Your Path to Book Publishing

If you’re a nonfiction author — especially a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader — you’ve probably wrestled with the question: "Should you focus on building your author brand first, or writing the book first?" In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we slow this question down and look at what actually keeps capable authors stuck — and why the answer isn’t as simple as...

As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing is a reflection on what has been learned after working with more than 30 nonfiction authors this year across writing, publishing, launching, and book marketing. If you’re a nonfiction author, coach, consultant, or thought leader navigating how to publish a book — and how to do it with intention — this episode will help you rese...

If you’ve ever said, “I want to write a book… I just don’t have time,” this episode was made for you. In this week’s episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we break down the real reason time gets in the way for nonfiction authors — and the practical strategies that allow you to start (and even draft ) your book without adding hours to your week. You’ll learn: Why your book actually begins long...

Most nonfiction authors ask the same question at some point: “How do authors actually make money from their books?” In this episode, you’ll learn exactly that — because the truth is, royalties are not where most nonfiction authors earn their income. Your real opportunity comes from the ecosystem around your book. And once you start thinking like an IP company , the number of revenue paths availabl...

Most nonfiction authors think they’re “writing a book.” But the moment you decide to write one… you’ve actually become an intellectual property company . In this episode, you’ll learn why this mindset shift changes everything about how you publish, market, and monetize your work — especially if you're a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader. This episode breaks down how authors can th...

If your Amazon rankings have been bouncing around lately or your ads suddenly feel less effective, there’s a reason. Amazon has quietly updated its A9/A10 algorithm, and it’s now heavily prioritizing external traffic from your author platform. In this episode, we break down what this shift means for nonfiction authors, why outside traffic now matters more than Amazon’s internal discovery, and how...

Can self-publishing actually pay off? If you’ve ever wondered whether you can make real profit from your book — not just cover your costs — this episode is for you. In this week’s Your Path to Book Publishing , we break down how one nonfiction author launched their book just a few weeks ago and is already seeing thousands in profit from a direct-sales strategy that outperforms Amazon and tradition...

Ever feel overwhelmed trying to market your book? Wondering if you should post on social media, run ads, hire a publicist, or just cross your fingers and hope readers find it? You’re not alone. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , you’ll learn the four audience signals that tell you exactly how to market your book — so you can stop guessing, stop chasing every new trend, and finally c...

Before you hit publish on your nonfiction book, there are a few crucial steps that can make—or break—your launch. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , you’ll learn the six essential things to double-check before launching your book , plus the one final step that determines whether your book quietly fades or builds long-term momentum. Whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing,...

Self-publishing gives authors incredible freedom—but it’s not the right fit for everyone. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we’ll look at a real-world example of an author who seemed ready to self-publish—until it became clear that wasn’t the best path for their goals. You’ll learn: When self-publishing might hurt your author brand instead of helping it  What to consider before inv...

You can write the best book in your field, hire a top editor, and design a beautiful cover—but if you miss this one critical piece of your launch strategy, your book risks fading into the background after just a few weeks. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , you’ll learn:  The #1 overlooked element in most nonfiction book launches  Why audience engagement must start months before you...

Is self-publishing still worth it in 2025? For nonfiction authors, the answer depends on understanding the evolving publishing landscape and the strategies that drive long-term success. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , discover seven essential steps to successfully self-publish a nonfiction book in today’s market. The episode also explores why more authors are choosing self-publis...

Episode 112: Why Book Reviews Are the Secret Fuel Behind Every Successful Author Why do some books climb the Amazon charts while others stall out? The answer isn’t just ads, bulk sales, or clever book marketing tactics—it’s reviews. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we dive deep into why reviews are one of the most powerful tools you have as a nonfiction author. You’ll learn how th...

Many authors think of AI only as a shortcut to write faster. But what if it could actually serve as your developmental editor ? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , I share the exact AI strategy I used on my own book draft—how it flagged weaknesses I completely missed and how you can use it to sharpen your writing without losing your voice. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DIS...

A $1.5 billion settlement just shook the publishing world—and it directly affects you as an author. Anthropic, the creators of Claude AI, have agreed to pay one of the largest copyright recoveries in U.S. history for using pirated books to train their models. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we’ll break down what happened, why it matters, and how you can protect your work in the a...

Here’s a riddle: why can a $150,000 “good” book deal leave you with less money this year than a $50,000 “very nice” deal? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we’re unpacking the reality of book advances—what they are, how they’re paid, and the contract details that matter more than the headline number. If you’re a nonfiction author exploring traditional publishing as a path to boost...

What actually happens when someone who helps authors every day finally sits down to write their own book? In this behind-the-scenes episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , I’m sharing a personal update on my writing process—what’s working, what’s surprising me, and the things I’ll absolutely do differently next time. If you’re writing your first book or somewhere in the messy middle, you’ll find...

What if your most effective book marketing strategy starts long before you type “The End”? In this episode of Your Path to Publish , we’re flipping the script on how to promote a nonfiction book. Instead of waiting until launch week to start generating buzz, we explore how to invite your audience into the process from the very beginning —so that by the time your book is ready, you’re not marketing...

Many nonfiction authors dream of becoming a “bestselling author,” but the truth is—what most really want isn’t the title. It’s what they believe that title will unlock: more clients, paid speaking opportunities, credibility, and momentum. In this episode of Your Path to Publish , we’re unpacking the real reasons behind the bestseller obsession—and reframing it into a strategy that actually deliver...

Most nonfiction authors focus on writing and publishing—but overlook one crucial step that can make or break their book marketing efforts: deeply understanding their audience. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we break down the three essential things every author must know about their readers to publish and market a successful nonfiction book. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’...

You’ve got the idea. You’ve got the passion. But you can’t seem to find the time . In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , I’ll walk you through a simple but powerful exercise that has helped both me and my clients uncover hidden writing time—sometimes up to 60 minutes a day. It’s called the Time Awareness Audit for Authors , and it might just be the thing that finally gets your book mov...

You may be the only name on the cover—but behind every successful nonfiction book is a team of experts who helped bring it to life. In this episode of Your Path to  Book Publishing , we’re talking about why writing and publishing a book is a team sport—and who you actually need on your side to finish strong, reach readers, and build your author business. 📚 Whether you're self-publishing, wor...

You’ve seen the titles: Amazon Bestseller , Wall Street Journal Bestseller , New York Times Bestseller . But what does it actually take to become a bestselling author—and is it worth it? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we break down the different types of Amazon bestseller statuses , how they work, and what they mean for your book’s success. If you're a nonfiction author , c...

How to Prevent Your Book Launch from Flopping: The Power of a Pre-Mortem You’ve put everything into writing, editing, and launching your nonfiction book—but what if it doesn’t go the way you hoped? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing , we’ll explore how to use a pre-mortem strategy to strengthen your book marketing plan , avoid common pitfalls, and increase your chances of success acro...

It’s our 100th episode, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been part of the journey—whether you’ve tuned in from the beginning or just found Your Path to Book Publishing. In this milestone episode, I’m doing things a little differently. I’m sharing lessons learned from 100 podcast episodes and nearly 15 years in the publishing industry. You’ll hear my thoughts on where the publishing wo...