If you keep telling yourself you’ll write your book when you “have more time” — this episode will gently call your bluff.

In this solo mini-episode, Cate Butler Ross shares why time isn’t actually the thing standing between you and your authority book. Drawing on real stories from authors inside her Read Magnet® programme, Cate explores what actually creates momentum — and how to stop pushing your book into the “someday” pile.

📚 Ready to figure out which book is worth your time — and finally get it written?
Join the wait list for the next round of Read Magnet®  www.theluminous.media/readmagnet

Watch the free Make Your Book Inevitable microclass HERE>>

Too many brilliant coaches, creatives, and experts finally sit down to write their book… and end up writing the wrong one.

Because the success of a book has nothing to do with how well the book is written. But because it’s ever so slightly out of sync with the message they’re here to share — or the business they’re here to grow.

In this solo episode, Cate breaks down why smart people with big ideas often end up writing books that don’t get them the results they hoped for — and how to make sure you don’t fall into the same trap.

You’ll learn:

• Why even credible experts write books that don’t work for their business
• The real difference between a good book and a strategic authority book
• Why timing and positioning matter more than most people realise
• The clarity that collapses timelines on your book project
• The hidden cost of writing the wrong book (and how to avoid it)

If you’ve got 17 Google Docs and a book idea you've been writing in circles, this one’s for you.

Want to find out what three things make your authority book inevitable?
 Watch the free MicroClass here >>

If you want to write a book that actually builds your authority – and your business – but you just can’t seem to get it started, this might help.

I’ve made a free 16-minute MicroClass called Make Your Authority Book Inevitable. It walks you through the three things you really need to finally make your book happen — even if you’re short on time, clarity, or confidence. You can grab it now at theluminous.media/microclass, or just hit the link in the show notes.

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What happens when your desire to write a book collides with real-life limitations—like chronic illness, low energy, or a life that doesn't follow the usual path?

In this episode, author and blogger Pippa Stacey shares how she built a writing career while living with ME/CFS. We talk about writing through fatigue, building a platform from a 3am blog post, and how her most “niche” book ended up opening unexpected doors.

Whether you're navigating your own health challenges, struggling to make consistent progress, or worried your book idea is “too specific,” this conversation is a powerful reminder that there’s more than one way to write a book—and more than one kind of success.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

• How Pippa turned her personal story into published books
  
  
  
• What it’s really like to write while managing chronic illness
  
  
  
• The surprising advantages of writing a “niche” book
  
  
  
• Pippa’s experience of self-publishing vs traditional publishing
  
  
  
• What helped her manage brain fog, fatigue, and deadlines
  
  
  
• Why building an online platform made all the difference
  
  
  
• The importance of boundaries when writing about personal topics
  
  
  
• How to honour your energy and still move forward with your book
  
  
  

🪄 You’ll also hear:

• Why writing can be a lifeline – especially when the world feels unaccommodating
  
  
  
• What Pippa wishes she’d known before publishing her first book
  
  
  
• A sneak peek into her new guided journal Pave Your Way With Chronic Illness
  
  
  

🔗 Links and Resources:

• Pippa’s blog: www.lifeofpippa.co.uk
  
  
  
• Instagram: @lifeofpippa
  
  
  
• Pippa’s books on Amazon (including How to Do Life With a Chronic Illness and Pave Your Way With Chronic Illness). Buy it HERE>>
  
  
  

✨ Ready to start your own book?

If you’re sitting on an idea but life keeps getting in the way, Read Magnet can help.
Join the waitlist for the next cohort [insert link] and let’s write the right book, the right way.

🎥 Free MicroClass: Make Your Authority Book Inevitable
 Learn how to create a book that builds your authority, opens doors, and becomes your most powerful asset.
 👉 Grab the microclass here

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You don’t need more time. You need the right plan.

If you’re an expert, coach or founder who knows you should be writing a book to grow your business, but it just never happens — this one’s for you.

In this short episode, Cate unpacks the real reason so many smart, successful people stay stuck at square one with their book — and what finally changed everything for her.

🔹 Why writing your authority book keeps falling off the list
 🔹 The real reason it’s not happening (spoiler: it’s not procrastination)
🔹 What changed everything when Cate finally wrote Soul Story
 🔹 The 3 missing ingredients that make your book inevitable

If you want to write a book that actually builds your business — but you just can’t seem to get it started — this might help.

I’ve made a free 16-minute MicroClass called Make Your Authority Book Inevitable. It walks you through the three things you really need to finally make your book happen — even if you’re short on time, clarity, or confidence. You can grab it now at HERE>>

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Lucy Griffiths is a digital entrepreneur, bestselling author of Make Money While You Sleep, and former international journalist who began her career reporting from war zones around the world. After becoming a mother, she transitioned into online business, helping people build passive income streams and get confident on camera.

In this episode, Lucy gets honest about the real behind-the-scenes of writing an authority-building book on a tight publishing deadline. From how she landed her deal, to what she wishes she’d known about writing, positioning, and navigating the publishing process—this is essential listening for any expert, coach, or creative who wants to write a book that actually works for their business.

You'll learn:

• How she landed her nonfiction book deal and what it’s really like to work with a big traditional publisher
• The practical productivity hacks she used to conquer procrastination and stay focused to get her nonfiction book finished on deadline
• Honest insights into traditional publishing for coaches and online entrepreneurs: what worked, what didn’t, and why Lucy plans to self-publish her next book
• What Lucy learned about positioning your book to attract your ideal reader—and how she’d approach it differently next time

I loved this conversation with Lucy. If you're thinking about writing a book that builds authority and momentum in your business, hit play and soak it up.

Connect with Lucy:**

Website: lucygriffiths.com

If you want to write a book that actually builds your business — but you just can’t seem to get it started — this might help.

I’ve made a free 16-minute MicroClass called Make Your Authority Book Inevitable. It walks you through the three things you really need to finally make your book happen — even if you’re short on time, clarity, or confidence. You can grab it now HERE>>

Lucy Griffiths is a digital entrepreneur, bestselling author of Make Money While You Sleep, and former international journalist who began her career reporting from war zones around the world. After becoming a mother, she transitioned into online business, helping people build passive income streams and get confident on camera.

In this episode, Lucy gets honest about the real behind-the-scenes of writing an authority-building book on a tight publishing deadline. From how she landed her deal, to what she wishes she’d known about writing, positioning, and navigating the publishing process—this is essential listening for any expert, coach, or creative who wants to write a book that actually works for their business.

You'll learn:

• How she landed her nonfiction book deal and what it’s really like to work with a big traditional publisher
• The practical productivity hacks she used to conquer procrastination and stay focused to get her nonfiction book finished on deadline
• Honest insights into traditional publishing for coaches and online entrepreneurs: what worked, what didn’t, and why Lucy plans to self-publish her next book
• What Lucy learned about positioning your book to attract your ideal reader—and how she’d approach it differently next time

I loved this conversation with Lucy. If you're thinking about writing a book that builds authority and momentum in your business, hit play and soak it up.

Connect with Lucy:**

Website: lucygriffiths.com

Ready to write the right book?
Join Read Magnet, my 4-week immersive to plan and position a book that builds real authority and aligns with your business goals.

Find out more HERE

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Writer and podcaster Natalie Lue has sold over 100K books. But it wasn’t until after landing a traditional book deal that she realised that she didn’t need anyone’s permission to succeed. A powerful conversation on legitimacy, authority, and trusting your voice.

This week on The Read Magnet Podcast host I'm chatting with Natalie Lue, the creator of Baggage Reclaim, host of the Baggage Reclaim Sessions podcast, and author of five books, including The Joy of Saying No (HarperCollins).

Natalie’s built a platform with global reach. She’s sold over 100,000 copies of her self-published books and has cultivated a deeply loyal audience. But for years, she still felt like she needed external validation to be taken seriously as a writer.

But it was only after eventually signing a traditional publishing deal, that she realised that she was already legitimate.

This episode is a powerful reminder for any aspiring or established author:

+You don’t have to wait for permission

+ You don’t need a deal to build authority.

+ And sometimes, the validation you're chasing is already here.

Inside this episode:
✔️ The honest truth about traditional publishing no one talks about
✔️ How Natalie sold 100K books by speaking directly to her audience
✔️ Why creative control (and profit) often comes from self-publishing
✔️ What most writers get wrong about “being chosen”
✔️ How to build a book around the transformation your readers actually want

This is for you if you’re:
✨ Writing a book but unsure which path is right
✨ Wondering if your blog, podcast, or content is “enough” to start
✨ Tired of feeling like you need a gatekeeper to feel credible
✨ Ready to own your voice, serve your people, and publish with pride

You can buy Natalie's book direct here: 

Connect with Natalie:
  https://www.baggagereclaim.com
The Joy of Saying No
Baggage Reclaim Sessions podcast
Instagram: @natlue

Want to write a book to build your authority, but are a bit worried it might fall flat?

In this episode, we dive deep into a common (but rarely talked about) issue in the expert and entrepreneurial space: why so many nonfiction, expert-led books don’t actually work — even when they’re beautifully written or traditionally published.

If you’re planning to write a book to grow your business, establish your expertise, or attract speaking opportunities and high-value clients, this episode is a must-listen.

We explore:

+  Why great ideas and expert knowledge aren’t enough
+ The hidden reasons many self-published and traditionally published books miss the mark
+ What separates a strategic, trust-building authority book from a content-dump or “blog post in disguise”
+ The real markers of a book that drives speaking gigs, client inquiries, and brand momentum
+ Traditional vs. self-publishing, and why how you publish matters less than what you’re building

Whether your goal is to write a thought leadership book, a business-building book, or a self-published nonfiction book that positions you as the go-to in your space, this episode will help you avoid the most common traps.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• "Most expert books don’t work for the author – not because they’re badly written, but because they’re built without clear intention."
• How to craft a nonfiction book that acts as a trust-building tool instead of just a pretty product
• Why publishing a book doesn’t guarantee results... and what to focus on instead
• Why strategy, structure, and story must align with your business goals
• How a book that sells 200 copies can create more impact than one that sells 500+

 Resources + Support:

If you’re planning a book this year (or have one hiding in a Google Doc waiting to be finished), I’d love to support you.

→ Explore book coaching, editing, and ghostwriting support at: theluminous.media
→ DM me on Instagram @catebutlerross, I love hearing where you’re at.

Can your book start making money before it's even finished?

Today’s guest says yes — and she’s got the results to prove it.

In this episode of Read Magnet, Cate is joined by Ashley Shepard, a publishing strategist, indie author, and founder of Shep Publishing House who shares how smart pre-order campaigns can turn your book into a profitable asset before it even launches.

Ashley shares how she’s helped authors run 4- and 5-figure pre-order campaigns and why you don't need a massive audience in order to have a successful book.

If you’re writing a book to grow your business, build your platform, or serve your people more deeply, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tips.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your book should start working for you before it's done
• How to structure a pre-order campaign that builds momentum and trust
• What makes a great pre-order bonus (and what to avoid)
• Why audience size is less important than strategy
• How to use direct sales to fund your book launch

🔗 Resources & Links:

 Buy Ashley’s book: Profitable Publishing with Pre-Orders  HERE>>

• Follow Ashley on Instagram: @sheppublishing
• Explore Ashley’s offers: www.sheppublishinghouse.com
• 
  

HOW TO WORK WITH CATE

Whether you're just getting started or deep in your draft, check out:

• Draft One Done – Write your first draft with support and structure
• Book Editing Services– Get expert eyes on your book-in-progress HERE>>
• Ghostwriting - Done For You Read Magnet Here>>

➡️ Find my books and latest offers at www.theluminous.media

If you’re writing a book for your business as a lead magnet or authority builder (or already have one that’s not doing much) this episode is a must-listen, because today's guest, PR expert and author Nicola Rowley has a book funnel you’re going to want to stalk. 

Inside this episode she shares how she turned her book The Power of PR into the most powerful asset in her business, not just at launch, but  years later. From clever distribution hacks to keeping it visible and relevant in everything she does, Nicola shares how you can make your book work even harder than you do.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The genius method she used for getting her manuscript written in a week!
• The secret behind the book intro that keeps winning her new clients
• Her free strategy to boost her book back to #1 on Amazon on a regular basis for maximum visibility
• How she gets 300–400 downloads during campaign pushes
• The events and masterminds trick that puts her book in ideal clients’ hands
• Why your book should sit at the centre of your client journey

And so much more I've run out of bullet point space.

You can Grab a copy of Nicola’s book The Power of PR here>> 

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✨ If you’re ready to finally write the book you know your business needs, the Draft One Done pilot kicks off this month. It’s a 6-week writing sprint for experts who already have a solid book plan and want structured support to get that first draft done.
👉 Join the Draft One Done pilot here 

👻 Or, if you'd rather hand the whole thing over, I'm currently booking 1–2 done-for-you ghostwriting spots for visionary entrepreneurs who want a book that builds trust and converts.
 👉 Explore the ghostwriting offer here>>