How do you reshape a book in progress into something unforgettable?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Melody Wilding, executive coach, author of Trust Yourself and Managing Up, about the twists, rewrites, and lessons behind her second book.

Melody shares how reader feedback shifted her entire framework, why prescriptive nonfiction demands a clear and actionable structure, and how to lean into your strongest platform strengths, even if that’s not social media. She also reveals her approach to building media credibility through Help A Reporter Out, running creative pre-order campaigns, and securing bulk book sales through corporate partnerships.

Resources:
Connect with Melody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/

Visit Melody’s website: https://melodywilding.com
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

How do you bring a deeply researched, historical story to life?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Haley Cohen Gilliland, journalist and author of A Flower Traveled in My Blood, to discuss the process of turning an urgent, emotional story into a compelling book.

Haley shares how her experience living in Argentina sparked the idea for her debut book, the long process of research and writing, and the challenges of navigating the auction process. She also opens up about the emotional challenges of promoting a book about such a deeply personal and painful history, and how she managed the vulnerability of sharing others’ stories with the world.

Resources:
Connect with Haley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleycohengilliland/
Connect with Haley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-cohen-bb91061a/
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

How can you take the leap from the precipice of not knowing what’s next and into making your publishing dreams come true? Even when that means turning rejection into momentum for your next big book?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Natalie Nixon, PhD, Creativity Strategist, keynote speaker, and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, about the winding path to her latest book, Move, Think, Rest.

Natalie shares how she went from 18 months of rejections on her first solely authored book to signing with a major publisher, and why she completely reworked her second proposal midstream. She reveals how building a “publishing dream team” of agents, editors, and assistants changed her writing process, and how movement, thought, and rest became both her subject matter and her creative method. She also discusses the business side of publishing, from strategic partnerships, pre-order campaigns, and why asking for help is one of the most powerful tools in an author’s toolkit.

Connect with Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natwnixon

Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/

Check out Natalie’s latest book, Move, Think, Rest: https://www.figure8thinking.com/move-think-rest/

Learn more about Figure 8 Thinking: https://www.figure8thinking.com/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/