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/

How do you turn a personal story into a publishable memoir?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Ruthie Ackerman, a journalist, book coach, and author of The Mother Code, about the journey from personal storytelling to completing a book.

Ruthie shares how her Modern Love essay helped reveal the through line for her memoir, what she learned from losing a major book deal, and how she rebuilt her path to publication. She also discusses the power of micro-communities over social media when building a platform, and the emotional ROI of showing up in person through book tours and community events.

Resources:
Connect with Ruthie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruackerman

Connect with Ruthie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthieackerman/
Connect with Ruthie in Substack: https://ruthieackerman.substack.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/

What happens when a seasoned editor turns the lens inward and pens her own deeply personal narrative?

In this episode of Bookbound, Bethany Saltman and Fran Hauser sit down with Samhita Mukhopadhyay, former executive editor of Teen Vogue and current editorial director at The Meteor, to discuss her powerful new book The Myth of Making It.

Drawing from her extensive career in media, Samhita offers a compelling critique of workplace culture, addressing women’s ambition and the societal pressures intensified by hustle culture. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of writing the book, from maintaining a 1,000-word-per-day writing routine to her fears about exposing her vulnerabilities.

Resources:
Connect with Samhita here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhita-mukhopadhyay/
Check out Samhita’s work here: https://www.samhitamukhopadhyay.com/
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

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

What does it take to turn an idea into a published book?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Lisa Marchiano, Jungian analyst and co-host of This Jungian Life podcast, to explore the journey of writing, publishing, and building an author platform.

Lisa shares how her simple yet powerful daily practice of writing 300 words a day helped her complete two books, including her upcoming book Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams, which she co-authored with her podcast co-hosts. She also explains the importance of crafting a focused book proposal and how she built an author platform that caught the attention of publishers.

Resources:
Check out Lisa’s work here: https://lisamarchiano.com/

Check out Lisa’s podcast here: https://thisjungianlife.com/

Sign up here to be notified when the e-book is released: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

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

Ever wondered how a chaotic writing process can transform into a bestselling book?

In this episode of Bookbound, Amy Shoenthal, author of The Setback Cycle, shares her journey from journalism to book writing, inspired by her interviews with business leaders and entrepreneurs during the pandemic. Amy reflects on the importance of setbacks in professional and personal growth, detailing how her own experience as a mother shaped her perspective. She also discusses the process of creating her framework, the "four E's," and the challenges of getting her book published, offering valuable insights into book proposal writing, marketing strategies, and navigating rejection.

Resources:
Connect with Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoenthal/
Check out Amy’s work here: https://www.amyshoenthal.com

Subscribe to Bethany & Fran’s Substack here: https://bookswithbethanyandfran.substack.com/

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

What happens when a cultural critic and mother of boys decides to tackle the complexities of masculinity in modern society?

In this episode of Bookbound, Ruth Whippman, author of Boy: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, talks about her motivation behind crafting a book that embraces uncertainty and chaos, shedding light on her experiences parenting during the #MeToo movement.

Ruth shares her journey from conception to publication, navigating the intricacies of proposal writing, and balancing authenticity with market appeal. She also reflects on the significance of the book's title and its reception, touching on its broader appeal beyond parents of boys.

Resources:
Connect with Ruth here: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwhippman/?hl=en
Check out Ruth’s work here: https://www.ruthwhippman.com/
Check out Ruth’s Substack here: https://ruthwhippman.substack.com/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

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