What if the book you’re trying to write is actually the wrong one?

In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson sits down with publishing experts Lauren Marie Fleming and Richelle Fredson for an honest, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to write a meaningful book and navigate traditional publishing without losing yourself along the way.

If you’ve been stuck overthinking, waiting for permission, or chasing the “right” way to do this, this conversation will help you refocus on what actually moves the needle.

This week’s guests are Lauren Marie Fleming and Richelle Fredson.

Lauren Marie Fleming (xe/her) is a multimedia storyteller and the founder of School for Writers®. Her work explores power, desire, resilience, and the stories we tell about our bodies and our lives.

Xe is the author of the queer rom-com Because Fat Girl and multiple nonfiction books, including Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body and The Writer’s Career Guide.

Learn more at LaurenMarieFleming.com or SchoolForWriters.com. Find her free Creative Resilience Toolkit at https://schoolforwriters.com/creative-resilience-toolkit/. Her 33 Asks program can be found at https://33asks.com and her Write Your Friggin’ Book Already ® program is at https://writeyourfrigginbookalready.com.

Find Lauren on social
www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

laurenfarmiefleming.substack.com

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Richelle Fredson is a book publishing coach and consultant working with aspiring and published authors to create impactful book concepts and competitive book proposals. Richelle’s clients have amassed over $6 million in book advances from top publishers. Her recent clients include Farnoosh Torabi, Shadé Zahrai, Chrissy King, Vanessa Marin, Chika Uwazie, and many more.

Richelle is the host of the Forbes-featured Bound + Determined podcast, where she interviews industry experts, authors, and creative business owners. She’s also the creator of The Book Proposal Blueprint Program.

Richelle is writing her first book, Do the Thing: A Creative and Practical Guide for Women Bringing Their Big, Bold Ideas to Life (Hachette, Spring 2027).

Learn more at Richellefredson.com.

Find Richelle on social
www.instagram.com/RichelleFredson

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if your dream of landing a book deal is being held back by mistakes you do not even realize you are making?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on what really matters in traditional publishing for entrepreneurs and experts. She explains why great ideas alone are not enough, and why proof of concept, a strong audience, and a clear strategy are essential for success. Meghan introduces her “Three P’s” framework: Potential, Platform, and Proposal, and shows how each one plays a critical role in getting publishers to say yes.

You will learn why testing your ideas before writing matters, how building an audience gives you real leverage, and why rushing a book proposal can cost you your only chance. Meghan also shares why relying on shortcuts or AI can weaken your pitch and how preparation makes all the difference.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about writing a nonfiction book that sells, builds authority, and opens real doors in publishing.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:24) Understanding how traditional publishing really works
(4:25) How book deals happen with agents and editors
(6:56) The Three P’s: Potential, Platform, Proposal
(11:41) Why testing your ideas comes first
(13:46) The truth about building a strong platform
(15:34) What publishers look for in sales numbers
(18:27) Common proposal mistakes to avoid
(21:34) Preparing for your “one shot” at a deal
(24:38) Final recap and how to take your next step
35:54) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

In this episode, publishing expert and host Meghan Stevenson breaks down exactly how she would land a traditional book deal in 2026 if she had no followers, no connections, and only an idea she believed in. Instead of chasing shortcuts or hype, Meghan lays out a clear, grounded path built on business growth, real audience demand, and patience.

She explains why publishers care less about big dreams and more about proof, platform, and profitability, and why growing a business first makes you a stronger author later. You will hear why creating consistent content is not optional, how testing your ideas in public saves you from writing the wrong book, and why most people rush the process and regret it.

Meghan also reframes books as long-term assets, not quick cash grabs, showing how successful entrepreneurs use books to deepen trust, expand reach, and support larger offers. Finally, she explains when and why investing in leverage can save years of time and energy.

This episode is a practical reality check for entrepreneurs and experts who want a real book deal, not just the idea of one.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:50) Why Business Growth Builds Platform
(4:35) Content As Proof And Testing
(7:36) Why Ideas Must Work At Scale
(9:48) Books As Long-Term Assets
(12:52) Why Patience Beats Speed
(14:25) The Proposal And Publishing Timeline
(17:01) The Five Percent Growth Rule
(20:09) Investing In Leverage Wisely
(25:25) The Four-Step Book Deal Framework
(27:40) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.