Let’s walk through a complete high-level roadmap to self-publish your book from concept to KDP upload, with most steps applying even if you use a hybrid or traditional publisher. Before writing anything, identify four key components: why you are writing, what your focus is, what your message is, and who your target audience is. Your "why" might be becoming a known author, making money, using the book as a business card, or leaving a legacy, and this keeps your book focused.

Identifying your target audience requires being specific because if you write for everyone, you write for nobody. Most readers decide whether to buy in less than 10 seconds based on the cover and back description, so speak directly to your ideal reader's situation.

When building content, every story must support the point in that specific chapter rather than including random tales. Hiring a professional editor is vital for credibility since unprofessionally edited books receive reviews calling out mistakes that permanently damage your reputation. The four editing types in order are developmental, line, copy, and proofreading. Vet editors to ensure they work in your genre, edit full-time, communicate promptly, and respect your voice.

Purchase your own ISBNs through Bowker and buy a set of 10 since you need separate ISBNs for each format. While your editor works, begin book cover design asking for samples and client referrals. Avoid formatters using Microsoft Word, instead using Adobe InDesign, Atticus, or Vellum. For KDP upload you need your final manuscript, ebook cover, paperback cover, and assigned ISBNs, uploading about a week before launch.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure how to turn your idea into your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Ready to take your book idea and create your book framework and outline? Get my latest publication, From Idea to Outline, made for busy professionals who want to setup their book quickly and efficiently.

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

In this Book Blueprint episode, I welcome Bob Martin, a former mob lawyer turned mindfulness teacher and author. Bob shares his origin story of becoming a mob lawyer after hitting the Gambino family's southern branch with a 72-million-dollar racketeering case while working for Janet Reno in Miami.

Johnny from the Gambino family walked into his office and offered to send clients since Bob beat their lawyers, teaching him that integrity means doing what you say or saying you won't. Their arrangement worked for years until Johnny's son faced serious charges and Bob refused illegal actions, prompting him to move to North Carolina, where they parted as friends.

Bob's publishing history includes a self-published first novel where consultants took advantage of him, then two books accepted by the hybrid publisher Innovative Inc. Now querying agents for his historical fiction, he asks whether mentioning hybrid publishing hurts his chances.

Bob's first question addresses a developmental challenge in his sweeping historical drama covering 140 years and three continents about a Hungarian man born in 1898 who came to America pursuing the American dream through popcorn businesses. The antagonist is his grandmother, Julia, who does terrible things because her traumatic past hardened her heart after being married off at 15, having a bastard child, and later projecting shame onto her daughter's illegitimate son.

Beta readers nearly put the book down when Bob broke from Martin's engaging story to jump to 1960s New Jersey for Julia's entire backstory, creating too big a consciousness break.

I recommend weaving small pieces of grandmother's backstory throughout Martin's story rather than one large dump, or putting her backstory in a three to four-page prologue. I reference All the Water in the World as an example and suggest the Fiction Writers Toolkit podcast and YouTuber Alyssa Matesic for fiction writing guidance.

Finally, Bob received an offer from a Hong Kong publisher for his East-West religious book including an advance, asking if he could mention this to agents already queried for the historical fiction. I recommend having a literary lawyer review the contract.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure how to turn your idea into your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Ready to take your book idea and create your book framework and outline? Get my latest publication, From Idea to Outline, made for busy professionals who want to setup their book quickly and efficiently.

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereafter based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

I welcome Lisa Raby of Nerd Girl Industries to discuss getting books into bookstores beyond Amazon. Lisa explains why bookstores matter, including passive income opportunities, access to new reader communities, free promotion through author events, and bookstores ordering back catalogs.

The myth that traditional or hybrid publishers automatically get books into more bookstores is false since publishers only push marketing for a specific percentage of titles, leaving most authors responsible for their own marketing, event scheduling, and social media, regardless of publishing method. Advanced Reader Copies distributed physically or electronically through platforms like NetGalley help booksellers decide whether titles fit their collections, though ARCs cannot legally be sold since they're unfinalized copies.

Check bookstore websites for submission information first, then email or call keeping communication short and polite. Create a one-page sell sheet in PDF format including cover image, title, publisher, page count, two to three sentence blurb, and professional reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, or book trade magazines rather than Goodreads or Amazon since booksellers read trade publications for purchasing decisions. Include accolades or awards bringing credibility.

Contact bookstores about a month before publication date for new titles, but work with your back catalog first to solidify relationships and prove your books sell before pushing new releases since bookstores plan events up to a year in advance. For authors with multiple genres under different pen names, research each bookstore's collection balance and create separate sell sheets for each book.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure how to turn your idea into your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Ready to take your book idea and create your book framework and outline? Get my latest publication, From Idea to Outline, made for busy professionals who want to setup their book quickly and efficiently.

Visit Lisa Rabey at https://nerddgirl.net/shop/ and use the coupon code HILISA, to get 20% off!

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

In this essential episode, I welcome John DeDakis, former CNN Situation Room editor and author of six novels, to discuss his "weed whacking" service for shortening manuscripts. 

John cautions that content over 100,000 words becomes a disincentive for readers with short attention spans and for traditional publishers concerned about production costs for unknown authors. Non-professional writers tend to be wordy, over-explaining easily assumed details.

Pantsers tend to get wordy in first drafts, requiring right-brained writers to activate left-brained editorial discipline to cut and polish. John draws on his broadcast journalism background, where screaming arguments over five seconds proved that slashing content makes writing punchier.

His process follows macro to micro principles, starting with reading entire manuscripts without fixing anything to see it objectively, and in totality—which is the only time you'll view your book content that way before getting deep in weeds.

First, determine if you need to rearrange chapters. Then examine each chapter for sensory engagement, followed by microscopic word choice scrutiny, ensuring succinct sentences, and finally granular spelling checks, since agents care about details separating amateurs from professionals.

Reading manuscripts out loud really slows down your reading and is best for spotting typos and identifying clunky phrasing, with Google Docs and Microsoft Word offering read-aloud features in Accessibility tabs.

Be aware of the biggest rookie mistake agents identify: backstory dumping on first pages, with agents at conferences raising hands simultaneously when anonymously submitted manuscripts take them out of the moment explaining context from 15 years ago rather than hooking readers immediately with character dialogue and action.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure how to turn your idea into your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Ready to take your book idea and create your book framework and outline? Get my latest publication, From Idea to Outline, made for busy professionals who want to setup their book quickly and efficiently.

Visit John at his website www.johndedakis.com

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

Here’s the 411 on why hiring the right editor makes all the difference; since choosing the wrong book editor lowers book quality, which I've witnessed with clients who hired two professional editors, yet their books showed little to no editing.

The right editor must be well-practiced in your genre, never use AI for editing since traditional publishers, including the big five, pull contracts for any AI use due to copyright infringement liability, understands your target audience expectations, has experience with similar books, and maintains communication styles. They also must be open to working collaboratively.

Test editors by requesting industry-standard 500-word free samples rather than unprofessionally demanding full chapter edits creating "Franken editing" when authors collect chapter edits from multiple editors producing incoherent results. After reviewing free samples from your shortlisted editors, pay two or three editors to edit a chapter or 2000 words, determining fit before committing to full manuscripts.

Critical questions include how many books in your genre they've edited, their process and timeline, what's included in packages, revision rounds, and how they handle follow-up questions.

Major red flags include editors claiming they can do everything since real professionals specialize, refusing client contact until books are finished, working only part-time without industry experience, being friends or English majors rather than professional editors, pricing significantly below market, having unclear pricing, offering no contracts or unlimited revisions creating cycles, and being dismissive while unable to articulate editing philosophy.

Self-editing is not professional editing, and Amazon's algorithm identifies low-quality unedited books downranking them, making professional editing an investment protecting your reputation. Working relationships matter since you'll collaborate closely for weeks or months, requiring personality compatibility, good chemistry, clear communication, and professional yet personable combinations where trusting instincts about compatibility proves reliable.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

What You Need to Know About the New Amazon KDP Algorithm

Did you know that Amazon KDP recently changed their book algorithm?

Yes! KDP finally made changes which rewards quality content and genuine engagement over previous gaming systems, finally leveling the playing field for professional authors.

The major shifts include greater emphasis on read-through rates and completion where ebooks people finish get pushed up in search results, quality signals now outweighing keyword stuffing, authentic reviews with comments weighted more heavily than star-only reviews, author platform and engagement metrics mattering more, improved content quality detection identifying AI-generated low-quality material, and long-term performance valued over launch day spikes that previously required massive coordinated pushes causing author burnout.

The old system allowed keyword stuffing titles and descriptions, review manipulation through buying services, launch tricks gaming short-term rankings, and low-quality books ranking high temporarily while professional authors got buried. Quality content finally gets rewarded since well-written professionally edited books rank better, readers finishing books signals quality to Amazon, professional presentation stands out, expertise and depth create competitive advantages, and investment in quality pays off long-term rather than rewarding cheap content mills and fake reviews.

Strategies to leverage the new algorithm include optimizing for read-through and completion with compelling openings that hook readers immediately, chapters flowing logically with consistent content rather than uneven detail levels, quality editing removing friction points and misunderstandings, appropriate book length for content and audience with clear value delivery throughout every chapter, and testing with beta readers to identify issues.

Build authentic reviews through advanced reader copies to genuine readers via email list strategies while never buying reviews or using manipulation services since quality reviews matter more than quantity. Continue using keywords focused on genuine search terms readers actually use, accurate categories reflecting content, and descriptions that sell and inform without promising what books don't deliver.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to transform your expertise into a bestselling book that resonates and sells with your target readers?

Your expertise and voice make your book unique even if similar topics exist, but expertise alone doesn't create a good book without the right strategy. I cover mining your expertise for book-worthy content including years of professional experience, repeated client questions, frameworks or methodologies you've developed, industry insights others lack, case studies, success stories, and mistakes you've learned that others can avoid. The key is identifying what people consistently seek your advice about, what problems you solve better than others in your industry, what knowledge gaps you can fill, and where your passion intersects with market need.

The right angle requires focused topics rather than broad expertise since niching down doesn't lose authority but attracts audiences who love your specific brand of work. I use my book From Idea to Outline as an example, designed specifically for busy professionals outlining their books in a weekend rather than generalizing for bigger audiences. Structure your expertise into a book framework by moving from knowledge to narrative since readers need a journey from point A to point B, not just information dumps. Create signature frameworks that are memorable and actionable ensuring the framework becomes associated with your brand.

Organize chapters with logical flow building on complexity, keeping chapters under 6000 words and total chapter count ideally under 15 for nonfiction business books. Balance theory with practical application through exercises, worksheets, action steps, and pro tips. Choose clarity over cleverness for titles and subtitles using keywords your audience searches, testing three options with target audiences, and understanding that Amazon keyword rules prohibit using any words from your title or subtitle in your keyword fields since those words won't show up for purchase discovery.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a Path to Publishing Discovery Call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

I’ve got another Book Blueprint episode for you, today!

Welcome Stephanie Jordan, author and speaker who retired from her 27-year cosmetology career and has written multiple books including The Narcissistic Bride of Christ and her upcoming Legacy Builders.

Stephanie asks how to get people interested in your book. I explain the ideal approach is to start marketing three to six months before your publishing date since you don't need a finished book to market. The critical foundation is knowing your audience, which is why I created my Book Clarity Blueprint, helping authors flesh out their purpose, message, and target reader before investing time and money.

When you publish as an expert without professional editing, readers see errors and lose trust in your credibility, questioning why they should hire your services if you won't invest in a professional book. Remember, damaged reputations are harder to rebuild than the upfront editing investment.

Stephanie shares her nightmare first editor experience where the editor sent scathing emails about hating her book and would have destroyed it if Stephanie hadn't protected her voice. This never should have happened—editors who dislike your genre shouldn't accept projects, and authors can send 500-word samples for free editing to test compatibility before committing.

She asks how long should you promote a book before moving on to the next one? That depends on your goals and whether you have a single book or series. For her situation, I recommend continuing to promote her book at conferences and events matching her "flavor" of Christianity rather than Barnes and Noble. In addition, she should start marketing her new book in May, telling current followers they can pre-order on Amazon, creating natural overlap where fans of the first book discover the second.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Melanie Trela Johnson, the visionary founder of Elite Online Publishing, has taken over 3000 authors to number one bestseller status and is herself an 18-time Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.

Melanie explains how Elite Online Publishing differs from traditional publishers by providing high-level service throughout the entire publishing journey, handling the publishing triathlon of writing, publishing, and marketing so authors can use their books as credibility and marketing tools. She emphasizes that finishing your book isn't the finish line; you’ll need to promote your book.

Book awards involve applying to specific competitions where groups of readers evaluate your book alongside others in the category and decide if your work merits gold, silver, or bronze recognition, with even silver awards meaning you're above everyone else in that category just like Olympic medalists. The key is researching thousands of available awards to find ones with categories matching your book's niche, then applying to multiple categories within each award to maximize chances.

Most awards charge fees and require physical books since evaluators spend time reading submissions. Awards provide lifelong credibility since this title further distinguishes you from authors without awards.

Books are never too old for awards as long as content remains current, so authors can use awards for a new announcement, which reignites interest. Awards don't happen immediately, like bestseller launches, since many competitions announce results five to six months later, creating natural promotional opportunities.

Basic requirements include quality professionally edited content, beautiful covers, proper titles and subtitles, professional formatting, established sales and reviews. Elite Online Publishing works with authors to provide book awards services, bestseller launches.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep creating. Your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Visit Melanie at Elite Online Publishing

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

In this special Book Blueprint episode, I welcome Dave Letterfly-Notar, a five-time published author with three memoirs and two guidebooks who takes readers into the traveling circus world through his passion for horsemanship, adventure, and artwork.

Dave started writing as catharsis 37 years ago, evolved into marketing essays for his art career, then, he was encouraged by professors who helped him craft his first book ten years ago in his mid-forties. Now he's completed his next manuscript about his relationship with a horse and their adventures together, professionally edited and ready, but he wants to publish through traditional publishing rather than self-publishing again.

My first advice for finding an agent is checking Publishers Weekly for reputable agents. The critical factor is finding an agent who specializes in your genre and subgenre.

Traditional publishing takes three to five years, even with an agent, so patience is essential. I also introduce the hybrid publisher option where authors maintain more creative control including choosing editors. Dave doesn't need an agent to submit to publishers, though agents shortcut the process by knowing which companies want specific book types.

The mindset shift Dave needs is keeping his animated, passionate storytelling approach, since that sells publishers. His advantage is understanding the publishing process as a seasoned professional, making him easier for publishers to work with.

I offer book coaching services for author support since promoting books is harder than writing them, and Dave's positive service-minded paradigm from his recovery journey 37 years ago drives his mission helping readers transform obstacles into growth.

Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born!

Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book!

Podcast Resources

Looking for support to self-publish your book? Join me in my Skool Community filled with leaders who are adding “author” to their bio.

Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today!

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have.

The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.