Your Path to Book Publishing

No two books are exactly alike, and no two authors have the same goals. So your book launch strategy shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all either.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’re kicking off a new series on book launches and what authors need to think about before launch day arrives. Whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or traditionally publishing, your launch should start with your “why”—why you wrote the book, who you want to reach, and what success looks like for you.

You’ll learn why no one will care more about your book launch than you, how to think about sales goals versus impact goals, and why audience clarity should guide your book marketing decisions. We’ll also look at how your budget, publishing path, and reader experience can shape the launch plan that fits you best.

This episode also previews upcoming conversations with Josh Porter, author of The Last Human Marketer, and Marissa Eigenbrood, president and partner of Smith Publicity, as we continue exploring what makes a strong, strategic book launch.

In This Episode

You’ll hear about:

•  Why your book launch should match your goals 
•  How your “why” shapes your book launch strategy 
•  The difference between sales, impact, and business-growth goals 
•  Why audience clarity matters before choosing launch tactics 
•  How to think about the reader experience before and after launch

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

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Author habits are not just about writing every day, hitting a word count, or trying to create the perfect routine. They are about building momentum, creating a better experience for your readers, and developing the consistency needed to make a lasting impact with your book.

In this wrap-up episode of the author habits series, we look at the biggest takeaways from recent conversations with Todd Musig, Jones Loflin, and Platte Clark. The episode explores why authors need to think beyond the book itself and consider the full experience they are creating — from the first time someone encounters their message to the way they read, remember, and share it.

You’ll also hear why proof of concept matters in book publishing, how generosity with your book can become a smart book marketing strategy, and why strong nonfiction authors use story to add meaning to the facts they share. For any author trying to publish, market, and build trust with readers, these habits can help turn a book into something much more meaningful than words on a page.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why author habits are about more than consistency
• How to create a stronger experience for your reader
• Why proof of concept matters for nonfiction authors
• How generosity can support book marketing and long-term opportunities
• Why story helps readers trust and remember your message

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

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How do you make your book more than a collection of facts, ideas, or lessons?

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach is joined by author, ghostwriter, editor, and screenwriter Platt Clark to talk about one of the most important author habits: learning how to create meaning through story.

Platte shares why authors are not just in the information-sharing business. They are in the meaning-making business. Whether you are writing nonfiction, fiction, memoir, business, or self-help, your readers need more than facts. They need stories that help them see, feel, remember, and apply what you are teaching.

You’ll learn why story is facts plus meaning, how conflict, character, change, and stakes help readers engage with your ideas, and why your job as an author is to serve the reader’s experience—not just transfer information.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why facts alone are not enough to make your book memorable
• How storytelling helps readers create meaning from your ideas
• Why conflict, character, change, and stakes matter in writing
• How nonfiction authors can use story to build trust with readers
• Why authors should think about the experience they are creating for the reader

Featured Guest

Platte Clark is a bestselling author, ghostwriter,  and screenwriter. He is the author of the Bad Unicorn series, has worked on numerous books as a ghostwriter and editor, and contributed to the film adaptation of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. His upcoming book, Author Unknown, explores writing, storytelling, and meaning-making.

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

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In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we continue the author habits series with guests Jones Loflin and Todd Musig, co-authors of Juggling Elephants and Getting to It.

Jones and Todd share what they’ve learned from both traditional publishing and self-publishing, including how they used a self-published version of their book to prove demand before landing a traditional publishing deal.

They also discuss the habits that help authors succeed beyond the writing process: getting useful feedback, building a platform, choosing the right publishing path for your season, and being generous with your book so it can create new opportunities.

Whether you’re still developing your book idea or thinking about how to market your book after launch, this episode will help you think more intentionally about the habits that support long-term author success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why co-authoring requires trust, clarity, and complementary strengths
• How feedback can strengthen your book before publication
• Why your publishing path may change as your platform grows
• How generosity with your book can lead to speaking, training, and business opportunities
• Why your book should be treated as a tool, not the entire strategy

Featured Guests

Jones Loflin is a speaker, trainer, and author of Focused as a Bee, Always Growing, Juggling Elephants, and more.

Todd Musig is an author and business professional whose books include Five Simple Habits for Successful Change, Juggling Elephants, and Getting to It.

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

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What habits actually help authors make real progress?

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, a new series on author habits begins with a look at how routines, consistency, and mindset shape progress across the author journey.

The episode explores one of the most common beliefs people have heard about habits — that it takes 21 days to build one — and offers a more realistic perspective. Instead of focusing on perfection, the conversation encourages authors to think about habits as something built through repetition, grace, and steady forward movement.

It also highlights how the habits an author needs may change depending on the season they are in. For some, that means building a writing routine. For others, it may mean creating stronger habits around branding, platform-building, or book marketing.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

•  Why many authors need to rethink what they believe about habits 
•  Where the “21 days to build a habit” idea came from 
•  Why consistency matters more than perfection 
•  How habits can support writing, branding, and marketing progress 
•  What it looks like to build routines that help you keep moving forward 

The episode also includes a behind-the-scenes example from the writing of Trust Me, I’m an Author, showing how a protected block of time each morning helped build momentum and move the manuscript forward.

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
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What is an author brand really built on?

This episode of Your Path to Book Publishing pulls together key insights from the recent author branding series, including lessons inspired by conversations with Jill Schulman, author of The Bravery Effect, and branding expert Ty Schmidt. 

At the center of the discussion is a simple but important truth: an author brand is not built only through visuals, content, or visibility. It is built through reputation, relationships, clarity, and consistent action over time. 

The episode explores why a book often acts as an ambassador for an author’s brand, why genuine engagement matters more than passive posting, and why many authors delay meaningful progress by telling themselves “someday.” It also offers a reminder that author branding is often a messy process, but that does not mean something is going wrong. In many cases, the mess is part of building something real. 

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

•  Why reputation is one of the strongest foundations of an author brand 
•  How relationships help shape visibility and long-term trust 
•  Why authors need to move beyond “posting and ghosting” 
•  How “someday” can quietly delay a book and brand for years 
•  Why authors should think of themselves as the guide, not the hero, in their readers’ journey 

For authors who have been thinking about their brand but are unsure where to focus, this episode offers a practical invitation: choose one takeaway and apply it. A stronger author brand is built one decision, one relationship, and one action at a time. 

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Building an author brand can feel messy.

You are trying to figure out how your brand connects to your book, how your book supports your brand, and how to actually show up online in a way that feels clear, consistent, and real.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with Ty Schmidt about what actually helps people pay attention to your brand. Together, they unpack why branding is not just about graphics, logos, or posting content. It is about the relationships and reputation you build over time and what people come to know you for.

Ty shares insights from her background in journalism, social media, and brand-building, along with practical advice for authors who feel overwhelmed by all the different platforms and pressure to do everything at once.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• Why relationships and reputation are such a powerful part of author branding
• How to get clearer on who you are and what your brand stands for
• Why authors do not need to be on every platform to build momentum
• How to engage online in a way that actually builds connection
• Why “posting and ghosting” is not enough if you want people to remember you

Ty also shares a simple but challenging question authors should ask themselves: Who are you in 12 words or less? That clarity can become a foundation for how you show up online, communicate your message, and connect with the people you want to serve.

If you have been overthinking your author brand or feeling like you need to do more before you can start, this episode is a helpful reminder that progress matters more than perfection, and that sometimes the best place to begin is by choosing one platform, one message, and one way to start showing up consistently.

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
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What does bravery really look like for authors?

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with Jill Schulman, author of The Bravery Effect, about fear, uncertainty, and what it takes to keep moving forward as you write, publish, and build your author brand.

Jill shares her journey from researching bravery in graduate school to publishing her book, growing her brand, and opening doors to more speaking, PR, and thought leadership opportunities. Together, Zach and Jill unpack why fear is not always a sign to stop. Often, it is a sign that what you are doing matters.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• How publishing a book can strengthen your author brand
• Why fear and uncertainty are a normal part of the process
• How Jill’s book helped create more visibility and opportunities
• Why “someday” can keep authors stuck longer than they realize

If you have been waiting to feel fully ready before moving forward with your book, this episode is a reminder that bravery is not the absence of fear. It is taking the next step anyway.

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

If the phrase author branding feels vague, overused, or like it only applies to logos and visuals, this episode will help you think about it in a much more practical way.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach introduces a new series on author branding and explores what branding really means for nonfiction authors. He shares lessons from his own career, personal stories, and examples from authors he has worked with to explain why your brand is not just about visuals. It is about your reputation, your message, and what you want people to remember about you.

This episode is especially relevant for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who want to think more clearly about what they want to be known for as they write, publish, and market their book.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why author branding is more than logos, visuals, and taglines
• How to think about what you want to be known for as an author
• Why reputation and messaging are such an important part of your brand
• Why being memorable matters in book publishing and book marketing
• How your brand can evolve over time as your clarity grows
• A simple question to ask yourself as you think about your author brand

Many nonfiction authors spend a lot of time thinking about their book, but not enough time thinking about the reputation and message behind it. This episode will help you start thinking more intentionally about your author brand and how it connects to your book publishing journey. 

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

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CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

 If you’ve been thinking about writing, branding, and marketing as separate parts of the author journey, this episode will help you see how connected they really are.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach reflects on key insights from his recent conversations with Emily Crookston and Denise Thomas to show how book publishing, author branding, and book marketing influence one another. He explores the role of clarity, vulnerability, trust, relationships, and long-term strategy in building a stronger nonfiction book and author platform.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why clarity matters early in the author journey
• How collaboration, interviews, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help strengthen your book
• Why vulnerability and storytelling make your book more relatable
• How your book can strengthen your brand and build trust
• Why relationships often matter more than authors expect in book marketing
• Why marketing is not just a launch sprint, but a long-term marathon

Why this episode matters

Many nonfiction authors think of publishing, branding, and marketing as separate steps. In reality, each one shapes the others. This episode will help you think more strategically about your author journey so you can build a book that supports your bigger goals

Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. 

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress

Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen

Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook