The Writing Biz

Your book won't sell itself.

If you're launching to an empty room, the fix isn't more posting — it's an email list.

Olivia Zugay, founder of StoryFlow Solutions, joins The Writing Biz to break down the reader magnet strategy that actually builds a writing business: why a free novella converts readers when "sign up for updates" doesn't, how to grow a list before you ever publish, and how one client got over 30,000 downloads by giving away two books in a series.

In this episode:

- Why starting your email list before your book exists changes your entire launch

- What actually works as a reader magnet — and what doesn't

- Email subscribers vs. social media followers, and the 1% conversion problem

- The myth of instant success for debut authors, and what a realistic schedule looks like

- How to read your own data — including the BookBub mistake that keeps repeating

- Backlist income, new releases, and planning a career you can live on

Whether you're a debut novelist or three books in with little to show for it, this is the unglamorous, numbers-first version of book marketing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why a sold-out launch starts with an email list

00:52 Why authors need an email list before they publish

03:56 The reader magnet: how a free novella gets you subscribers

07:00 Reader magnet ideas beyond a free novella

09:48 Email subscribers vs. social media followers

12:10 The myth of instant success for debut authors

13:00 Why you need 2–3 books planned, not one

14:00 The business mindset: writing is not just a passion

15:00 Social media converts at 1% — here's what that costs you

16:57 Stop trying to be on every platform

18:00 Learn to pitch your book the way readers actually buy

22:00 Seasonality: why engagement and sales dip

22:51 Collecting email addresses at in-person events

23:20 Marketing is like dating — be a little forward

24:24 The BookBub mistake: repeating a promo without the data

26:00 Case study: 30,000 downloads from two free series books

27:00 She delayed her release to build an email list and ARC team

30:00 Realistic publishing schedules: one book a year

32:00 Why standalones inside a series sell

33:00 Backlist pays the bills, new releases are bonuses

34:43 Where to find Olivia Zugay and her free resources

#bookmarketing #selfpublishing #authortips #indieauthor #emailmarketing #readermagnet

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If you are a self-published author struggling with isolation, procrastination, or creative burnout, this episode offers a proven blueprint to build sustainable momentum. Host Laura Williams sits down with Dianna Gunn—author, community architect, and founder of Weeknight Writers—to explore how genre-specific accountability, virtual conferences, and structured peer networks empower indie authors to finish books and launch thriving careers without burning out.

#WritingCommunity #WritingTips #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #AmWriting

Timestamps:

01:05 Why Weeknight Writers started and the need for accessible virtual spaces

03:38 The three essential pillars: Community, accountability, and education

05:45 How structured check-ins help writers with ADHD stop procrastinating

10:44 Using virtual conferences and #FirstDraftFall as community growth magnets

15:10 Launching an alternative draft challenge after the NaNoWriMo controversy

19:50 Maintaining an anti-AI stance to champion human creativity and craft

21:44 Why genre-specific groups provide better feedback for speculative authors

23:48 How to structure constructive, actionable critique and beta reader guidelines

31:30 Core advice for running an author group: Consistency, encouragement, and avoiding burnout

40:43 Where to find the Weeknight Writers community on Bluesky and Discord

FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-right-writing-community

MY GUEST:

Dianna Gunn, Author and Community Manager, The Weeknight Writers

Personal:

https://authordiannagunn.com

https://bsky.app/profile/diannalgunn.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/d_l_gunn/

Weeknight Writers

https://weeknightwriters.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/weeknightwriters.bsky.social

https://www.youtube.com/@WeeknightWriters

BOOKS BY DIANNA GUNN:

Woman of Sorrow and Blood: A Tale of Romance and Tragedy https://amzn.to/4xKBGpv

Moonshadow's Guardian: Book One of the Moonshadow Rising Duology https://amzn.to/4iTBEae

FOLLOW US:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

Romantic fantasy author PK Stuart sold me on the uncomfortable truth most writers avoid: indie publishing is a small business — not just a passion project. In this episode of The Writing Biz, PK breaks down what it really costs ($3,000 before your book even hits Amazon) and the system that keeps her profitable.

We dig into her pantser-meets-accountant workflow — the exact stack she uses to run it like a CEO: Scrivener for writing, Atticus for formatting, Aeon Timeline for timelines, Notion as her all-in-one business database, Anthropic's Claude for marketing and ad copy, and KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to publish.

If you treat writing like a hobby, you’ll get hobby results. Want a sustainable writing business instead? Start here.

Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/

Aeon Timeline: https://www.aeontimeline.com/

Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener

Notion: https://www.notion.com/

PK's go-to combination for writing raw manuscripts and building a central database for story research and project tracking.

0:00 - Introduction: The Business Reality of Indie Publishing

0:35 - Balancing the Pantser Method with Business Systems

2:48 - Essential Software and Tech Tools for Indie Authors

6:25 - Leveraging AI for Copywriting and Ad Management

9:31 - Indie vs. Traditional Publishing: Upfront Capital & Realities

12:43 - Cash Flow, Profit Margins, and Startup Mindset

14:38 - Creative Freedom, Motorcycles, and Preventing Author Burnout

19:10 - Overcoming Early Writing Challenges and Finding Critique Networks

23:25 - P.K. Stuart’s Time’s End Series and Final Takeaways

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Most writers hate marketing. This 18-year-old built 75,000 followers who buy books — by treating TikTok like a conversation, not a commercial.

18-year-old author Shanti Hershenson is still in school and already selling books full-time on TikTok. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, she breaks down her exact tiktok for authors system: posting every other day, experimenting until something sticks, and turning followers into readers without the sleazy sales pitch.If you want to sell books on tiktok and finally make book marketing feel human, this is your playbook for how to how to grow on tiktok as an author — even if you hate social media.IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Shanti Hershenson01:06 Balancing Book Sales vs Creative Expression on TikTok02:12 Building Consistency and Posting Every Other Day04:01 TikTok Hook Strategy and Video Format06:12 Reaching 75,000 Followers on BookTok11:41 Advice for Overwhelmed Authors Starting Content Creation24:07 Publishing Her First Book at Age 1226:30 Where to Find Shanti's Books and Socials#BookMarketing #TikTokForAuthors #SellBooksOnTikTokMY GUEST:Shanti HershensonWEBSITE: https://www.shantihershenson.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shantiwhowrites

BOOKS BY SHANTI HERSHENSON: Wolfgang One (The Enigma Trilogy Book 1)https://amzn.to/4ymDFAp Neverdying: a novel (Neverdying Series Book 1)https://amzn.to/3UnLmaT SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/ARE YOU GEARING UP FOR A BOOK LAUNCH? OR BUILDING AN AUTHOR BRAND?🎙️Check out the author's best kept secret to podcasts tours. Skip cold pitches and get booked! PodMatch matches you with hosts that are looking for guests just like you. I highly recommend them. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐See what they have to offer: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thewritingbizWORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/FOLLOW USWebsite: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

If you are a fiction writer looking for actionable writing advice on how to write a book with emotional depth, this episode covers the hidden psychology behind unforgettable storytelling. Clinical psychologist, filmmaker, and debut novelist Fernando Alessandri joins the show to share self-publishing tips, character development strategies, and the real therapeutic science behind humor and trauma.

If you are a self-published author looking for actionable ways on how to make money writing, this conversation with award-winning author and publisher Lana McAra delivers a realistic blueprint for long-term sustainability. In this episode, Lana breaks down how to write a book career from scratch, leverage speaking engagements to skyrocket book sales, and diversify your income using editing, coaching, and publishing models.

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If you are a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, learning how to make money writing starts long before release day.

In this episode, publishing veteran and book shepherd Judith Briles joins host Laura Williams on The Writing Biz to share practical self-publishing tips, in-person promotion strategies, and email marketing tactics that turn casual readers into lifelong buyers.#selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #bookmarketing #sellmorebooks #judithbriles

Learn more about Judith Briles: https://judithbrilesbooks.com/FOLLOW US:

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Publishing a memoir is one thing. Marketing it when your deepest material is grief and trauma is a total tightrope walk. Author and Blue Hat Publishing co-founder Jodi Cowles joins us to break down what actually happens after you hit publish on your most vulnerable work — and how to survive it.

📌 Timestamped highlights:

0:00 - Introduction to Marketing Sensitive Stories

1:51 - How to Market Trauma Without Commodification

4:28 - Finding Your Niche Audience and Readers

7:08 - Memoir vs. Fiction Book Feedback

11:13 - Protecting Your Mental Health and Avoiding Burnout

16:18 - Content Warnings, Sensitivity, and Reader Care

21:44 - The Vulnerability Hangover in Memoir Publishing

27:00 - Inviting Community Through Authentic Storytelling

29:40 - Navigating Tender Developmental Edits

34:04 - Inside Blue Hat Publishing’s Author-Centric Model

41:27 - Jodi’s Memoir: Then Came Joy

45:25 - How to Connect with Jodi Cowles

If your story matters but feels too heavy to share, this episode shows you how to tell it — honestly, safely, and without selling your soul to hit a sales goal. 🖊️FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/after-you-publish-your-toughest-stories #wriingamemoir #howtopublishamemoir #bookmarketing 🤩MY GUEST:Jodi Cowles, Blue Hat Publishing & WellTold StudioWEBSITES: https://bluehatpublishing.com and https://welltoldstudio.com📚BOOKS BY JODI COWLES: Then Came JoyPaperback: https://amzn.to/463IySF EBook: https://amzn.to/462hiE3Some Wandered in the Desert: A Story of the RedeemedPaperback: https://amzn.to/464u2dm EBook: https://amzn.to/4x1VoMZ Cold Turkey: How Much Chaos, Crowds, and Colorful Adventure Can One Woman Take?Paperback: https://amzn.to/4g0fzoG EBook: https://amzn.to/46aiMMt Joy's World: the Cousins are Coming!: A Bilingual Adventure in English & Turkish (Joy's World: Türkçe & English)Paperback: https://amzn.to/4cqTWvr ⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast 📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/⭐FOLLOW US⭐Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/RNTN💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Laura-Williams--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.EARNINGS & LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by The Writing Biz is for educational and informational purposes only. The external links provided in this description contain affiliate links, meaning the creator receives a small financial commission if you choose to purchase through them. This channel complies fully with FTC guidelines regarding digital disclosures. Please review official platform rules before implementing publishing strategies.

Most writers are told how to craft a book. Almost no one teaches you how to build a business around it. Greig Watts spent 11 years and 18 Eurovision entries proving the difference — and he probably lost 100 times to get there.

"You are the CEO of your own company. That's the truth. It's not you're an artist and you're a business owner. You are the CEO of your own company." - Greig Watts

In this episode of The Writing Biz, Greig — a UK songwriter, producer, and publisher who spent 20 years working in Japan and served as a music consultant for the BBC — breaks down what songwriters understand that authors don't: you're not just a creator, you're the CEO of your own company.

FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/ceo-mindset-every-writer-needs

⏱️ In this episode:

0:00 - Introduction & Music Industry Playbook

1:25 - Mindset Shift: Creative Artist to CEO

3:54 - Why You Must Have a Finished Product

4:45 - Establishing Legal Boundaries and Collaboration Agreements

8:24 - Why Creators Need Publishers and Managers

9:01 - International Licensing and Cultural Nuances

13:39 - AI Tools in Creative Industries: Productivity vs Creation

20:27 - Navigating Industry Resets and Remote Collaboration

23:35 - Building a Multi-Faceted Creative Business

29:20 - Leveraging Neurodivergence as a Superpower

32:29 - Overcoming Rejection: Losing 100 Times to Win 18

35:02 - Where to Find Greg Watts & Final Takeaways

🤩MY GUEST: Greig Watts, CEO of DWB Music Group, Songwriter, & Author

WEBSITE: https://www.dwbmusicgroup.com/ https://dwbmusicgroup.com http://facebook.com/greigwatts http://instagram.com/greigwatts http://facebook.com/dwbmusicltd https://instagram.com/dwbmusic

📚BOOK BY GREIG WATTS: Keeping the Dream Alive: A Songwriter's Guide to Overcoming Rejection

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3TY15gr

EBook: https://amzn.to/4wZfxUc

⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast

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💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/

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👋🏼HI! Which shift is hardest for you to make: finishing your projects, or treating your books like a business? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ

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This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

EARNINGS & LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by The Writing Biz is for educational and informational purposes only. The external links provided in this description contain affiliate links, meaning the creator receives a small financial commission if you choose to purchase through them. This channel complies fully with FTC guidelines regarding digital disclosures. Please review official platform rules before implementing publishing strategies.

Learn how authors break through media noise, land national press coverage, and turn book publicity into real sales.FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/4000-books-how-to-get-noticed #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #bookpr #bookmarketing #authorpreneur🤩MY GUEST:Liz H. Kelly CEO of Goody PR, Author & Podcast HostWEBSITE: Goody PR https://goodypr.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodyPR📚LIZ H. KELLY'S BOOKS: Award-Winning Publicity: 8 Media Boosters to Magnify Your StoryPaperback: https://amzn.to/4fNOAwx EBook: https://amzn.to/3RY0xXo 8-Second PR : New Public Relations Crash CoursePaperback: https://amzn.to/3TEZFrd EBook: https://amzn.to/4cqrcTt ⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast 📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/⭐FOLLOW US⭐Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz👋🏼What is the single biggest struggle you face when pitching your book to journalists or media outlets? Let us know in the comments below!🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/RNTN💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Laura-Williams--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.ABOUT THIS VIDEO: In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Laura Williams sits down with PR powerhouse Liz Kelly, founder of Goody PR and creator of the Goody Business Book Awards. With over 20 years of experience landing authors on major networks like Today, CNN, and NPR, Liz breaks down how writers can craft high-impact publicity campaigns, leverage newsjacking, and build award-winning author authority. Discover how to turn your book into a national media success story and build a writing business that lasts."Reporters wanna hear tips. They don't wanna hear how great you are. They wanna hear how you can help their audience with something unique that they have never heard before." - Liz H. Kelly0:00 - Introduction to Liz H. Kelly & Goody PR01:18 - Finding Your Book's "Story Magic"05:09 - The 8 Media Boosters for DIY Publicity08:00 - How to Capture Media Attention in 8 Seconds13:21 - Writing Subject Lines That Get Opened14:48 - Leveraging Book Awards to Build Authority20:32 - How to Use "Newsjacking" for Free PR26:45 - Amplifying Media Wins to Drive Book Sales33:48 - The #1 Mistake Authors Make at Launch37:00 - How Goody PR Helps Authors SucceedEARNINGS & LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by The Writing Biz is for educational and informational purposes only. The external links provided in this description contain affiliate links, meaning the creator receives a small financial commission if you choose to purchase through them. This channel complies fully with FTC guidelines regarding digital disclosures. Please review official platform rules before implementing publishing strategies.