The Smart Publishing Impact Series

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 29: The Top 6 Habits of Successful Authors Episode Summary: Ever wonder what separates authors who finish a great book and make it thrive from those who fizzle out halfway? In this solo episode, Renée shares the six habits she’s seen time and again in the most successful authors she’s worked with. From locking in a marketable concept to w...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 25: The Easiest Way to Write a Book Episode Summary: Think writing a book has to mean locking yourself in a cabin with nothing but a laptop and a dream? Think again. In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch pulls back the curtain on the easiest way to get your book written—by talking it out. Whether you're a busy parent, entrepreneur,...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 43: Planning a Book (Case Study #2) Episode Summary: Welcome to part two of Renée’s case study series on how to plan your book the right way. In Episode 42, she broke down why planning is the most important phase of the writing process—and today, she takes you deeper into the practical application. Using a real case study, Renée walks you...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 42: Planning a Book (Case Study #1) Episode Summary: You’ve heard Renée talk about planning your book before—but what does that actually look like in real time? In this first installment of a brand-new case study series, Renée Lautermilch walks you step-by-step through how to plan a book using a real example. Instead of discussing concept...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 41: Five Tips for Productive Writing Episode Summary: Ever sit down to write… and suddenly your phone, your tabs, your to-do list, and the entire universe start pulling your attention? You’re not alone. In this relatable and highly practical episode, Renée Lautermilch shares her top five tips for staying focused, productive, and consisten...

🎙️ Episode 14: How Does Amazon KDP Really Work? Host: Renée Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing Podcast: The Smart Publishing Impact Series Episode Type: Solo Overview: In this episode, Renée takes you behind the scenes of Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)—breaking down exactly how it works, what you need to know as an author, and debunking some common misconceptions. If you’re plann...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 40: Book Pricing Strategies Episode Summary: Pricing your book isn’t just about picking a number—it’s about strategy. In this milestone 40th episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down how to price your book in a way that builds momentum, drives sales, and matches your goals as an author. Whether you’re about to launch or already published, th...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 39: Structuring Your Chapters to Optimize Reader Engagement Episode Summary: You’ve written great content—but are your readers actually finishing your book? In this practical and engaging episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down how to structure your nonfiction chapters so readers stay hooked from start to finish. Drawing from adult learnin...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 38: Why You Should Treat Your Book Like a Business Episode Summary: Your book isn’t just a creative project—it’s a product . In this powerful episode, Renée Lautermilch explains why every author should treat their book like a business from the start. Too many writers fall in love with their idea but fail to plan for what comes next—launch...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 37: Turning Your Dissertation Into a Book Episode Summary: You spent years researching, writing, and defending your dissertation—but what if that work could reach readers beyond academia? In this episode, Renée Lautermilch shares exactly how to transform your dissertation (or any academic project) into a book that connects with a broader...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 36: Author Posture – Life After Your Book Release Episode Summary: You’ve written your book, launched it, and maybe even hit #1 on Amazon. Now what? In this empowering episode, Renée Lautermilch dives into what comes after the book release—the mindset, strategy, and daily habits that keep your book alive long after launch day. She introdu...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 35: Why You Shouldn’t Pick a Release Date Until Your Book Is Finished Episode Summary: Excited to announce your book launch date? Hold that thought. In this episode, Renée Lautermilch explains why setting a release date before your manuscript is complete can backfire. From formatting delays to cover design revisions to proof copy surprise...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 34: Navigating Your Publishing Options Episode Summary: Publishing a book has never been more accessible—or more confusing. In this re-recorded episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down the three main publishing pathways available today: traditional publishing, self-publishing, and independent (or hybrid) publishing. She unpacks the realitie...

Episode Overview: Self-publishing a book is an exciting journey, but many first-time authors unknowingly make mistakes that hurt their sales, credibility, and overall success. In Episode 8 of the Smart Publishing Impact Series, Renée Lautermilch breaks down the five biggest self-publishing mistakes and how to avoid them. If you're planning to self-publish or already have a book out, this episo...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 33: The Writer’s Block Antidote Episode Summary: Staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? You don’t have to. In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch shares why writer’s block is less of a mysterious creative curse and more of a preventable problem. She breaks down the real causes—like imposter syndrome and lack of prepa...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 32: Recognizing and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Episode Summary: “I’m not good enough to write a book.” “Who would even read this?” If you’ve ever had thoughts like these, you’re not alone. In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch tackles the sneaky ways imposter syndrome shows up for authors—and how to push through it. From obsessive sel...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 31: Amazon Bestseller Updates Episode Summary: If you’ve been watching your Amazon bestseller rankings closely, you may have noticed something strange: the updates aren’t happening like they used to. In this update-style episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down the recent lag in Amazon’s KDP bestseller rankings, why it matters for authors,...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 30: Why Being a Published Author Still Matters Episode Summary: With social media, YouTube, and online courses everywhere—do books still matter? The answer is a resounding yes . In this milestone episode, Renée Lautermilch unpacks why publishing a book remains one of the most powerful ways to build credibility, authority, and long-term tr...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 29: The Top 6 Habits of Successful Authors Episode Summary: Ever wonder what separates authors who finish a great book and make it thrive from those who fizzle out halfway? In this solo episode, Renée shares the six habits she’s seen time and again in the most successful authors she’s worked with. From locking in a marketable concept to w...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 28: Guidelines for Adding a Foreword to Your Book Episode Summary: You’ve seen it in books—but do you actually know what a foreword is? (And no, it’s not spelled like the direction.) In this insightful solo episode, Renée Lautermilch clears up the confusion around one of the most misunderstood parts of a book. From what it’s for, to who s...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 27: A Guide to Hiring Freelancers for Your Book Episode Summary: Self-publishing doesn’t mean do-it-yourself —at least, it shouldn’t. In this real-talk solo episode, Renée Lautermilch walks you through everything you need to know about hiring freelancers for your book. From choosing the right platforms to spotting lazy work masked by AI,...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 26: Book Structure Breakdown: From Prologue to Appendix Episode Summary: Ever feel overwhelmed by all the “extra” parts of a book? You’re not alone. In this jam-packed solo episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down every section that goes into a professionally structured book—from the copyright page to the acknowledgements. She demystifies e...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 25: The Easiest Way to Write a Book Episode Summary: Think writing a book has to mean locking yourself in a cabin with nothing but a laptop and a dream? Think again. In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch pulls back the curtain on the easiest way to get your book written—by talking it out. Whether you're a busy parent, entrepreneur,...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 24: The Role of References and How to Include Them Episode Summary: Ever feel unsure about how to properly cite research in your nonfiction book—or whether it’s even necessary? In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down the what, why, and how of references for authors. From maintaining your credibility to choosing the right sourc...

Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series - Episode 23: How to Structure Your Book Episode Summary: Ever stared at a blank screen wondering, “Where do I even start?” In this solo episode, Renée Lautermilch breaks down one of the biggest hurdles new authors face: structuring your book. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, the overwhelm is real—but it doesn’t have to win. Renée shar...