The Creative Shift with Dan Blank

Earlier this year, author Audrey Monke and I talked about her plans for her upcoming book launch. I knew that she had been preparing for it for months — even years — ahead of time. But I waited to have her on the podcast, because I didn’t just want to discuss what she was planning, … Continue reading "A Book Launch Case Study, with Author Audrey Monke"

In this episode of The Creative Shift Podcast, I talk with literary agent Lori Kilkelly about two creative shifts that she made in her career. The first is when she left a successful career in advertising and sales pursue a career in publishing, starting as an intern. The next one is more recent, the launch of … Continue reading "“You have to be willing to begin again”, My Interview with Literary Agent Lori Kilkelly"

Today I want to share my process for getting out of a creative rut. So many writers and creators I speak with struggle to develop the habits they need to feel fulfilled in what they create, I wanted to share my way of staying on track. In this episode I also mention my next Creative … Continue reading "Getting Out of a Creative Rut"

I’m excited to share my interview with bestselling author Chuck Wendig. He gets really honest about: How he got a 3 book deal to write Star Wars book via a Tweet. Why he says Twitter won’t help u sell books, but that it is filled with a lot of professional opportunities, giving you access to … Continue reading "Chuck Wendig on Owning Your Voice and Choosing the Path of Your Career as a Writer"

Today I want to share the specific steps I took to help a first-time author establish her platform and release her book. The topline results of our work together so far: Her book was released this week. It hit #1 New Release in the Divorce category on Amazon. She now manages a thriving private community … Continue reading "How I Helped This Author Grow Her Platform From Scratch"

Leigh Stein did something that few writers do: she talked publicly about how many copies her books have sold. Her novel sold 8,000 copies. Her memoir that followed it sold 1,345 copies, which was hugely disappointing to her. In particular because it came out at a time when she was running an organization of 40,000 … Continue reading "“The support of my work often stopped at a Facebook Like.” My interview with author Leigh Stein"

In this episode of The Creative Shift podcast, I share something completely different. I interview author Brian Heiler about how he developed a thriving online community around his love for 1970s toys and pop culture. He runs PlaidStallions.com and is the author of the book: Rack Toys: Cheap Crazed Playthings. I can’t even express to … Continue reading "A Love Letter to the 1970s, My Interview With Author Brian Heiler"

“The most interesting marketing opportunities are those that are unconventional.” That is how author-illustrator Lori Richmond sums up the case study we are about to present here. In today’s episode of The Creative Shift podcast, we take you step by step as to how Lori discovered a way to get her work seen by more … Continue reading "An Incredible Marketing Case Study, with Author-Illustrator Lori Richmond"

In this episode of The Creative Shift podcast, I share my system for how to develop a daily creative practice. For some of you, this may be to double-down on your primary craft, such as your writing or art. But for others, it may help you better stay connected with your ideal audience through your … Continue reading "How to develop a non-negotiable creative practice"

In this episode of The Creative Shift podcast, artist, illustrator, and author Samantha Dion Baker takes us inside her career. She tells us how a simple daily practice of drawing radically reshaped her career, and helped her stay true to her creative vision. She is the author of the book Draw Your Day.  You can … Continue reading "“I Needed to Own My Style.” My Interview with Artist and Author Samantha Dion Baker"