This week, I sat down with debut author NoÍl 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:
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?âwhile 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 didnât know you signed up for.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
A. Morini is an author from Germany, who w...
Youâve probably heard the phrase âyour book is your business card.â 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. Weâre not here for books that gather dustâweâre here for books that make an impact (and, at the very least, pay for lunch).
If youâre 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!Â
đ Why the âbook as a business cardâ mindset can actually cost you more than it helps
 đ¸ What most authors really need in order to turn a profit (hint: itâs more than just book sales)
 đ¤ How AI can be a brilliant assistant for your research and marketing; but no, it canât tell your story for you
 đ What you need to know about Amazon ads (yes, they work, but only when you know your niche)
 đ The truth nobody wants to hear: If you want your book ...
Have you ever sat through a back-to-school night and thought, Wow, this could be a novel? Jordan Roter didâand 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:
đĽ Jordanâs career hops from YA author to TV writer (American Housewife, The Watchful Eye) and back to novel writing.
đĽ The painfully awkward school event that sparked her book idea.
đĽ Why juggling multiple POVs is like hosting a dinner party where everyone wants to talk at once.
đĽ Hollywood vs. publishing: oneâs a chaotic circus, the otherâs...slightly less chaotic
đĽ Writing the real (sometimes dark, often hilarious) thoughts moms have but rarely admit
đĽ The shift toward "radical truth-telling" in motherhood writing (because perfection is overrated)
đĽ And also...how she ended up with an Am...
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 thatâs just one of the brilliantly simple, low-cost book marketing strategies I dish out in this episodeâideas so simple many authors never even think about them!
Hereâs the thing: no matter how you publishâtraditionally, hybrid, or selfâmarketing is your job. And I know, that realization hits like a rogue wave. But before you panic-Google âbest book publicist on an extremely limited budget,â take a breath. You donât need deep pockets or an extrovertâs 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, orâone of my personal favoritesâperching them on a pumpkin display at Trader Joeâs (because...why not?).Â
And for my fellow introverts who...
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!).Â
Nanda Reddy is a Guyanese-American writer, former teacher, and part of an enormous extended family who mostly live in Florida where...
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:Â
â
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
â How to "suss out" unsolicited offers to review your book for paymentÂ
â How many reviews you should accumulate on Amazon before you begin investing in Amazon advertising
â The best way to accumulate reviews (everything, everywhere, all at once is NOT a good strategy!)
â How to best use the Universal Book Link to direct readers to the appropriate Amazon store based on their locationÂ
â When and how to use Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) as an indie author
From communi...
If the thought of asking for Amazon reviews makes you break out in hives, youâre not alone. But hereâs the truth: reviews are gold for indie authors. They help boost visibility, credibility, andâmost importantlyâbook sales. The good news? You donât have to beg, bribe, or feel weird about it.
In this episode, weâre breaking down how indie and self-published authors can ethically and confidently get more Amazon reviews without feeling sleazy or pushy. Youâll discover:
âď¸ Why Amazon reviews matter (and how they impact your bookâs success)
âď¸ Creative, no-pressure ways to ask for reviews that actually work
âď¸ The power of social media, email, and direct outreach in gathering reader feedback
âď¸ Common mistakes that keep authors stuck (and how to avoid them)
âď¸ Real-world examples from indie authors whoâve cracked the code on getting reviews
If you found this episode helpful, donât forget to follow/subscribe, drop a quick review (see what we did there?), and share it with another w...
The debate over whether to use AI (and how much) to write books is endless (truly). I, for one, choose not to use it when writing my books. I actually enjoy conjuring a great way to express that it feels like the world is ending (though I may use it to create a deserted island itinerary quite shortly!).
But something I do use AI for as an author and business owner? Jogging my creativity when it comes to new topics I could speak to or fun ways to engage fellow writers and attract new followers who I can begin to build a relationship with. Â
(I also recently asked ChatGPT what it could tell me about myself based on my queries to date. I didn't love how accurate its response was!)
Here's a prompt I've continued to hone to help it become more and more specific (i.e., provide me with better and better ideas) in suggesting fun ideas for my social media content.
Of course, they aren't all winners. And of course, I still modify them so they're more in my voice. But getting the ball rolling...
Keywords: they either fascinate you or they're the bane of your existence.Â
For me, it's the second.Â
Which is why I'm so excited to bring you this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast with guest Dave Chesson, creator 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.Â
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.
 ⢠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 ROCKETÂ ($30 off when you purchase, pl...