Writing and publishing a phenomenal book doesn’t have to be ridiculously complicated or mind-numbingly overwhelming. From myths and misconceptions to practical ...
Ep 116: Beta Readers, Plot Twists, and Audiobook Magic with Nanda Reddy
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!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 Episode: Writing without being "formally trained" (read: no MFA) and navigating the industry through persistence and determinationEvolving from a pure "pantser" to incorporating more structure while maintaining creative flexibilityThe way many authors discover the perfect title organically after beta reader feedbackSuggestions for strategically working with beta readers Nanda's great suggestion (first time I've heard this one!) for navigating those "I'm stuck" moments we all encounterCollaborating with an audiobook narrator when you need them to authentically represent characters from different backgrounds Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers. 🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates Dreaming of seeing your book in print but dreading the process? From cover design to interior formatting to ISBN registration and properly loading your book to distributors, whether you need help with parts of the process or the whole darn thing, I’ve got you covered. Visit www.publishaprofitablebook.com/self-publishing-services to learn more. Is 2025 the year you start your own podcast? Let's make it simple!Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast hostSupport the showWrite the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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Ep 115: The Tortoise Strategy-How Slow and Steady Wins the Publishing Race
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!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 some of the questions that have come my way recently via email and Instagram DMs, including: ✅ Why does one's writing perspective often evolves from third-person past to first-person present as authors become more emotionally connected to their material✅ How to "suss out" unsolicited offers to review your book for payment ✅ How many reviews you should accumulate on Amazon before you begin investing in Amazon advertising✅ The best way to accumulate reviews (everything, everywhere, all at once is NOT a good strategy!)✅ How to best use the Universal Book Link to direct readers to the appropriate Amazon store based on their location ✅ When and how to use Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) as an indie author Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers. 🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates Is 2025 the year you start your own podcast? Let's make it simple!Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast hostSupport the showWrite the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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Ep 114: Getting Amazon Reviews That Sell More Books (The No-Cringe Guide)
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!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 news? You don’t have to beg, bribe, or feel weird about it.In this episode, we’re breaking down how indie and self-published authors can ethically and confidently get more Amazon reviews without feeling sleazy or pushy. You’ll discover:✔️ Why Amazon reviews matter (and how they impact your book’s success)✔️ Creative, no-pressure ways to ask for reviews that actually work✔️ The power of social media, email, and direct outreach in gathering reader feedback✔️ Common mistakes that keep authors stuck (and how to avoid them)✔️ Real-world examples from indie authors who’ve cracked the code on getting reviewsIf you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to follow/subscribe, drop a quick review (see what we did there?), and share it with another writer who’s working hard to get their book into the right hands! Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers. 🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates Is 2025 the year you start your own podcast? Let's make it simple!Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast hostSupport the showWrite the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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Ep 113: Amazon Book Sales: What’s Working (and What’s Not) with Dave Chesson
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!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, founder of Kindlepreneur, where we do an in-depth exploration of the significance of keywords and categories when it comes to a book's success on Amazon. We discuss strategies for choosing keywords that maximize book discoverability and allow you to run effective Amazon ads, as well as best practices for connecting with your ideal readers.TOPICS INCLUDE: • Understanding the profound role of keywords in discoverability• Strategies for optimizing Amazon ads based on keyword effectiveness• Common misconceptions surrounding keywords• The necessity of consistent sales patterns for enhanced visibility• Insights on crafting compelling book descriptions for better conversion ratesCLICK HERE FOR THE SPECIAL DEAL ON PUBLISHER ROCKET ($30 off when you purcha Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers. 🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates Dreaming of seeing your book in print but dreading the process? From cover design to interior formatting to ISBN registration and properly loading your book to distributors, whether you need help with parts of the process or the whole darn thing, I’ve got you covered. Visit www.publishaprofitablebook.com/self-publishing-services to learn more. Your readers are waiting! Let's get your book published! PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!) Is 2025 the year you start your own podcast? Let's make it simple!Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast hostSupport the showWrite the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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Ep 112: Keyword Tips for Getting More Amazon Book Sales
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!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 by the readers actively looking for it? It might not sound fun, but it's a step you don't want to ignore or breeze through. In short, strategically choosing keywords helps to ensure visibility and connection with the right audience. In this episode, we explore practical keyword strategies and how tools like Publisher Rocket that can help authors succeed in an incredibly saturated marketplace. TOPICS COVERED:• The importance of keywords in book discoverability • Common misconceptions about keyword relevance • Strategies for selecting effective keywords • How to analyze competitor keywords • The unique benefits of long-tail keywords• How intentionally crafted book descriptions can enhance keyword effectivenessRESOURCES MENTIONED*Publisher Rocket: How to Choose the Most Effective KeywordsGoogle Suggestion Expander extension *Affiliate link Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers. 🎉 CLICK HERE to access to the templates Is 2025 the year you start your own podcast? Let's make it simple!Get 35% off the Podcast Starter Pack with code PODCAST35 at https://publishaprofitablebook.com/podcast101"I got my podcast launched in 3 days thanks to this great mini-course!"--Dr. Diana Naranjo, The Characterist podcast hostSupport the showWrite the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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.