Book Writing & Publishing

 Writing mistakes, overcoming fear and vulnerability in writing, building a captivating story, and finding your unique voice and messaging. These are four common fears when writing a book that most first-time authors mistakenly don't think anyone one else has.  

But hindsight is so 20/20 (and I'm not referring to the year!). 

Looking back, there are 13 THINGS I really wish someone had told me before I wrote and published my first book (even though it's sold 45,000+ copies since it was first published). 

I'm passing them along to you so you'll be saved from experiencing them (or at least have fair warning)! 

1. Organizing 867 million thoughts and events is challenging. For everyone. Like an initial therapy session, you wonder, “Where do I start?”

Whether you're writing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, identify your story's pivotal moment. Where were you? How old were you (or your main character)? What feelings did you have that you can still feel today when you take yourself back to...

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 2024. 

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 MENTIONED

Lucy E.M. Black - The Brickworks 

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast featuring Lucy E.M. Black 

WTDBA episode with Sarahlyn Bruck

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 Podcas...

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 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 c

  ...

The landscape of self-publishing (and book publishing, period) is evolving rapidly, as are the strategies and insights authors need to succeed. While self-publishing offers a wealth of opportunities for authors, it also creates yet another noisy landscape to navigate. Staying up to date on new developments by ingesting information from a small number of on-the-ground sources is the best way to keep yourself underwhelmed and confident in your journey as an author. 

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I detail my 2024 predictions for self-publishing. This episode is a must-listen for any author looking to make an impact this year with their book, whether they're intent on self-publishing or merely considering it. 

The episode details my insights, predictions, and, honestly, hopes when it comes to the following areas:

• Expansion of self-publishing opportunities and greater transparency in terms of the benefits of self-publishing 
• Changes in book distribution/
...

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 (20...

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 MENTIONED

Just Leaves ...

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. 

Click here to get instant access to the FREE Self-Publishing Starter Pack >>

In this resource, you'll discover the exact steps to focus on (and mistakes to avoid) so you can self-publish an incredible book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.

Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book wri...

To clarify, a beta reader is someone who provides feedback on a WIP (work in progress), helping an author refine and improve the story or flow of the message.

Beta readers can be invaluable in helping authors to identify holes, typos, and other issues that can be difficult to spot from the author’s own perspective. They can also provide valuable insight into how readers may react to the content, allowing authors to make changes before publishing. 

When looking for beta readers, it is important to find people who are willing to provide honest feedback, and who are, ideally, the target reader for your book. After all, if your book is about how to feel less anxious day-to-day but you ask someone who has never felt a tinge of anxiety to be a beta reader, she likely won't be terribly interested in the content or able to provide the most valuable feedback. 

I typically recommend having no more than 4 beta readers. Too many cooks in the kitchen can create quite a bit in a hurry as an autho...

*This is an excerpt from Elizabeth's latest book, Write the Damn Book Already: Tell Your Story, Share Your Message, Make Your Impact. Content may not be duplicated or redistributed without written permission from the author. 

Hybrid publishing is a model whereby an author pays a publishing house to do the publishing legwork--including editing, cover design, interior formatting, and distribution channel setup--while retaining final say over the edits, title, cover design, interior layout, and retail price.

The cost to work with a hybrid publishing house is likely to fall somewhere between $1,500 and $50,000. I consider my publishing house, Finn-Phyllis Press, to be a hybrid publisher. Several of the bigger, more well-known traditional publishing houses offer a hybrid model: Hay House has Balboa Press, and Simon & Schuster has Archway Publishing. 

Some publishing houses take no profit off sales, while others take 15 percent (or more). Some houses pay author royalties every month; o...