Book Writing & Publishing

🎙️ 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...

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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:

1. Why do I have to have an ISBN?
2. Where do I get them (and how much will they cost?)
3. Should use a free one from Amazon/KDP?
4. Do I only need one for each book?
5. Does an ISBN provide copyright protection? 

This episode clears it right up! 

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 writing process using mind mapping and discusses her approach to marketing and pitching her work.

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 by Gian Sardar

NEED A LIBRARY OF AMAZING BOOK MOCKUP SHOTS?

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 th...

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 DREW

The Anxious Truth:  A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Panic, Anxiety, and Agoraphobia

Seven Percent Slower: A Simple Trick for Moving Past Anxiety and Stress: The Anxious Truth: Anxiety Educa...

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 MENTIONED

Jenn Hanson-dePaula, Book Marketing

Chip Valutis's bo...

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 (inclu
...

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 t...

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 MENTIONED

Cory 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:
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Spotify
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Let's Connect!
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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...

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 do...