Don't Write That Book

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book , Mike and AJ continue to discuss the book launch process, with a focus on the week leading up to, the week of, and the week just after a book is released to the public, and everything an author should know. 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...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book , Mike and AJ share hacks and ideas they’ve developed over the years for a successful book launch. Not only will you hear one of the craziest stories from Mike yet, but you’ll learn how to create a plan for your own book launch, what’s crucial for it to be a success, and everything in between. Be sure to visit  https://dwtbpodcast.com  for more information...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book , AJ and Mike will tell you everything you need to know about hybrid publishing, from how to vet the right publisher, what the real costs are, and how to flag an imposter. You’ll also learn about timeline expectations for publishing as well as the real scoop on royalties. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to sta...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book , AJ and Mike pull back the curtain on self-publishing, sharing all the pros and cons, how to determine if that’s the right path for you, and what team you’ll need to build to publish like a pro. They’ll also share what crucial steps most authors skip and how those shortcuts hurt your book in the end. You’ll learn the key steps to ensuring your self-publish...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ walk you through the pros and cons of working with a traditional publisher and answer the big questions: can you get a traditional deal, and if you do, can you make money? What’s the timeline? Do you need an agent to get a deal? Will you lose control over your intellectual property? Our hosts also go over some red flags to help you determine if...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ will tell you everything you need to know about the three primary publishing paths and how to decide which is right for you. With all the misinformation and disinformation from all corners of the publishing industry, it’s important for authors to learn enough to make decisions based on their own needs and to advocate for themselves and their go...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ focus on nonfiction second editions. What are they? What warrants the need for one? How the heck do you go about revamping a book for its second edition? They’ll share personal stories from creating revised and expanded editions of Mike’s books Profit First and Clockwork, including their “from the ground up” process. And as is often the case in...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ do a deep dive into how to title your book to appeal to your ideal readers. With so many misconceptions about what makes a good title, it’s no wonder many authors get stuck—stuck trying to come up with a title or stuck with a title that hinders discoverability. AJ shares her framework for brainstorming titles based on your book’s fundamentals a...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ give a detailed breakdown of the editing process for a nonfiction book. Editing is more than fixing errors—there are bigger issues to solve before you get to the “polish” stage. Does your book work for your readers? Does it meet readers where they are? Is your book organized in a way that makes sense to them? Can they do all the things you’re a...

In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ break down the difference between an avatar and an ideal reader, and why the distinction matters. They share how connecting to the hearts and minds of that reader is the secret sauce to their books’ success, and guide the listener into the steps needed to identify who their ideal reader is, and why it’s often an earlier version of themselves. B...

“To write a book that’s effective, you have to know it’s effective, first.” On this episode of Don’t Write That Book , AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz break down a common mistake authors of prescriptive nonfiction make: not taking their content for a test drive to ensure it actually is doable. They’ll talk about how they’ve developed their process to build out action steps, identify gaps in their e...

Welcome to the first episode of Don’t Write That Book , where AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz will share their journey as authors, with plenty of tips and earned wisdom from their decade and change of co-writing best-selling books together. In this episode, they’ll talk about the mindset shift that they wish all authors would make, from thinking a book is only a “better business card” to knowing th...

On this episode of Don’t Write That Book , AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz focus on how they came to write Mike’s best-selling book , Profit First , using the “reader first” method. They self-published the book as their publisher didn’t believe it could sell and wanted them to write a different book entirely. (The book went on to sell over a million copies…) AJ and Mike explain how they came to und...

It’s not always sunshine and roses… On this episode of DWTB, AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz discuss the challenges and lessons learned from their least successful book, Surge . How could this book tank, after the astronomical success of Profit First? (Hint: you’ll find out!) You’ll also hear about the mindset shifts they both had to make to keep working together because this episode details their...

Each year, roughly four million books are published. Four million. Considering that staggering number, how can an author hope to make it—make a living, make their mark, make a difference? First and foremost, by avoiding the “better business card” and other shortcut approaches to writing and publishing a book.   In their podcast, Don’t Write That Book, writing partners Mike Michalowicz (Profit Firs...