Book-A-Go-Go | How to Write, Publish & Market Your Book

Financial strategist and author Ali Hashemian joins Jenna and Sara to share how writing Overtaxed and Overdrawn helped grow his business and connect with clients. Ali discusses the process of working with a ghostwriter and hybrid publisher, and how his books have become lasting assets in his marketing strategy.

Why do even the best writers need editors? In this episode, Jenna and Sara talk with veteran writer and book shaper Kate Zentall about the transformative role of editors in the publishing process. From developmental feedback to line-level polish, Kate shares how the right editorial guidance can elevate a manuscript—and help authors grow in the process.

What’s it really like to get traditionally published? In this episode, Jenna and Sara sit down with Bree Barton—author of the Heart of Thorns trilogy from KT/HarperCollins—to share what it’s really like to be traditionally published. From submissions to post-pub realities, Bree draws on two decades of experience as a working writer in this candid conversation.

Publishing your book is a huge milestone—but it’s not the end of your author journey. In this final reference episode, we help you plan what comes next. Learn how to keep your book relevant post-launch, build long-term momentum, and avoid the post-pub slump. From ongoing marketing to repurposing content and planning your next project, we’ll show you how to turn your finished book into a lasting asset for your platform, career, and readership.

To successfully publish and maintain your book’s visibility, you’ll need to create and manage several essential service accounts. In this episode, we walk you through the most important ones—Amazon KDP, Goodreads, OverDrive, and more—and explain what each one does, why it matters, and how to optimize your presence. You’ll learn how these platforms help you control your book’s metadata, connect with readers, track sales, and keep your title relevant long after launch.

Your book is done—now how do you get readers to actually find it? In this episode, we guide you through building a strategic marketing and PR plan tailored to your goals. We’ll revisit your BAGG (Book and Author Gameplan and Goals), help you define success post-launch, and explain how to time your release date, use pre-orders, and leverage ARCs effectively. We also unpack your promotional toolkit: media kits, press releases, podcast tours, blog outreach, social media, newsletter swaps, paid ads, publicists (do you need one?), and more.

Confused by all the printing and distribution options for your book? In this episode, Jenna and Sara break down the pros and cons of print-on-demand vs. offset printing, how services like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark compare, and when traditional distribution might still make sense. You’ll also learn about working with wholesalers, setting discounts and royalties, and pricing your book so it’s competitive and profitable.

Audiobooks are one of the fastest-growing formats in publishing—and a powerful way to reach new readers. In this episode, we provide an overview of audiobook production: how to decide if you need one, whether to narrate it yourself or hire a pro, what equipment or services to use, and how to distribute it effectively. If you’ve ever considered bringing your book to life through audio, this episode is your starting point.

A well-designed interior can elevate your book from amateur to professional. In this episode, we explain what goes into interior book design—print and digital. You’ll learn how to prep your manuscript for a designer, what formatting choices matter (margins, fonts, images, tables), and how interior layout differs between print and e-books.

Your book cover is a powerful sales tool, often the first thing a potential reader sees. In this episode, Jenna and Sara break down how to design a cover that reflects your genre, appeals to your audience, and meets industry specs. We’ll cover the full anatomy of a book cover, including the front, spine, back, flaps, barcodes, BISAC codes, and how to incorporate blurbs and branding for maximum impact.