60K in my program. Because that’s the power of alignment and action. Now, let me be clear. I am not saying these things don’t happen (the castle purchase may be a stretch). They do. But what I’d love to see more of is a focus on what we’ve come to consider “just a small win.” In truth, there is no such thing as a small win. And what we’ve come to see as BIG wins (the $60K client who is so demanding that you want to claw out your eyeballs) often end up not feeling quite so big when you have to hire your own expensive therapist to get you through the contract without going insane! In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, our focus is on getting back to recognizing wins like: ✅ An aha moment on your messaging that gives you 4 new content ideas ✅ Having the courage to finally go live on social media (and not even caring that no one joined) ✅ Sticking to your new exercise routine for a full week and having so much more energy to engage in life AND confidence in your self-discipline game ✅ Thinking about grabbing the ice cream after a long day and then…not doing it (full disclosure: this is not a win I’m claiming lately) ✅ Meditating for longer than 7.34 seconds ✅ Not having a full freak-out when an $8K client backed out at the last minute Can we stop dismissing all that? These are all huge accomplishments. And their indirect result is often the one you’re clinging to: a rising bank account balance. Because with more clarity comes more confidence. With more confidence comes more aligned action. With more aligned action come more aligned clients. With more aligned clients comes more…. The rise in your bank account is inevitable if you commit to celebrating all the “little” shifts that cause it. You might not make $1 million off book sales (in fact, you probably won’t), but you can make an incredible living and be incredibly joyful off the business that comes your way… in whatever way you decide you want it to…as the result of getting clearer on your message and more confident in delivering it while having trust that everything is lining up for you exactly as it’s meant to. Nothing meant for you will ever miss you. And that includes all the “small” stuff we sometimes think isn’t “IG worthy.”
Let’s normalize acknowledging and celebrating it ALL.
Justin Guarini became a household name in 2002 as the runner-up in Season 1 of American Idol. From there, he's starred in multiple Broadway shows and, in 2015, began appearing in Diet Dr. Pepper commercials as "Lil' Sweet."
But the road to success has not always been an easy one.
Through the ups, down, and complete direction reversals that the public is often not made aware of, Justin ended up in unexpected territory, fascinated with the ins and outs of what allows entertainers, influencers, and entrepreneurs to be confident in moments when they're feeling anything but.
It's been a journey that led to the creation of his Core Confidence program and his soon-to-be-released book, Unshakeable Confidence.
In this incredible conversation, Justin and I discussed confidence -- that "thing" that every creative person lacks at one point or another, no matter how much success he or she attains!
Interview highlights:
[4:30] Confidence is not necessarily something you’re born with. You don’t “have it” or not. The formula that stands the test of time when it comes to consistent confidence.
[7:28] The non-negotiable component that Justin tags onto the end of the philosophy “Be. Do. Have.”
[9:59] Are 1500 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets in the hotels of Bel Air really that great?
[10:23] How confident Justin felt just after the Season 1 finale of American Idol and the news he got from Tina Fey that changed everything
[18:25] The most profound realization Justin had after the mountain on which everything he thought he wanted sat came tumbling down
[19:20] The true meaning of Followers and Likes
[36:45] The belief that changes everything when people don’t show up to your events
[48:10] The 4 key necessary skills when it comes to building a consistent state of confidence
Being able to claim "bestseller" status is all the rage, but what creates a REAL bestseller? What creates a book that is recommended again and again because it deeply touches the hearts of its readers? What creates a book that truly transforms not only the readers but the author as well?
In this episode, you'll discover:
- The major component most TRUE bestsellers have in common (it has nothing to do with title, cover design, or a TikTok influencer endorsement)
- What all bestselling non-fiction and memoir authors know about their ideal readers
- Why clarity feels more challenging when writing versus talking (if you feel this way, you're completely normal!)
- The phrase that's likely throwing you off and causing you to delay writing (but can actually propel your book writing AND your own growth if you know to listen for it)
This episode of Write the Damn Book Already clarifies the answer to a common question: What the heck is the difference between non-fiction and memoir?
Episode highlights:
[1:24] Why it's important to clarify "common concepts" covered in your book
[3:40] The BIGGEST difference between non-fiction and memoir (and it's not what you think!)
[6:40] Where most aspiring authors get "tripped up" when it comes to writing memoir (and how they can get back on track, writing with ease and excitement)
[8:22] The main difference between the author's intention when it comes to memoir verses non-fiction
[12:52] A great question to ask to ensure that your book lands in the hands of those who will love it and recommend it constantly
Most of us have walked through a bookstore and imagined what it would feel like to see our own book sitting on one of the shelves (or, preferably, a front-of-store table!).
It's incredibly common (and understandable!), therefore, that aspiring authors dream of seeing their book in the bookstore and wonder how to make this happen.
The truth is, it's possible. Even without a traditional publisher behind you.
But once you understand more thoroughly how that part of the book selling process works (and what it costs, both financially and in terms of logistics to have your book carried by a bookstore), it's not uncommon for authors to identify alternate ways to realize this dream without unnecessary stress or unexpected costs.
In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, you'll discover: - Why you REALLY want your book to be carried by bookstores (it's not to sell 1,000,000 copies) and how acknowledging this can immediately flip the switch on this dream
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Why some authors appear to be available through Target and other retailers that sell books (even though they really aren't)
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The actual behind-the-scenes process of getting your books into big-box bookstore (Barnes & Noble, Target, Costco, ...)
Click here to sign up for my monthly Favorite Books list!
"I want my book to be published by a big publishing house."
I hear this often. And more often than not, that belief is bolstered by a few misconceptions when it comes to traditional publishing.
In episode 2 of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I clarify the reality of the 3 biggest misconceptions when it comes to traditional publishing, specifically in the areas of:
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time to market
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the "lucrative" advance
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marketing and distribution support
Once you understand the reality of the time to market, the advance, and the marketing support you'll likely receive from a traditional publishing deal, you can make an informed decision (instead of one based on incorrect assumptions) for you and for your book.
The best part? Once you have this level of understanding, your expectations will be properly set so that you can embark on the process with far less frustration and disappointment!
***
For more resources on modern-day book writing, publishing, and launching, visit ElizabethLyons.com
"How do I get my book into bookstores" is an often-asked question by new authors.
Boy do I get it.
I LOVE bookstores...as a reader. As an author, not so much!
I'll address the REAL reason most authors want to see their book in bookstores in Episode 3, but for now, let's break down the actual behind-the-scenes of having your book carried by bookstores so that you can decide: 1. Do I still really want my book to be carried by bookstores? 2. If yes, how can I make the process as simple and rewarding as possible?
For more resources on modern-day book writing, publishing, and launching, visit ElizabethLyons.com
What is the WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY podcast all about?
Writing, publishing, and marketing a book doesn’t have to be complicated and overwhelming.
From myths and misconceptions, to practical tips and sound strategies, to the REAL reasons you likely still haven’t written and released your amazing story, Elizabeth Lyons (5X author, book writing coach, and the founder of Finn-Phyllis Press) is here to help you untangle the process and, even more importantly, untangle yourself.