In this candid and insightful episode, Alexa Bigwarfe sits down with publishing powerhouse Michelle Vandepas, co-founder of GracePoint Publishing. Known as the “Book Whisperer,” Michelle shares the story behind her unexpected path into publishing and how her company supports purpose-driven authors through coaching, hybrid, and traditional publishing models. This episode is packed with transparency around costs, red flags, ISBN confusion, and practical guidance for authors trying to navigate the often overwhelming world of publishing.

In this podcast, Alexa and Michelle discuss:

• Michelle’s multigenerational family legacy in publishing
• The evolution of her company, GracePoint Publishing
• The different imprints at GracePoint, including Empower Press and Human Design Press
• Hybrid vs. traditional publishing: what authors need to know
• The biggest misunderstandings about paying for publishing services
• Why clarity and contracts are essential
• Red flags to watch for when choosing a publisher
• Common misconceptions about self-publishing and ISBN ownership
• The importance of cover design and genre expectations
• Who the ideal GracePoint author is and how the submission process works
• Michelle’s 25 Questions to Ask Your Publisher
• Resources like the IBPA’s hybrid publisher standards
• How publishing is a journey of growth, purpose, and legacy

Michelle Vandepas is a publisher, TEDx speaker, and visionary entrepreneur dedicated to helping purpose-driven leaders bring their books—and missions—to life. As the co-founder of GracePoint Publishing, Michelle has worked with thousands of authors to publish impactful books that align with their soul’s purpose. Known as “the Book Whisperer,” she brings decades of experience in coaching, business development, and publishing to support authors who are ready to turn their message into a movement. Her team at GracePoint offers hybrid, assisted, and traditionally distributed publishing options tailored to nonfiction authors, memoirists, coaches, and conscious entrepreneurs.
Tools & Resources
https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/gracepointpub
IBPA hybrid publisher criteria: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/hybridpublishercriteria

In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe and Joel Pitney of Launch My Book unpack the biggest self-publishing myths. Learn what it really takes to succeed, from production costs to metadata, bookstore distribution, and pre-order strategies.

In this podcast, Alexa and Joel discuss:

• How Joel went from science major to journalist to book coach and publisher
  
  
• The origin story of Launch My Book and how it differs from hybrid publishing
  
  
• The importance of author business plans, no matter the publishing path
  
  
• Why platform building matters just as much in traditional publishing
  
  
• Five big myths of self-publishing (and the reality behind them):
  
  
  • Self-publishing makes you more money
    
    
  • Your book will be in bookstores
    
    
  • Self-publishing is easier than traditional publishing
    
    
  • You can’t judge a book by its cover (spoiler: readers do!)
    
    
  • Amazon metadata hacks are all you need
    
    
• Why quality editing and design are non-negotiables
  
  
• The truth about Amazon bestseller campaigns and what actually drives discoverability
  
  
• Pre-order strategies—and why most self-published authors should skip them
  
  
• Using soft launches and slow build strategies for success
  
  
• How AI is helping his company run better ads and streamline production
  
  
• Launch My Book’s unique approach to collaborative, high-quality book production and marketing
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Launch My Book – Full-service publishing and promotion for self-published authors.
• Bookshop.org – Supporting local bookstores with online sales.
• Blog on Launch My Book’s website: A resource for authors to learn about self-publishing and marketing.

Important Links:
www.launchmybook.com


About Joel Pitney:
Joel Pitney is a collaborative writer, former journalist, and the founder of Launch My Book, Inc.
As a collaborative writer, Pitney has written a variety of non-fiction books on leadership, conscious business, education, and health and fitness. His books have been published by Penguin, Public Affairs, and Wiley.

As a journalist, Pitney has published articles under his own name in What Is Enlightenment? magazine and Religion Dispatches, and has ghost-written and published articles for clients on a
variety of platforms, including Fast Company, The Huffington Post, and Inc magazine. Pitney has also worked in the development of TV and film projects with his company Time Future
Films, including a TV series based on the true story of his ancestors’ journey across the Oregon Trail, sold to A&E in 2015.

In addition to his work as a writer, Pitney is also founder and president of Launch My Book, Inc, a book-production and promotion company he founded in 2013. In that role, he has run
marketing campaigns for nonfiction books spanning business, self-help, spiritual, and other genres, including multiple New York Times bestsellers. The company also runs a full-service self-publishing company and published a wide variety of educational content for writers on their website: www.launchmybook.com.

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: 5 Authors Share Their Book Marketing Journeys

In this special panel episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, Alexa Bigwarfe brings together five incredible authors—Linda Needham, CC Robinson, Zariah L. Banks, Tracy Myhre, and Pat Black-Gould—who represent a wide range of genres and publishing journeys. All graduates of the Book Launch in a Box program, they open up about their unique paths to publication, the toughest marketing challenges they’ve faced, and the tools and tactics that helped them overcome the overwhelm. Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your next launch, this episode is packed with relatable experiences, actionable insights, and plenty of laughs.

In this podcast, Alexa and her panel of authors discuss:

• Why marketing feels so hard (especially at first) and how they each overcame that feeling
  
  
• The unique challenges of launching under a pen name
  
  
• Why building a street team and ARC reviewers early is essential
  
  
• How to think like a business from book one—and why it matters more by book two
  
  
• How Book Launch in a Box helped them simplify their launch strategy
  
  
• The power of positioning and knowing your comp titles
  
  
• Why marketing starts while you’re still writing your book
  
  
• Using timelines and templates to manage overwhelm
  
  
• Keeping momentum post-launch with tools like Kindle Unlimited and virtual book tours
  
  
• How community makes all the difference
  
  
• Their best book marketing tips, from launch prep to long-term strategy
  
  

Connect with the Authors
Linda Needham
📚 Historical romance and nonfiction author of Brainstorming Your Novel: From the First Spark to Blockbuster
🌐 LindaNeedham.com (currently being updated — check back Fall 2025)
📖 Find her books on Amazon and all major retailers

CC Robinson
📚 Award-winning author of YA dystopian series The Divided Series
🌐 ccrobinsonauthor.com/alexaspubchat – Get her prequel Upheaval free!
📬 Join her newsletter and follow her on social for launch updates
📖 Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Zariah L. Banks
📚 Contemporary romance author of Beauty Beheld and Missile Towed
📷 Follow on Instagram: @authorzariahlbanks
🛠 Book coach, developmental editor, and publishing consultant
📖 Books available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Tracy Myhre
📚 Author of post-apocalyptic romantic thriller Escape, book one in a seven-book series
🌐 tracymyhre.com
📷 Instagram & Facebook: @tmywriter
📖 Books available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Pat Black-Gould
📚 Author of The Crystal Beads: Lalka’s Journey and All the Broken Angels
🌐 patblackgould.com
🛠 Workshop presenter on creative presentations and genre hopping
📖 Books available through Purple Butterfly Press, Amazon, IngramSpark, and Kindle Unlimited

🎯 Learn More About Book Launch in a BoxReady to launch your next book with clarity, confidence, and a supportive author community?

👉 Check out the Book Launch in a Box program here:
🔗 https://writepublishsell.com/blab

The next cohort begins June 23, 2025 – don’t miss your chance to join the program that helped each of these authors succeed!

In this episode, Alexa teams up with her longtime collaborator Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro to dive deep into the business side of publishing. Whether you’re bootstrapping your first book or scaling a freelance editing business, this conversation is packed with practical tools, hard-earned lessons, and a whole lot of encouragement.

In this episode, Alexa and Hannah discuss:

• Why authors, editors, and publishing professionals must see themselves as entrepreneurs
  
  
• The origin stories behind Alexa’s publishing journey and Hannah’s creation of Book Award Pro
  
  
• Bootstrapping vs. investors vs. crowdfunding—and when to use each
  
  
• Real-life pricing mistakes and how to avoid undercharging for your time
  
  
• The power of business systems, automation, and templates (and why they matter)
  
  
• Learning to love the “yucky business stuff”: contracts, invoicing, websites, and CRMs
  
  
• Tools like Stripe Atlas, 17 Hats, Squarespace, and PubSite for business setup
  
  
• Website ownership 101: what it means to own your digital property
  
  
• Why AI (like ChatGPT!) can save you hours of time, especially for marketing and metadata
  
  
• How to grow a freelance business from scratch—plus Alexa’s tips from her early VA days
  
  
• The three traits of the most successful authors Alexa has seen
  
  
• Book reviews, trade reviews, and building visibility with Book Award Pro
  
  
• A sneak peek at the upcoming Business Bootcamp for publishing pros
  
  

As we observe Memorial Day here in the U.S., we honor the brave service members who gave their lives in defense of our country. And while many names are known, too often the women who served—and died—remain overlooked.

As the founder of the Women in Publishing Summit, I’m passionate about helping women write stories that matter. And today, I want to take a moment to honor seven remarkable women who gave everything in service: women like Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman killed in combat; Elizabeth Jacobson, the first female airman to die in Iraq; and Major Megan McClung, the first female Marine officer to fall in that war.

These women’s stories are powerful, courageous, and often untold. I believe they deserve books, biographies, films—but most of all, remembrance.



Read the full tribute with expanded stories:
👉 https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/servicewomen-killed-in-combat/

Featured Fallen Heroines:

• Lori Piestewa (PEE-ess-tuh-wah) – First Native American woman killed in combat (Hopi tribe)
  
  
• Elizabeth Jacobson – First female airman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom
  
  
• Ashley White-Stumpf – Cultural Support Team soldier featured in Ashley’s War
  
  
• Hilda Clayton – Combat photographer who captured her final moment
  
  
• Ramona Valdez – Young Latina Marine killed in Fallujah
  
  
• Jeannette Winters – Early Operation Enduring Freedom casualty
  
  
• Megan McClung – First female Marine officer killed in Iraq
  
  

Take Action:

• Write, share, and preserve the legacies of these incredible women
  
  
• Encourage young readers, writers, and researchers to explore women’s military history
  
  
• Follow Alexa and the Women in Publishing Summit for more ways to lift up powerful women’s stories
  
  

📢 Stay Connected:
 📚 Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com
📝 Alexa’s Write|Publish|Sell Substack post
📸 Instagram: @writepublishsell @womeninpublishingsummit
🎙️ Podcast Archives: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/podcast

In this episode, Alexa chats with Damon Courtney, creator and CEO of BookFunnel, about how indie authors can grow their readership, build their email lists, and sell more books using BookFunnel's ever-expanding toolkit. Whether you're just getting started or looking to maximize your existing account, this episode is packed with insights.

In this podcast, Alexa and Damon discuss:

• How Damon’s author journey inspired the creation of BookFunnel
  
  
• Why BookFunnel remains essential for digital book delivery, especially to non-tech-savvy readers
  
  
• The launch and impact of BookFunnel’s audiobook delivery system
  
  
• How authors can use reader magnets to grow their email lists
  
  
• Strategies for using welcome emails to convert readers into superfans
  
  
• The importance of segmenting your email list by reader behavior and source
  
  
• Print codes: how to hand out ebooks and audiobooks in-person (at conferences, festivals, etc.)
  
  
• Multi-book print codes and why they’re game-changing for bundles and events
  
  
• Using BookFunnel for sales promos and group author collaborations
  
  
• Why author collaboration is powerful—not competitive
  
  
• Tips for getting the most out of group promotions
  
  
• How to craft an engaging welcome email that leads to long-term reader relationships
  
  
• Why every book should include a CTA to join your mailing list
  
  
• Why email marketing is still the most powerful tool in your author toolkit
  
  
• New features coming soon, including more tools for in-person selling
  
  
• How BookFunnel’s webinars, podcast, and support help authors unlock more value
  
  
• A special offer for Women in Publishing Summit listeners
  
  

🔗 Links Mentioned:

• BookFunnel Website
  
  
• Special discount via Women in Publishing Summit: womeninpublishingsummit.com/bookfunnel
  
  
• Check out the BookFunnel Podcast
  
  
• Sign up for the upcoming August 2025 webinar with Damon on the Events Page
  
  

In this inspiring episode, Alexa sits down with Danielle Anderson, founder of InkWorthy Books and the Soulful Nonfiction School. Danielle is a certified nonfiction book coach and editor with more than 14 years of experience helping writers bring mission-driven, healing-centered books into the world.

They discuss what it means to write "soulful nonfiction," how to prepare yourself emotionally and structurally for the journey of writing a book, and why rushing the process can dilute your impact. Danielle walks us through her six-phase framework for writing and publishing, from mindset to marketing, and shares why self-revision is often the most transformational part of the process.

If you’re writing a memoir, personal growth book, or other nonfiction work that’s rooted in purpose, this episode will meet you where you are and help you see what’s possible.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What soulful nonfiction really means and how it differs from other nonfiction genres
• Why Danielle transitioned from a career in law to the publishing world
• The most important questions to ask yourself before you start writing
• Danielle’s 6-phase framework for nonfiction book development
• Why "sketchy drafts" are better than “shitty first drafts”
• How to revise your book effectively before you hire an editor
• What to expect when working with a full-service publishing support team
• Why self-publishing doesn’t mean doing it alone
• When to let go of arbitrary publishing deadlines
• How her Soulful Nonfiction School offers flexible, ongoing coaching and support
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Download Danielle’s Free Self-Publishing Checklist
• Learn more about Inkworthy Books
• Connect with Danielle on Instagram: @inkworthybooks
• Learn about her Soulful Nonfiction School: Soulful Nonfiction School
  
  

Memorable Quotes:“What lives in a story but your soul?” — Danielle Anderson
“It heals you first. Then it heals me. And finally, it heals the world.”
“Publishers don’t help you write the book. That’s what a book coach does.”

Special Offer for Our Listeners:Get Danielle’s Self-Publishing Checklist + access to her publishing services at womeninpublishingsummit.com/inkworthy

About Danielle:

Danielle Anderson is a trained nonfiction book coach and editor, bringing over fourteen years of writing and publishing experience to help amplify the story, voice, and message of passionate writers. 
Danielle is the birth mother of Ink Worthy Books, a full-service editorial and publication services company providing support to self-publishing authors of soulful nonfiction, and the Soulful Nonfiction School, a sacred community of soulful creatives writing books that move the world forward. 
Outside of business, words continue to color her life through music, books, movies, art, and writing. Danielle thrives on staying active. You can find her going on adventures and making magic with her four kids, lifting heavy in the gym, reading, writing, playing her guitar, exploring the parks and river valley near her home, geeking out about cool rocks, or taking cat naps with her furry feline friend Layla.

In this episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, bestselling author JD Barker joins Alexa to share the bold, strategic decisions that helped him build a powerhouse fiction career. From ghostwriting and indie publishing to launching his own imprint with Simon & Schuster, JD has built a career grounded in talent, creative risk-taking, and entrepreneurial smarts.

Today, he’s known for his high-octane thrillers—and yes, for co-authoring multiple novels with James Patterson. But that partnership didn’t happen by luck. JD walks us through how focusing on quality, branding, and business helped him scale his fiction career far beyond the page.

Highlights from this episode:

• JD’s origin story—from ghostwriter to indie author to publishing imprint owner
  
  
• How his wife’s bold decision kickstarted his full-time writing career
  
  
• What it’s really like to co-author with James Patterson (including pantsing vs. plotting!)
  
  
• Why JD trademarked his author name—and how he licenses it like a brand
  
  
• Using books as marketing tools: hotel placements, real estate investments, and haunted house giveaways
  
  
• Creating multiple income streams: from real estate to co-authoring as mentorship
  
  
• The myth of “just writing”—why successful authors need to market like entrepreneurs
  
  
• The truth about indie publishing: when you should and shouldn’t go solo
  
  
• A sneak peek at JD’s terrifying new book, Something I Keep Upstairs (May 13 release)
  
  
• Advice for fiction authors ready to treat their writing like a business
  
  

Mentioned in the episode:

• Something I Keep Upstairs – JD Barker’s upcoming haunted house thriller
  
  
• Contest for a haunted overnight stay: Enter here before June 13, 2025
  
  
• JD’s co-author mentorship model
  
  

Best Advice from JD:

“Your book needs to be a 5-star story—before you worry about marketing or publishing. Word of mouth only happens when the book is that good.”
J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

https://jdbarker.com/

As hybrid presses become a more popular option, we're often asked about the difference between hybrid presses and self-publishing. Here's a breakdown of the differences at Luminare Press

📚 Self-Publishing Assist vs. Hybrid PublishingSelf-Publishing Assist (Luminare Press)

• Offers fee-for-service publishing help: editing, cover and interior design, layout, POD setup (via KDP and Ingram), ebook formatting.
  
  
• Authors retain full control and 100% royalties by publishing under their own accounts.
  
  
• Best for authors who want a high-quality product but maintain ownership and marketing responsibility.
  
  
• Ideal for personal legacy projects, entrepreneurs, or authors with built-in audiences.
  
  

Hybrid Publishing (Lucent Book Group - launching soon)

• Offers curated publishing partnership: more involvement in editing, development, and marketing.
  
  
• Patricia and team select manuscripts they believe in and help authors from developmental edits to post-launch marketing.
  
  
• Author still retains creative control, but receives hands-on collaboration and a professional publishing experience.
  
  
• Higher cost, but greater long-term support and potential reach.
  
  

In this episode, Alexa and Patricia discuss:

• How a family self-publishing project sparked Patricia’s publishing career
  
  
• What sets self-publishing assist services apart from hybrid publishing
  
  
• How to align your publishing path with your goals and budget
  
  
• The risks of unprofessional book design and formatting
  
  
• Why editing is the first step in effective book marketing
  
  
• How scams are targeting indie authors—and how to avoid them
  
  
• Trends in cover design, metadata, and the evolving expectations of readers
  
  
• The upcoming launch of Patricia’s new hybrid imprint: Lucent Book Group
  
  
• How authors can build long-term publishing partnerships
  
  

🔗 Learn more about Luminare Press and get their Women in Publishing Summit special offer:
 https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/luminare

🎙️ About Patricia Marshall and Luminary Press

• Patricia is the founder of Luminare Press, offering publishing assistance and hybrid publishing since 2011.
  
  
• Inspired by helping her 89-year-old mother self-publish a novel, Patricia saw the need for a professional, author-supportive publishing service.
  
  
• Luminare Press has evolved from a family venture into a company of 10+ professionals with editors, designers, and contractors.
  
  

📚 In this episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, Alexa shares:

• The terrifying moment every author faces—wondering if people will hate your book—and how to overcome it.
• Why marketing doesn’t have to feel icky or overwhelming—and how to make it fun.
• The power of early feedback: how to build and use an advance reader team.
• What to do if talking about your book feels deeply uncomfortable (hint: there are other ways to market!).
• Creative and personality-aligned approaches to book marketing—whether you’re a writer, talker, or behind-the-scenes strategist.
• A real-life example of word-of-mouth magic—from Alexa’s hairdresser to a book club obsession.
• Why authentic buzz beats big ad spend (and how to get people talking organically).
• Ways to work with influencers, bookstagrammers, and booktokkers to generate excitement.
• A love letter to gluten-free cookbooks (yes, really) and niche book marketing.
• How to reframe your mindset to fall in love with the process of sharing your book.
  
  

🔧 Tools + Resources Mentioned:

• ARC Teams: Send your book out early to gather honest feedback and build buzz.
• AI Tools: Let AI compile your reviews, praise, and blurbs into marketing content.
• Publicity Partners: Aurora Publicity, Love Book Tours, Children’s Book Tour, Written Word Media, BookBub, Fussy Librarian, Robin Reads, and more.
• Influencer Outreach: How to engage book lovers with audiences to help spread the word.
  
  

💡 Key Takeaway:

Marketing your book doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be a joyful extension of your creativity—one where you celebrate what you’ve created and connect with people who genuinely want to hear from you. Start by doing what feels good, then build from there.

👋 Connect with Alexa:🌐 writepublishsell.com

📬 Sign up for upcoming webinars & events