The Author's Corner

Summary:

How do we become who we are? Is there something written into our genetic code that determines who we will be and what decisions we will make? Or are we ruled by our environment and circumstances? Do we really possess free will, or is it an illusion?

If you’ve ever  pondered these existential questions, then you’re going to want to tune in to episode #136 of The Author’s Corner. Robin is joined by world renowned brain scientist George Paxinos who has devoted his life’s work to investigating these questions. They discuss the idea of free will, human exceptionalism, genetics, and the environment, and how they all come together to form who we are today. 

Key takeaways:

• The role that innovation plays in our brain chemistry
• Using animal models to understand human brains
• The importance of understanding who we are
• The double edged sword of human exceptionalism and hubris
• Does free will really exist?
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• George’s novel, A River Divided
• Immanuel Kant’s ethical commandant “know thyself”
• The Story of Sisyphus

About George Paxinos:

George Paxinos studied at Berkeley, McGill and Yale and is Professor of Medical Sciences at Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales, Sydney. He was President of the Australian Neuroscience Society and the World Congress of Neuroscience. He has identified and named more brain areas than anyone in history and published 57 books—his first, The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, is the most cited publication in neuroscience and, for decades, the third most cited science book of all time. His Atlas of the Human Brain received awards from the Association of American Publishers and the British Medical Association. His atlases and concepts of brain organization are used by most scientists working on the relationship between the brain and cognition, emotion, motivation and thought, including neurologic or psychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer’s and depression. His most recent book, A River Divided, is a novel that combines his activist and scientific background.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

Have you ever noticed that it seems like these days everyone is a “#1 bestselling author?” If so, you’ve probably also wondered how this can be true. If it seems suspicious to you, you’re right! 

Truth is, you can gain “bestseller status” without actually selling books. This is true because there are numerous ways to “game the system” and virtually every bestseller list is “gamable.” The unfortunate outcome is that bestseller status does not hold the gravitas it once did. 

The good news is bestseller status is only one component of a successful book, and you don’t need to put energy and money into manufacturing phony bestseller status to knock it out of the park… 

In episode #135 of The Author’s Corner, Robin reveals the truth behind the bestseller status that so many authors claim. She also discusses some of the ways people game the system, and shares some ideas about what author success looks like. 

Key takeaways:

• Why everyone seems to be a bestseller these days
• How Amazon changed the bestseller game
• The average number of books you have to sell to make a bestseller list
• Why bestseller status doesn’t mean as much anymore
• Strategies that some people use to game the system
• How to determine if bestseller status is really important for you
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• New York Times Best Sellers list
• USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist

About Robin Colucci:

Robin Colucci is the principal founder of World Changing Books. With over 3 decades of experience in journalism and the publishing industry, she is a multi-hyphenated professional—she's a guide, mentor, and strategist for thought leaders ready to see their expertise and ideas become a lasting legacy that changes the world.

Under Robin's expert guidance, World Changing Books has helped authors—from CEOs, astronauts, and Nobel laureates to emerging voices—secure over $6.3 million in advances in a mere 4 years. These authors have successfully landed deals with “Big 5” publishers, won prestigious awards, and earned bestseller statuses everywhere from Amazon to The New York Times.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

As writers, we all know the importance of storytelling. But it may not be as obvious that the art of storytelling is essential to entrepreneurs and their businesses too. 

Stories are particularly important when it comes to marketing. They help you communicate your purpose and connect with your audience on a deeper level. A stronger connection through storytelling can help you attract ideal clients and grow your business. 

In episode #134 of The Author’s Corner, Robin is joined by Lynne Goldoner, writing coach, marketing expert, and author of over six books. Lynne shares the most important stories that every entrepreneur needs in their arsenal. And she discusses her process of author branding and messaging.

Key takeaways:

• Using stories to understand the world
• The important principle to show, not tell
• Why storytelling is essential to entrepreneurship 
• Why showing people you care is key
• The stories every entrepreneur needs to tell
• Author branding and marketing tips
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lynne’s book on Jewish women’s hair coverings, Hide & Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering
• Lynne’s monthly free writealongs 

About Lynne Golodner:

Lynne Golodner is a writing coach, marketing entrepreneur, and host of the Make Meaning Podcast, and her creative nonfiction has been published around the world. Lynne also writes emotional novels with compelling Jewish characters who are determined to fill their lives with passion, purpose and love. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, joins a body of work that includes two poetry collections and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. With a BA from University of Michigan and an MFA from Goddard College, Lynne is the mother of four and lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan, with her husband, Dan.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

We’ve talked about the most common misconceptions about book sales on The Author’s Corner, but what about what strategies actually do sell books? 

In episode #133 of The Author’s Corner, Robin discloses the 4 strategies that cause book sales that authors use to sell thousands of books.

This episode is a goldmine for both seasoned authors and those just starting out, offering practical insights into optimizing these strategies for maximum impact.

Key takeaways:

• The 4 strategies that are proven to sell books
• When author’s should implement each strategy
• Which strategy is a good fit for you
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Matt McWilliams, The Affiliate Guy

About Robin Colucci:

Robin Colucci is the principal founder of World Changing Books. With over 3 decades of experience in journalism and the publishing industry, she is a multi-hyphenated professional—she's a guide, mentor, and strategist for thought leaders ready to see their expertise and ideas become a lasting legacy that changes the world.

Under Robin's expert guidance, World Changing Books has helped authors—from CEOs, astronauts, and Nobel laureates to emerging voices—secure over $6.3 million in advances in a mere 4 years. These authors have successfully landed deals with “Big 5” publishers, won prestigious awards, and earned bestseller statuses everywhere from Amazon to The New York Times.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

Many first-time authors wonder about trademarking their book title. 

Actually, it’s not allowed, but there are some creative ways you might still be able to trademark the title of your book. 

In episode #132 of The Author’s Corner, Robin is joined by Joey Vitale, an attorney and business growth consultant. He shares his insightful loopholes so that authors and business owners can protect their intellectual property. Joey pulls back the curtain on all things trademark, and how authors can use them to their advantage.

Key takeaways:

• How do you call dibs on the title of your book so that no one else can use it? 
• Copyrights vs. trademarks
• Loopholes to protect your intellectual property
• The three main trademark mistakes business owners/authors make
• Why waiting to file is not a strategy
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chicken Soup for the Soul
• Mike Michalowicz’s Profit First
• Free government database to check for trademarks
• Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad
• Alexandra Watkins’ Hello My Name is Awesome
• Joey’s free legal bundle

About Joey Vitale:

Joey Vitale is an internationally renowned speaker, award-winning attorney, and business growth consultant. He has spoken to tens of thousands of people across the world. Joey has worked with influential brands like Cultivate Advisors, Honeybook, Maximum Lawyer, and The Futur.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

As we enter the New Year, lots of people are thinking about starting a new business, or pivoting in a new direction. It’s a great time to rethink your goals and where you want to grow in 2024.

You might be thinking about writing a book to help you establish your new business in 2024. A book can be a great tool to boost a business, or even grow in a new direction, but it is NOT the best way to start a business from scratch. 

In episode #131 of The Author’s Corner, Robin returns for another Robin’s Riff on why writing a book is not a business in and of itself, and why it’s better to write from a deep well of on-the-ground experience. 

Key takeaways:

• Why being an author is not a business plan
• The power of writing a book from the right position
• How you can use your book as a primer to explain your value proposition to clients
• And more!

About Robin Colucci:

Robin Colucci is the principal founder of World Changing Books. With over 3 decades of experience in journalism and the publishing industry, she is a multi-hyphenated professional—she's a guide, mentor, and strategist for thought leaders ready to see their expertise and ideas become a lasting legacy that changes the world.

Under Robin's expert guidance, World Changing Books has helped authors—from CEOs, astronauts, and Nobel laureates to emerging voices—secure over $6.3 million in advances in a mere 4 years. These authors have successfully landed deals with “Big 5” publishers, won prestigious awards, and earned bestseller statuses everywhere from Amazon to The New York Times.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

One common question that authors have is: “I have a self-published book, but can I sell it to a traditional publisher?”

The short answer is: Yes. But only if your book is killing it in sales. 

Unfortunately, most self-published authors who wonder about selling to a traditional publisher are struggling with sales and hope that getting picked up by a publisher will be the answer to all their woes. 

In episode #130 of The Author’s Corner, Robin reveals why publishers aren’t interested in buying the rights to most self-published books— and what you can do to increase your chances. 

Key takeaways:

• The truth behind why publishers buy books from self-published authors
• Why selling your book to a publisher won’t solve your problems with sales
• How you can position yourself to sell to a traditional publisher
• The magic number for book sales that most publishers want to see
• How book sales are tracked and why it matters
• And more!

Resources:

• The story of Amanda Hocking

About Robin Colucci:

Robin Colucci is the principal founder of World Changing Books. With over 3 decades of experience in journalism and the publishing industry, she is a multi-hyphenated professional—she's a guide, mentor, and strategist for thought leaders ready to see their expertise and ideas become a lasting legacy that changes the world.

Under Robin's expert guidance, World Changing Books has helped authors—from CEOs, astronauts, and Nobel laureates to emerging voices—secure over $6.3 million in advances in a mere 4 years. These authors have successfully landed deals with “Big 5” publishers, won prestigious awards, and earned bestseller statuses everywhere from Amazon to The New York Times.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

Many people find email marketing a little…well, tedious. A full inbox can be overwhelming, so how do you avoid spamming your community’s inbox, while also ensuring they receive all the value you have to offer?

Email marketing is one of the most overlooked channels to connect with an audience. And yet, if you’re an author, that connection can be priceless. 

In episode #129 of The Author’s Corner, Robin is joined by Matt Treacey, an expert email marketing consultant. Matt shares why email has been so overlooked, and how it can be a gold mine for authors and business owners alike. Matt also explains how his unique approach using ecology can help demystify the world of email marketing to help you take advantage of all it has to offer. 

Key takeaways:

• Why email marketing is so overlooked, and yet has so much potential
• Similarities between email marketing and ecology 
• The most common mistakes people make with email marketing
• The three best ways to measure engagement
• What email marketing and the hero’s journey have in common
• Why tactics change, but the principles don’t
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Matt’s book, Natural Orders: Email Marketing Automation Strategy for Small Online Businesses
• Eugene Schwartz’s Breakthrough Advertising
• Robert Collier’s quote, “Always enter the conversation already taking place in the customer’s mind.”
• Robert Anton Wilson’s concept of reality tunnels
• Kurt Vonnegut on the shapes of stories
• Andrew Chen’s Law of Shitty Clickthroughs

About Matt Treacey:

Matt Treacey is the go-to email marketing consultant for some of the world's top business authors. With praise from industry leaders such as Nir Eyal, Perry Marshall, and Michael Bungay Stanier, Matt combines a track record in email marketing with an academic background in ecological science. Taken together, Matt knows what it takes to build systems designed for growth. In his best-selling book Natural Orders: Email Marketing Automation Strategy for Small Online Businesses, he describes how to develop a healthy, engaged, and profitable email marketing database, mimicking the timeless growth strategies used by the most successful systems of the natural world. Engaging, thought-provoking, and philosophical, Matt’s writing and speaking inspires his audiences to think differently, and to consider the multi-disciplinary approaches that will help them take their businesses to the next level.

Spread the word:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Summary:

A book can be a great tool to grow your business. But one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to writing a book to get clients is that your book is not just a big business card or an extra long sales letter. 

The book should be about your reader (a.k.a your ideal client), and demonstrate, not tell, how you and your business can add value to their lives. If you do this right, your ideal client prospects will come into the sales conversation already set to hire you. 

In episode #128 of The Author’s Corner, Robin explains what a book is not a big business card, and how you can craft it to inspire your ideal client.

Key takeaways:

• Why you should write a book to grow your business, and not to have a business
• The key role of competency stories
• Why you should give your ideal reader what they already know they want
• How to use the book to get clients once it is published
• And more!

Resources:

• Robin’s book, How to Write a Book that Sells You

About Robin Colucci:

Robin Colucci is the principal founder of World Changing Books. With over 3 decades of experience in journalism and the publishing industry, she is a multi-hyphenated professional—she's a guide, mentor, and strategist for thought leaders ready to see their expertise and ideas become a lasting legacy that changes the world.

Under Robin's expert guidance, World Changing Books has helped authors—from CEOs, astronauts, and Nobel laureates to emerging voices—secure over $6.3 million in advances in a mere 4 years. These authors have successfully landed deals with “Big 5” publishers, won prestigious awards, and earned bestseller statuses everywhere from Amazon to The New York Times.

Summary:

Have you ever wondered what psychedelics and writing have in common? 

Neuroscientists are discovering that psychedelics can be a powerful conduit for personal healing, spiritual growth, and discovery. Many authors have found that the writing process can offer similar benefits. On your journey to authorship, if you’re willing to open yourself to the process, you will discover new things about yourself and the world around you.

In episode #127 of The Author’s Corner, Robin is joined by Matt Zenom, a passionate advocate for the thoughtful and responsible use of psychedelics. They discuss how using psychedelics (in responsible settings) can open the door to new levels of self awareness and how this correlates to some of the benefits of writing. Plus, Matt shares how he began his relationship with psychedelics and some fascinating things he has learned along the way. 

Key takeaways:

• Similarities between psychedelics and the writing process
• How Matt discovered his passion and calling for psychedelics
• Some of the biggest myths about psychedelics
• Parallels between psychedelics and meditation
• The exciting results of new studies about the utility of psychedelics in healing
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Matt’s book, Psychedelics for Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to these Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness. 
• Donna Marks’ book, Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Solution
• Dr. Gabor Maté’s The Wisdom of Trauma

About Matt Zenom:

Matt Zemon, MSc, is a dedicated explorer of the inner world, and a passionate advocate for the thoughtful and responsible use of psychedelics. With a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health with honors from King’s College London, Matt has studied the effects of psychedelics on the mind and the potential for these experiences to serve as a catalyst for positive transformations. Matt is the author of Psychedelics for Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to these Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness.