The Imagination Library

The world recently lost a great person in Dolly Parton. In this week's Biz Buzz segment, we talk about one of her most endearing legacies and one that fits in perfectly with what we do, the Imagination Library. Through her foundation, the Imagination Library sends children from birth through 5 years old a free book every month. 

We talk about why she created this, how far it's reached, and why it is such an important topic. 

AK Westerman

AK Westerman joins the podcast once again!

We're excited to launch a new feature through our Substack - The Author's Voice Association member profiles. Each month, we are looking to highlight the members of the association so they can showcase their skills, talents, and know-how to the world. AK Was kind enough to be our first member to profile and we're excited to share her story today. 

Peter and AK talk about a variety of topics like how AK got into the industry, why he loves doing what she does, and how important it is to have a group of individuals around to help you grow and thrive. This interview follows from our profile we published through Substack so be sure to subscribe there for more of our written profiles! 

Member Profile: Designing the Face of an Author's Work

Biz Buzz Segment: The Imagination Library (3:55)

Interview and Member Profile: AK  Westerman (27:40) 

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The Author's Voice Courses

Book Blurbs that Hook - Course Page 

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Writer vs. Non-writers

CaZ and Peter discuss the differences in the industry between writers and non-writers. Peter disucsses how he came to the industry through his love of reading and why he decided to not translate his skills into writing itself. CaZ on the other hand knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. He love of reading and writing provides unique insights into the industry. We talk about all of that and more in this week's Biz Buzz.  

Biz Buzz Segment: Writers vs. Non-Writers (2:38)

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The Author's Voice Courses

Book Blurbs that Hook - Course Page 

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NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Be a guest and share your story with our listeners - Schedule a time to record

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Book Blurbs That Hook

What is a book blurb and why are they so important? 

The book blurb is a piece of marketing copy authors or their publishing professional creates to sell their book. These blurbs have a distinct function of getting the attention of readers and turning them into buying customers.... But just because you are a great writer with a new book, doesn't mean you automatically know (or even like) how to write marketing copy. 

CaZ talks about her new course: Book Blurbs That Hook in this weeks show. For more information and to register check out the shop link below.

EXCLUSIVE: If you sign up before August 18, 2026 you can register for ONLY $27! Just use the code HOOK20 at checkout! 

Biz Buzz Segment: Book Blurbs That Hook (

Are Book Blurbs Out?

Book Blurbs and Inspiring Your Muse

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The Author's Voice Courses

Discover ALL our courses -TAV Course page

Book Blurbs that Hook - Course Page 

Stand Out on Amazon - Course Page

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NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Be a guest and share your story with our listeners - Schedule a time to record

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Where Have All the Book Reviews Gone?

We discuss a great article discussing a new place the find book reviews. After seeing the end of a number of national book review sources, a local bookstore owner took it upon himself and his staff to create a new place for book reviews to be published. 

Plus, we talk about some of the places we each find book reviews and the positives and negatives of editorial reviews versus reader or customer reviews. 

Read the article we discuss!

Biz Buzz Segment: Where Have All the Book Reviews Gone? (2:35)

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The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

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NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Be a guest and share your story with our listeners - Schedule a time to record

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A Grab Bag of Questions

We are bringing back the grab bag question format! This week's episode is focused on a few questions or topics that we are often asked when working with clients. From some common scams to estimating time for editing, we cover a few interesting topics that we might not always have the chance to answer in a full episode. 

Do you have questions you are asked frequently when working with clients? Let us know and we'll answer them on the show!

Biz Buzz Segment: A Grab Bag of Questions (3:00)

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The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

Apply to join The Author's Voice Association

NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Be a guest and share your story with our listeners - Schedule a time to record

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Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Time Blocking For You

In this week's Biz Buzz we talk about time blocking. Whether you are an author or a business owner (or BOTH!) the way you manage your time is crucial! We talk about one way to better control your calendar: Time Blocking. 

CaZ has worked on a brand-new sprint course releasing in the coming days where she teaches you all you need to know to begin time blocking. This week's segment is focused on the specifics of the course and why it can be so helpful for anyone looking to have a better grasp on their calendar. 

Biz Buzz Segment: Time Blocking for YOU! (4:54)

Make Time for What Matters: Time Blocking to Protect Your Priorities

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The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

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NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

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The Resurgence of Indie Bookstores

Where do you enjoy buying your books? Recently there has been a resurgence in the number of indie bookstores. Why are these bookstores making a resurgence? We talk all about the rise in indie bookstores, why they are so important for local communities, and how indie authors can partner with bookstores to showcase each other. 

Biz Buzz Segment: The Resurgence of Indie Bookstores (3:17)

Book Review: The Bookshop (36:20)

Article from the Biz Buzz segment: Independent Bookstores Are Multiplying

IndieBound Indie Bookstore Finder

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The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

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NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

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Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

What's happening with the nonfiction paperbacks?

We talk about an article Peter read recently about the changing times of the nonfiction format, specifically the nonfiction paperback. The industry is always changing so what are we seeing from the big publishers and what ways can indie and self-published authors take advantage of the changing formats? 

Biz Buzz Segment: What's happening with the nonfiction paperbacks? (3:15)

Read the article we discuss here! 

Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month

The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

Apply to join The Author's Voice Association

NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

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An Intro to The Author's Voice Short Courses

We just released a brand-new short course which goes through the full checklist you need to upload a book into a printing service. As we release this new course, we did so on our brand new store which you can see all of our short courses, our full-certification courses, and few other selections like our Friend of the Show subscription. 

We talk about why we began our short courses, what they bring to the industry, and much more! 

Biz Buzz Segment: An Intro to The Author's Voice Short Courses (4:00)

Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month

The Author's Voice Courses

Discover our courses -TAV Course page

Apply to join The Author's Voice Association

NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads

Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube

Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

How To Prepare Your Book For Design

Once your book is all written, you've sent it off for the edit and proofread, and polished it as much as you can, it's time to set the book for design. But what does that mean? Who do you work with? How does you make sure your document is ready? 

We talk all about the interior layout in this week's segment and touch on everything involved in the process. Whether you are preparing an ebook, an audiobook, or a physical book like a paperback or hardcover, have a proper design can save you delays with the printer, headaches from retailers, and complaints from your readers.  

Biz Buzz Segment: How to Prepare Your Book for Design

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Apply to join The Author's Voice Association

NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros

Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads

Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube

Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org