Write the Damn Book Already
Writing and publishing a phenomenal book doesn’t have to be ridiculously complicated or mind-numbingly overwhelming. From myths and misconceptions to practical tips and sound strategies, Elizabeth Lyons (author, book writing coach, book editor, and founder of Finn-Phyllis Press), helps writers feel more in control of and comfortable with the business of book publishing. Her interviews with fellow authors discussing their writing processes and publishing journeys aim to help you untangle YOUR process so you can finally get your story into the world.
Episodes
120 episodes
Ep 119: Inside Hybrid Publishing with Naren Aryal
You’ve probably heard the phrase “your book is your business card.” While it sounds cute for a Canva graphic, it totally downplays the blood, sweat, and editing tears that go into creating a book that actually matters. We’re not here for books ...
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51:08
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Ep 118: Jordan Roter on her Journey From TV Writer to Novelist
Have you ever sat through a back-to-school night and thought, Wow, this could be a novel? Jordan Roter did—and then she actually wrote it. Moms Like Us (coming May 2025 from Little A) hilariously unpacks the cutthroat social h...
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Ep 117: Unconventional Ways to Promote Your Book (Without Breaking the Bank)
Ever walked past one of those cute Little Free Libraries and thought, Wonder if I could sneak my book in there? Spoiler alert: you totally can. And that’s just one of the brilliantly simple, low-cost book marketing strategies I dish ou...
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30:18
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Ep 116: Beta Readers, Plot Twists, and Audiobook Magic with Nanda Reddy
This week, I had a really fun conversation with Nanda Reddy about her journey from "secret writer" to novelist (her debut novel, A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl, just hit the USA Today bestseller list!). Inside this E...
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54:33
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Ep 115: The Tortoise Strategy-How Slow and Steady Wins the Publishing Race
Publishing a book requires long-term strategy, patience, and flexibility, not magic bullets or gimmicky shortcuts. The long game is the shortcut when it comes to building a sustainable author career.In this episode, I answer som...
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29:12
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Ep 114: Getting Amazon Reviews That Sell More Books (The No-Cringe Guide)
If the thought of asking for Amazon reviews makes you break out in hives, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: reviews are gold for indie authors. They help boost visibility, credibility, and—most importantly—book sales. The good ne...
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39:41
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Ep 113: Amazon Book Sales: What’s Working (and What’s Not) with Dave Chesson
Keywords: they either fascinate you or they're the bane of your existence. For me, it's the second. Which is why I'm so excited to bring you this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast with guest Dave Chesson...
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1:11:23
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Ep 112: Keyword Tips for Getting More Amazon Book Sales
One can easily overlook that little piece of the Amazon upload process where you specify 7 keywords related to your title. After all, who wants to filter through the millions of options to find 7 that are most likely to ensure your book is seen...
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32:14
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Ep 111: Behind the Scenes of Hybrid Publishing
Navigating hybrid publishing can feel overwhelming, but understanding the unique way it helps indie authors grow their author career helps authors make informed decisions. This episode covers fundamentals of hybrid publishing, identifie...
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27:50
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Ep 110: ISBN Essentials for Indie Authors
This episode explores the critical role ISBNs play in the self-publishing journey. It's not the most glamorous part of publishing, but understanding the role of the ISBN is critical when it comes to managing book sales and metadata ownership. <...
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30:05
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EP 109: From TV Writer to Author with Michael Jamin
What happens when a seasoned television writer known for his work on irreverent comedies such as Beavis & Butthead, Just Shoot Me, and King of the Hill takes a leap into the author world? In this episode, Michael Jamin reveals the m...
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Ep 108: Passionately Crafting Memoir and Nonfiction with Patti Hall
Have you ever imagined trading a stable career for the unpredictability of writing and publishing? That's exactly what Patti Hall did, transitioning from urban design to becoming a full-time writer and publishing strategist. Patti ...
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Ep 107: Author Marketing Strategies with Jenn Hanson-dePaula
In this episode, I speak with the legendary Jenn Hanson-dePaula about strategies authors are using today to promote their books. Learn how to create content that resonates with your target readers and get greater clarity on the vit...
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1:13:14
Ep 106: Writing Rom-Coms with Jane Costello
An episode that celebrates the joys of writing and never-ending search for inspiration, this laughter-filled chat with the incredibly witty Jane Costello, bestselling author of romantic comedies and women's fiction, also features the prep for t...
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58:07
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Ep 105: Book Events (that Actually Sell Books) with Traci Thomas
Want the insider secrets to creating book events that actually sell books and build superfans? This episode is your masterclass!I'm joined by the absolutely magnetic Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast and literary event co...
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1:05:08
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Ep 104: Writing Personal Essays with Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson, the brilliant co-host of the "What Fresh Hell" podcast and author of Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser (Jan 2025, Zibby Books), joined me for a fabulous conversation about owning your story through writing.<...
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53:10
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Ep 103: Memoir Writing with Sarah Gormley
What if you could transform a lived experience into a compelling narrative that reads like fiction? In this episode, I chat with the talented Sarah Gormley, author of The Order of Things. In a candid discussion about "memoir pl...
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53:09
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Ep 102: Literary Suspense with Sarah Sawyer
From writing the first chapter of The Undercurrent (Zibby Books, Oct 2024) as a standalone piece to fleshing out a full literary suspense novel I can’t put down, Sarah Sawyer has quickly become one of my new favorite authors. ...
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43:54
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Ep 101: Amazon Ads for Authors
Amazon ads are one of my favorite tools for indie authors to boost book sales and visibility, but they can feel so complicated that it's easy to avoid using them. I'm sharing key insights from my 12-week "experiment" with a new campaign...
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27:43
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Ep 100: Navigating the Publishing Industry with Megan Tady
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 abou...
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54:16
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Ep 99: The Novel AFTER a Bestseller, with Emma Grey
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...
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48:35
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Ep 98: Wide vs. Amazon Exclusive: Understanding eBook Distribution Strategies
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 platfo...
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24:26
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Ep 97: Offering Pre-Orders as a Self-Published Author
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...
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