Your Path to Book Publishing

How do you self-publish your business book, and who do you need on your team? Josh Porter wrote most of The Last Human Marketer himself. It still took a ghostwriter, a copyeditor, a designer, and a launch team to get him to launch night in New York. In part two of a four-part series on publishing paths, Zach Kristensen walks nonfiction authors through what self-publishing really costs, what it pay...

How do you land a traditional publisher for your business book, and is it the right publishing path for you? Even Stephen R. Covey, backed by FranklinCovey and Simon & Schuster, had a book that didn't take off as expected. In the first episode of a four-part series on publishing paths, Zach Kristensen, Cofounder & CEO of Juxtabook draws on a decade at FranklinCovey to walk nonfiction...

After a two-month pause, Your Path to Book Publishing is back, and we're returning to the basics of how to publish a book. All October, we'll break down traditional publishing, self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and a bonus option, professional publishing, so nonfiction authors can choose the right path for their book. Coming up next week: traditional publishing. We'll cover who it...

Most nonfiction books on leadership and business are saying roughly the same thing — which means what sets yours apart has less to do with your idea and more to do with how you structure it and guide the reader through it. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen closes out the month's series with the biggest takeaways from Juxtabook Press author Frank Rowe ( The Leade...

Most nonfiction authors will never make real money from book sales — and if that's your plan, book marketing won't save you. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen talks with Peter Winick, co-author of The Thought Leadership Handbook: How the Experts Elevate Their Big Ideas—and How You Can Too , about the business that should exist around your book — and why the...

For nonfiction authors wondering how to make a book stand out in a crowded market, this episode is a masterclass in turning your unique expertise into a book that actually sells.  Executive coach and Juxtabook Press author Frank Rowe joins Zach to share how he wove 40+ years of competitive rowing into his book The Leadership Stroke: — and why a narrow niche became his biggest publishing advantage,...

What makes one nonfiction book unforgettable while others get forgotten? In this episode, Zach Kristensen kicks off a month on how to make your book stand out — starting with a truth most authors miss: readers rarely remember your frameworks, but they always remember your stories. Whether you're self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or traditionally publishing, here are four practical steps to...

How long does it really take to write, publish, and launch a book? In this bonus episode, Zach Kristensen shares the honest, behind-the-scenes story of self-publishing his first book, Trust Me, I'm an Author — what worked, what he'd do differently, and the timeline lessons every nonfiction author needs before they hit publish. In this episode: Why a book is really about trust — and the t...

Book marketing is changing, and authors can no longer rely on the same tactics that may have worked in the past. With more content, more competition, and the rise of AI, it is becoming even more important for authors to know their audience, build trust, and create meaningful connection. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we wrap up the recent book launch series by looking at key tak...

Book launch publicity has changed. Big media opportunities can still be valuable, but the most effective book marketing often comes from knowing your audience, understanding where they spend time, and showing up with consistent value. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we continue the book launch series with Marissa Eigenbrood, President and Partner of Smith Publicity. Marissa share...

A successful book launch does not happen by accident. It takes planning, focus, communication, and a clear understanding of what your book is meant to do after it enters the world. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we continue the book launch series with Josh Porter, author of The Last Human Marketer: Turning AI into Stories That Win Customers . Josh shares what it was like to turn...

No two books are exactly alike, and no two authors have the same goals. So your book launch strategy shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all either. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we’re kicking off a new series on book launches and what authors need to think about before launch day arrives. Whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or traditionally publishing, your launch should...

Author habits are not just about writing every day, hitting a word count, or trying to create the perfect routine. They are about building momentum, creating a better experience for your readers, and developing the consistency needed to make a lasting impact with your book. In this wrap-up episode of the author habits series, we look at the biggest takeaways from recent conversations with Todd Mus...

How do you make your book more than a collection of facts, ideas, or lessons? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , Zach is joined by author, ghostwriter, editor, and screenwriter Platt Clark to talk about one of the most important author habits: learning how to create meaning through story. Platte shares why authors are not just in the information-sharing business. They are in the mea...

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we continue the author habits series with guests Jones Loflin and Todd Musig , co-authors of Juggling Elephants and Getting to It . Jones and Todd share what they’ve learned from both traditional publishing and self-publishing , including how they used a self-published version of their book to prove demand before landing a traditional publishing de...

What habits actually help authors make real progress? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , a new series on author habits begins with a look at how routines, consistency, and mindset shape progress across the author journey. The episode explores one of the most common beliefs people have heard about habits — that it takes 21 days to build one — and offers a more realistic perspective....

What is an author brand really built on? This episode of Your Path to Book Publishing pulls together key insights from the recent author branding series, including lessons inspired by conversations with Jill Schulman , author of The Bravery Effect , and branding expert Ty Schmidt .  At the center of the discussion is a simple but important truth: an author brand is not built only through visuals,...

Building an author brand can feel messy. You are trying to figure out how your brand connects to your book, how your book supports your brand, and how to actually show up online in a way that feels clear, consistent, and real. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with Ty Schmidt about what actually helps people pay attention to your brand. Together, they unpack why branding...

What does bravery really look like for authors? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with Jill Schulman, author of The Bravery Effect , about fear, uncertainty, and what it takes to keep moving forward as you write, publish, and build your author brand. Jill shares her journey from researching bravery in graduate school to publishing her book, growing her brand, and opening...

If the phrase author branding feels vague, overused, or like it only applies to logos and visuals, this episode will help you think about it in a much more practical way. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach introduces a new series on author branding and explores what branding really means for nonfiction authors. He shares lessons from his own career, personal stories, and example...

  If you’ve been thinking about writing, branding, and marketing as separate parts of the author journey, this episode will help you see how connected they really are. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach reflects on key insights from his recent conversations with Emily Crookston and Denise Thomas to show how book publishing, author branding, and book marketing influence one anoth...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write your book yourself, hire help, or use AI in the process, this episode is for you. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , Zach talks with ghostwriter and author Emily Crookston about what it really takes to turn your ideas into a strong nonfiction book. They explore how ghostwriting, collaboration, strategy, and AI can all play a role in h...

Many aspiring nonfiction authors hope that publishing a book will open new doors for their career. But what actually happens after you publish a book? For many coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders writing a nonfiction book, publishing is about more than becoming a published author. It’s about building authority, strengthening credibility, and creating new opportunities to grow a per...

Many aspiring nonfiction authors think the journey is simple: write the book and publish it. But book publishing is only one phase of a much bigger author journey. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , Zach Kristensen reviews the five phases every author navigates and explains why understanding the full picture can help you make better decisions about your book, your brand, and your lo...

After 130 episodes, it’s time for an evolution. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why we are shifting the format of the show and how these changes are designed to help you—the nonfiction author—navigate the "team sport" of publishing with more clarity and real-world insight. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The Power of the "Team Sport" : Why going it alone is t...