In Her Words

This week, join Jess in conversation with Gila Pfeffer. Pfeffer is a fifteen year breast cancer previvor, survivor and prevention advocate. She is the author of the reluctantly inspirational memoir Nearly Departed: Adventures In Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences. Her work includes the widely shared McSweeney’s piece “An Open Letter to Tiffany & Co. About Their Advertising Campaign for the Ring That Helps Women Remember They Survived Cancer.”  She has also written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Today.com, Oprah Daily and more. Her “Feel It on the First” campaign uses tongue-in-cheek photo and video reminders to prioritize breast health and has directly led to earlier diagnoses and treatment for some very grateful women. She splits her time between New York City and London.

In this episode, we hear about Gila's breast cancer survival story, memoir as a form of activism, memoir writing as a compulsion and how writers, like Gila and Jess, feel an absolute NEED to get their story out. Gila shares her experience working with a traditional publishing house and the immense value in finding the right agent who understands the story you want to tell. 

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 we hear from Ellen Busch, author of (dis)Empowered. Busch opens up about overcoming stigma and low self-esteem after being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. After escaping an abusive relationship, achieving the status of bestselling author feels like the ultimate win for Busch. She talks about her experience working with Soul Speak Press, self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing, and the hard work and dedication that goes into overcoming fear and completing a manuscript.

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 a short episode this week, 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.

Have you ever thought about curating your own anthology? Are you passionate about a specific subject or theme that you feel is underrepresented? In this week's podcast, learn how Soul Speak Press supports authors who wish to lead their own anthology and recruit contributors around a particular theme. Jess presents 5 Reasons Why You Should Run Your Own Anthology Project and explains how Soul Speak Press can help.

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 opens up about her personal experience with rejection, redirection, and moving forward in her journey as an author. Despite being a New York Times bestselling author, Jess faced challenges in securing a publishing deal for her second book proposal. Rather than letting rejection hold her back, she transformed it into an opportunity for redirection. In this episode, Jess encourages fellow authors to stay open-minded and embrace where rejection might lead them.

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 chats with Ashley Bunting, Head of Publishing at Merack Publishing. Together, they explore the extensive work involved in transforming a manuscript into a polished, meticulously proofread printed book. They also touch on the challenges of working with Amazon, managing realistic expectations for book sales, and coordinating all the logistical elements necessary for a successful book launch.

Ashley shares how fulfilling it is to help authors bring their stories to readers. Tune in to gain insight into the publishing process through Soul Speak Press, an imprint of Merack Publishing.

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 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 delves into the importance of building your author brand—what it means and why it matters. Author branding encompasses many aspects: your identity as a writer, the emotions you want to evoke in your readers, and the core message you want to convey to your growing audience.

In this episode, Jess encourages listeners to approach branding from multiple perspectives. She outlines three key strategies to help you develop your brand and wraps up with six insightful prompts to guide you in defining your unique voice as an author.

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.

A common question that Jessica receives from prospective authors is, "When can I expect to recoup my investment?" While this question is impossible to answer without the help of a crystal ball, we do have some strategies for making money on your book that go beyond sales.

In this episode, Jessica offers 5 Ways to Make Money on Your Book without Having to Sell Your Book. We'll cover professional speaking engagements, interviews, workshops, retreats and other potential money-making opportunities after publication.

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.

Jessica is back with Season 2 of the In Her Words Podcast! She kicks off Episode 1 with tales from her summer travels. More importantly, she dives into the difference between a Memoir and a Memoir Manifesto—the type of books published by Soul Speak Press for women ready to tell their stories.

A Memoir Manifesto is one part memoir, one part message, and one part manifesto. It is your legacy work that clearly explains what you have learned from your experiences, combined with an inspiring and empowering call to action that outlines your ideas and views about those lessons. Together, we will co-create your book to fully express the essence of who you have been, what you have been through, and who you have become.

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 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.

You've heard her name dropped in a few episodes, but it's time to introduce the Marketing Director here at Soul Speak Press, Loren Buchanan. Loren has worked with Jessica in a handful of capacities, but in this specific role, she has been able to partner with Jessica to see the vision of Soul Speak Press come to life. Loren talks about her favorite parts of working at Soul Speak and why she thinks this work of writing your story is so transformational for both the writers and the readers.

Loren is married to Jessica's brother, Stephen, and has two beautiful daughters. She is currently in the process of a cross-country move!

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 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.