Elizabeth Lyons
Write the Damn Book Already
Want to write, publish, and market your book, but feel overwhelmed by where to start? Write the Damn Book Already breaks down the writing process, self-publishing, and traditional publishing so you can move from idea to finished book with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Elizabeth Lyons—author, book writing coach, book editor, and self-publishing expert—this show untangles the often-confusing world of writing and publishing. From first draft to finished manuscript, indie publishing to traditional publishing, Amazon strategy to long-term book visibility, you’ll get practical guidance and hones...
Author
Elizabeth Lyons
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 1, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Ep 100: Navigating the Publishing Industry with Megan Tady 25.09.2024 52:17
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Megan Tady's second novel, Bluebird Day , launches on Dec. 3, 2024 ( pre-order now !) In her second appearance on the podcast, we had the most wonderful chat about: How book launching is like a salmon run (it's such a great analogy). Strategies for best working with an editor while writing Meg's writing process, from f...
Ep 99: The Novel AFTER a Bestseller, with Emma Grey 04.09.2024 46:35
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Emma Grey is the Australian author of the international bestseller, THE LAST LOVE NOTE, which was both a Book of the Month and Target Book Club pick, and was praised in Oprah Daily as “relatable, hilarious and charming". She’s back this November with her new novel, PICTURES OF YOU — a suspense-filled romance about love and control...
Ep 98: Wide vs. Amazon Exclusive: Understanding eBook Distribution Strategies 28.08.2024 23:06
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, we explore the critical decision of whether to distribute your ebook "wide"—across multiple platforms—or stay exclusive to Amazon through their KDP Select program. Going wide means your ebook is available on platforms beyond Amazon, such as Kobo or Google Play, giving you access to a broader audience globally...
Ep 97: Offering Pre-Orders as a Self-Published Author 14.08.2024 28:47
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Until somewhat recently, streamlined pre-orders were only possible for traditionally published authors. Now, indie authors can also benefit from pre-orders as well, helping them with: Building Excitement and Engagement : Pre-orders allow authors to generate buzz and excitement around their upcoming book, encouraging readers to take acti...
Ep 96: How to (Easily) Form a Publishing House 07.08.2024 23:26
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Many indie authors find the idea of creating a publishing house overwhelming. But with the right steps, it becomes both manageable and highly beneficial. Here’s why setting up a publishing house is essential and how to do it. First, it’s crucial to understand that forming a publishing house is not about creating a giant company like Ama...
Ep 95: Conquering Nonfiction and Memoir Chaos 31.07.2024 37:27
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! 🎙️ Feeling Overwhelmed Writing Your Nonfiction or Memoir? This Episode is For You! Do you feel like you have multiple books' worth of material? Are you wrestling with imposter syndrome or struggling to organize a mountain of thoughts? My work with authors typically focuses on two key genres: transformative nonfiction and inspirati...
Ep 94: WTH is an ISBN? 24.07.2024 21:34
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Click here to check out the Publish A Profitable Book / Publish the Damn Book Already course (currently 25% off with code AUTHOR25). Click here to access Kindlepreneur's free barcode generator tool. Understanding the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is crucial for indie authors. But new authors often wonder what the heck i...
Ep 93: The Art of Short Stories with Mary Jones 17.07.2024 37:41
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Mary Jones' book, The Goodbye Process (July 30, 2024, Zibby Books), is, in four words, hard to put down. Her raw, vivid descriptions of characters and experiences alike quickly pierced my soul and extended my bedtime! In this episode, Mary and I discussed her love of the short story form, some (perhaps surprising truths about wri...
Ep 92: How to Navigate Writing Detours 10.07.2024 19:10
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! I've recently had a key realization about book writing, especially when it comes to writing memoir and non-fiction. Many times, people think the writing process will allow them to quickly (and easily) unlock or unravel buried feelings or insights. But this misconception sets an unrealistic expectation and creates potential roadblo...
Ep 91: From Playwright to Novelist with Gail Priest 19.06.2024 43:09
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Gail Priest is the author of five books (including a trilogy). Her latest, Soul Dancing , was released on April 2024 through Red Adept Publishing. In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Gail shares her process for writing using techniques like mind mapping to discover new story elements. We also discuss her approach to marketi...
Ep 90: Creating Audiobooks with Drew Linsalata 12.06.2024 1:05:52
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Drew Linsalata has been my go-to for years when it comes to audiobooks and podcasts as well as any "How do I get the most bang for my buck?" questions when it comes to tech hardware. In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, he helps dissect the why, when, and how of audiobook creation. Topics include: Gear setup (for...
Ep 89: When Fiction Incorporates History with Joselyn Takacs 05.06.2024 44:47
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In the latest episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Joselyn Takacs and I discussed her first novel, Peace Oysters (Zibby Books, 6/25/2024). EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Her writing process (and the system she and her adviser had for keeping her consistent) Free writing versus stream-of-consciousness writing The fun way she’s including the book...
Ep 88: Writing From Multiple POVs with Ava Dellaira 29.05.2024 29:55
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Ava Dellaira’s adult debut novel, Exposure, comes out with Zibby Books on September 10th, 2024. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novels In Search of Us and Love Letters to the Dead , which was named Best Book of the Year by Apple, Google, BuzzFeed, the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library....
Ep 87: Best Writing Advice (from Published Authors) 15.05.2024 17:56
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! This episode of Write the Damn Book Already features two of the best pieces of writing advice I’ve received (and I've received a lot of writing suggestions over the years!). BOOK OF THE WEEK Just Do Nothing by Joanna Hardis Joanna's Instagram: instagram.com/joannahardis Ep 55: How to Write While Feeling Discomfort (with Joa...
Ep 86: Understanding Indie Publishing Options 08.05.2024 36:05
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! With the rise of available options for indie authors, authors are more curious than ever about how to navigate so many options without being overwhelmed or disappointed (simply because they didn't know what questions to ask!). In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we cover: the various indie publishing options, from sel...
Ep 85: Book Marketing Tips from Publicist and Industry Expert Kathleen Schmidt 01.05.2024 53:30
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Kathleen Schmidt is a well-respected voice in book publishing with in-depth experience in all aspects of the industry. She has worked on 50 New York Times bestsellers, and her clients have continuously appeared in top-tier national print, broadcast, and radio outlets such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Vogue, Elle, Financial T...
Ep 84: Releasing the Sophomore Novel with Donna Norman Carbone 24.04.2024 40:23
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Donna Norman-Carbone's second novel, Of Lies and Honey , just launched (April 24, 2024, Red Adept Publishing), and it was wonderful to have her on as a repeat guest. Her first novel, All That Is Sacred, came out less than a year ago (June 2023, Red Adept Publishing), and chatting about the differences between book 1 and book 2 prov...
Ep 83: Self-Publishing Cookbooks and Children's Books 17.04.2024 42:43
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! The time has come! We're finally able to move on from the days of traditional offset printing to print-on-demand options when it comes to children's books and cookbooks. Whether you're contemplating watercolor illustrations for a children's book or publishing a mouthwatering cookbook, this episode is for you! EPISOD...
EP 82: On Submission with Diana Naranjo (Memoir) 10.04.2024 58:39
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! The story is always unfolding... In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Diana Naranjo about her memoir (which is currently on submission). She recounts a pivotal moment where a professional connection with author Abraham Verghese ( Cutting for Stone , The Covenant of Water ) led to her first agent connection. EPISO...
Ep 81: The Short Chapter on Permission 03.04.2024 20:49
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! This solo episode discusses the pressure authors face to follow specific strategies and approaches when writing and promoting their books. I share my observations about the conflicting advice authors receive about book writing, publishing, and marketing (and how to handle it without losing your mind!). Key Takeaways: Don't feel ob...
Ep 80: How to Avoid Copyright Infringement (and Other Listener Questions) 20.03.2024 23:27
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this solo episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I respond to listener's questions, including: How do I make sure I'm not infringing on someone else's copyright by referencing their advice, book, or insights in my book? Why is publishing so complicated? Why do I become an insecure mess whenever I sit down to write? R...
Ep 79: Querying Literary Agents with Lauren Kay 13.03.2024 48:59
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Lauren Kay's young adult debut novel, We Ship It, was a dream come true, but it wasn't easy to get there. Now, she helps other writers achieve the same joy, minus the roadblocks. Having secured eight agent offers in a month, she works with authors dreaming about a traditional publishing deal to help them write irresistible qu...
Ep 78: Traditional Publishing Lessons with Neely Tubati Alexander 06.03.2024 45:30
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Neely Tubati Alexander's second novel, In a Not So Perfect World (March 2024, Harper Perennial), was noted a "Best Romance to Read in 2024" by Cosmopolitan and received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. In her second appearance on the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed her two-book...
Ep 77: Indie Publishing with Fiction Author Kathryn Biel 28.02.2024 48:08
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Armed with quick wit, relatable characters, themes of resilience, and always a happy ending, award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Kathryn R. Biel writes comfort reads. In the most recent episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we chatted about her journey thus far as an indie author. INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Kathryn's favori...
Ep 76: When Going Viral Goes Very (Very) Wrong 21.02.2024 42:54
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! These days, almost everyone dreams of having a post or reel go viral. That is, until they do. At that point, they realize it doesn't often have the "magic bullet" benefits we're led to believe. At best, it has a neutral impact, and at worst, it can go very (very) wrong before you have a chance to get your arms around...
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