The Story Cure

What does it take to turn a book idea into a finished, published book? For Terry Cumes, the journey involved a year of dedicated writing, several more years of figuring out the next steps, and learning when to ask for help.

In this episode of The Story Cure, I talk with Terry, author of Special Guests, about the people, experiences, and unexpected stories that inspired his book. Terry helps run a wellness center in Peru's Sacred Valley, where travelers arrive for wellness, spirituality, cultural experiences, and time in the Andes. Over the years, those guests have provided plenty of memorable stories.

Terry began writing during the pandemic, when the center's rooms were empty and he finally had the time to focus on a book he'd wanted to write for years. He shares how he built a writing routine, why taking notes is so important, and what happened when he finished his manuscript but didn't know how to move forward.

We also discuss choosing a specific period of life to write about, handling sensitive topics with honesty and balance, and the value of getting support with editing, book design, publishing, and promotion.

In this episode:

• Building a consistent writing routine
• Capturing stories before the details disappear
• Getting unstuck after finishing a manuscript
• Finding the right support throughout the publishing process
• Writing honestly about complicated experiences
• Bringing a book to life through art and thoughtful design
• Lessons Terry learned from publishing Special Guests

Terry's story is a reminder that finishing a book is a major accomplishment, but it's not the end of the journey. Sometimes the next step is simply recognizing where you need help and finding the right people to move forward with.

In this episode of The Story Cure, I sit down with Suzanne Leydecker to talk about her memoir, A Woman on Top: My Journey of Self-Discovery Through Love and Money, and the experiences that inspired it.

Suzanne chose to self-publish because she wanted to tell her story in her own words. She shares what it was like to write honestly about family, relationships, inheritance, and the complicated ways money can affect our lives.

We also get into the nuts and bolts of publishing. Suzanne explains how many times she edited her book, what she learned from producing her audiobook, and why the work doesn't stop when a manuscript becomes a published book.

Our conversation goes beyond publishing, too. Suzanne talks about setting boundaries, learning to say no, taking responsibility for our choices, and recognizing the patterns that show up in our relationships.

She's now working on a second book inspired by her real-life romance in Morocco, a relationship that has brought unexpected adventures and a whole new collection of stories to write about.

As we discuss throughout the episode, writing your story can be valuable for reasons beyond book sales. It can help you look back at your experiences, recognize what you've learned, and decide what you want to share with others.

If you've been thinking about writing a memoir, self-publishing, or turning your own experiences into a book, I hope you'll enjoy this conversation with Suzanne.

Find Suzanne online at SuzanneLeydecker.com and on social media under her name.

Listen to the full episode of The Story Cure here on Buzzsprout.

Every author's journey is different. For John Infortunio, writing his first novel took 15 years.

In this episode of The Story Cure, I talk with John, an author and educator, about how he became a writer, the experiences behind his novels, and what it takes to keep going when the publishing journey gets difficult.

John shares how his parents and teachers encouraged his love of reading and writing, how his mother helped him see the potential in an early short story, and how that story eventually became Destroyed by the Events of the Day.

We also discuss his more recent novel, Today Was Tomorrow, which explores memory, identity, family, and Alzheimer's. John talks about drawing on personal experiences to explore complicated emotions and the ways ordinary people respond when life takes an unexpected turn.

We get into the practical realities of being an author, too: self-publishing, retaining creative control, approaching publishers and literary agents, dealing with rejection, and navigating the growing role of AI in writing.

If you're working on a book or trying to find your way through the publishing process, this conversation is a reminder that your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

In this episode:

• How John's love of writing began
• Why his first novel took 15 years
• The personal themes behind Today Was Tomorrow
• Facing the fear of putting your work into the world
• Self-publishing and creative freedom
• Rejection, persistence, and finding the right publishing opportunity
• John's perspective on AI and the future of writing

Listen to the full conversation and join us on The Story Cure as we explore what it really means to be an author.

What does writing a book have to do with using AI?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

In this conversation, I sit down with Courtney Murtha, founder of Hot Girls Don't Work, to talk about writing, creativity, entrepreneurship, AI, and the importance of doing the work that only you can do.

Courtney shares her experience writing her book and how the process helped her recognize the core themes running through her story. She also talks openly about how profoundly healing the experience was for her.

Then we get into one of the most interesting connections between books and AI: context.

A book can contain your experiences, knowledge, ideas, beliefs, stories, and voice in a structured body of work. Courtney explains why that makes it such a powerful source of context for AI, and why the goal shouldn't be to have AI replace your creative work.

Instead, the idea is to use AI to handle more of the work around your expertise so you can spend more time actually thinking, creating, and doing the work you're uniquely good at.

Courtney also shares the story behind Hot Girls Don't Work, how she developed the course, what she learned from her first cohorts, and why she's changing the way she teaches AI to entrepreneurs.

The next cohort begins October 14th, and I'm joining Courtney for it.

If you'd like to join us, learn more here:

https://www.hotgirlsdontwork.com/

What can happen when you stop thinking of your book as the final destination?

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Malin to talk about the many directions a book or idea can take, from podcasts and social media to film and television.

Laura shares her experience working in the adaptation space and explains why authors should think about the “middle steps” between a book and a screen adaptation. We talk about audience building, finding comparable stories, momentum, nostalgia, and the importance of having an audience that genuinely cares about your work.

Then I take some time to share practical storytelling techniques authors can use in their own books. We talk about specificity, dialogue, using the five senses, authenticity, conflict, the “mystery box,” ambiguity, ticking clocks, research, visuals, audiobooks, and expert interviews.

It’s a conversation about both sides of the book journey: how to make the story itself stronger and how to think about where that story could go next.

A great story can take you places you never expected. But how do you make people care enough to keep reading?

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Malin to talk about storytelling, intellectual property, and the possibilities for authors who want their work to reach beyond the page.

Laura shares how stories can evolve into different formats, from books and podcasts to film and television. She also explains why building an audience matters and how authors can begin developing their ideas without waiting for permission from traditional gatekeepers.

I share some of my favorite storytelling techniques for writers, including how to create conflict, build suspense, use a mystery box, and give readers a reason to keep turning the pages.

We also get into writing compelling opening chapters, incorporating research and expert interviews, and making nonfiction more engaging.

Whether you're writing your first book or thinking about what your published work could become, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.

In this episode:

• How a book can grow into other formats, including film and television
• Why building an audience around your work matters
• Using conflict and suspense to keep readers interested
• The mystery box technique and the power of a strong opening
• How to make research and nonfiction more engaging
• Finding the story within your own experiences

Listen to the full episode and start thinking about where your story could go next.

How many people could you reach by name if your book launched tomorrow?

That’s where my conversation with Yrmis Barroeta begins.

Yrmis shares her approach to building email newsletters and why authors shouldn't depend entirely on social media to reach their audience.

We talk about building an audience you actually own, growing a newsletter organically, the role of trust and consistency, using Substack, pre-selling books through email, and why you don't need to email your audience every day to stay connected.

We also talk about how authors can think about newsletters differently, including how fiction writers can use email to serialize their stories and build readership before a book is even published.

If you've been wondering whether you really need an email newsletter, or where to even begin building one, this conversation will give you a much clearer picture.

Stop chasing the algorithm. Start building relationships with people you can reach by name.

What happens after you write the book?

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Sullivan, CEO and founder of Vive, to talk about why your book launch should be more than a single moment, it should be the beginning of a larger personal brand strategy.

I’ve always believed that a book can be a powerful calling card. It can open doors to speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, partnerships, clients, and new relationships. But to make those opportunities happen, you need to build something around the book.

Andrea and I talk about:

📚 Why a book launch should be treated as a campaign, not just a launch day
✨ What personal branding really means and how your reputation is built
🎙️ How podcasts, newsletters, events, associations, and niche communities can help you reach the right audience
💡 How to identify your “hero moments” and turn one strong idea into multiple pieces of content
📣 Why you don’t need to be everywhere you need to be intentional about where you show up
🤖 How AI can help you repurpose your ideas while keeping your authentic voice at the center

Whether you’re writing your first book, preparing for a launch, or trying to turn your expertise into a bigger platform, this conversation will help you think beyond the manuscript.

Your book can open the door. The question is: what are you going to build on the other side?

Did you know that around 80% of people dream of writing a book, yet less than 1% ever publish one?

In this episode, MeiMei Fox joins Yrmis Barroeta for an honest conversation about why so many aspiring authors never finish what they start.

The surprising truth? Publishing isn't the biggest obstacle anymore.

With today's self-publishing tools, becoming an author is more accessible than ever. The real challenge is overcoming self-doubt, procrastination, perfectionism, and the stories we tell ourselves about why we're "not ready."

MeiMei shares insights from more than 30 years in publishing, working with bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and first-time writers to help them turn their ideas into books that build authority, create impact, and leave a lasting legacy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why publishing is no longer the biggest hurdle for aspiring authors 
•  The surprising statistics behind why most people never finish writing a book 
•  How self-publishing has transformed the publishing industry 
•  Why even highly successful entrepreneurs choose to self-publish 
•  The mindset shifts that help authors move from dreaming to finishing 
•  What's really standing between you and becoming a published author 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, coach, thought leader, or someone who's always dreamed of writing a book, this episode will challenge the excuses that keep so many great stories from ever reaching the page.

Your story matters. The only question is: Will you write it?

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, and build our careers. But what does that mean for today's professionals, students, and future leaders?

In this episode, MeiMei Fox sits down with Anu Ramraj and Avanti Ramraj, the mother-daughter authors of When AI Robots Knock. Together, they share why they decided to write a book during one of the biggest technological shifts of our time, and how documenting their ideas became a way to create a lasting legacy.

Anu, a former PwC partner turned AI entrepreneur, and Avanti, a recent Stanford graduate, offer two generations' perspectives on how AI is reshaping education, careers, leadership, and the future of work.

Beyond discussing artificial intelligence, this conversation explores why books still matter in a digital world, how authors can use AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement, and what it really means to build authority through writing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why Anu and Avanti decided to write a book about AI together 
•  How AI is transforming careers across every industry 
•  Why books remain one of the most powerful forms of legacy 
•  How authors can use AI without losing their authentic voice 
•  The opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, from healthcare to education 
•  Why young professionals should focus on adaptability rather than fearing automation 
•  The importance of keeping humans at the center of an AI-powered future 

Whether you're an aspiring author, business leader, entrepreneur, educator, or simply curious about the future of AI, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into one of the most important transformations of our time.

Connect with MeiMei Fox

If you're ready to write a book that builds your authority, expands your impact, and creates a lasting legacy, learn more about Your Bestselling Book and join a community of aspiring and published authors committed to sharing stories that matter.