What does the publishing world look like from a first-time author’s perspective? As editors, it’s important for us to understand the process they go through as they publish their first book.

In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m joined by first-time author Sam Vander Wielan. Her new book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, is a practical and transparent guide for online entrepreneurs.

We dive into choosing the right book title, working with a book coach, the editor-author relationship, how your online platform plays a role in landing a book deal, and so much more. You’re going to love this jam-packed episode!

• (2:00) From Corporate Lawyer to Entrepreneur: Meet Sam Vander Wielan
• (6:38) Build Your Business Around a Great Idea, Not What You Love Doing
• (8:27) Behind the Scenes of Choosing a Book Title
• (12:27) How a Birth-Chart Reading Led to a Book Deal
• (17:09) All Roads Lead to the Email List
• (20:42) The Writing Process as a First-Time Author
• (27:17) Writing From a Place of Transparency
• (31:46) The Editor-Author Relationship
• (37:37) The Perks of Being a Second-Time Author
• (44:37) Lead With Curiosity

• Book: When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy
• Podcast: On Your Terms
• Website: samvanderwielen.com

• Kit Studios
• Richelle Fredson
• Wendy Sherman
• ManyChat
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

• Grab the Editing Contract Template
• Join the Freelance Editors Club

We’ve officially hit fifty episodes of The Modern Editor Podcast! I’ve never been great at slowing down enough to celebrate achievements, so I want to take a moment to reflect on this milestone instead of rushing toward the next goal. Listen in as we celebrate The Modern Editor Podcast by the numbers. Don’t worry, there’s no math involved!

• (2:20) The Modern Editor by the Numbers
• (4:03) Top Five Downloaded Episodes
• (6:40) How Many Times I Took a Break
• (8:34) My Apple Podcasts Rating
• (10:55) Top Two Lessons I’ve Learned From Podcasting
• (13:38) What Do You Want to Hear in Future Episodes?

• Writing an Identity Not Your Own with Alex Temblador
• Elevate Your Business Processes with Akua Konadu
• Borrow the Mic with Haylee Gaffin
• Five Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started My Editing Business
• Running a Business During Tough Times
• How Many Hours a Day Can You Edit?
• How to Find Time to Get Things Done
• A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting Process
• Gaffin Creative

• Grab the Editing Contract Template
• Join the Freelance Editors Club

Could appearing on a podcast help grow your editing business? Not only can it grow your brand, but it can set you up as an expert in your field. In today’s episode, Haylee Gaffin of Gaffin Creative joins us to explain why editors should consider leveraging podcasts as a marketing tool in their business.

Listen in as we talk all about why freelance editors should pitch themselves as podcast guests, the power of borrowing someone else’s audience, and what makes a great podcast pitch.

If you want to dive deeper into podcasts, whether that’s as a host or a guest, join us inside the Freelance Editors Club. Haylee is leading a podcast training in May 2025, where we’ll talk more about pitching yourself as a guest and how to use podcasts to grow your business.

(Seeing this after May 2025? You can still access the video recording when you join the club!)

• (1:08) Are Podcasts Still Relevant in 2025?
• (10:51) The Power of Borrowing Someone Else’s Mic
• (13:10) How to Pitch Yourself as a Podcast Guest
• (18:52) The Key to Finding the Right Podcasts to Pitch Yourself to as a Guest
• (27:48) Pitch Yourself With Clear Goals in Mind
• (35:57) Where to Find New Podcasts
• (39:57) What to Do After You Appear on a Podcast
• (47:47) Ready For More Podcast Training?

• Listen Notes
• Rephonic

• Gaffin Creative
• @hayleegaffin
• Clocking In podcast

• Grab the Editing Contract Template
• Join the Freelance Editors Club