Kind Of A Big Book Deal

Send us Fan Mail A book deal is not just about having a great idea. It is about knowing how publishing really works before you step into the room. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson talks with literary agent Dani Segelbaum about what entrepreneurs, experts, and creators need to understand before chasing traditional publishing. Dani shares why literary agents matter, from...

Send us Fan Mail What really makes a book a bestseller, and is the famous “blueprint” worth following? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson breaks down what entrepreneurs need to understand about bestselling books, platform growth, and the publishing machine behind major author success. Using Mel Robbins, James Clear, and other big self-help names as examples, Meghan explai...

Send us Fan Mail A six-figure book deal sounds exciting, but the real story is more honest and more useful than a big number. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson explains what entrepreneurs, experts, and creators need to understand about traditional publishing advances, literary agents, and the real value of a book deal. Meghan breaks down why publishing is a reputation-ba...

Send us Fan Mail What if the book deal you want depends less on your idea and more on the business you build around it? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson sits down with Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, founder of 7-Figure Educator™ and forthcoming author of 7-Figure Educator™. Erica shares the real journey behind preparing for a traditional publishing deal, from hearing the hard...

Send us Fan Mail Stop writing the book before you build the platform. In this fiery episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs, experts, and creators make when trying to land a traditional publishing deal: writing the entire manuscript too soon. Meghan explains that prescriptive nonfiction, including self-help, business, leadership, m...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest risk is letting other people define success for you? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson sits down with Amy Smilovic, founder of Tibi and author of Almost Reckless, to talk about building a life and business that feels true to you. Amy shares how chasing outside markers like money, status, and industry approval can leave you deeply unhappy, even when things look...

Send us Fan Mail What actually makes a publisher say yes to a book deal? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the real thinking behind successful traditional publishing deals through her 3P framework: potential, platform, and proposal. She explains that a strong book idea is not enough on its own. It also has to fit the market, reach the right audience, and be presented in a way that answ...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest value of your book has nothing to do with book sales alone? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson explains why a book is more than a product. It is intellectual property, and that changes the way entrepreneurs should think about publishing. She breaks down the hidden advantages of traditional publishing, especially for experts, creators, and business owners who wan...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when years of hard-earned expertise finally become a book that can help thousands of people at once? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson talks with employment lawyer Daphne Delvaux about building a platform, landing a traditional book deal, and turning deep expertise into something practical, clear, and useful. Daphne shares how she grew her audience by speaking in a re...

Send us Fan Mail What if getting a book deal is not the finish line, but the start of a real business partnership? In this episode, Megan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on what actually happens after you land a traditional publishing deal. She explains why a publisher is not a magic solution, but a strategic partner investing in your book and your success. Megan walks through the full editorial...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest thing standing between you and a book deal is not talent, but hesitation? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson shares four hard-earned lessons from her 20+ years in traditional publishing that can help aspiring authors move forward with more clarity and courage. She explains why success often starts by saying yes to opportunities before you feel fully ready, and w...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s guest is Aiko Bethea. Aiko is a nationally recognized thought leader, educator, and facilitator who advances transformational and accountable leadership through executive coaching, practice-based learning, and systems-level change. She is the founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, where she supports leaders and teams at Fortune 100 companies and global nonprofit or...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest mistake aspiring authors make isn’t writing a bad book… but spending money in the wrong places? In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, host Meghan Stevenson shares eight things entrepreneurs, creators, and experts should stop spending money on if they want to land a traditional book deal. Drawing on years of experience working with major publis...

Send us Fan Mail What if the reason you haven’t hit a bestseller list has less to do with talent and more to do with timing, platform, and perspective? In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to become a bestselling author. Using client examples like Vivian Tu, she explains that bestseller status isn’t random and it’s not...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest thing standing between you and a book deal is not your writing, but your strategy? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson sits down with literary agent Steve Troha of Folio Literary Management to unpack what really helps entrepreneurs, experts, and creators land traditional publishing deals. One of the biggest takeaways is that a strong book idea is not enough on it...

Send us Fan Mail What if landing your dream book deal is less about luck and more about how well you prepare? In this episode, Megan Stevenson breaks down the traditional publishing world using two familiar shows: American Idol and Shark Tank. Through these simple comparisons, she explains why authors usually get only one real shot to impress agents and editors, why publishers want partners, not p...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest thing holding you back from a book deal isn’t lack of talent, connections, or followers—but believing there’s some “secret” you’re missing? In this episode, host Meghan Stevenson busts one of the industry’s biggest myths. There is no magic shortcut. Instead, success comes from mastering the 3P Framework ™ —Potential, Platform, and Proposal. Meghan explains why...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Meghan Stevenson sits down with author and media expert Nick Wolny to unpack the real mechanics behind getting traditionally published. Nick shares how he secured his book deal by identifying a clear niche, validating market demand, and leveraging relationships instead of chasing vanity metrics. One of the biggest takeaways is that platform is not just about audie...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest factor in landing a book deal has nothing to do with your writing talent? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson explains the real question publishers care about: how many copies you can sell and exactly how you’ll do it. She walks listeners through the core elements of her book deal readiness assessment, revealing why having a strong idea alone isn’t enough. Your b...

Send us Fan Mail What if everything you believe about getting a book deal is wrong? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson delivers a bold, honest breakdown of what it really takes to write and publish a nonfiction book that sells. She challenges the idea that passion and personal stories are enough, reminding listeners that readers care most about solving their own problems—your job as an author is to...

Send us Fan Mail What if the book you’re trying to write is actually the wrong one? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson sits down with publishing experts Lauren Marie Fleming and Richelle Fredson for an honest, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to write a meaningful book and navigate traditional publishing without losing yourself along the way. If you’ve bee...

Send us Fan Mail What if your dream of landing a book deal is being held back by mistakes you don't even realize you're making? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on what really matters in traditional publishing for entrepreneurs and experts. She explains why great ideas alone are not enough, and why proof of concept, a strong audience, and a clear strategy are esse...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, publishing expert and host Meghan Stevenson breaks down exactly how she would land a traditional book deal in 2026 if she had no followers, no connections, and only an idea she believed in. Instead of chasing shortcuts or hype, Meghan lays out a clear, grounded path built on business growth, real audience demand, and patience. She explains why publishers care less...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real measure of success is not the numbers, the lists, or the applause, but the moment your work truly helps one person? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with sex and relationship coach Caitlin V to explore what it really takes to turn years of lived experience, research, and repetition into a powerful book. Caitlin shares her...

Send us Fan Mail Most books never break 300 copies. That single fact alone stops a lot of aspiring authors in their tracks. In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, Meghan Stevenson breaks down why traditionally published books consistently sell more copies and what that means if you are thinking about writing a book. Meghan explains that traditional publishing forces authors to bui...