Beyond Better with Stacy Ennis

Many aspiring authors anchor to one thing early in the book-writing process—often before they’ve even written a word: potential book sales. They do the math: how many books will I have to sell to make back my investment (time and money)?

But that’s a false equation, because the true ROI of a book isn’t as simple as calculating the number of books sold by your author royalty per book. In fact, the greatest benefits are harder to measure—but can equate to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of opportunities. This week, I explore the true internal and external ROI of writing a book, including speaking engagements, media attention, a steady stream of inbound clients, new career opportunities, or stepping into your “next level” professionally—whatever that may be for you.

If you’re ready to write your book and step into your purpose, join me in Nonfiction Book School! Enrollment closes January 23, 2023: https://www.nonfictionbookschool.com/.

Listen to past episodes with NBS students Lindsey Weigle and Mike Green.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com. Follow me on Instagram @stacyennis and on Facebook @stacyenniscreative.

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Answers to your burning questions on all things writing, publishing, platform, and more—part 2!

I often say that entering the world of publishing is like learning a new language.

I should know. I’ve tried to learn Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, and Portuguese. And I’ve only been successful at near-fluency in one so far! (Portuguese is also coming along. Slowly.)

First, you embark on a project to achieve one of the hardest goals out there: write a book. Not only do you need to learn the skill of writing a book, but you need to show up with discipline and consistency to actually get it done. Then, you have to navigate self-editing, professional editing, and the publishing process (which has its own language!). Meanwhile, you need to build an author platform and put together a launch plan so your book doesn’t do a not-so-graceful flop on release day.

It’s a lot. But I’ve got you.

Show notes:

P.S. At the beginning of the episode, I say "2023 was the shortest but longest year ever.” I meant 2022. Case and point!

Get my accelerated author self-study program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com/selfstudy.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com.

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To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Joseph Perry is a publishing attorney and literary agent. As an attorney, Joseph counsels clients in the publishing industry, where he drafts and negotiates various publishing agreements, gives legal reads of manuscripts, registers copyrights, and helps authors start their own publishing companies. As an agent, he represents best-selling cookbook authors, athletes, musicians, journalists, influencers, academics, and more.

In this episode, we discuss the difference between a publishing attorney and a literary agent, when someone might need a publishing attorney, how authors can better protect themselves in publishing negotiations, what to consider when assessing which publishing route is the right fit for you, and tips for getting represented by a literary agent.

Get my accelerated author self-study program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com/selfstudy

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com.

Follow me on:

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

This week, I’m answering your burning questions on all things writing, publishing, platform, and more.

I often say that entering the world of publishing is like learning a new language.

I should know. I’ve tried to learn Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, and Portuguese. And I’ve only been successful at near-fluency in one so far! (Portuguese is also coming along. Slowly.)

First, you embark on a project to achieve one of the hardest goals out there: write a book. Not only do you need to learn the skill of writing a book, but you need to show up with discipline and consistency to actually get it done. Then, you have to navigate self-editing, professional editing, and the publishing process (which has its own language!). Meanwhile, you need to build an author platform and put together a launch plan so your book doesn’t do a not-so-graceful flop on release day.

It’s a lot. But I’ve got you.

Show notes:

Get my accelerated author self-study program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com/selfstudy.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com.

Follow me on:

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

This week, I’m joined by author David Morales. His book, American Familia: A Memoir of Perseverance, was released in February 2022 and already has dozens of five-star reviews and has impacted readers across the US and beyond.

In this conversation, David shares the inspiration behind the book and his larger vision of impact, including the work he’s doing through Ahora Inc., a nonprofit organization he cofounded with his wife, Samanda Morales, focused on increasing economic mobility and empowering individuals and families to gain financial freedom. We discuss how two qualities, self-agency and critical thinking, helped him overcome both rural and urban poverty to become the person he is today. He also delves into how he navigated publishing a vulnerable memoir while working as a high-level executive in the health care industry.

If you’re an aspiring author on the journey to impact, David’s insights about his own author journey will inspire you to take action.

Learn more and connect with David:

Get my accelerated author self-study program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com/selfstudy.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com.

Follow me on:

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

This short and sweet episode details my plans for season 4 (!!!) of this podcast.

I need your support to reach more listeners. Please rate and review this show—and share with a friend!

Get my accelerated author self-study program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com/selfstudy.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com.

Follow me on:

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Meet Amy Lafko, a client who has seen great success—both with her book and her business—after the publication of her best-selling book, People First: A Proven Method for an Exceptional Healthcare Practice. While surprised at becoming an author, Amy’s love for People First concepts drove her to writing a book that she loves. It has elevated her keynote career and shaped the work she does with clients.

In this conversation, Amy shares about her author journey before and after publishing her book, and shares wise advice for any authors on the same journey.

In this episode, we cover:

Get to know Amy:

Join the waiting list for my accelerated author program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com. Follow me on Instagram @stacyennis, on Facebook @stacyenniscreative, and on LinkedIn.

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

As an expert in traditional publishing, Meghan Stevenson helps clients get the book deal of their dreams. She helps entrepreneurs and experts become published authors and has helped her clients earn more than $4 million from major publishers.

In this conversation, she explains the importance of the three p’s—potential, platform, proposal—when it comes to having the highest chance of success in getting a traditional book publishing deal.

In this episode, we cover:

Get to know Meghan:

Join the waiting list for my accelerated author program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com. Follow me on Instagram @stacyennis, on Facebook @stacyenniscreative, and on LinkedIn.

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

I’m pleased to welcome one of the foremost publishing experts, Jane Friedman.

Jane has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, which was named 2020 Media Outlet of the Year by Digital Book World.

I’ve been following Jane’s work for years, and her site was a critical resource for me early in my writing career (and still is!). In this candid discussion, we cover:

We also have a lot of fun talking shop, sharing our personal perspectives about the publishing industry, writing, and much more. No matter what stage you’re at in your author journey, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Join the waiting list for my accelerated author program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com. Follow me on Instagram @stacyennis and on Facebook @stacyenniscreative.

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Get to know Jane:

Content discussed in the interview:

Additional links from Jane:

Misty Megia is a creative producer extraordinaire who has helped craft and produce keynotes on some of the biggest stages in the world. After leaving her high-profile Fortune 500 position on February 26, 2020, to start her own company, Misty lost $85,000 in contracts in one day as events around the US were cancelled due to the pandemic—income she’d been counting on for the first few months of her new enterprise. Quickly, she reframed the situation, came up with a new strategy, and took action, applying insights from helping tech companies reach multi-hundred-million-dollar exits. Today, she helps speakers and event producers create phenomenal presentations and keynotes, and inspires people around the globe with her business insights and positivity. This episode is full of practical tips, inspiring storytelling, and lots of laughter. (So much laughter!) Don’t miss this insightful, practical discussion.

Learn more about Misty at http://mistymegia.com/.

Join the waiting list for my accelerated author program, Nonfiction Book School: www.nonfictionbookschool.com.

Connect with me at http://stacyennis.com. Follow me on Instagram @stacyennis, on Facebook @stacyenniscreative, and on LinkedIn.

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.