Book Writing & Publishing

This week, I sat down with debut author Noël 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:

• Why Noël intentionally wrote a love story about the people behind the camera.
• How it took her three years to finish her manuscript (and why that timeline is totally okay if not to be expected).
• The rollercoaster of Pitch Wars, querying 40+ agents, and the 18-month wait from “yes” to launch day.
• Choosing not to read reviews during launch (because sanity matters, and confidence is a fragile beast).
• Why she tailors content differently for Instagram vs. TikTok, and how showing up as her real self resonates most.
• What’s next: a sequel that turns the spotlight on the actors from book one, and an
...

Emma Grey is the Australian author of the international bestseller, THE LAST LOVE NOTE, which was both a Book of the Month and Target Book Club pick, and was praised in Oprah Daily as “relatable, hilarious and charming".

She’s back this November with her new novel, PICTURES OF YOU — a suspense-filled romance about love and control that explores the way a sparkling relationship can morph into darkness and what might happen with a second chance at first love.

In her second appearance on the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about Emma's experiences with prologues, her collaborative work with editors (from different countries, no less), and the evolution of her book-writing process. She also reflects on the challenges of writing a second novel after the success of her first, emphasizing the importance of pushing through the "messy first draft."

CONNECT WITH EMMA

Emma's website: www.emmagrey.com.au
Emma's Instagram: instagram.com/emmagreyauthor
Click here to order The Last L...

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....

Mary Jones' book, The Goodbye Process (July 30, 2024, Zibby Books), is, in four words, hard to put down. Her raw, vivid descriptions of characters and experiences alike quickly pierced my soul and extended my bedtime!  

In this episode, Mary and I discussed her love of the short story form, some (perhaps surprising truths about writing and organizing short stories/essays, thoughts on beta readers, the querying and submission process, and our mutual love of "Days of Our Lives."

CONNECT WITH MARY

Book: The Goodbye Process

Instagram: @maryjoneswriter

X: @maryfjjones 

Threads: @maryjoneswriter

Website: www.maryjoneswriter.com

WHAT MARY'S READING

All Fours by Miranda July

MENTIONS

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott 

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith 

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Ava Dellaira’s adult debut novel, Exposure, comes out with Zibby Books on September 10th, 2024. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novels In Search of Us and Love Letters to the Dead, which was named Best Book of the Year by Apple, Google, BuzzFeed, the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library.

She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow, and the University of Chicago. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now lives in Altadena, CA with her husband and their two young children.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

• The challenges of writing in identities that aren’t your own (and the risks involved in writing outside your own point of view)
• Where Ava’s story ideas originate, and what she aimed to tackle through writing Exposure
• Ava’s editing process preferences, including how she views the editing process and ensures she receives feedback most positively
• Different approaches for when to start one's next b
...

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
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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...

The story is always unfolding...

In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Diana Naranjo about her memoir (which is currently on submission). She recounts a pivotal moment where a professional connection with author Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone, The Covenant of Water) led to her first agent connection.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• How Diana learned to write after completing her first draft
• The nuanced difference between memoir and creative non-fiction
• Her strategies for finding agents and the value of learning from the author community's experiences. 
• The challenge of identifying as "a writer" 

CONNECT WITH DIANA

Instagram: @dnaranjo

WHAT DIANA'S READING NOW

Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation by Erika Krouse
 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander

The Covenant of Water and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Everyone But Myself by Julie Chavez

Tough Titties by Laura Belgray 

The Ultimate Pod...

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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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