Don't Write That Book

In this episode, Mike and AJ get real about what they want to accomplish in 2025 as authors. They’ll each share their goals, counter with must-do tasks, and give insights into how they plan on accomplishing them. Listen to their approach to authorship next year to help you plan your year and set your authorship goals. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name...

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss how to connect with your ideal reader from the jump: to identify their “page one” desire. This is the secret to getting your reader to keep turning the page! They also provide an update on their current writing status and what lies ahead for their next book’s schedule. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start rece...

In this episode, AJ and Mike talk about a potential downfall all authors face: inner critic trolls. They’ll not only share their own, but will go into detail about what steps they each take to keep those trolls at bay. It’s another “fly on the wall” episode demystifying the writing process with these two pros! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start...

In this episode, Mike and AJ are back in the debate ring to hammer out which is better for authors: Amazon ads or a TikTok presence. (Spoiler alert, it’s a secret third thing, but you’ll have to listen to learn what that is!) Demystify discoverability, findability, and algorithms in this juicy, fact-filled episode. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to...

In this episode, AJ shares her methodology of outlining, writing, and editing a book based on the reader’s experience and knowledge base, a process she defines as mapping the reader’s journey. She and Mike share how they’ve approached this process in their books and how Mike applies it to speaking engagements. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start...

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss the importance of having a community of authors to keep you motivated, connected, and moving forward. They share what their communities look like and how listeners can create their own. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and lea...

In this episode, listeners will get the inside scoop on how Mike and AJ keep all of their ideas organized. Both will share their process for collecting ideas and organizing them while working on other projects. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review...

In this episode, Mike and AJ catch us up on where they are in the writing process, interviews they’re excited about, and hint at the book’s topic. It’s another fly-on-the-wall episode with a never-before-shared look into the process. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscri...

In this episode, Mike and AJ are back in the debate ring with their opinions on live book launch events. They both explain their values (no ego-centered events!) and even discuss the ROI of big launches. Who will win this round? For those keeping score, it’s AJ: 2, Mike: 0. Will Mike get on the board? Tune in to find out! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your n...

In this episode, Mike and AJ address the 800-pound gorilla in the writing room: how to keep the reader on the page until the very end. AJ explains that by just acknowledging where a reader might push back or become riddled with self-doubt, an author can keep the reader turning pages to the very end. (And then telling everyone about the amazing book they just read!) Be sure to visit https://dwtbpod...

In this episode, inspired by a listener’s questions, AJ and Mike dive into ways authors can use their books to create engaging content. From social media posts to video, the duo shares what is easy to repurpose and how to keep it reader-focused. From newsletters to videos to programs and even to new books, they’ll cover it! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your...

In this episode, Mike and AJ do a deep dive on how authors should conclude their manuscripts, what elements must be present, and what authors should avoid including. You’ll learn about AJ’s Call to Greatness, the way she recommends closing nonfiction books, with a touching tribute to the man behind the Call to Greatness in Mike and AJ’s latest book, All In.  Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.co...

In this episode, AJ and Mike spill the tea on Introductions, when you need one, and when you don’t. Most importantly, they’ll break down what it should contain and what it absolutely should not if you want your readers to keep turning the page! Listeners will also learn when in the writing process an Introduction should be written. (Spoiler: it’s not at the start of the writing process!) Be sure t...

In this episode, AJ and Mike break down the realities of the life of an author. You’ll hear them discuss their own approaches to time management and share what impact it’s had on their personal lives. They also share their own strategies for prioritization of all the tasks that go into authorship and how they accomplished all they have in their respective careers. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodc...

In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss a question they get more than almost any other: “Am I qualified to write about my topic?” They’ll share the instances when credibility absolutely matters to readers and when it doesn’t. Listeners will learn how authors can get in front of the credibility issue and even hear AJ’s tips for speaking directly to readers on the page about why the author is, in fact,...

In this episode, AJ and Mike explain what is meant by “author voice.” They share how they struggled to find Mike’s as coauthors, and what aspiring authors can do to get started developing their voice on the page. AJ shares the time she lost hers as a ghostwriter and what it took to find it once again, and how this applies to all authors.   Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more informat...

Time to bust some myths! In this episode, Mike and AJ will share everything they know about publishing contracts. Can you negotiate with a publisher, or do authors just have to accept contracts as given? What about royalties? Delivery dates? Will they pass if you push back? What are red flags to look out for and green flags to help you feel confident signing on the dotted line? Be sure to visit ht...

Another fly-on-the-wall episode, where listeners get to hear Mike and AJ map out their next book's writing and editing schedule in real time! They’ll hold nothing back about their process, including the game they play with copy edits. This is insider baseball on their co-writing process. If you ever wondered how they do it, be sure to listen in! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more in...

In this episode, Mike and AJ have another friendly battle answering the question: Do endorsements matter? Tune in to hear their individual takes on endorsements from big-name authors and listen to the end to find out who won the debate. You’ll hear how Mike goes about getting endorsements, if ghostwriting endorsements is even a thing, and how a newbie author’s entire life was changed because of on...

Well? What did they pick? In this episode, Mike and AJ will each reveal the decisions they’ve landed on with respect to their next books and why they made that choice. They also speak frankly about timelines, when they can expect publishing milestones to occur, and how they’re feeling about this new development. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to sta...

In this episode, it’s AJ’s turn to discuss ways to monetize books beyond sales. She has three key questions authors should ask themselves before starting, and she will go into detail about her plans and why she chose them. She’ll also explain how to artfully plant seeds in your book before publishing in a way that won’t feel icky and pushy. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more informa...

In this episode, Mike shares his insights into monetizing books beyond sales. He holds nothing back and gives honest data about speaking engagements, how often and how much he gets paid, strategies he tried, as well as what didn’t work, and what he stopped doing. You’ll come away inspired to try something new! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start...

In this episode, AJ and Mike share how their ghostwriter/client relationship evolved into a co-writing partnership. AJ also shares the different ways authors can work with a ghostwriter, red flags to watch out for, and what you can do to get the results you want. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to su...

In this episode, Mike and AJ chat about the importance of frontloading the good stuff in Chapter One. Once your reader feels seen and you’ve introduced your book’s core message and promise, your next step is to make sure readers understand your framework, method, or process so they can start taking action within the first two chapters. Mike and AJ will also talk about how to give your readers an “...

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss the all-important job of Chapter One. AJ will break down the necessary elements: meeting the reader where they are, breaking down the core message, and sharing the promised transformation. They will also cover how to decide if your opening story should focus on pain or promise. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to s...