In Her Words

In this episode, Jess shares five powerful strategies to grow your audience before your book even hits the shelves. Whether you’re a first-time author or seasoned writer, building momentum early will set you up for a stronger launch and lasting connections with your readers.

Jess walks you through practical steps and gives you prompts to take action right away, including:

1. Build an email list – how to gather addresses and use tools and promotions to grow it.
2. Share your journey publicly – let people in on your wins, struggles, and behind-the-scenes moments.
3. Find your niche – define your target reader and speak directly to them.
4. Collaborate and show up where your readers are – from podcasts to Substack to partnerships with other authors.
5. Serve before you sell – offer valuable, theme-related content that highlights the impact of your work.

If you’ve ever wondered how to connect with readers before launch day, this episode gives you the framework—and the prompts—you need to start building your audience today.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

Jess returns to the podcast after a brief pause since April, and she’s excited to reconnect with her listeners. She explains the reason behind the silence: she’s been focused on writing her book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide to Turning Life’s Hardest Moments into Meaningful Contribution to the World. Writing the book required intense focus and space—and sometimes you have to step back in order to give your story the room it needs to grow. Her new book explores themes of survival, resilience, and turning hardship into something meaningful that serves others. Reflecting on the writing journey, Jess shares key lessons, like the importance of creating sacred writing time, dealing with vulnerability hangovers, and the power of transforming raw survival into meaningful contribution. For listeners working on their own writing projects, Jess offers encouragement and tools to help them push forward. Finally, Jess shares her vision for the next chapter of the podcast, which will feature more episodes on memoir, writing, retreats, and publishing, along with stories from her own author journey. She reassures listeners that she’s back, refreshed, and ready to dive into more inspiring and practical conversations.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

In this final episode, Jess shares a heartfelt farewell—for now. While we won’t be recording new episodes due to time constraints and exciting new projects on the horizon, you can always connect with us at Soul Speak Press. We are grateful for your support and will continue to be a resource for your writing and publishing journey. Stay inspired, and we hope to hear from you soon!

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of writing retreats for memoirists. From uninterrupted deep work sessions to expert feedback and a supportive community, we break down how retreats boost creativity, refine craft, and provide emotional clarity. Discover how stepping away from daily distractions can help you gain new perspectives, build confidence in your voice, and reignite momentum in your writing journey. Whether you're starting your memoir or polishing your final draft, this episode will inspire you to take your storytelling to the next level.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

This week’s guest is Delia Sullivan, a writer, yoga instructor, and leader of monthly women’s connection circles in Alexandria, Virginia. In these gatherings, women of all ages explore meaningful topics, share experiences, and engage in movement practices that nourish both body and mind.

In this episode, Jess and Delia dive into the art of marketing a book, discussing creative and authentic ways to connect with one's audience. Delia shares her journey of building relationships through intimate events and emphasizes the power of consistency and showing up. She reveals how these small but intentional efforts can open unexpected doors and create lasting opportunities.

Find Delia on Instagram @deliasullivanyoga or www.deliasullivan.com.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

Jess touches on the emotional aspects of sharing one's story, as well as the power and empowerment comes from taking our stories back. If you're contemplating sharing your story, consider the positive answers to "What if...?" What if writing your story helps someone? What if telling your story is a vital step in your healing journey? What if it opens you up to new friends and a whole new line of work? What if your story is the lifeline that someone else needs? Soul Speak Press is here to support you and your writing processes in a soul-centered, woman-focused, intention-forward way.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

In her memoir Invisible to Invincible: How to Create a Work Culture Where Everyone Feels Like a Superhero, Ruth Hetland shares her quest for a healthy work culture, drawing on the wisdom gained throughout her career. Ruth has cultivated her passion for organizational health and employee engagement through extensive experience as both an individual contributor and team leader in the technology sector. With a strong foundation in project and product leadership, bolstered by an MBA and active PMP and ACPMPO certifications, she is now sharing her insights to help others activate their "superpowers" and build thriving, healthy work cultures.

In this episode Jess and Ruth discuss vulnerability, resilience, finding meaning in one's work, and the decision to write a memoir manifesto. 

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

Join us for a conversation with Sarah DeBlock, author and founder of Soma Yoga Healing Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Sarah's new memoir, The Year of Sarah: From Heartbroken to Happy and the Long Distance in Between  was released this month. 

The Year of Sarah is a memoir of transformation, where Sarah invites readers to join her for the year that redefined her understanding of love and self. In the midst of a long-distance relationship and the heartbreak that follows, Sarah embarks on a deeply personal journey - one that ultimately leads her back to her heart. Through the practice of yoga, Sarah discovers that the path to healing is not just about overcoming loss, but about investing in her own self-evolution. As she learns to let go of attachment and embrace personal growth, her story becomes a testament to the power of turning inward during life's most challenging moments.

Sarah's book speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost in love or disconnected from their true self. By reflecting on her own journey Sarah holds up a mirror for others to see themselves reflected in her experiences, reminding us that healing and connection come from the courage to share our stories.

In this episode, Sarah and Jess compare notes on the challenges and triumphs of the memoir-writing process, and discuss why they both are personally drawn to memoir as readers. As a small business owner, Sarah emphasizes the value in building one's network within a local community and beyond in order to get the message out about one's story. 

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

This week, Jess introduces the In Her Words Collection: a masterclass in memoir writing with a bestselling book as the final product.

Become a bestselling author with our self-scheduled writing project! Guided by video coaching from a New York Times bestselling author, Jessica Buchanan, you'll craft a powerful narrative chapter from your story for our collaborative book. You’ll also gain support from a community of writers and expert guidance on navigating the publishing industry from our team. We handle the professional editing, publishing, and distribution—so your story reaches the world in a polished and impactful way. Plus, as a contributing author, you'll have access to wholesale copies of the book to share your success with your network. Don’t just dream of being a bestselling author—make it happen with us!

Visit us at soulspeakpress.com to learn more.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.

Becky Ellis shares insights from writing her memoir as well as her extensive experience in the publishing industry. Becky is a Timberwolf Pup and her story confronts the silence surrounding the generational impact of war. The daughter of a highly decorated World War II combat sergeant, she is a veteran of a war fought at home. She earned a BA in English Literature at UC Berkeley and has over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. She teaches writing in Portland, Oregon, where she lives, plays, and has raised three daughters. Little Avalanches is her debut memoir.

Jess and Becky delve into memoir as a form of activism and the immense value in talking about the things we're not talking about. They discuss trends in traditional publishing, particularly the shift from publishers to writers handling the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing a book. Becky emphasizes the importance of starting a newsletter and building loyalty with your audience, and the stamina required to write a memoir and keep showing up to share your story.

Learn more at https://beckyellis.net

https://instagram.com/beckyellisauthor

Little Avalanches by Becky Ellis

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.

Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.