Barbara Boyd is a certified book coach through Author Accelerator who has guided over 100 authors through the nonfiction writing process. With expertise in helping experts transform their knowledge into published books, Barbara specializes in the strategic foundation work that makes writing easier—from defining target audiences to creating actionable outlines. Her approach centers on the "Venn diagram of book concepts," ensuring that an author's idea, audience, and objectives align before writing begins. Barbara works with business owners, consultants, wellness professionals, and other experts who want to codify their frameworks, broaden their reach, and establish industry authority through well-crafted nonfiction books.

In this episode:

• The Venn diagram: idea, audience, objectives
• Finding your ideal reader avatar
• Narrowing your niche for less competition
• Simplifying complex expert knowledge
• Using storytelling in nonfiction
• The Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book tool
• Creating iterative outlines
• When your acronym is your book structure
• Book coach as therapist and publishing expert
• Being generous with your expertise
• One year from idea to manuscript
• Book proposals in four months
• Writing 1,000 words per week

Resources mentioned:

• Author Accelerator's Blueprint for a Non-Fiction Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733251146?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• Jenny Nash of Author Accelerator: https://www.authoraccelerator.com/about-us

Book Recommendations:

• "Write a Must Read" by A.J. Harper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1989603696?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Barbara Boyd:

• Website: https://www.barbarajboyd.com/
• LinkedIn: https://it.linkedin.com/in/barbarajboyd
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://barbaraboyd.as.me/discoverycall

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

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Evan Gow is the founder and indie developer of StoryOrigin, an all-in-one platform designed to help authors manage their book marketing infrastructure. After writing short stories in high school and working in tech and entrepreneurship, Evan returned to his passion for writing while building tools for the author community. Frustrated by authors juggling eight different services and five spreadsheets just to manage their marketing, Evan created StoryOrigin to consolidate everything authors need—from growing mailing lists and finding reviewers to arranging newsletter swaps and building websites—into one cohesive platform. His philosophy is simple: reduce context switching, simplify workflows, and help authors at every stage of their career.

In this episode:

• Why newsletters are the only marketing channel you truly own
• Starting your newsletter today (even with zero subscribers)
• Reader magnet strategies for fiction and nonfiction authors
• The prequel short story vs. first three chapters debate
• Matching your reader magnet to your target audience
• Two essential newsletter sections: rapport and value
• The "Also Bought" philosophy for book recommendations
• Newsletter frequency: once vs. twice monthly strategies
• Newsletter swaps explained: one-to-one cross promotions
• Group promotions: 20+ authors promoting together
• Finding newsletter swap partners on StoryOrigin
• Starting swaps with zero subscribers (yes, really)
• Why authors with 5,000 subscribers accept swaps from beginners
• The altruistic author community helping each other grow
• Monetizing newsletters with Amazon affiliate links correctly
• Universal book links and automatic affiliate tag insertion
• Email service provider recommendations: MailerLite for beginners
• In-depth guides and video tutorials on StoryOrigin

Resources mentioned:

• StoryOrigin: https://storyoriginapp.com/
  • MailerLite recommendation
  • Newsletter swap directory
  • Group promotions
  • Universal book links
  • Review copy landing pages

Book recommendations:

• He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell): https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26294/he-who-fights-with-monsters

Connect with Evan:

• Website: https://storyoriginapp.com/
• Tutorials: https://storyoriginapp.com/tutorials
• Contact Evan: evan@storyoriginapp.com

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Dale L. Roberts is an award-winning author and self-publishing educator with over a decade of experience in the indie publishing industry. He's the author of "Wide Publishing for Authors," a comprehensive guide that helps authors break free from Amazon-only publishing and expand their reach across multiple platforms. Dale is known for his conversational writing style and practical, actionable advice that comes from real-world experience managing his own wide publishing business. Through his website SelfPublishingWithDale.com, he provides resources, tutorials, and direct support to help authors navigate the complex world of multi-platform publishing while maximizing their royalties and reader reach.

In this episode:

• What wide publishing means and why it matters
• KDP Select benefits: free promos and countdown deals
• Hidden algorithm advantages of KDP Select enrollment
• The 90-day test strategy for new authors
• Why expanded distribution on KDP costs you money
• IngramSpark vs. Draft2Digital for print distribution
• PublishDrive's monthly subscription model (100% net profits)
• BookVault's superior print quality and special features
• LaterPress: keeping 100% of royalties minus processing fees
• The ISBN dilemma: free vs. owned ISBNs
• How to publish wide with free ISBNs (and avoid duplicate listings)
• Deselecting expanded distribution to go direct to Ingram
• The overlap problem: avoiding platform conflicts
• Royalty rate comparisons across platforms
• The 70% royalty asterisk: delivery fees explained
• Dale's two-hour upload workflow for multiple platforms
• Direct sales advantages: email lists and better margins
• PayHip + BookVault integration for print sales
• Tools for direct sales: Shopify, WooCommerce, Gumroad
• Why "build it and they'll come" doesn't work
• Marketing strategies for driving traffic to your direct store
• Offset printing vs. print-on-demand quality

Resources mentioned:

• Wide Publishing for Authors: A Guide to Expanding Your Book’s Reach and Finding More Readers (Self-Publishing with Dale): https://www.amazon.com/Wide-Publishing-Authors-Expanding-Self-Publishing/dp/1639250603
• Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/
• KDP Select: https://kdp.amazon.com/help/topic/G200798990
• Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/
• IngramSpark: https://www.ingramspark.com/
• PublishDrive: https://publishdrive.com/
• BookVault: https://bookvault.app/
• Laterpress: https://www.laterpress.com/
• Payhip: https://payhip.com/
• Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/
• Story Origin: https://storyoriginapp.com/

Connect with Dale L. Roberts:

• Website: https://selfpublishingwithdale.com/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Teddy’s Website: https://teddyagsmith.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Rodney Miles is the author of the Book Dude's Guide to Self-Publishing series and a self-publishing consultant who has worked on over 300 book projects. With a lifelong love of books that started with his mother reading at red lights, Rodney transitioned from business ownership to professional writing after the Florida real estate market collapsed. Starting at just a penny per word on platforms like Elance (now Upwork), he quickly progressed to ghostwriting, editing, and managing writing departments. Over 14-15 years, he has mastered every aspect of self-publishing, from ebooks and paperbacks to hardcovers. Now specializing in custom publishing projects, Rodney believes that everyone has a story worth telling and should contribute to what he calls "the great library" of human knowledge.

In this episode:

• The evolution of publishing from traditional gatekeepers to self-publishing
• Understanding the "ignorance gap" that first-time authors face
• Different types of publishers: traditional, hybrid, service, and self-publishing
• Warning signs when evaluating publishing deals
• The reality of book marketing and platform building
• Why distribution alone doesn't guarantee sales
• The "slow boat" vs. "lightning strike" paths to author success
• How demand for reading is increasing faster than book supply
• Strategies to increase your chances of publicity breakthroughs
• The difference between marketing (reliable) and publicity (unpredictable)
• Custom project approaches tailored to author goals, budgets, and timelines
• Why everyone should write their story for future generations

Resources mentioned:

• The Modern Author (Book 1 in The Book Dude's Guide series)
• Publishizer.com - Platform for crowdfunding and publisher connections
• Short-form book proposals as an alternative to traditional 50-page proposals

Connect with Rodney Miles:

• Website: www.rodneymiles.com

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Alexa Nazzaro is the founder of Axel Author Group, a publishing services company with the memorable tagline "we won't let you publish crap." With a background in writing and business communications, Alexa transitioned into author services after helping a client with an ebook project. Her passion for the creative process led her to support authors across various genres, offering everything from editing and formatting to comprehensive launch strategies. While running her publishing services company, Alexa also works on her own fiction writing, giving her unique insight into both sides of the author journey—as both a service provider and a working writer.

In this episode:

• Effective book launch strategies from planning to execution
• The 90-day pre-launch marketing timeline
• Building and mobilizing a street team
• Getting advanced reviews through NetGalley
• Optimizing Amazon categories and keywords
• Running successful bestseller campaigns
• Author networks and newsletter swaps
• Post-launch review generation tactics
• Staggered format releases (ebook, paperback, audiobook)
• Special considerations for children's books
• Full-service publishing vs. DIY approaches

Resources mentioned:

• NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/
• Kirkus and Forward Reviews: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
• Independent Book Publishers Association: https://www.ibpa-online.org/
• Story Origin: https://storyoriginapp.com/
• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/

Book Recommendations:

• "Gasping for Air, Choking on Shame" by Dana S. Diaz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6WBCWNG?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• "Summer's Blood" by Adele Royce: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4VZYCPX?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743235274?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143129252?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Alexa Nazzaro:

• Axel Author Group Website: https://aaxelauthorgroup.com/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin -

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Tom Wilde is the Head of Partnerships at ProWritingAid, a comprehensive writing toolkit designed for storytellers and creative writers. With a background as an English teacher, Tom brings educational expertise to helping writers understand craft elements like passive voice, sentence structure, and readability. ProWritingAid has evolved from a grammar checker into a full editorial assistant that works with writers across multiple platforms, offering 25 different reports that analyze everything from sticky sentences to character development. The tool integrates with popular writing software like Scrivener, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word, providing both real-time checking and deep manuscript analysis.

In this episode:

• What ProWritingAid is and how it's evolved beyond basic grammar checking
• How the tool integrates with Scrivener, Google Docs, Word, and other writing platforms
• The difference between real-time checking and deep report analysis
• Privacy guarantees: your text is never stored or used for AI training
• The sticky sentences report: identifying when 40% of your words are just padding
• How the all repeats report finds overused words and phrases you can't see
• Readability analysis at the paragraph level to prevent reader drop-off
• AI-powered features: Rephrase, Critique, and Sparks
• How the Critique report analyzes characterization, dialogue, plot, and structure
• Using ChatGPT's API responsibly without storing or sharing user text
• AI Sparks for writer's block: inspiration without replacing your voice
• Changing perspective, tense, or adding sensory detail with AI assistance
• Genre-specific writing goals and benchmarks for different fiction categories
• Writers Week events throughout the year for different genres

Resources mentioned:

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com/
• Writers Week events: https://prowritingaid.com/art/1163/learn-with-prowritingaid-this-month.aspx
• Integration with Scrivener, Word, Google Docs: https://prowritingaid.com/integrations
• YouTube channel tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIg

Book recommendations:

• Go As A River by Shelley Reed: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Go-River/Shelley-Read/9781954118232
• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: https://www.amazon.com/Fingersmith-Sarah-Waters/dp/1573229725

Connect with Tom:

• Website: https://prowritingaid.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prowritingaid
• X.com: https://twitter.com/prowritingaid
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prowritingaid.insta/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prowritingaid
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIg

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Nick Thacker is a bestselling author of over 45 books across multiple genres, including the 16-book Harvey Bennett thriller series. What makes Nick's story unique is that he never wanted to be a writer—he hated writing in school and only started his first book as a Christmas gift for his father. After working in marketing and web design, Nick applied business principles to his author career and was able to quit his full-time job in 2017. Today, he runs Book Career in a Year, where he teaches authors how to build sustainable writing careers through strategic marketing, email list building, and treating their creative work as a business.

In this episode:

• Why Nick hated writing but became a prolific author anyway
• The "muddy middle" problem and how craft books saved his first manuscript
• How The Enigma Strain made only $80 in its first year but became a bestseller
• Why writing more books is the single best marketing strategy
• The crucial difference between fighting obscurity and making money
• Three marketing buckets every author needs: email, social media, and advertising
• How to build an email list as a fiction writer by giving away entire books
• Why you should make your social media attractive, not promotional
• Why "writing for yourself" is often an excuse to avoid marketing
• Productivity systems that work: the 12 Week Year and EOS (Traction)
• How to find your own writing process instead of copying famous authors
• Step-by-step guide to building a book career in one year
• When to start investing in Facebook and Amazon ads
• The importance of sending readers back to Amazon for algorithmic benefits
  
  

Resources mentioned:

• Book Career in a Year program: https://www.bookcareerinayear.com/
• Scrivener: https://scrivener.app/
• Email marketing platforms
• Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/
• Facebook advertising platform: https://www.facebook.com/business/ads
• The 12 Week Year book: https://www.amazon.com/12-Week-Year-Others-Months/dp/1118509234
• Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS): https://www.eosworldwide.com/

Book recommendations:

• Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain: https://www.amazon.com/Techniques-Selling-Writer-Dwight-Swain/dp/0806111917
• Amazonia by James Rollins: https://www.amazon.com/Amazonia-James-Rollins/dp/0061965839

Connect with Nick:

• Website: https://www.nickthacker.com/
• Book Career in a Year Coaching Program: https://www.bookcareerinayear.com/
• Online courses and training: https://www.bookcareerinayear.com/coaching/
• Books by Nick: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008A2W6XE

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Ellen Erikson is a publisher with over 30 books in her catalog, including both self-authored titles and public domain editions. She specializes in helping authors understand how to legally republish classic works by adding value through professional formatting, contemporary cover design, and thoughtful annotations. Ellen teaches other publishers how to navigate the complexities of copyright law, Amazon's content guidelines, and competitive research to create profitable public domain book businesses while keeping literary classics accessible to modern readers.

In this episode:

• What public domain books are and how copyright expiration works across different countries
• The 100-year rule for determining if a book is safe to publish
• Why classics from authors like Charles Dickens and Shakespeare remain profitable
• Amazon KDP's specific requirements for differentiating your public domain edition
• Three ways to make your edition unique: translations, illustrations, or annotations
• How to add 5,000-word annotations including author biographies and study guides
• Common copyright mistakes including newer translations and trademarked characters
• The Winnie the Pooh trademark lesson: why some story elements remain protected
• Competitive research strategies for finding underserved classic book niches
• How to identify opportunities where existing editions look outdated or homemade
• Building a recognizable series of classics with cohesive cover design
• Advertising tactics using author names and famous titles as primary keywords
• Where to find free manuscripts: Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks
• Formatting challenges with old digital files and when to outsource
• Royalty rates for public domain books: 35% ebooks, 60% minus print costs for paperbacks
• Page count limitations for KDP hardcovers (500 pages maximum)
• Using Wikipedia to discover an author's lesser-known works with less competition
• Whether audiobook production makes financial sense for public domain titles

Connect with Ellen:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenerikson/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/