Press Publish

In this excerpt, Jodi Cowles shares her experience of living in Turkey with her family and the journey of creating her bilingual children's book, "Joy's World: The Cousins Are Coming". After spending many years in Turkey, Cowles returned to Boise, Idaho with her daughter, who had lived her entire life in Turkey until then. Due to the lack of Turkish cultural presence in Boise, Co...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of author Megan Rogers who turned her grief into a beautiful legacy. After losing her mother in 2020, she found the courage to fulfill a long-held dream of writing a children's book inspired by her dance-filled memories with her mom. We explore how this story, centered around Rosie the reindeer, evolved from a simple idea into a mea...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of book marketing with a special focus on overcoming the challenges many authors face after publishing. Our guest Cameron Clarkson, founder of the company Book Blaster , shares his journey from running a marketing agency to developing innovative strategies that help indie authors break free from the "friends and family bubble" and reach their...

In this episode, we walk through the inspiring author journey of Casey Craiger, author of the children's book "Be Like Socks." Facing the unexpected challenge of losing her job during the pandemic, Casey found solace and a new purpose in writing. She shares how the whimsical tale of her cat named Socks not only became a creative outlet but also a beacon of hope during difficult times...

In this episode, we sit down with accomplished author Kristen Simmons, who shares her remarkable journey to becoming a published writer. From early inspirations in childhood to the challenges of numerous rejections, Kristen's story is one of resilience, passion, and dedication.  Listeners will learn about the pivotal moments and key figures that influenced her path, the importance of persisten...

In this episode we dive deep into the emotional and inspiring journey of a mother and daughter who turned their personal challenges into a powerful narrative. Our guest, Maryam Myika Day, shared her intimate experiences of facing and overcoming adversity, and how these struggles led her and her young daughter to co-author their book, "This Is My Story" as a summer project. Listen as Mary...

A SPECIAL PART 2 EPISODE WITH JEN MOTT! Join us for the heartwarming story of how two educators, Jen and Sara, embarked on a unique collaboration to publish a picture book, leaving an indelible mark on the future of teaching. You'll hear how author Jen's passion for storytelling led her to envision a companion picture book from a child's perspective and how a serendipitous connection w...

Join host Erin as she sits down with branding expert Leanne Knight to explore the intricacies of crafting compelling lead magnets for authors. Leanne shares valuable insights and strategies to help authors enhance their branding and marketing efforts, starting with the importance of strategic lead magnet creation. From assessments to checklists and worksheets, Leanne guides listeners through vario...

In this episode, we are hosting an entire family who have embarked on an extraordinary adventure together: creating their own publishing company and crafting books that inspire and empower. Join us as we hear from Dane, Savannah, and Ruby, ages nine, eight, and six respectively, as they share their experiences of writing and publishing their own books. Each child has brought their unique perspecti...

SUBSTACK AUTHOR SERIES SPECIAL! Join us in this episode with two time author Aleshia Moyamba and her inspiring journey as an independent author for almost 10 years. In 2015, driven by a heartfelt desire to empower young black and brown girls, Aleshia embarked on her publishing journey with her book "Mama, Is My Hair Good?" Witness her candid reflections on the challenges of self-publishi...

In this episode, Erin is Joined by Lara Wellman, Business Coach and Author of the book, “You’re Not Lazy.” Lara's story unfolds as she reflects on her initial intention to write a business-focused book, only to pivot during the challenges of the pandemic. Her book transformed into a powerful guide for self-acceptance and letting go of societal expectations. The title, "You're Not Lazy...

In this episode of Press Publish, Erin and guest Deanna Seymour discuss a smart strategy for authors on Instagram. Deanna introduces the concept of a "static 9 grid," a visual layout on Instagram that showcases who you are and what you do without the need to post every day. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity over perfection in today's Instagram landscape. De...

In this podcast episode, educator and author Dr. Jen Mott shares her journey of writing "Teacherverance," inspired by her passion for storytelling and academic research on teacher perseverance. Through completing a research dissertation and years circus performing on big stages, Jen found the confidence to turn her academic work into a compelling narrative she could take to the stage bey...

Join us as we explore hybrid publishing through the eyes of project manager Lauren. She shares key lessons learned, including the importance of time management and simplifying project systems. By walking in authors' shoes, she discovered the need to balance systems and creativity, advocating for customization in the process. Lauren highlights the value of breaking projects into milestones to s...

In this episode, Erin and guest Lara Buelow discuss Lara’s experience as an artist-turned-author. She shares the behind-the-scenes story of writing her unique book inspired by postcards. In this episode, listeners will hear Lara’s insights on navigating career transitions, relationships, and mindfulness. Aspiring authors or creatives will enjoy listening to the fusion of coaching, art, and snail m...

In this episode of Press Publish, illustrator Justin Dunn returns to to the podcast to reflect on the self-publishing lessons learned through the lens of a hybrid publishing company during 2023. Erin and Justin share their many insights from the year working on a multitude of different books with various self-published authors and offer helpful takeaways to aspiring or seasoned authors.  You won’t...

Ashley Shinholster joins today’s episode of Press Publish to share her inspiring story of deciding to publish her book, “Be U Bear.” This episode dives into Ashley’s publishing experiences of bringing her story to life, finding clarity on what she wanted her book to represent, and having a personal involvement in the writing process to add special touches that are meaningful to her family. Get rea...

In this episode of Press Publish, Erin is joined by Kacey Hayes, a podcast host who supports people in maximizing their first podcast experiences. Erin and Kacey discuss the intricacies of podcast guesting and its incredible potential for authors.  Kacey provides invaluable tips on finding the perfect podcasts aligned with your message and values, estimating audience size, and crafting a compellin...

In this unscripted episode of Press Publish, Erin talks with Maya Burr, whose passion for parenting and education led her to create a transformative tool: The Power of Two. Maya, a licensed clinical social worker, shares her journey of crafting a unique card game to foster problem-solving and self-regulation skills in children under six. As Maya recounts her experience in beta testing and refining...

In this episode, we're joined by Jon Davis, an author who turned individual notes, poems, and thoughts into a collection that ultimately became his book, "Becoming More Human." Erin and Jon will explore his path from crafting these pieces one at a time to publishing his first book.  Jon's process of turning his notes and poems into a book involved self-discovery and the realizati...

BONUS AUTHOR READING INCLUDED! Join us for an inspiring episode of the Press Publish Podcast featuring 18-year-old author Lorra Dailey. Lorra’s self-publishing journey of "What Makes Me: ABC Affirmations to Empower," is a testament to the power of determination and a clear mission. Raised in the personal development space, Lorra's passion to instill confidence and positivity in child...

On this episode of Press Publish, we are joined by author, Cher Anderton. In this episode, Erin and Cher discuss the fascinating journey of self-discovery and personal growth Cher experienced on her author journey and post-publishing. We explore the inspiration behind her book, ‘Could It Be Better?’, a book years in the making that addresses foundational social and emotional skills.  Discover how...

In this episode, we're joined again by guest Marisa Ceisluk, a budding author in the midst of writing her first book. In part two of this series, Marisa opens up about the realities of her author journey, including the challenges of starting, stopping, and picking back up again in the writing process. Marisa shares her candid experiences of pressing pause on her writing journey, which she desc...

BONUS AUTHOR READING INCLUDED! On this episode of the Press Publish Podcast, we have the pleasure of talking with self-published author Melanie Willis. Melanie is an inspiring author who has embarked on a self-publishing journey driven by her passion for storytelling with her children. As Halloween season approaches, Melanie highlights her new book, “Marty the Ghost on the Ceiling” and the experie...

On today’s episode of Press Publish, Erin is joined by author Catherine Brunell. In this candid conversation, we explore the inspiration behind her book, the challenges she faced in pursuing publishing, and the impact her work has had on readers. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Catherine shares how writing has always been a transformative tool for her to process life's complexities...