Book Writing & Publishing

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)

👉 CLICK HERE to get the first draft of your nonfiction or memoir written in 33 days!

...even if you don't have a cabin in the wilderness, 4 uninterrupted hours a day to write, or confidence that you're a "real" writer. No overwhelm, no confusion. Just simple, actionable steps.

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

Awesome Email Templates for Authors

From communi...

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 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.  

(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. 

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, 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. 

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, pl...

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

*...

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 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

7 Critical Questions to Ask Hybrid Publishers

KTKPublicity (Katie Kurtzman)

Jackson Musker (audio consulting, booking, and publicity)

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 consi...

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 ex...

Indie authors often wonder whether they can change the title of their book post-publication. Yes, you absolutely can! 

You will need a new ISBN, but that's not a terribly big deal. And, because you have a new title and ISBN, you will likely lose all of your online reviews and have to start again.

However, if the possible benefits of the re-title outweigh the downsides, it can be a solid choice. 

I chose to retitle my first book (which is about navigating the first year with twins) when I wrote the third edition. For the first and second editions, the title was Ready or Not...Here We Come! But after over a decade (and having written 3 other books), I had more confidence in my own voice, and with updated content and a more authentic voice inside in the book, it made perfect sense to change the overall "vibe" of the book with a new title: Holy Shit...I'm Having Twins! 

The book was (and still is) my top-selling book, so I didn't make the shift with a hope of boosting lackluster sales....