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.

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!)

ABOUT ANGELIKA

A. Morini is an author from Germany, who w...

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...

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

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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!

About Jenn

Jenn is a marketing and social media expert who has been working w...

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. 

ABOUT JANE COSTELLO

Jane Costello writes romantic comedy books that celebrate all that’s great about midlife - and make you laugh about anything that isn’t.  

She's the Sunday Times bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which were published under ...