BRAVE. BOLD. FEARLESS.

003: The Chapters for a Best-Seller Life.

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Life: The Podcast.

With Host Ashley Calhoun

Episode 03

Guest: Paige Dungan, Founder of The Front Porch Collective

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

When it comes to telling your story, no one can do it better – or more authentically – than you! On this episode of Life: The Podcast we’re finding out from a pro how to get the books we want to write out of our heads and into the hands of the people we want to read them. Paige Dungan, Founder of The Front Porch Collective, is sharing with Host Ashley Calhoun the step-by-step of what it takes to turn that literary dream (fiction, nonfiction, how-to, romance … you-name-it!) into a reality. You’ll come away with practical tips about the difference between traditional publishers versus newer self-publishing options, pitfalls that first-time authors want to avoid and the single biggest mistake Paige sees. (Hint: You’ve got to start plotting the marketing and PR plan before your book writing process is even complete!) You won’t want to miss the personal story this publishing dynamo shares about her journey as a mom and a professional trying to figure out and thrive in her zone of genius. Key takeaway advice to consider? Says Paige: “When you put something out there and life is pushing you with different signs to act on it, you’re crazy not to do it!” So listen to the universe, trust your intuition and remember that personal magic starts with claiming your own voice!

 

Ready to learn more about Paige’s brand visioning and publishing support? Click here to sign up for her mailing list and find out about the bestseller campaigns, book launch events and consulting options she tailors to writers of all kinds.

 

And if you’d like to jumpstart your business or figure out your real estate roadmap, check out Ashley’s coaching website here or schedule a discovery call with her at this Calendly link.

 

 

KEY TOPICS:

 

  •  Who She is in 10 Seconds or Less: Paige is a “righteous dreamer” who believes that everything is possible and nothing is off the table, even if some of us need help getting a seat at the table to start!
  •  That Idea that Keeps Coming Up? It’s not going away, but time is. So empower yourself and go after that dream.
  •  Paige’s Origin Story: Always a bit off-beat within her traditional family, over time she identified her entrepreneurial bent and used her PR skills as a point of entry.
  •  About Success Magazine: An opportunity to be a part of amazing campaigns and see mentors blaze trails with their own stories – uncompromised and in their own voices.
  •  Losing Sight of Her Own Narrative: Paige’s journey through post-partum, pandemic and struggles with being there for her kids. Kudos to her husband, who found a game-changing support group that helped untangle the anxiety and paralysis.
  •  On the Path to Mental Health: Talk therapy, meds and working through a year of mental and emotional challenge has been transformational for Paige.
  •  Blessings in the Pain: It comes down to what we decide to do with the obstacle and hurt we confront in life.
  •  A Leap of Faith: Recognizing that the life she’d known before was no longer the right fit, Paige knew instinctively (and trusted her intuition) that it was time to make a big change.
  •  Word of Advice: The timing is never perfect, or exactly right! Sometimes you just have to start moving toward your dream.
  •  About Ashley’s Journey as an Author: When she met Paige, the connection felt unmistakably like a bridge to the book she’d always known she was born to write.
  •  Being a Beautiful Hot Mess: About how being fired by a client sent Ashley into a downward spiral but also sharpened her focus and moved her closer to her dream.
  •  Three Words – The Pillars that are Guiding Paige’s Life in 2023:
    •  Focus! Whatever you’re doing in the moment, be all in on it. No multitasking.
    •  Gratitude! There’s power in catching what people are doing that is right (especially when you're frustrated or slipping into negativity). 
    •  Intention! Separating her work “in” the business from being strategic about time spent working “on” the business.
    •  Step by Step: Give it just 10-15 minutes a day and watch your book progress!
    •  Word of Advice: Creativity doesn’t just appear! Some days are more fruitful than others, but there’s no waiting on the practice it takes to nail down all the elements you need, like the characters or message or voice.
    •  The Front Porch Collective: This publishing arm of Paige’s business is dedicated to helping authors define all aspects of their paths forward, whether self-publishing or seeking a traditional publishing route.
    •  The Pros & Cons of Going with a Publisher:
      •  The need for an agent to get in front of decision-makers.
      •  Advances tend to be small (less than $10,000).
      •  Loss of the rights to your material.
      •  More in the way of publicity and book launch support.
      •  Branded recognition.
      •  The Pros & Cons of Going with Self-Publishing:
        •  Full freedom.
        •  Full rights.
        •  Nimbleness and the possibility of a quick launch.
        •  Control your own timeline and keep as much as 60% of profits.
        •  Need to know how and where to distribute your book.
        •  Need to have a marketing and PR plan/team in place.
        •  Several thousand dollars to invest upfront in your own project.
        •  No One-Stop Shop: Publishing comes in many varieties, so it helps to have a guide in navigating the many alternatives available.
        •  Common Pitfalls Authors Encounter on the Journey:
          •  Failing to plan the book’s promotion right from the outset.
          •  Not allowing time to build the necessary network with podcasters and place promotional pieces across social media.
          •  It’s Not Too Late: Your book launched but didn’t make a ripple? Paige can show you how to regroup and with a whole new do-over plan! 
          •  About the Options Paige Offers:
            •  Call Me Maybe: Hourly consulting and Q&A for guidance on a limited basis.
            •  DIY Workshops: Brainstorming with publishing roadmaps handed over to you to execute.
            •  Full-Service Agency: End-to-end care for the author that wants to delegate the publishing process and leave it to the pros!
            •  Ashley’s Books: It all starts with knowing her zone of genius and getting the right resources in place to support her publishing journey.
            •  Being Your Own Magic: Bring the power back into your life by picking up that pen, writing that first chapter and claiming your authentic voice! 

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              QUOTABLE:

               

              •  “People will die with their dreams inside of them, and that is the worst feeling. But just getting started is hard and not knowing where to go is even harder.” (Ashley)

                •  

                •  “We all have a story and never know just who our story can help.” (Ashley)

                  •  

                  •  “Really being the voice of your own chapters (is) really something so many of us struggle with and especially as women because we have the voices of so many come at us, telling us their needs, that the narrative starts to get shifted real fast.” (Paige)

                    •  

                    •  “Going through that year of trying to get back on my feet? I’m a totally different person now. I’m so grateful for that entire experience because I wouldn’t be sitting here with you or doing what I’m doing today.” (Paige)

                      •  

                      •  “Sometimes your world has to fall apart – or what feels like falling apart – in order for you to focus on the things that really matter.” (Ashley)

                        •  

                        •  “When you put something out there and life is pushing you with different signs to act on it, you’re crazy not to do it!” (Paige)

                          •  

                          •  “You can self-publish and if it does really well and there’s interest, publishers will pick up self-published books ... Then you have kind of the best of both worlds.” (Paige)

                            •  

                            •  “You can write a book and that’s fantastic! But you want people to read that book and interact with it, so the biggest pitfall is … you need to start thinking about (how to get press) six months out from your book launch.” (Paige)

                              •  

                              •  “Start to tell your story because no one can tell it better than you. No matter what area of your life you apply that to, it’s true.” (Paige)

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                                FURTHER INFO/RELEVANT LINKS

                                •  More about Success Magazine.
                                • "Fair Play A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do," by Eve Rodsky.
                                • "Find Your Zone of Genius: Break Free from burnout, Reduce Career Anxiety, and Make the Work Your Doing Matter by Making Your Job The Right Job for You," by Laura Garnett.

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                                  CONTACT/FOLLOW PAIGE:

                                  WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK 

                                   

                                   

                                  ABOUT ASHLEY:

                                  A Certified Professional Coach, Ashley is certified by iPEC and has also received an Associate Certified Coaching credential from the International Coach Federation. She is a Certified Core Energy Coach who specializes in helping people access their inner resources so they can move forward with their lives, careers and businesses. Based in Suwanee, GA, Ashley is also a real estate professional whose credentials include: Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), Short Sales & Foreclosure Certification (SFR®), Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE®), Commitment to Excellence Endorsed (C2EX), iBuyer Certification, Knock Home Swap Certified Agent—all of which will offer you peace of mind when working on your next sale or purchase. 

                                   

                                  CONTACT/FOLLOW YOUR HOST:

                                  WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | PHONE | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | CALENDLY

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                                  BRAVE. BOLD. FEARLESS.By Ash Your Coach