Kind Of A Big Book Deal

Send us Fan Mail What if landing a book deal wasn’t about luck at all, but about learning how the publishing world really works? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan sits down with bestselling author and former teacher–turned–entrepreneur Jamie Sears to break open the truth behind traditional publishing, platform building, and writing a book that actually gets picked up. Jamie shares...

Send us Fan Mail What if the book deal you dream about isn’t actually far away, it just needs the right plan, the right timing, and the right support? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson opens the doors to traditional publishing even wider by sharing the exact framework she uses to help experts and entrepreneurs land major book deals. She breaks down her trusted 3P Framework ™ : Potential, Platform,...

Send us Fan Mail What if the guidance you’re trusting for your book dream is actually slowing you down? In this episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the publishing world, and the people profiting from it, to help you avoid the traps so many first-time authors fall into. After 20+ years in traditional publishing, she’s seen how crowded the “get published” space has become, and how much of it i...

Send us Fan Mail What if your story could open doors and reshape who gets to be seen? In this episode, Meghan talks with PR expert Caitlin Copple, co-founder of Full Swing PR, about the kind of visibility that actually drives results for entrepreneurs who want book deals and real impact. Caitlin shares why PR only works when your business is ready for it, what founders must have in place before hi...

Send us Fan Mail What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonf...

Send us Fan Mail What if success wasn’t about competition but collaboration? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with bestselling author Ruchika Tulshyan, whose new book Uncompete flips the script on what it means to win. Ruchika shares how the myth of “doing it all yourself” keeps entrepreneurs and authors burnt out and isolated and how equity, generosity,...

Send us Fan Mail Most entrepreneurs dream of writing a book but few realize what really catches a publisher’s eye. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson reveals the missing piece behind most failed book pitches: intellectual property that’s uniquely yours. She explains why having your own framework, language, and approach isn’t just nice, it’s non-negotiable if you want...

Send us Fan Mail What if the financial system you’ve been told to follow is actually holding your business back? In this episode, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with CPA and profit strategist Jamie Trull to talk about building businesses that thrive, not just survive. Jamie shares her journey from corporate life at Coca-Cola to creating a booming financial education platform that guided thousands...

Send us Fan Mail What if the rejection you got from a publisher wasn’t really about you at all? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on the truth behind publishing rejections and what they actually mean for your book journey. Meghan shares her unforgettable story about passing on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and uses it to highlight an importa...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to land a traditional book deal and is it even worth the leap from self-publishing? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson answers a common question from listener DeShanna, an educator with three self-published books who’s eager to break into traditional publishing. Megan breaks down the 3P Framework ™ : Potential, Platform, and...

Send us Fan Mail What if the very thing holding you back from a book deal isn’t your writing, but your platform? In this episode, Meghan sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon to unpack the highs and lows of her author journey. From countless rejections to finally landing a deal for The Creativity Leap , Natalie reveals the grit, courage, and community support it took to get there. Whether you dream of...

Send us Fan Mail What separates the dreamers from the authors with a big book deal? In this real talk episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls no punches. She shares the uncomfortable truth behind traditional publishing success rates and the one thing that determines who makes it and who doesn’t: alignment. Spoiler alert: it’s not your book idea, your expertise, or even your writing skills. It’s whether yo...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever wondered whether your social media numbers are good enough for a book deal, this episode is a must-listen. Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the most common questions aspiring authors ask: Do follower counts make or break your shot at traditional publishing? The answer isn’t what you think. Meghan shares real-world examples from authors with tiny social followings...

Send us Fan Mail What if your messy first draft could become a bestselling book?  In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Denise Duffield-Thomas opens up about her journey from self-publishing her first book Lucky Bitch to landing a traditional deal with Hay House. She shares how imposter syndrome nearly stopped her, how she turned early success into industry credibility, and why writing a boo...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really holding you back from landing that big book deal?  In this no-BS episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the most common mistakes aspiring authors make and how to avoid them. From hiding your ideas out of fear, to trying to do everything yourself, to staying stuck in analysis paralysis, Meghan calls it all out with hard-earned insight and humor.  You’ll learn why e...

Send us Fan Mail What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial truths of traditional publishing, answering listener Becky’s smart questions about advances, royalties, taxes, and startup costs.  You’ll learn why writing a book is less about immediate profit and more about long-term ROI,...

Send us Fan Mail What if your “impossible” dream isn’t so impossible after all? In this powerful episode, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson sits down with Jamila Souffrant, host of Journey to Launch and author of Your Journey to Financial Freedom , to unpack how Jamila turned a personal blog into a six-figure book deal. Jamila shares how she started from scratch, built a loyal podcast audience, a...

Send us Fan Mail What shows up when someone Googles your name?  If you’re dreaming of landing a traditional book deal, that search result matters more than you think. In this punchy and insightful episode, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why your author platform is just as important as your book idea, and how a quick Google search is the first litmus test agents and editors use to d...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some writers’ retreats and book conferences leave you feeling inspired but stuck?  In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson gets real about why so much advice out there won’t actually help you land a traditional publishing deal—and what will. Megan shares three crucial lessons for getting the right help for your book journey: finding experts who...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal , Meghan Stevenson talks with author and leadership expert Elaine Lin Hering about her nine-year journey to publishing her debut book Unlearning Silence with Penguin Random House. Elaine shares how the idea sparked from her work at the Harvard Negotiation Project, what held her back, and how she finally took action. From doomscr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, publishing pro Meghan Stevenson breaks down the truth behind bestseller lists—and it’s not as straightforward as you might think. From the mysterious and curated New York Times list to the purely data-driven USA Today list and the sometimes-misleading Amazon categories, Meghan pulls back the curtain on what these rankings actually mean. She explains why the USA To...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about publishing your book? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to find the best fit for your goals. In this episode, we break down the three main options: self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. Each path has its pros and cons, so knowing what to expect is key. Tune in for real-world insights to help you make the best choice!...

Send us Fan Mail Writing a book proposal can be overwhelming, especially for experts and entrepreneurs who want to publish a nonfiction book. In this episode, Meghan Stevenson, an experienced proposal writer and publishing insider, breaks down why book proposals matter and why most authors shouldn’t write them alone. She shares how a strong proposal can make or break your chances of landing a lite...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we break down what it really takes to land a book deal. Hint: It’s not just about having a great idea. With over 850 people taking our book quiz in 2024, we found that 64% were working on books outside of what we focus on: self-help and how-to books. If you’re an entrepreneur or expert aiming for a book deal, this episode is for you. The key to getting a book deal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Kind Of A Big Book Deal , host Meghan Stevenson breaks down the first key element of landing a traditional book deal: Potential. She explains how to determine if your idea is truly book-worthy, why having a built-in audience is crucial, and how to assess whether similar books have been successful. Meghan shares real-world examples, including an unusual book pitc...