In this special episode, the tables are turned as I join Jim Cooper as a guest on his podcast, The Hydrant. This conversation, recorded before Jim's recent appearance on my show last week, features the talented voice actor and author taking the reins to interview me about my own creative journey.

We dive into a variety of engaging topics, including the challenges and rewards of carving out a fulfilling career path, reflections on impactful books and influential authors across genres, the craft of writing and the process of honing one's unique voice, insights into the world of podcasting and tips for aspiring hosts, and thoughts on creativity, resilience, and pursuing your passions.

Even if you didn't catch Jim's appearance on my show last week, you won't want to miss this lively back-and-forth between two book lovers and authors. Tune in for a dose of inspiration, humor, and honest talk about the trials and triumphs of the creative life.

• Jim Cooper: linkedin.com/in/jimcoopervo

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Jim Cooper, voice actor, author, and self-proclaimed "book nerd", shares his multifaceted journey from the corporate world to a fulfilling creative career. Discover the inspiration behind Jim's mystery thriller and his heartfelt non-fiction book, chronicling his experience supporting his wife through her triumphant battle with brain cancer.

As the host of "The Hydrant" podcast, Jim has interviewed a diverse array of authors and creatives. He offers an insider's perspective on the audiobook industry, drawing from his experience narrating over 45 titles across various genres. Aspiring authors will appreciate Jim's candid advice on deciding between self-narration and hiring a professional, as well as his thoughts on the impact of AI-generated audiobooks.

An eclectic and passionate reader, Jim reflects on the books that have left an indelible mark on his life, spanning genres from writing advice to humorous, offbeat novels. Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the power of the written word to inspire, entertain, and transform lives, both on and off the page.

• Jim Cooper: linkedin.com/in/jimcoopervo

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Monique van Tulder, author of "A Grown Up's Gap Year: Put YOU in the picture", shares the inspiring story behind her midlife memoir and self-help book. Discover what prompted Monique's "Shirley Valentine moment" of running away from home at 57 to embark on an 8-month solo journey of self-discovery and reinvigoration.

Monique discusses the challenges of vulnerable personal storytelling, working with experts to enrich her book's message, and the importance of self-care during the writing and publishing process. She also shares a peek into her upcoming book project aimed at helping men navigate their own midlife transitions.

Whether you're contemplating a midlife reset, struggling to balance writing with self-care, or simply seeking inspiration to put yourself back in the picture, you'll find wisdom, wit and relatability in Monique's transformative tale.

RESOURCES:

• instagram.com/moniquevantulder/
• linkedin.com/in/monique-van-tulder-330536a2
• amazon.com/Grown-Ups-Gap-Year-Lifestyle-ebook/dp/B0D8L8P1B1/

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Think you don't have time or money to read? In this solo episode, I'm tackling the uncomfortable truth a friend confided in me: they dream of being an author but have only read a handful of books since college. Here's my hot take: authors can't afford NOT to be readers. How can we expect anyone to buy and read OUR books if we don't believe reading is valuable? I'm showing you exactly how to slip reading into the cracks of your life – no cabin in the woods required – and how to access incredible books without spending a single penny.

I walk you through free resources that will transform your reading life: maximizing your library card with apps like Libby and Overdrive, unlocking Amazon Prime Reading (it's already included with your membership!), discovering Rebecca Wilson's Business Book Bites YouTube channel for curated business book recommendations, and exploring Amazon's "100 Books to Read in a Lifetime" list. Every book you read is a masterclass in storytelling, structure, and craft. If you've been using time or money as excuses, this episode eliminates every obstacle standing between you and becoming the kind of reader who writes books other people actually want to read. Building your authority starts with turning one page at a time. Easy peasy!

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Amazon Prime Reading
• Amazon’s “100 Books to Read in a Lifetime”
• Hoopla
• Libby
• Overdrive
• Rebecca Wilson’s Business Book Bites - YouTube Channel

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Feeling like you're running on fumes but can't seem to hit the pause button? In this solo episode, I'm getting vulnerable about my summer working vacation – and why I desperately needed one after living in 30+ apartments in three years and livestreaming every single Tuesday for four years straight without a break. Spoiler alert: I was this close to buying a school bus and turning it into a traveling bookstore just to escape the grind! I walk you through my summer of "sharpening the saw" (thank you, Stephen Covey!) including swapping Netflix binges for virtual coffee dates with friends, rediscovering that reading renews me, and doing a massive content audit. Plus, the terrifying story of "losing" all my Scrivener manuscripts and the backup lesson every author needs to hear.

But this episode isn't just about me taking a break. It's about the big decisions that came from that pause: shutting down my Las Vegas LLC, opening Easy Peasy Books LLC in Texas, switching from weekly livestreams to monthly masterclasses, and recommitting to book coaching with fresh intention. If you've been fantasizing about doing something completely different with your business, or if you're running so hard that you can't remember why you started in the first place, this conversation will give you permission to step off the merry-go-round and rediscover your why.

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Thinking about self-publishing but terrified of the reality behind those "write a Kindle book in a weekend" promises? Four-time author Sue Allen Clayton and I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to write and market a successful Kindle book in this masterclass "from the vault"! Sue shares her brutal awakening when her editor told her that her 200-page manuscript "sounded like a bunch of blog posts mushed together" – ouch! We dive deep into the four types of editors you actually need (spoiler: it's not just one person), the document management nightmares that can derail your launch, and why Amazon's promotional system feels designed to trip up first-time authors.

If you've been putting off your book project because you suspect it's harder than the gurus make it seem, this conversation will validate your instincts while giving you a realistic roadmap forward. We cover everything from the critical 30-day Amazon window to the secret sauce of category research, plus why investing in professional help isn't just recommended – it's essential. This episode is longer than usual, but we couldn't bear to cut the hard-won wisdom that could save you months of frustration and thousands of dollars in mistakes.

• Sue Allen Clayton: linkedin.com/in/sueallenclayton

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Wondering what an editor actually does and why the process takes so much longer (and costs more) than you expected? Grammar expert Susan Rooks and my sister Janet and I dive deep into the editing world in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Susan, known as the Grammar Goddess, reveals the four different types of editors you need to know about – and why most authors need more than one kind of help to get their manuscript publication-ready.

If you've ever been shocked by editing timelines or wondered why you can't just get a quick grammar check, this conversation will open your eyes. We explore the collaborative editing process that takes 2-4 months, common mistakes that waste your time and money (like inconsistent quotation marks and overused words), and why Susan charges by the hour instead of by the page. Susan shares her practical pre-editing checklist that can save you hundreds of dollars and explains the difference between developmental editing, content editing, line editing, and proofreading – knowledge that will help you hire the right professional for your specific needs.

• Susan Rooks: linkedin.com/in/susanrooks-the-grammar-goddess

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Think LinkedIn groups are just digital tumbleweeds rolling around with no real value? Sales training expert Tracy Bedwell is about to change your mind in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Tracy reveals her systematic approach to leveraging LinkedIn groups and events that grows her audience by 100 people every single Wednesday – and authors, these strategies are pure gold for building your platform. She breaks down her "big fish, small pond" strategy of mixing large communities with niche groups where you can quickly become the go-to expert, sharing why 99.9% of people are missing out on the low-hanging fruit that groups represent and how one strategic post per week generates between 200,000 to 600,000 views consistently.

If you've been struggling to gain traction on LinkedIn or wondering how to turn your expertise into authority, Tracy's "give to get" philosophy and foundation-first approach will transform how you think about platform building. We explore how joining strategic groups instantly gives you access to thousands of potential readers, why Wednesday mornings are Tracy's secret weapon, and how she uses LinkedIn events to fill 50% of her meetings without even attending them. This isn't about spamming or self-promotion – it's about becoming a thought leader through genuine value and strategic community engagement.

• Tracey Bedwell: linkedin.com/in/tracybedwell-salestraining

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Hesitant to engage on LinkedIn but know you need it for your author platform? LinkedIn Confidence Coach Marianne Avery and I tackle the fears that keep authors standing at the back of the digital room in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Marianne reveals that building confidence on LinkedIn isn't about having all the answers – it's about educating yourself on the "rules of the game" and then taking small, consistent actions to build your presence.

If you're an author who's been lurking on LinkedIn without engaging, or if you feel like everyone else knows something you don't about networking online, this conversation will shift your perspective. We explore why your LinkedIn profile is like your author bio (it needs to show personality, not just credentials!), how commenting strategically can grow your network faster than posting, and why thinking of LinkedIn like a networking party – not a sales pitch – changes everything. Marianne shares her practical approach to turning confusion into confidence, including how to audit your own presence and why testing small changes can lead to big results.

• Marianne Avery: linkedin.com/in/marianneavery

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com

Struggling to connect with readers through your writing but know storytelling is the key to building author authority? Business coach and LinkedIn storyteller Craig Allan and I dive deep into the art of transformative storytelling in this engaging "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Craig reveals that you don't need to be a natural performer or have dramatic life experiences to become a compelling storyteller – instead, you can mine your everyday moments, family anecdotes, and business experiences for powerful content that resonates. If you're an author who thinks "I don't have any good stories" or you've been intimidated by video content creation, this conversation will completely shift your perspective.

We explore Craig's systematic approach to organizing stories (hint: it involves one-line email reminders!), the crucial difference between telling stories for entertainment versus authority building, and why the takeaway is just as important as the tale itself. Craig shares his "Friday storyteller" strategy and explains how consistent narrative content has become his ultimate relationship-building tool. Whether you're crafting your manuscript or marketing your published book, you'll discover how to turn your personal experiences into your most powerful business card.

Craig Allan: linkedin.com/in/craig-allan

• Gillian Whitney: linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney
• For more information checkout EasyPeasyBooks.com