Get Your Ticket to the next Women in Publishing Summit!

In this Momentum Monday episode, Alexa reflects on a major realization sparked by reviewing ticket sales data and direct feedback from longtime community members: unclear messaging was creating confusion, misalignment, and missed opportunities.

Using the evolution of the Women in Publishing Summit as a case study, she explains how mixed signals—such as announcing a “final” event and later continuing, or dramatically shifting the conference focus without clearly communicating it—can unintentionally repel the right audience while attracting the wrong one.

Alexa walks listeners through the Summit’s strategic pivot from beginner-focused writing craft content to a more advanced, collaboration-driven, business growth experience designed for established authors and publishing professionals. She highlights how failing to explicitly communicate that shift led some longtime attendees to assume the event was no longer for them—when in reality, it was built for exactly where they are now.

She expands the lesson beyond conferences, applying it directly to books, author brands, services, and programs. Whether it’s clearly signaling genre expectations, content depth, spice levels, or who a product is not for, Alexa emphasizes that strong messaging should intentionally attract and repel. Repelling the wrong audience, she argues, is not a failure—it’s a sign your message is working.

The episode closes with a challenge: audit your messaging across your website, sales pages, email list, and social platforms. Ask real people for feedback. And make sure what you think you’re communicating is what your audience actually hears.

Key Takeaways

• Messaging shapes who you attract and who you repel—and both matter
• Confusion in messaging leads to hesitation, inaction, and lost sales
• Audience evolution requires intentional communication, not assumptions
• Repelling the wrong audience improves algorithms, engagement, and conversions
• Clear positioning builds trust, alignment, and long-term community growth
• Your schedule, sales page, and calls to action should remove friction—not add it

Notable Concepts:

• Why “being everything to everyone” hurts growth
• How unclear announcements create long-term brand confusion
• The power of collaboration-focused communities over siloed audiences
• Why warm audiences need simpler, more direct paths to information
• Genre, tone, and content warnings as essential trust-building tools
• Messaging as a filter—not just a megaphone

Call to Action

Audit your messaging this week. Ask one real person what they think you do—and listen closely to the answer. If you’re ready to collaborate, grow, and build alongside aligned authors and publishing professionals, explore the full Summit experience at womeninpublishingsummit.com.

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit!

In this episode, Alexa sits down with best friends and business partners Julie Loken and Dom Damaskey to talk about what’s broken in traditional conferences—and how immersive, activation-focused events can transform creative businesses.

Julie, a former attorney turned media strategist, shares her frustration with attending conferences where attendees passively listen, leave inspired, and then… do nothing. Dom, a publisher and live-event believer, explains how Cre8tiveCon was born from a shared vision during the Clubhouse era: bringing creatives together across industries to collaborate, learn by doing, and build real relationships.

Together, they unpack what makes Cre8tiveCon different—no velvet ropes, no hierarchy, and no “talking head” energy. Instead, attendees experience hands-on workshops, facilitated networking (even for introverts), pitch sessions with real media professionals, and direct access to speakers.

The conversation also explores why authors, publishers, coaches, consultants, and creative entrepreneurs benefit from learning alongside radio hosts, media professionals, and tech founders—and why understanding video, podcasts, books, AI, and social media together is essential heading into 2026.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Traditional conferences often fail because inspiration without execution doesn’t create change
• Relationships—not platforms—are the foundation of sustainable business growth
• Immersive, activation-based learning leads to faster clarity, confidence, and momentum
• Cross-industry collaboration sparks better ideas and unexpected opportunities
• Books, podcasts, video, stages, and social media work best when aligned together
• Pitching is a skill—and practicing it live with feedback accelerates visibility
• Conferences should feel inclusive, accessible, and human—not gated or hierarchical
  
  

Guest BiosJulie LokenJulie Loken is the CEO of The Media Casters, a media strategy and PR company. Trained as an attorney and driven by creativity, Julie helps entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders amplify their message through media, relationships, and strategic visibility.

Dom DamaskeyDom Damaskey is a publisher and live-event strategist based in Pittsburgh. With a deep belief in media, publishing, and collaboration, Dom co-founded Cre8tiveCon to create immersive experiences that connect creatives across industries and platforms.

Event Details Mentioned

Cre8tiveCon

• Dates: February 20–22
• Location: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
• Website: https://www.cre8tivecon.com
  
  

🎟️ Special Offer Mentioned

• Coupon Code: ALEXA
• Savings: $50 off Cre8tiveCon tickets
  
  

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket now to the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit!

In this Momentum Moment, Alexa Bigwarfe explores why knowing yourself is one of the most important—and most overlooked—skills for authors, publishers, and creative entrepreneurs.

This episode goes beyond surface-level personality traits and digs into how understanding your natural wiring, energy patterns, strengths, gaps, and self-limiting beliefs can radically change how you build your business. Alexa shares personal insights around Human Design, burnout, visionary leadership, fear-driven decision-making, and why collaboration works best when you truly understand yourself first.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, unfocused, or frustrated trying to “do things the way everyone else does,” this episode will help you reframe how you work, who you work with, and what success can actually look like for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why working harder isn’t the answer when you’re misaligned
• How personality and wiring frameworks (like Human Design) reveal burnout patterns
• The difference between being a visionary and a finisher—and why it matters
• How fear and self-limiting beliefs quietly sabotage consistency
• Why jumping ideas, genres, or offers often comes from pressure, not failure
• How collaboration and community accelerate long-term growth
• Why knowing yourself is the foundation of sustainable success

Resources Mentioned

• Women in Publishing Summit (Virtual Conference, March 8–11)
   https://womeninpublishingsummit.com
  https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/events
• WIP Conference Live (WIPCon) – In-person conference, Columbia, South Carolina (March 26–29)
   https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/events
• Genius Games – Pre-conference bonus session for Women in Publishing Summit ticket holders
   Facilitated by certified Wealth Dynamics consultants Portia Michele and Parchelle Tashi
   https://womeninpublishingsummit.com
• Better Self Book Club
   https://alexambigwarfe.com/bookclub
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
  https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
• CreativeCon (Chicago, February 20–22)
   https://creativecon.com
   Coupon code: ALEXA (Save $50)
• Denise Duffield-Thomas – author and entrepreneur
   https://www.denisedt.com
• Women in Publishing Summit Support
   [email protected]
  
  

Publishing and book marketing advice.

With decades of experience as a journalist, developmental editor, and publishing technology leader, Kathy Meis, founder and CEO of Bublish, shares why successful self-publishing is not about speed—but about strategy, positioning, editorial excellence, and intentional timelines. Together, Alexa and Kathy unpack common myths about self-publishing and offer practical guidance for authors who want their books to stand out and sell.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why self-publishing isn’t (and shouldn’t be) an overnight process
• The realistic timeline required to publish a professional-quality book
• What “positioning” means and why it begins inside the manuscript
• How an author’s goals influence editorial and marketing decisions
• The four distinct levels of editing every author should understand
• Why skipping developmental or line editing can hurt a book’s success
• How ARC and editorial reviews impact credibility and discoverability
• Where AI can ethically support authors—and where human expertise is essential
• How technology is helping level the playing field for self-published authors
  
  

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kathy’s journey from journalism to publishing technology
• The evolution of professional self-publishing
• Editorial standards vs. “publish fast” myths
• Reader expectations and genre alignment
• Why publishing is a team effort
• Using AI as an assistive tool, not a creative replacement

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about author marketing and publishing tools: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bublish
• Explore education, events, and sponsors at the Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ 
• Subscribe to Alexa’s Publishing Chat for weekly insights on writing, publishing, and book marketing

Kathy Meis is the founder and CEO of Bublish, an author marketing and publishing platform for quality-minded writers. A veteran developmental editor and publishing strategist, she has guided hundreds of books to major bestseller lists and is a respected voice on professional self-publishing and publishing innovation.Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit!

Summary
In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe chats with memoir expert and author Wendy Dale, founder of Memoir Writing for Geniuses and creator of The Memoir Engineering System. Wendy shares how to skip years of trial-and-error by understanding the principles of storytelling—crafting memoirs that read like novels, with structure, purpose, and emotional depth.

In this episode, Alexa and Wendy discuss

• How Wendy’s own memoir journey inspired her to teach memoir structure
• The difference between scenes and transitions—and how both drive plot
• Why memoirs must have plot, not just memories or life events
• How to make your reader feel your story rather than simply see it
• The myth of “show, don’t tell” and how to balance emotion and detail
• Why remembering less can actually help your memoir
• Practical steps to start structuring your memoir from day one
• How to avoid turning a memoir into an autobiography

Speaker Bio
Wendy Dale is the founder of Memoir Writing for Geniuses and author of Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals and The Memoir Engineering System. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Wendy helps writers craft compelling memoirs using story structure principles rather than trial and error. Learn more at geniusmemoirwriting.com.

Resources & Links

• Wendy Dale’s website: https://geniusmemoirwriting.com
• Free memoir class: https://freememoirclass.com
• Book: The Memoir Engineering System (available on Amazon)
• Alexa Bigwarfe: https://writepublishsell.com

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit!

In this Momentum Monday episode, Alexa Bigwarfe shares a simple but often-overlooked email marketing strategy that helped her re-engage more than 200 subscribers in just a few days—without running ads or creating new lead magnets. If you’ve been focused on growing your email list but not maintaining it, this episode is a must-listen. Alexa breaks down why email lists bounce, how to safely review bounced subscribers, and how this one cleanup task can directly impact engagement and ticket sales for your events and launches.

In This Episode, Alexa Discusses:

• Why email lists still outperform social media for conversions
• Common reasons subscribers “bounce” without unsubscribing
• How highly engaged subscribers can quietly fall off your list
• Why ignoring bounced contacts can cost you sales and engagement
• A simple monthly habit to keep your list healthy
• When to re-engage bounced subscribers—and when to archive them
• Real-life results from reactivating old subscribers
• How email list hygiene supports launches, events, and visibility
• A reminder to nominate yourself or others for the Women in Publishing Awards
• Key dates and events happening inside the Women in Publishing ecosystem
  
  

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the next Women in Publishing Summit!

Summary
In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe sits down with Flavia Kennedy, founder of Get Authentic Book Reviews, to talk about one of the biggest pain points for authors—getting legitimate, verified reviews that actually help sell books. Flavia shares how her background as a Fortune 50 marketing executive led her to create a transparent, ethical review platform that helps authors build credibility and visibility.

In this podcast, Alexa and Flavia discuss:

• How Flavia’s own publishing journey inspired her to create Get Authentic Book Reviews
• The problems with many “review exchange” or “paid review” systems
• How Get Authentic Book Reviews ensures verified and ethical reviews
• Why verified reviews matter for Amazon visibility and reader trust
• How the points-based system works for earning and receiving reviews
• Membership options, rotating library visibility, and advertising opportunities
• Tips for authors on incorporating reviews into their overall marketing strategy
• Why reading across genres benefits both authors and readers
• Integrity, transparency, and community as key differentiators

Guest Bio
Flavia Kennedy is the founder of Get Authentic Book Reviews, a membership-based community helping authors gain verified, ethical reviews. A former executive at Fortune 50 companies, Flavia built a career in global marketing before turning to writing. Now an award-winning author herself, she’s passionate about helping writers succeed through transparency, trust, and community.

Resources & Links

• Get Authentic Book Reviews: https://getauthenticbookreviews.com
• Alexa Bigwarfe: https://writepublishsell.com
• Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the next Women in Publishing Summit! Save $50 with coupon code ALEXASCHAT.

See all of our upcoming events.

Alexa celebrates the 200th episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat and kicks off 2026 with a candid, energetic “new year, new goals” solo episode. She shares what 2025 taught her (including big wins, real challenges, and a shift away from chasing “balance”), then walks listeners through her favorite quarterly goal-mapping method using a four-quadrant sheet. Along the way, she spotlights what’s coming up for the Women in Publishing ecosystem—virtual Summit, in-person Columbia event, Paris writing retreat—and invites authors and publishing professionals to plan the year with intention, milestones, and support.

In this episode, Alexa discusses:

• Celebrating Episode 200 and why she didn’t do a highlight reel (because: real life + real business)
• Starting 2026 after a longer break and why rest is productive
• Identity, ambition, and dropping the guilt (including “I’m not listing ‘mom’ first”)
• What 2025 brought: wins, challenges, and why it felt like “a beast”
• Why goals matter: if you don’t know where you’re going, you can’t get there
• The difference between vague goals and milestones + timelines
• SMART goals (and Alexa’s honest “I always forget the R” moment)
• Alexa’s four-quadrant quarterly planning system (Q1–Q4 on a big sticky note)
• Adding categories: professional, personal, travel/conferences
• Mapping “money seasons” by shading a revenue pie in the center
• Using quarterly planning to avoid crunch-time chaos (especially for book launches)
• Real talk: there’s no perfect “balance”—instead, plan in seasons of focus
• How health crises can reshape priorities (presence, family time, living fully)
• 2026 as a “YOLO year” with major travel—and how she’s staffing/systems-building to make it possible
• Thoughts on business investment and debt, and planning ahead for expenses
• Kickstarter curiosity: where it fits, who it’s best for, and why it’s powerful for established audiences
• What Alexa is building in 2026: WIP Society growth, bootcamps, events, and simplifying the sales calendar
• A new entrepreneurship-focused podcast project with a community member (Nicole)
• Better Self Book Club: why it’s meaningful, and the realities of running it (hello, Kajabi fees)
• Teaching entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina and what that unlocks long-term
• Final encouragement: make your goals sheet, evaluate quarterly, and focus on the most-of-what-works
  
  

Alexa Bigwarfe Alexa Bigwarfe is the host of Alexa’s Publishing Chat and a publishing entrepreneur, author, speaker, and community builder. She supports authors and publishing professionals through education, events, and community programming, including the Women in Publishing Summit and WIP Society. Known for her practical, encouraging approach, Alexa helps creatives build sustainable careers—and reminds them they don’t have to do it alone. 



Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to WIPCon - Live in Columbia, SC - March 26-28, 2025!

In this Momentum Monday episode, recorded around Alexa’s 49th birthday, she reflects on how close she came to not seeing this year—and why she’s treating it like an epic, rock-star season of life. She unpacks what “slow down to speed up” really means for authors and publishing professionals, from realistic timelines and launch planning to the emotional fallout of rushing. You’ll hear why friends and family won’t save your book sales, how small, consistent actions build empires, and how to map out a flexible, quarter-by-quarter plan for a successful 2026—plus how you can support Alexa’s big birthday goals through reviews, shares, and joining her in Columbia, SC or WIP Society.

Key takeaways:

• Why this episode is airing on her birthday and why birthdays feel extra precious after a 2024 medical crisis
• How she’s treating her 49th year as an “epic rock-star year” with travel, new books, and stepping back from day-to-day WIP Summit operations
• What “slow down to speed up” really means in the context of writing, publishing, and marketing
• The danger of comparison and wanting instant results without seeing the years of work behind other people’s success
• Why rushing to the finish line with your book or launch almost always backfires
• The importance of looking at what you actually accomplished in 2025 when forecasting goals for 2026
• How her own book timelines have sped up over time—and why switching genres resets the clock
• The principle of focusing on one genre/audience first before branching out
• Realistic expectations for growing your email list (e.g., 5 to 5,000 vs 5 to 45,000)
• Planning backwards: what you need to do each quarter, month, week, and day to hit your 2026 goals
• Why friends and family are not your target sales strategy (with real examples of who did—and didn’t—buy her last book)
• The emotional crash that happens when you rush a launch and then feel like a failure
• Inspiring examples of authors who started with zero audience, did the work, and had incredible launches
• The reminder from self-development reading that small, consistent actions create big progress
• Practical advice: doubling or tripling your estimated timeline for your first book
• Using quarterly planning and flexible timelines so you can adjust goals as the year unfolds
• How to get support: joining WIP Society, attending her events, and coming to the in-person marketing conference in Columbia, SC
  
  

Publishing and book marketing advice.

Get your ticket to the Content Strategy Bootcamp!

Summary
In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe talks with Kourtney Jason, president and co-founder of Pacific & Court, an award-winning Brooklyn-based publicity and digital marketing agency. With more than 15 years of experience in the PR industry, Kourtney shares invaluable insight into what it takes to get media coverage for your book—whether you’re an indie author or working with a small press. They dive into timelines, realistic expectations, the value of collaboration, and what successful campaigns actually look like.

In this podcast, Alexa and Kourtney discuss:

• How Kourtney went from journalist to celebrity publicist to indie author advocate
• Why traditional and digital PR matter for authors outside the “Big Five”
• The best time to start your marketing and PR efforts
• The difference between book marketing and public relations
• How to set realistic PR goals and timelines
• What success actually looks like in a media campaign
• Why collaboration between author and publicist is key
• How to use local bookstores and media to build buzz
• The importance of earned media and how to make it work for you
• Budgeting expectations for PR and how to gauge ROI
• What to do after you get media coverage to make it count
• Why nonfiction authors have a PR advantage—and how fiction authors can find their story angles

Guest Bio
Kourtney Jason is the president and co-founder of Pacific & Court, an award-winning publicity and digital marketing agency based in Brooklyn, New York. A former journalist turned publicist, Kourtney has led PR campaigns for celebrity authors, chefs, and independent publishers. Her clients have been featured in The Today Show, The New York Times, People, USA Today, and more. She is also the author of five nonfiction books, including Lights, Camera, Booze, which appeared in the Academy Awards swag bags.

Resources & Links

• Pacific & Court
• Follow Pacific & Court on Instagram
• Connect with Kourtney Jason on LinkedIn
• Women in Publishing Summit Podcast

Publishing and book marketing advice.