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
109 episodes
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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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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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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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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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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52:28
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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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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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26:38
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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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53:35
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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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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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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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Ep 96: How to (Easily) Form a Publishing House
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 ...
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Ep 95: Conquering Nonfiction and Memoir Chaos
🎙️ 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 though...
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38:13
Ep 94: WTH is an ISBN?
Click here to check out the Publish A Profitable Book / Publish the Damn Book Already course (currently 25% off with code AUTHOR25).
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21:24
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Ep 93: The Art of Short Stories with Mary Jones
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 ...
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Ep 92: How to Navigate Writing Detours
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 feeli...
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Ep 91: From Playwright to Novelist with Gail Priest
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 ...
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44:28
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Ep 90: Creating Audiobooks with Drew Linsalata
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, ...
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Ep 89: When Fiction Incorporates History with Joselyn Takacs
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 HIGHLIGHTSHer writing process (and the system she and her ...
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Ep 88: Writing From Multiple POVs with Ava Dellaira
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...
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Ep 87: Best Writing Advice (from Published Authors)
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
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17:46
Ep 86: Understanding Indie Publishing Options
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!).
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36:51
Ep 85: Book Marketing Tips from Publicist and Industry Expert Kathleen Schmidt
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,...
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