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The Writing PodcastHow to Develop a Creative Idea for Your Nonfiction Book
If you want to write a book that influences the world, you need to start with a creative idea. Great ideas form the essence of great books. And yet idea development is one of the biggest struggles of writers. In this episode, Dave and Melissa talk about what an idea really is, how to sharpen your idea, and how to develop an idea, so that readers read your book from beginning to end.
Great Moments in the Episode
7:37 – 12:19 What an idea is and examples of how to narrow an idea.
12:20 – 15:06 How to use re...2024-03-2550 minThe Writing Podcast7 Tips for Producing a Family History DocumentaryThere’s a story behind every successful family business and enterprise. Some families will write a book. But some families might find a documentary is the best way to capture the family story. In this episode, Dave and Melissa will help you explore why a documentary might be a better vehicle than a book. They also offer 7 tips on how to create a compelling documentary that best tells your family’s story.
Great Moments in the Episode
5:15 – 8:35 The limits of a book for capturing your family history.
9:05 – 11:45 Tip 1: Start with preliminary comprehensive rese...2023-12-0846 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor and Book Coach Stacy Ennis on Systems for Book Writing and Landing a TEDx TalkIf you’re stuck in the book writing process, you’ll want to tune into this episode. Bestselling author, speaker, ghostwriter, and book coach Stacy Ennis offers practical systems for developing your voice, focusing your book idea, and how to land a coveted spot as a TEDx speaker.
Great Moments in the Episode
2:35 – 9:58 Strategies for packaging nonfiction principles as fiction.
12:00 – 13:43 A formula for writing a good article quickly.
13:45 – 15:39 Why you might be struggling with your book's big idea.
15:40 – 18:10 The elements of a great hook.
18:11 – 21:05 Defining voice and advice for...2023-11-1050 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor Ryan Frederick on Successful Platform BuildingYou have a great idea and you’ve written a terrific book, but that’s only the first step in the book writing journey. How do you sell the book and use it to extend your thought-leadership platform and your business? Ryan Frederick, author of “Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life,” shares how he leveraged his book after its publication. He provides insights into the development of an online assessment, workshops, and courses. More importantly, Ryan discusses the importance of keeping your idea relevant in the minds of your tar...2023-10-2647 minThe Writing PodcastAnne Janzer on Joyful and Successful Book MarketingWhen most writers think about the book journey, they’re focused on writing and then publishing. But what about book marketing? In this episode, Anne Janzer, a thought leader in the marketing industry, explores the ever-evolving book marketing landscape. Discover Anne's philosophy of “servant-authorship” and the power of building focused audiences. You’ll come away with practical strategies that make book marketing a joyful and successful endeavor.
Great Moments in the Episode
4:19 – 6:24 Why book marketing is built on a trusting relationship with your reader.
6:25 – 8:25 How to frame your book writing and marketing as ser...2023-10-0244 minThe Writing PodcastWhat Form Should Your Content Take?In this episode, Dave and Melissa are back together to tackle a pressing question: What's the optimal format for your ideas? Is it really a book? Or are there alternatives that are a better fit for you? Our world is ripe with content formats for you to package your ideas, from videos, blog posts, podcasts to eBooks, and even paid subscription newsletters. There are so many options. The key is choosing the right format. By the end, we hope you discover the best format for your ideas.
Great Moments in the Episode
9:59 – 14:25 What has cha...2023-09-1953 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor Kristin Keffeler on Writing a Nonfiction Book that Connects with Your Ideal AudienceIf you have done research and want to know how to turn that research into a book, this podcast episode is for you. Author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon, Kristen Keffeler, discusses her journey turning her research into a nonfiction book that was picked up by a traditional publisher. Kristin explains the importance of narrowing your audience, sharpening your thesis, and creating a structure that pulls the reader through from beginning to end. Kristin also shares the highs and lows of marketing her nonfiction book.
Great Moments in the Episode
8:12 – 9:33 Packaging graduat...2023-09-0549 minThe Writing PodcastLisa Tener on Writing a Book Proposal that Lands You a DealYou want a traditional book deal? First you need a stand-out book proposal. But for many first-time authors, creating a book proposal is a mystery. What do you include? What don’t you include? What are agents really looking for? In this episode author and book proposal coach Lisa Tener provides insider knowledge of what it takes to create a proposal that catches the eye of a literary agent and a publisher.
Great Moments in the Episode
6:50 – 8:16 The number one thing publishers and literary agents look for in a book proposal.
8:18 – 10:19 Lisa answers t...2023-08-2242 minThe Writing PodcastVikrant Shauruya on Becoming a Nonfiction Bestselling AuthorIn this podcast, Dave and Melissa interview Vikrant Shauruya, founder of Authors on a Mission, on how to market and sell your nonfiction book. Vikrant discusses what a “bestselling book” actually is, and why a successful book is built on a well-written book.
Great Moments in the Episode
05:15 – 07:57 Expectations for sales of first book.
8:04 – 09:41 Podcasting as a marketing strategy.
09:43 – 12:26 How to identify podcasts to pursue in order to maximize marketing.
12:27 – 14:19 How to pitch podcasts.
14:21 – 18:59 Explanation of the term “bestselling book”.
19:01 – 21:30 What to do during launch to gain sal...2023-08-0740 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor Josh Rutherford on Applying Screenwriting Principles to a Fantasy Book SeriesOur interview with Josh Rutherford, author of The Fourpointe Chronicles, provides aspiring fantasy novelists valuable insights on how to create a believable fantasy world, how to develop characters over a series of books, and how to apply screenwriting techniques to novel writing. Josh also encourages new writers to get started, even when you don’t have it all figured out, and to find the right type of feedback during the writing journey. You won’t want to miss this episode.
Great Moments in the Episode
00:00 - 06:12 About Josh and his books.
06:12 – 07:34 How to b...2023-07-2441 minThe Writing PodcastCristen Iris on How to Move your Story Forward with ScenesThe best television shows and movies have memorable scenes. In those scenes, characters are forced to make choices that move the story forward. This is the essence of screenwriting. And, according to ghostwriter Cristen Iris, it’s also the essence of great memoirs and fiction. In this episode we chat with Cristen about how the basic principles of screenwriting can be applied to fiction and memoirs so your reader will read from beginning to end.
Great Moments in the Episode
Basic elements of a scene: 2:22 – 3:37
How to think of scenes in terms...2023-07-1047 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor Paula Munier on How to Create the Perfect PlotHow do you keep your reader reading till the wee hours of the morning—because they have to figure out how the story ends? You must create a narrative arc that, scene by scene, plot point by plot point, keeps the reader questioning.
Paula Munier, author of Plot Perfect: Building Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene, offers a plot-building strategy that works no matter the genre you’re writing in.
Great Moments in the Episode
6:19-7:10: How people decide to buy a book.
7:10-8:52: The importance of the first page and “t...2023-06-2345 minThe Writing PodcastWhat Is a Developmental Edit? And Why It Matters to the Success of Your BookA developmental edit for your book project is as essential as eating right and working out if you want to be fit. You always need a developmental edit, no matter your experience as a writer. The most sophisicated writers expect it. Developmental editing is not about tearing down your work or diminishing your voice as a writer. It's a collaborative effort between an expert and you. In this episode, Melissa and Dave define what a developmental edit is and identify some of the emotions when hearing the editor's recommendations and seeing her edits for the first time.
2023-06-0443 minThe Writing PodcastLisa Cron on the Misbelief of Your Protagonist and Why It Matters to Your StoryLisa Cron is no fan of how the writing world teaches writers to craft stories. She has several beefs with the standard ways novel writing is taught, including starting your project with "plotting." In this episode, Lisa offers a fresh, practical perspective on the key to writing a compelling story. Lisa has written three books on story, including Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. She has worked in publishing at W.W. Norton, as an agent at the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency, as a producer on shows for Showtime and Court TV, and as a story...2023-05-1145 minThe Writing PodcastCristen Iris on Thinking Like a Filmmaker When Writing Your MemoirUltimately, your memoir is not about you. It's about the reader. And what the reader takes away from spending hours, even days reading your book. In this practical episode, Cristen Iris gives memoir writers a clear path to writing a memoir that gets read. Cristen is an award-winning ghostwriter, developmental editor, and publishing consultant who specializes in working with high achievers on commercially viable nonfiction and upmarket fiction projects.
Great Moments in the Episode
(6:04) The importance of focusing on why you want to write a memoir
(9:05) The challenge of writing survival memoirs...2023-04-1849 minThe Writing PodcastEmily Enger on Good Enough Book Marketing for Fiction and Creative WritersMost writers simply want to write and publish. And not have to deal with the hassle of social media and selling their book. In this episode with book marketing coach Emily Enger, she introduces the concept of "good enough" book marketing. She says that writers should focus on the writing first and foremost, putting "your perfectionism marbles in that corner."
Great Moments in the Episode
(4:18) How marketing a fiction book is different from marketing a nonfiction book.
(6:54) The essence of good enough book marketing.
(7:13) Emily defines what marketing is.2023-04-0152 minThe Writing PodcastView Your Time Set Aside for Writing as SacredThe word sacred is not too lofty of a word to describe your time set aside to write. In this episode, Melissa and Dave co-opt a religious term and apply it to the time set apart to write.
Great Moments in the Episode
(1:49) Dave's progress: his daughter is picking up the sport of lacrosse in high school.
(4:39) Melissa's progress: she launched her website for Megillicutti, something she has wanted to do for years.
(8:03) How the idea for this episode came up in our research for a workshop on writing r...2023-03-1239 minThe Writing PodcastRosanne Bane on How to Overcome Writer’s BlockIn this extensive interview, Rosanne Bane helps writer's unlock their resistance to write. Author of "Around the Writer's Block," she explains the science behind our procrastination and excuses, and provides practical tips to get back on track.
Great Moments in the Episode
(3.30) The story of a woman in France in 1906 with a brain injury and how her response to pain illustrates conscious and unconscious memory.
(8:08) Rosanne discusses how, traditionally, the brain is thought to be made up of three main areas.
(11:06) Rosanne says that we don't need to know t...2023-02-2655 minThe Writing PodcastBryan Cohen on How to Sell Your Self Published Book with Amazon AdsBryan Cohen is Da Guru when it comes to selling your book with Amazon ads. In this practical interview, Bryan gives us the inside scoop on how self-published authors can use Amazon ads to promote their books and other products and services. Bryan, the founder of "Author Ad School," is a USA Today bestselling author. He is also CEO of "Best Page Forward" and the author of many fiction and nonfiction books.
Great Moments in the Episode
(4.10) How Bryan used fictionalized characters to engage the reader on an emotional level with his nonfiction b...2023-02-0344 minThe Writing PodcastNovelist Jaimie Engel on Becoming a Romcom ScreenwriterIn this interview with youth fantasy fiction and non-fiction writer Jaimie Engle, she describes her journey to become a RomCom screenplay writer.
Great Moments in this Episode
(4:30) How Jaime made a surprise connection to an attorney in the film industry during what she calls the Apocalypse (the first couple years of Covid)
(6:00) Her decision to take a Zoom class on "How to write the Christmas RomCom"
(8:20) The moment Jaime heard the news that she had landed a contract for her first screen play
(9:25) What Jaime learned from t...2023-01-1640 minThe Writing PodcastFirst-Time Novelist Linda Fifer on Losing Her First Draft and Her Persistence to Complete the ProjectAt one point in writing her debut novel, The Road between Two Skies, Linda Fifer lost the entire manuscript. Her husband had misplaced it, and there was no digital copy. In our interview with Linda, she discusses how she reconstructed her story and how she persisted for years before she was able to complete and then self-publish the novel. The story is about how an abduction upends a woman’s life. The main character loses her memory after the kidnapping and finds herself on a journey to remember who she was while discovering who she is. New writers will co...2022-12-2131 minThe Writing PodcastGetting Real about the Costs of Publishing Your BookIt's a big expense to publish your book. And most likely the sales from it won't cover the publishing costs. At least for most writers. We all have fantasies about landing a big publisher and selling millions, but the super majority of books sell around 250 copies. At least that's what Google says. If that's true, there's no way to recoup the costs to publish your ideas. At least not from book sales only. So why write? In this episode, Melissa and Dave get real about the true costs of publishing a book. You'll come away with more clarity on...2022-12-0255 minThe Writing PodcastNovelist and Memoirist Donna Freitas on Identifying the ”Why” of Your BookUntil you know the "why" of your book, you may struggle to structure it. So believes Donna Freitas, Brooklyn-based author of fiction and nonfiction. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The LA Times, among other places. She is currently on faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA in Creative Writing. In this delightful episode, Donna discusses the "hooking and holding" approach to writing chapters. She says that your first draft is for you. You get to be selfish when writing your first draft, and it's important that you learn not to be...2022-11-1148 minThe Writing PodcastWriters Don’t Storytell, They Storyshow"Show, don't tell" - that is the most basic advice given at every writer's workshop or conference. As a writer, you must show what is happening, not merely tell what happened. Writers do not have the luxury of sound to assist with narrating the story. Nor do writers have video or motion graphics. Or even images to illustrate their stories. Writers have only words. In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer six strategies for making sure you are "showing, not telling" in your novels, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction. Showing is how you evoke emotion in readers and sustain their...2022-10-2539 minThe Writing PodcastNovelist Ann Hood on the Revision Process for Novels and MemoirsNovelist and memoirist Ann Hood prefers the phrase "glorious mess" when referring to the first draft of a writing project. Ann recently published "Fly Girl: A Memoir," about her career as a life attendant in the late 1970s and 1980s. She has written 14 novels and four memoirs. In this episode, Ann discusses the revision process, quoting another writer who said that revising your work isn't cleaning up after the party, it is the party. She gives us insight into her revision process, how she prints out her manuscript and reads aloud to catch errors in flow, character development, and...2022-10-0938 minThe Writing PodcastJennifer Bisbing on Editing for Writers Who Plan to Self PublishYour readers need you to be clear. Jennifer Bisbing, book editor and author of the mystery “Under the Pines," says that if an author writes with clarity about his or her theme, readers will have greater insight and appreciation. In this interview with Jennifer, she discusses how she researched her novel, which is told through the eyes of an eight-year-old. She also describes her experience in a writer's group and its value for an aspiring author. Jennifer is a professional editor, providing editorial services for authors who plan to self-publish. She says that copy editing and proofing are critical to...2022-09-2135 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Begin to Write Your Family StoryMost every family story includes heroes and scoundrels, and lovable as well as colorful characters. If you've ever considered writing your family history, you've probably asked, "Where do I begin the story?" In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer seven tips to begin writing your family story. One is to select a purpose early on for the writing project: "Why am I writing this?" That will help you decide what to include in your writing - and what to leave on the cutting room floor.
2022-09-0653 minThe Writing PodcastBook Publicist Julia Drake on the Three Key Ways to Promote Your BookPromoting your book should begin the day you decide to write a book. That may seem like an overstatement, but the earlier you begin to think about your audience, the more success you'll have if later you decide hire a book publicist like Julia Drake, president and co-founder of Wildbound PR. In this episode, Julia identifies the three keys to book promotion (media, social media, and events). She explains how authors can make their books stand out, even in a crowded, noisy marketplace. Julia offers tips for self-published authors as well as helping all authors understand the value and p...2022-08-2233 minThe Writing PodcastPlatform-Building Expert Stephanie Chandler on Growing an Audience for Your WritingThe word platform is a synonym for "audience." To build your writing platform means to build your audience. Many new writers groan at the idea of building their audience while also trying to write a book. It seems overwhelming. In this episode, Stephanie Chandler gives writers a simple roadmap for getting started in building an audience. CEO of NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com, Stephanie is also the author of numerous books for writers, including The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan and The Nonfiction Book Marketing Plan. Writers will come away from this episode with the building blocks for attracting an engaged audience for...2022-08-1042 minThe Writing PodcastLiterary Agent Soumeya Roberts on How Agents Assess Your ManuscriptEven if they are not actively soliciting new ideas, most literary agents still long for the thrill of discovering a new writer who speaks to them. In this interview with Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts, she identifies the three elements that she looks for in a manuscript - style, structure, and setting. A literary agent with HG Literary, Soumeya represents literary novels and collections, upmarket fiction, and non-fiction, both narrative and prescriptive. Aspiring writers will come away from this episode with specific guidance on how to persist in the querying process.
2022-07-1840 minThe Writing Podcast5 Ways to Build a Following for Your Writing"Publishing is a business." That statement is as true for those who self publish as it is for those who plan to pitch a traditional publisher. Who will purchase your book? And how do you reach them? Years ago, a popular writer named Michael Hyatt coined the phrase "platform building." It's the idea that if you want to publish, you need to simultaneously create followers who will purchase your book. In this episode, we identify the five main ways that writers can build their following.
2022-07-1137 minThe Writing PodcastBook Agent Miriam Altshuler on Effective Query Letters and Aspiring AuthorsNew York literary agent Miriam Altshuler looks for specific elements in a query letter. For starters, the query should not be longer than three paragraphs. In this delightful interview with Miriam on the wonder of books, she also offers some practical advice for first-time authors. If you're writing a memoir, for example, you need to complete the entire book before you pitch it to an agent. Publishing is a business, she says, and it's critical that you understand how to pitch your book - and pitch yourself.
2022-06-2633 minThe Writing PodcastCraft, Voice, and Concept - the Art of Memoir WritingThey say to write what you know. It’s no wonder there has been a surge in memoir writing. You know nothing better than yourself. As The Art of Memoir author, Mary Karr, said, “Anyone who’s lived can write one.” But to write a memoir that people want to read requires "craft, voice, and concept." In this episode, we interview Rob Lewis, a writer and editor with Journey Sixty6 who recently ghostwrote a memoir for an orthodox Jewish businessman. Rob walks us through the process of structuring the memoir and how he stayed focused on the larger concept for the...2022-06-1330 minThe Writing Podcast7 Self-Editing Questions to Improve Your ManuscriptEvery writer who has ever stared at a blank screen (or page) has eventually had to lay down a first sentence. And then revise that sentence. Again and again. First drafts are just that - the first of many drafts to come. In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven self-editing questions to help you revise your manuscript. One question has to do with the passive voice: Do I use the passive voice too much? Of course, it's okay to use the passive voice occasionally, but it needs to be strategic. You'll come away from this episode with practical...2022-05-2545 minThe Writing PodcastWhat Happens after You Sign a Book ContractThe countdown begins, after you sign a contract with a publisher. There is a deadline. And, suddenly, there is an urgency to putting a period to your writing, if you haven't yet completed the manuscript. The process shifts from creative to production. In this interview with Dr. Jamie Weiner, he discusses the process of working with a traditional publisher. His book, The Quest for Legitimacy: How children of prominent families find their unique place in the world, releases in early summer. He helps authors manage their expectations during the pre-publishing phase.
2022-05-0942 minThe Writing Podcast7 Questions to Evaluate Your Book IdeaEvery book that is published starts out as a raw, unformed idea in the mind of a writer. A companion of that initial idea is often an emotion: fear. Is my idea really good enough for an entire book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven questions to help writers evaluate whether their idea is book worthy. One question pertains to passion: Am I passionate enough about this idea to sustain my energy and focus to write 60,000 words? Aspiring writers will come away with some practical ideas to take the next step in their book writing journey.
2022-04-2739 minThe Writing PodcastDo You Need a Writing Coach?"Book coach" is a category that for the most part didn't exist several decades ago. There was a literary agent. And the acquisitions editor at the publishing house. Between the two of them, writers found various kinds of help with their manuscript. Today, book coaches help writers with everything from goal setting to developmental editing to building their social media platforms and promoting their books. In this episode, we discuss the duties of an effective book coach and how to set and manage your expectations if you decide to hire one.
2022-04-1443 minThe Writing PodcastInterior Designer and Influencer Natalie Papier on Starting Her Book ProjectArt, color, and design - these three elements define the brand of Natalie Papier, interior designer and Instagram influencer (@home_ec_op). In this wide-ranging interview, Natalie discusses the role of authenticity in her brand and how she began working on a book project. Through connections on a different project, Natalie found a book proposal editor, who is helping Natalie tease out her ideas for the framework of the book. Natalie makes the trenchant point about timing for one's writing project and how taking on new opportunities can lead to important connections.
2022-03-2833 minThe Writing PodcastThe True Definition of Publishing for WritersWhat does it mean to publish? The original, Latin definition of the word publish means "words made public." In this episode, we make the case that to develop a rich writing life means embracing a broader definition of the word "publish." Even a Christmas letter or a social post is a form of publishing. Every time you write something intended for others to read, you are publishing. So, make it count. This episode will encourage you to persist in your current writing project and thus take the next step towards creating a writing life.
2022-03-1539 minThe Writing PodcastProp Stylist Robin Zachary on Paying Attention to the Little Things When Publishing a BookIt's always the little things that can make or break a project. In the publishing process especially, an author needs to pay attention to every detail until after the book has been printed. In this interview, Robin Zachary discusses the process to publish her forthcoming book, Styling Beyond Instagram: Take Your Prop Styling Skills from the Square to the Street. She explains how she landed a book deal, but most importantly, she gives aspiring writers some practical tips for when they near the end of the book writing journey. Robin is a stylist/editor/content creator. She styles and...2022-02-2838 minThe Writing PodcastJournalist Melinda Wenner Moyer on Researching Her Parenting BookParenting is not for wimps, as the saying goes. Science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer might say that the biggest parenting challenge is "How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes," the provocative title of her recent book. Melinda has written a column for Slate magazine and publishes regularly with the New York Times. In this interview, she discusses the "scaffolding" (structure) of her book chapters and her writing process. She also helps writers maintain their voice while integrating research into the narrative.
2022-02-1342 minThe Writing Podcast8 Insights into How Editors View Your ManuscriptEditors serve an audience. A magazine editor keeps his or her job only if the majority of readers renews their yearly subscription. A book editor whose acquisitions are not profitable will need to find a new job. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss eight specific insights into how an editor thinks. One is the hyper focus on serving readers. Other insights include their perspective on articles or book proposals that don't immediately arrest their attention. You'll come away with a better sense how to pitch your article or develop your book proposal.
2022-01-3137 minThe Writing PodcastPolygamist’s Daughter Anna Lebaron on How She Wrote Her MemoirAnna LeBaron was born into a polygamist cult. She endured the unimaginable: abandonment, horrific living conditions, child labor, and sexual grooming. At 13, she escaped to a new life, though it took decades for her to recover. In our interview, Anna discusses the process of writing her memoir and how she used a professional editor to help her create the scenes for her story. Anna gives practical insights for new writers, such as how she protected both the guilty and the innocent in masking the personalities in her story. If you aspire to write narrative nonfiction, you'll come away motivated...2022-01-1636 minThe Writing PodcastJennifer Risher on her 14-Year Memoir Writing JourneyThere's a ancient saying that money is not so much the problem; it's the love of money that causes the trouble. There's another truth about the topic: It's really hard to write about money - specifically, your money. And yet, that is exactly what Jennifer Risher does in "We Need to Talk: A Memoir about Wealth." She and her husband became what only can be described as an "ultra high net worth" family through their stock options from Microsoft and Amazon. In this interview, Jen inspires all of us as she describes her 14-year writing journey of rejections, rewrites...2022-01-0247 minThe Writing PodcastExecutive Coach Rose Hollister on Train Time and Writing with a Co-AuthorLife is not easily broken down into writing segments. Executive Coach Rose Hollister made time for writing while commuting into Chicago from her home in the western suburbs. Rose runs a coaching and consulting practice and has written for the Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. She has also written a book for young adults who've just landed their first corporate job called "Nobody Told Me: 129 Unwritten Rules for Career Success." In this interview Rose discusses "train time" and how she works with co-authors on her writing projects. She also explains how she uses her publishing to...2021-12-1940 minThe Writing PodcastVirtual Assistant Kaitlyn Bouchillon on Creating a Book Launch TeamThere are at least three distinct phases in launching a book into the world. The second phase is the six-week to three-month window when the book is released. It's when your book is new news. Kaitlyn Bouchillon has built a business as a virtual assistant helping authors launch their books. Her focus is on creating and managing book launch teams. In this interview, Kaitlyn explains the role of a book launch team and how to set one up. She also offers up tips and hacks to make sure your team promotes your book to the largest audience possible.
2021-12-0548 minThe Writing PodcastBookbaby.com President Steven Spatz on the Power of Self Publishing Your BookGone are the days when the phrase "self-published" referred to a second-rate book. Today, many authors choose the self-publishing route because it gives them control over their book rights, a faster time to market, and a higher margin per book. Bookbaby.com has ridden the self-publishing trend to become one of the largest book services companies in the world. In this interview with Bookbaby.com president Steven Spatz, he provides an overview of the self-publishing journey while offering some practical tools for book promotion. He also identifies the one area where many authors fall down when self-publishing.
2021-11-2239 minThe Writing PodcastLiterary Agent Adria Goetz Thinks You‘re Not Persistent Enough as a WriterPositive, warm, and encouraging - three qualities not typically associated with literary agents. But literary agent Adria Goetz exemplifies all three. In this practical interview, Adria explains her process for sorting through all the queries she receives by email. She also discusses how to pitch your book to agents via Twitter and how she discovers new writers through the social media platform. She argues for the importance of researching books similar to yours before you pitch an agent and explains how she works with an author. And yes, she thinks you should send your query to more than twenty...2021-11-0940 minThe Writing PodcastHarperCollins Executive Editor Mickey Maudlin on the Elements of a Great MemoirWhat, exactly, is a memoir? Is it simply a great story? Or is it a style of writing that addresses a larger theme? Yes. In this practical interview with Mickey Maudlin, Senior VP and Executive Editor at HarperCollins, he distinquishes between memoir as a genre and memoir as a writing style. He also helps aspiring writers ask a basic question, "Why would someone buy my memoir?" A few authors might be able to engage readers by telling a good story, but most will need to have something to say over and above their experience.
2021-10-2449 minThe Writing PodcastHow Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck Co-Wrote Their Memoir, ”I‘ll Push You”How do two authors write one memoir? Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck co-wrote ”I‘ll Push You,” and their awards for the memoir speak for themselves. The book chronicles not just their unique journey on the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile trek through Spain, but the lifetime friendship of Patrick and Justin, who suffers from a neuromuscular disease that has robbed him of the use of his arms and legs. In this episode, the authors describe their writing process and help aspiring memoir writers on how to create a strong story architecture.
2021-10-0447 minThe Writing PodcastThe Ways and Means of a Literary Book Agent"How do I find a literary book agent?" is one of the most common questions of aspiring writers. In this episode with literary agent Don Gates, founder of The Gates Group, he identifies the three C's that agents seek in a new author: Concept, Crowd, and Content. In other words, the book concept needs to rock, the author must have a following or some means to distribute the book, and he or she also needs to write in a compelling way. Gates also discusses the importance of referrals and how agents often find new authors through the referral of...2021-09-1933 minThe Writing PodcastHow Curiosity Makes Your Writing MemorableUnless you are writing a textbook, curiosity is what makes your writing memorable. It all starts with the questions that you ask of others. More specifically, the follow-up questions that evoke emotion, stories, and insights. You also want to be curious of your ideas as you write, asking, "Why do I really believe that?" In this episode, we discuss the role of curiosity and how it raises the quality of your writing.
2021-09-1350 minThe Writing PodcastThe 6 Writing Discipline ModelsA few of you rise before dawn, run 10 miles, and write 1,500 words - all before 7 AM. Bully for you. The rest of us, however, structure our lives a bit differently. In this episode, we identify the six models of writing discipline. The first is the aforementioned Early Riser model, and the second is the "Edge of the Toilet Seat" model. The goal is to find a writing discipline model that works for you. We hope you find encouragement in this episode as you seek to fit writing into the white spaces and seams of your life.
2021-09-0633 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Start Writing a BookThere are a thousand clichés about how to take the first step of a long journey. But they all have one thing in common: you have to start. In this episode, we offer up a series of tips for taking that first step, including the importance of fighting through and overcoming the so-called imposter syndrome. At some point, no matter how insecure we feel, the only way to overcome our emotion is the physical act of writing something down. We hope you come away encouraged and the inspiration to sit down and write that first sentence.
2021-08-3134 minThe Writing PodcastWhat Magazines Teach Us about Writing WellThe golden era of magazines is a distant memory. Part of their demise was the Internet, which flooded the world with free content. Even today, however, magazines feature some of the best writing for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we identify five lessons from magazines that can help you improve your book writing. One of those is the hook or angle of every article in a magazine. Each article begins with a hook that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go until you read the article.
2021-08-3046 minThe Writing Podcast5 Hacks When You're Lost Writing a ChapterYou're not a writer if you've never been absolutely lost while working on a piece, whether a blog, an article, or, especially, the chapter of a book. Writing is thinking in motion. You may have not thought about your idea in this way before, until you laid down that sentence. In this episode, we offer up what amounts to five writing hacks to help you find your way once you've become lost. One hack is to go back to your thesis for the article or chapter: What is your topic? And what do you want to say about that...2021-08-1533 minThe Writing PodcastPrenup Book Author Emily Bouchard on How She Lands Media InterviewsEmily Bouchard's approach to landing media interviews for her book was quite simple. She reached out to a journalist and asked for one. She didn't know how to create a press release, so she googled it. And then created one. Seems like we all can do that! Emily is a Family Dynamics Coach to ultra high net worth families, and author of "Estate Planning for the Blended Family" and "Beginner's Guide to Purposeful Prenups." Emily didn't let what she didn't know stop her. Her persistence and tenacity give hope to writers who are starting from scratch.
2021-08-0838 minThe Writing PodcastAn Introduction to Writing a MemoirThe reasons for writing a memoir are many. Some write to understand their past; others share truths from their past to help others. Still others write memoirs as a way of preserving their family history. In this episode, we introduce the topic of writing a memoir and identify five basic elements to keep in mind when starting out to write one. Every person has a story to tell. It's how you tell the story that makes it a memoir.
2021-08-0146 minThe Writing PodcastA.C.T.S. - the 4 Essential Elements of Writing a Great StoryStory. Story. Story. No one argues with the idea that stories are one of the primary ways we communicate as humans. It's one thing to enjoy a great story. And quite another to write a great one. In this interview with Steve Mathewson, author of "Art of Preaching Old Testament Narratives," he lays out the four essential elements of writing a great story. He also discusses the importance of "strategic delay" - creating tension in your story. He says that when the tension is gone, your story is over, whether your done telling it or not.
2021-07-1455 minThe Writing PodcastTech Founder Dave Parker on the Whacky Economics of Book Publishing and PromotionIt can never be about the money. No realistic financial model for book publishing exists, unless of course, you hit the lottery with your first. In this episode, tech founder and book writer Dave Parker applies start-up thinking to writing, publishing, and promoting his book, Trajectory Startup: Ideation to Product/Market Fit. Our interview with Dave is realistic yet practical. The time is now to get back to your laptop. And buckle up and write.
2021-07-0451 minThe Writing Podcast5 Ways to Overcome Your Writing Self DoubtSelf-doubt is the constant road companion of the writer, and especially of the aspiring writer. Self-doubt can be paralyzing. Contribute to procrastination. Even derail the writing journey altogether. In this episode, we discuss at length the shadow of self doubt and how aspiring writers can step into the light and overcome their self-doubt. The only way through the self-doubt is the act of writing. Doing the work itself goes a long ways towards dispelling the shadows.
2021-06-2737 minThe Writing PodcastBook Publicity Expert Andrea Martin on Arresting the Attention of Media for Your BookWhen your book is launched, you've got about three months. And then your book becomes old news. Your publisher moves on. So does the media. And then the long slog to promote your book begins. In this episode, we interview Tyndale Publishers author relations director Andrea Martin on how to stay focused when the promotions don't go as planned. You'll come away encouraged to keep pressing on and to come up with creative ways to tell the story of your book.
2021-06-1047 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Spot and Eliminate Clichés in Your WritingWe want to pivot a bit and discuss how to spot and eliminate clichés as you write your book. Whoops, we need to eliminate "pivot" from this introductory copy! In this episode, we regale each other with the challenge of how to write in fresh language. A cliché is simply a word or phrase that is overused, tired, well worn. If you want your book to be read - and then referred - you'll want to do the hard work of eliminating the worn-out phrases of your industry or community from your writing.
2021-06-0438 minThe Writing PodcastGrowing Your Social Media Following through HashtagsThe last thing a writer may want to add to the journey of publishing a book is the job of building a social media following. It's a slog. Tedious. And unless you're a gregarious, larger than life celebrity, building your following takes thought and skill. In this episode, Dave once again interviews Melissa on how she has built her Instagram following. This time, the topic is hashtags. Melissa clears up the confusion on hashtags and gives authors practical help to use the right hashtags to build their social media following.
2021-05-2129 minThe Writing PodcastCaryn Rivadeneira on the Hard Work of Book Proposals and Her Writing DisciplinesShe calls it her "pop in" writing discipline. Caryn Rivadeneira, who has published 13 books, learned to make writing progress while sitting on the edge of the toilet as her kids splashed in the bathtub. In this wide-ranging interview, Caryn discusses the value of writing a full book proposal, even for those who plan to self publish. She also clarifies the job of a good book agent and why some writers prefer to self publish, given the slow metabolism of traditional publishers. Caryn motivated us to sit back down and write that next paragraph.
2021-05-1345 minThe Writing Podcast5 Social Media Insights to Boost EngagementIf you want to write, you'll need a way to promote your book. One common way is through social media. In this episode, Dave interviews Melissa about a data analytics project that helped her identify five key insights about how to improve her engagement on Instagram. Melissa's son Davis, a stats, econ, and math major at Northwestern University, analyzed the response to Melissa's Instagram posts over the course of a year. The results will help you become more effective at building a social media following.
2021-05-0442 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Start Writing a BookWhat is the starting point for writing a book? Do you just sit down one day and start to write? That's not a bad idea. At least you create a bit of momentum. But there are some additional, practical ideas to help you make more progress more quickly. In this episode, Melissa and Dave strip back the book writing process to its very beginning. They identity seven ways to begin the writing process. You'll come away with both inspiration and practical help to start the writing road trip!
2021-04-2839 minThe Writing PodcastRewriting after Your Book Idea ChangesNo one welcomes the prospect of a rewrite. Especially when the realization that the thesis or main idea of the book has changed. It can be downright discouraging when your thinking evolves significantly, requiring you to rewrite sections or entire chapters. In this episode, we address the emotion of rewriting and the importance of slowing down when your thinking changes. You will come away feeling more hopeful and discover some practical ways to jump back into the writing process.
2021-04-2037 minThe Writing PodcastAdvertising iconoclast Jim Morris on Narrowing Your Book Audience and Book AgentsAgents of stupidity - that's what iconoclast Jim Morris calls advertising agencies that whitewash bad advertising and romanticize the profession. Jim is the author of Badvertising: An Expose´of Insipid, Insufferable, Ineffective Advertising. A 40-year advertising veteran, he knows his industry's foibles firsthand. In this episode, Jim discusses the process of coming up with the angle for his book, the importance of narrowing one's audience, and how he found a book agent.
2021-04-1437 minThe Writing PodcastAndrew Keyt on How Book Publicity Grew His Consulting PracticeIt's one thing to write a book. And quite another to sell your book. Author Andrew Keyt made a significant investment in the publicity of his book, Myths and Mortals: Family Business Leadership and Succession Planning (Wiley Finance). The first publicity phase was the six weeks after its launch, the second was the long slog since. In this episode, Andrew, who is also a professor in the business school at Loyola University Chicago, discusses the value he placed on book publicity and how it paid off in growing his consulting practice.
2021-04-0739 minThe Writing PodcastCorporate Onboarding Expert Amy Davies on Overcoming Writing ObstaclesAmy Davies, author of "A Spark in the Dark," offers helpful tips to business writers on what a book can do for your business, how to energize your writing by narrowing your audience, and how to make progress one chapter at a time. Amy also discusses how she launched her book on Linkedin and uses her book to build her business.
2021-03-3144 minThe Writing PodcastAuthor Jaimie Engle on Persistence, the Why of Writing and PromotionYouth fantasy fiction and non-fiction writer Jaimie Engle wanted to be an author since she was a child. Three weeks before her first book, “Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light,” was slated to be published, the publisher bailed. Jaimie had no choice but to figure out how to self publish the book. In this episode, Jaimie talks candidly about the long writing road to where she is today and the purpose she found for writing novels along the way.
2021-03-2446 minThe Writing PodcastLeadership Coach Jon Lokhorst on Planning for His Book PromotionA plan is essential to a promoting your book, no matter the size of your budget. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Jon Lokhorst, a leadership coach, trainer, and keynote speaker. In a few weeks, Jon will be launching his new book, “Mission-Critical Leadership: How Smart Managers Lead Well in All Directions," into the world. Aspiring authors will benefit from his approach to book promotion, including his "one to one" and "one to many" strategy.
2021-03-1644 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Make Writing Progress When You Feel DiscouragedEvery worthy endeavor requires time, discipline, failure, and persistence. And any grand undertaking will also include stretches of discouragement. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss the different kinds of discouragement and offer up some ideas for how to move past the days of doubt while making progress. One idea is to step away from your project for a time, while another is to double-down on your commitment to write. There's no right answer, but the goal is the same: Get back on the writing road.
2021-03-0738 minThe Writing PodcastMemoir Writer Christina Quist on Baboons, Storytelling, and Morning PagesThe American suburbs have little in common with the post-apartheid communities of Capetown, South Africa. Christina Quist knows this firsthand. She, her husband, and their five kids sold most of their belongings and moved from Ohio to the southern Hemisphere. Christina never imagined that she'd be dodging stray bullets and shooing baboons from her house. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Christina on her memoir, “Kaleidoscope: absurdly short stories of traveling and unraveling." In a wide-ranging interview, she recounts a hilarious story about a baboon who sauntered into her house, the importance of "morning pages," and the travails of...2021-03-0740 minThe Writing PodcastBestselling Author Lorilee Craker on Book Agents, Writing Habits, and Meeting OprahThe call came out of the blue. Lorilee Craker's book agent knew the business manager of Lynne Spears, mother of pop star Brittney Spears. A few hours together in Nashville sealed the deal, and Lorilee became the co-author of a New York Times bestseller. Writing success, like any kind of success, doesn't happen without the grind, the years of discipline. Lorilee has devoted her life to writing. Since her book with Lynne Spears in 2008, she has published three other books and is now working on another. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Lorilee about some of the most...2021-02-2242 minThe Writing PodcastMeteorologist Amy Sweezey on Writing Children's BooksIt takes grit to cover the morning weather, like award-winning broadcast meteorologist Amy Sweezey did for 25 years. For starters, she set her alarm for 2 AM every morning in order to clock in for the 4:30 AM news. It also takes grit to work on a book project for almost twenty years. Named "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association in 2018, Amy had a vision to educate children on the weather. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Amy on her book writing and self-publishing journey. You'll come away motivated to stick with your vision and to stay the...2021-02-1544 minThe Writing PodcastThe 3 Benefits of Self PublishingThere are many reasons to self-publish your book or project. It's not just because you couldn't land a contract with a traditional publisher. One of the big reasons is control over intellectual rights, pricing, and, among other things, book packaging. In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer up three benefits of self publishing and how authors can benefit from this trend.
2021-02-0844 minThe Writing PodcastThe Enneagram for Writers - What's Your Writing Style?The Enneagram is everywhere. Based on 105 questions, the personality test casts personality types into nine buckets. Coaches, consultants, HR departments, leadership gurus - many use the Enneagram to help with team building and bonding, and self-understanding. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Alysa Clark, who is conversant in the Enneagram and working on her first book. Alysa assists us in applying the Enneagram to writers: How does your Enneagram number shape what you write and how you write?
2021-02-0143 minThe Writing PodcastWriting's Two Essential Elements: Passion and PersistenceThere's no joy like that of diving into a writing project with an author. If you need inspiration, hope, and practical help, this episode is for you. Melissa and Dave tell the writing, promotion, and publishing stories of five authors with whom they've work over the past several years. The five book projects couldn't be more different. Yet the threads of passion, persistence, and promise run through each story. You'll be inspired to persist while taking away fresh ideas for your writing and book promotion journey.
2021-01-2551 minThe Writing PodcastLessons from a Professional WriterThere's a chasm between writing for yourself and writing for a client. Writing for yourself is, well, so personal. One foundational question is, "What do I want to evoke in the reader?" In this episode with Jennifer Olvera, Melissa and Dave explore the life of a professional writer. Jennifer has been a professional writer for more than twenty years, and she has written eight books. Her latest is "The Easy Meat Cookbook: 75 Simple Recipes for Beef, Pork, Lamb, Veal, and Poultry."
2021-01-1938 minThe Writing PodcastThe Perils of Polite WritingAfter the worry of never getting published comes the fear of not selling any books. On its heels comes the thought, "What if people hate what I wrote?" or "What if the reviews are exceptionally negative?" Sometimes, those anxieties can tempt us to write bland prose in an attempt to stay a member of, as writer Stephen King calls it, "polite society." In this episode, Melissa and Dave wrestle with the importance of voice - and writing what you really think.
2021-01-1236 minThe Writing PodcastThe Writer as EntrepreneurEntrepreneurs and writers have a lot in common. One is the persistence needed to fight through the doubts and insecurities that come when creating something from nothing. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss the writer as entrepreneur and why the entrepreneurial mindset is essential for writers on the road trip to complete their book. Writing demands patience, flexibility, and even a sense of calling. Melissa and Dave offer hope and encouragement to persist through the inevitable valleys to create a unique book.
2021-01-0546 minThe Writing PodcastThe Editor Is (Almost) Always RightWriters need editors. Editors amplify the voice of a writer. Editors assist with clarity, flow, and emotion. In this episode, Melissa and Dave make the point that the editor is almost always right. And that writers should welcome with open arms the feedback of an editor. That doesn't mean, of course, blindly accepting everything that the editor suggests. Melissa and Dave come up with four questions to help you evaluate what your writing needs.
2020-12-2832 minThe Writing PodcastHow a Business Coach Developed Her Book IdeaWhat makes an idea substantive enough for entire book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Cathy Carroll, founder of Legacy Onward, a leadership coaching practice for family businesses. After years in corporate, she was asked to run her father's business, and learned first-hand the stark differences between corporate leadership and family business leadership. Cathy's experience became the basis for a book idea that promises to reshape the conversation about leadership in a family business.
2020-12-2244 minThe Writing PodcastStarting to Write Again after a Long PauseThere's an enormous energy required to start something new. And maybe even more energy is expended when restarting a book project after a long pause. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss the challenges of starting to write again. And how to pick up where you left off and, once again, make progress. They provide encouragement as well as practical advice for jumping back in the car and completing another leg of the book writing road trip.
2020-12-1531 minThe Writing PodcastThe Journey from PhD Dissertation to BookIt's no snap turning a PhD dissertation into a book. For starters, a dissertation is positioned for a micro-audience (your committee members). The bulk of the project is focused on the research methodology. And the writing cadence of a dissertation is constantly interrupted by references to dead authors. The writing of a book must appeal to a completely different mindset than that of a dissertation committee. In this episode, Dr. Alan Amling, a former senior executive with UPS and teaching fellow at the University of Tennessee, discusses the long road to translate his dissertation thesis into a book for...2020-12-0740 min
The Writing PodcastPersistance for the Writing JourneyWriting is nothing if not a hard lesson in persistence. Many writers stop and start many times in the process of writing a book. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Robin Zachary, a New York City prop stylist, Tabletop Editor, and creator of The Prop Styling Experience. Robin recently landed her first book deal, and she is in the middle of completing her manuscript. Her persistence is an inspiration to every writer who has heard, "Your idea isn't a good one."2020-11-1831 minThe Writing PodcastHow Publishing Changes Your LifeSo what really motivates you to write and publish a book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave talk candidly about how publishing changes your life. Or doesn't. At least, not like you think it will. We all tend to have overblown expectations about publishing, whether sales or prestige. Publishing is an important mile marker, no doubt. And it can evoke a great sense of satisfaction. Unless you're on a longer writing journey, however, you may feel some disappointment.
2020-11-0936 minThe Writing PodcastMoving from Idea to Writing Your BookFew aspiring writers wake up one morning with an idea for a book and start to write. Often, we think about an idea or ideas for months or even years before the decision to start writing is made. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Alysa Clark, a storytelling photographer who recently made the decision to start writing her book. Founder of "Water Street Dreams" and a regular blogger, Alysa has wanted to write a book for years but now is doing the hard work of writing 20 minutes every day.
2020-10-3128 minThe Writing PodcastHow to Conduct Research for Your BookResearch is essential to a well-written book. We all know that, but how much research should you conduct? And when is enough enough? In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify different kinds of research and help aspiring writers with some of the basics of book research. This is an introduction to the topic of book research, meant to encourage writers to start with the question, "What do I want to know?"
2020-10-2737 minThe Writing PodcastNetwork Now to Promote Your Book LaterWho likes to "network"? Not many of us. The very idea of standing around at a holiday soiree with a cocktail in hand trying to make small talk is enough to cause nausea. And yet building relationships now is essential as you promote your book later. In this episode, Dave and Melissa discuss how to build authentic relationships that you can draw on later in your book publishing and promotion journey.
2020-10-2029 minThe Writing Podcast"I Didn't Think I Had a Writing Voice"Voice is your writing DNA. It's what makes your writing unique. It's what makes someone say, "You must read this author." Voice is how authors create a following. In this episode, Dave interviews Melissa about how she developed her writing voice. Melissa is frank about her insecurities and honest about the work she did to formulate her distinctive voice. This episode is for aspiring writers on the wonderful and often-long road to developing their voice.
2020-10-1132 minThe Writing PodcastShould You Go on a Writers Retreat?Is a writers retreat worth your time and money? Will you really make progress on your book? That depends on what you want from the retreat. In this episode, Melissa and Dave raise and answer five questions to help you determine whether you should go on a writers retreat.
2020-10-0428 minThe Writing PodcastThe Three Phases of Promoting Your BookIf you want your book to sell, the hard work of promoting it must begin the moment you lay down your first sentence. Promotion is a mindset that may be difficult to embrace as a writer. In this episode, we identify the three phases of promoting your book. We also discuss some practical book promotion ideas to jump start your thinking.
2020-09-2731 minThe Writing PodcastVintage Designer Sean Scherer on Promoting His Book "Kabinett & Kammer"This week is launch week. Sean Scherer is launching his book, “Kabinett & Kammer," which took ten years to write. Yes, ten years. In this episode Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz interview Sean about the book writing journey and what he is doing specifically during "launch week" to promote the book.
2020-09-1929 minThe Writing PodcastThe Complete Roadmap for Publishing Your BookThe journey from first sentence to printed book comprises a lot of moving parts. In this episode, Melissa and Dave provide an overview of the complete roadmap for publishing your book. This episode is for those who want to understand the big picture. Each element demands that the author pays attention to detail, especially near the end of the process.
2020-09-0828 minThe Writing PodcastTurning Your Presentations into a BookJust because you're a dynamic speaker doesn't mean you can easily convert your PPT presentations into a book. Speaking isn't writing. Yet within all content that you've created for presentations may be an idea that is book worthy. In this episode, we pick apart the idea of tossing your presentations into chapters and churning out an instant book. Instead, we help you with identifying a strong book idea and coming up with research, stories, and observation to create a book that impacts the world.
2020-08-2322 minThe Writing PodcastA Guide to Hiring a GhostwriterMany professionals feel uneasy about hiring a ghostwriter: Is doing so an accepted practice? In this episode, Dave and Melissa allay the fears of those who may want to hire a ghostwriter - and offer some practical advice on how to stay engaged in the process - and come out the other end with a book that you feel proud to promote.
2020-08-0525 minThe Writing PodcastThe Role of Developmental Editing in Book WritingIn this first episode, Dave and Melissa address one of the more muddy issues of writing book - developmental editing. Often developmental editing is confused with line editing or even proofing. If you're self-publishing a book, you need the function of a developmental editor to sharpen your book thesis, help you structure the book, and tell better stories.
2020-07-3121 min