Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Deborah Hammett, author of Salty at 60: Becoming Better Than Retired. Deborah’s story is the bold, honest tale of how she left her thirty-three-year career in education in pursuit of a freer, purpose-filled second act—sailing solo aboard her boat and, eventually, writing a book about her experience.

Timestamp:

00:00 Trading chalkboards for chart plotters
05:16 Sailing while teaching online
09:22 Sailing adventure in retirement
10:30 Sailing into unforeseen roles
16:29 Engine troubleshooting at sea
19:44 Fiction’s purpose and life lessons
23:51 Docking and anchoring tips tutorial
25:31 Women captains and ocean nomads
28:00 Overcoming fears in sailing life
32:07 Embracing classroom chaos for growth
35:05 Embrace continuous flexibility

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, the powerhouse writing duo behind the riveting thriller Dark Rising. Both veterans with storied pasts—Brian, a former submarine officer with business acumen, and Jeffrey, a trauma surgeon and Navy veteran—found common ground far from the battlefield: at a thriller writing conference.

Their partnership, as Jeffrey jokes, was born of “stalking” at the International Thriller Writers’ ThrillerFest, where their shared backgrounds and values—family, faith, and service—formed a natural foundation for creative collaboration. But it wasn’t instant coauthoring. As Jeffrey explains, “Once we decided that we were gonna do this thing, we went into it knowing we're either gonna become better friends or destroy this friendship forever. Let's see." Thankfully, the outcome was a deeper bond and a writing team that has delivered years of explosive storytelling.

Timestamp:

00:00 Teamwork in writing: military ethos
05:05 Balancing writing with distractions
09:39 Inspiration cycles for writers
13:14 Embracing pantser writing surprises
14:23 Characters’ voices shape the story
17:11 Curiosity and predictability in writing
21:46 Teaching writing to nonfiction leaders
26:19 Embrace imperfection in writing
27:52 Antagonist’s two-week mission
33:01 Balancing passion and obligations
36:33 Supporting veterans in new ventures
38:49 Principled characters in chaotic times
40:43 Honoring unsung heroes through fiction

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I explore a critical and sometimes overlooked question for aspiring writers: Why write a book? While the dream of bestseller status or financial gain is tempting, I challenge listeners to think deeper. Through personal stories, hard truths about book sales, and my journey, I reveal that the value of authoring a book goes far beyond money or external validation.

Timestamp:

00:00 Is authorship worth it?
05:41 Sharing knowledge beyond search
09:52 Gifts require effort to excel
13:27 Join the author workshops for $90
14:13 Inspiring author stories podcast

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What does it mean to live an impactful life? Is it measured solely by the actions we take, or should we also be paying close attention to the opportunities we let pass by? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Nick Cooney—venture capitalist, founder of Lever VC and the Lever Foundation, and author of What We Don’t Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More. 

Through our conversation, we tackle one of the thorniest philosophical questions for anyone aspiring to do good in the world: How might the things we neglect or fail to do shape our ethical legacy as much as our overt actions?

Timestamp:

00:00 Slow start to book writing
06:29 Conscious investing in the FIRE movement
07:31 Ethical investment for positive impact
11:43 The ethics of everyday choices
15:54 Sacrificing for non-family members
18:16 Empowerment through individual impact
22:26 Individual choices and their impact
24:47 What we don’t do insights
29:17 Thought-provoking leadership book

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Aspiring authors often find themselves at a crossroads, deciding whether to follow their passion for writing or stay in a secure career. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Azul sits down with Aime Austin, a successful author of legal thrillers, to discuss her unique journey from the courtroom to the writing desk. This insightful conversation uncovers Aime’s path, creative processes, and advice for emerging writers.

Timestamp:

00:00 Rushed graduate school decision
05:38 Endless ideas, choosing the right one
08:01 Creating vivid, relatable characters
10:45 Writing coach insights on the process
13:17 The challenges of authorship
18:46 Small publisher’s author marketing advice
22:18 Separating from fictional characters
23:19 Immersed in writing characters
28:12 Unique fan-author relationships
29:58 Building writing Communities essential
33:53 Marketing insights and writing advice
35:59 Writing on social issues
40:01 Art’s noble purpose celebrated

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Writing and publishing a book is a significant achievement, yet the journey doesn't end there for many authors. The real challenge often lies in keeping the momentum of book sales going, especially after the initial launch euphoria fades. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I shed light on how authors can master the art of book marketing in 2025. Here, we dive deeper into the insights shared, exploring essential strategies for sustaining and enhancing book sales over time.

Timestamp:

00:00 Traditional vs. Self-Published: Sales Trends
04:40 Write Books About Who You Are
08:39 Platform-Specific Content Strategy
12:43 Effective Book Promotion Strategies
14:58 Book Marketing Workshop & Calendar
16:24 Don't Give Up on Writing

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Writing a book is often seen as a solitary journey, characterized by the rhythmic tapping of keys as ideas flow from mind to paper. However, the path to becoming an author can be fraught with internal struggles, often rooted in deeper emotional complexities. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I discuss the profound impact that unresolved trauma can have on a writer's ability to create, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional depth in writing.

Timestamp:

00:00 Emotional Depth in Writing
05:18 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Writing
08:27 Innate Drive to Tell Stories
10:43 Detach from Persistent Thoughts
15:29 The Writer's Dilemma
17:38 Emotional Depth in Writing

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with brand strategist and author Jen Kem to discuss the release of her book, "The Unicorn Team." Our conversation explored building teams with unique energy and navigating the traditional publishing world, revealing lessons applicable to anyone's creative journey. Let's delve into the key insights shared and their profound impact on the essence of leadership and authorship.

Timestamp:

00:00 Strategist’s approach to messaging
05:11 Building your idea support team
08:38 Sharing my big idea
09:55 Achieving unicorn energy
15:10 From grassroots to millionaires
17:21 Power team formation and expansion
23:14 Energy: the ultimate currency
24:16 Holistic leadership approach book
28:53 Thought leadership vs. misleading books
31:19 Redefining books and success
35:32 Innovation playbook: reinvent and integrate
37:42 Subtitle frustrations in publishing

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The art of writing is much more than crafting sentences or perfecting grammar. It’s a bridge connecting your inner world to the outside, bearing stories untold and messages unsaid. In this episode of the Authors Who Lead, I share a heartfelt reflection on how writing is intertwined with living fully, urging aspiring authors to delve deeper than the superficial act of writing to uncover a more profound personal revelation.

Timestamp:

00:00 Living Fully Through Writing
04:59 Writing What Truly Matters
06:31 Write for Yourself First
11:56 Embrace Vulnerability to Shape Your Story
14:45 Books Should Transform and Inspire
16:57 Live Boldly, Inspired by Nature
20:11 Join the Author’s Journey

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I converse with Dennis James Sweeney, author of "How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses" and recipient of the Autumn House Rising Writer prize. Our discussion offers valuable insights into a writer's journey, the perseverance needed in the face of rejection, and the power of authenticity in one's writing.

Timestamp:

00:00 Finding My Way Back to Writing
04:37 First Big Publishing Win
08:37 Finding My Groove in Academic Circles
10:15 Surprising Career Turns After MFA
14:07 Students Finding Their Voice
18:44 Submit to Places You Enjoy
20:48 Writers' Worries vs. Rules
23:07 Teaching Without Textbooks or Tests
25:54 Writing and Community Vibes

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