Everything Publishing Podcast

Metadata isn’t just about filling out forms—it’s a strategic tool to help your book reach the right readers. In this episode of the Everything Publishing Podcast , Melanie Calahan and Maggie Genevich from Self-Publishing Services go beyond the basics to explore the nuances of choosing categories and keywords that actually work. Drawing from a recent client case study, they unpack how sometimes the...

Poetry: misunderstood, overlooked, and often feared—especially by those of us whose last real exposure to it was a high school unit that left us more confused than inspired. In this episode of the Everything Publishing podcast, Melanie Calahan sits down with colleague Danielle Cooney—SPS media manager, adjunct professor, and poetry educator—to ask the big questions: What even is poetry? Why does i...

In this episode of the Everything Publishing Podcast, we dive deep into the world of metadata with our very own project manager and metadata specialist, Margaret Genevich. We'll explore: What exactly is metadata? Why is it so important for book discoverability? How to choose the best keywords and categories for your book. The role of comp titles in your metadata strategy. Tips and tricks for optim...

Ever feel like your writing routine is more "wishful thinking" than "words on the page"? Join Melanie and Emma from Self-Publishing Services as they dive deep into the REAL struggles of developing a writing routine (and actually sticking to it!). In this episode, you'll discover: Unconventional motivation tactics: (Hint: sometimes it involves thinking about your enemies... ) The power of flowchart...

Welcome to another episode of the Everything Publishing Podcast. Join Melanie Calahan, Director of Marketing at Self Publishing Services, and our marketing expert Kendall, as they delve deep into the power of newsletters for authors. This discussion covers everything from the importance of newsletters as a marketing tool to practical tips on how to effectively engage and grow your audience through...

Welcome to another episode of the Everything Publishing Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of literary tropes. Join Melanie Calahan and Kendall from Self Publishing Services as they explore the intriguing role of tropes across various genres, from romance to mystery to fantasy, and discuss their impact on both storytelling and marketing. In this episode, you'll learn: What tropes are a...

Join Melanie and Kendall in this in-depth, hour-long conversation as we unravel the invaluable roles of beta readers and sensitivity readers in the book publishing process. Whether you're a seasoned author or just embarking on your writing journey, understanding when and how to engage with these critical resources can significantly impact the success of your manuscript. What We Cover: Beta Rea...

Self-publishing is a complicated business. For new authors looking to get into the indie publishing world are often overwhelmed by all the things they don't know. In this video, Melanie and Kendall from Self-Publishing Services cover what you should expect in the publishing process. This is a flyby overview of the biggest steps of publishing. We cover the questions we get frequently about when...

Mel, Clare, and Danica discuss content. They run the gamut from social media, traditional publishing, and why it's always a good idea to keep something prepared in your back pocket... just in case. 

You’re a complex, multi-passionate writer! You don’t fit into a single category, and neither does your book. Yet, the way your book is categorized is crucial to it finding its way to the right readers. Mel and Danica from SPS will help you reframe the categorization of your book using tags, categories, genres, BISAC codes, keywords, and metadata. “It doesn’t matter how good your story is, it doesn...

10 years into your writing project? If so, you're certainly not alone. In this episode, Mel, Danica, and Clare get real in a conversation about procrastination. They cover how procrastination has affected their writing and their lives, and they share some of their best strategies for moving past it.  Sometimes procrastination is the result of more than just tough circumstances. If you're havi...

If you're thinking of pitching your book to agents and editors, you're in luck. Publishers are more accessible through social media than ever before. Danica, Mel, and Clare talk about how to prepare yourself to pitch during the pandemic by putting yourself out there on social media, determining what your business plan is as an author, how and where to find out what sort of deals authors in yo...

Author Danica Winters had a big idea that turned into something beautiful: she reached out to a musician on instagram with the idea of creating a song based upon her short story. Like magic, Nick wrote a moving song that captures the feeling of the story. The collaboration is a golden marketing opportunity for both the author and the musician to reach each other's parallel but disconnected audienc...

Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters discuss the ins and outs of publishing an anthology. Learn why it makes sense to self-publish your anthology, how it's a great way to connect and collaborate with other authors, and so much more.

After hearing a jaw-dropping story from an author about a highly questionable agent,  Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters have a conversation about what an ideal agent-author relationship looks like, and what are some red flags you should look for when trying to avoid predatory agents.

Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk about how self-publishing is creating a more inclusive publishing world, acknowledging how traditional publishing has disadvantaged many, and how self-publishing can help you make money and reach readers in ways that traditional publishing cannot.

Do you have questions about how the pandemic is affecting the publishing industry? We've got a couple of insights to share

You might be wondering how it is we (Danica, Clare, and Mel) claim to know so much about the publishing industry. It's a fair question. In this episode, we'll talk a little bit about our backgrounds and what we think qualifies us to give you advice.

Danica Winters, Melissa Tenley, and Clare Wood talk character growth: what makes a good character arc and what does not? If there's one thing everyone at SPS agrees on, it's that the best characters are flawed.

Clare Wood, Danica Winters, and Melissa Tenley get into conversation about things you should consider when you're ready to put a book cover on your hard work. 

Authors Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk about how you should (and how you shouldn't) pitch your idea to editors. Hint: They know from experience.

Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters aren't afraid to get personal in this conversation about their struggles and successes with self care as writers.

Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk networking and conferences.

Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters continue their conversation about networking at conferences.

We've all had that dream. Not the naked-in-the-school-lunchroom dream, the one where we get to spend all of our time writing the stories that flow effortlessly from our brains onto paper and then watch the money roll in. Success! Fame! Riches! Except...in order to really achieve something, we need more than a vague, romantic dream. We need goals. What are your goals? In this episode, we talk about...