Your Path to Book Publishing

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write your book yourself, hire help, or use AI in the process, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with ghostwriter and author Emily Crookston about what it really takes to turn your ideas into a strong nonfiction book. They explore how ghostwriting, collaboration, strategy, and AI can all play a role in helping authors create a book that reflects their voice and supports their bigger goals.

This conversation is especially relevant for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who want to write a nonfiction book but are unsure what kind of support they need.

What You’ll Learn

•  What ghostwriters actually do 
•  How to decide whether to write your book yourself or get help 
•  How AI can support your writing process without replacing your voice 
•  Why your goals should shape your book development process 
•  Why clarity and strategy lead to a stronger book 

Resources & Links

The Pocket PhD: https://www.thepocketphd.com/
Unwritten: https://www.thepocketphd.com/unwritten-book/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilycrookston/
Write and Rise: https://thoughtful-budget-258.notion.site/Write-Rise-The-Newsletter-for-Authorpreneurs-2ae88c6705eb808b814dcf78d5414ee3?source=copy_link

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. 

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Many aspiring nonfiction authors hope that publishing a book will open new doors for their career.

But what actually happens after you publish a book?

For many coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders writing a nonfiction book, publishing is about more than becoming a published author. It’s about building authority, strengthening credibility, and creating new opportunities to grow a personal brand or business.

Yet many aspiring authors still wonder:

Will writing a book actually help grow my brand?
Will publishing a book lead to speaking opportunities or new clients?
And how do authors turn a book into something that continues creating impact long after launch?

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen sits down with Denise Thomas, executive communication coach and author of The Only One in the Room, to talk about her real-world experience writing and publishing her nonfiction leadership book.

Denise shares what it was like moving from the idea of writing a book to becoming a published author—and how the book has already influenced her author brand, leadership work, and speaking opportunities just months after its release.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Denise’s journey writing and publishing a nonfiction book
• How publishing a book can elevate your authority and credibility
• The role relationships play in supporting a successful book launch
• How Denise used print-on-demand book publishing and e-commerce to sell books directly to readers
• Why organizations often purchase books in bulk for leadership development and professional growth

Denise also shares advice for aspiring nonfiction authors who feel called to write a book but aren’t sure where to start.

Coming Next

Next week’s episode features ghostwriter and author Emily Crookston, where we’ll discuss:

• Working with a ghostwriter to write a book
• How authors can get their ideas onto the page faster

The evolving role of AI in the book-writing process

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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Many aspiring nonfiction authors think the journey is simple: write the book and publish it.

But book publishing is only one phase of a much bigger author journey.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen reviews the five phases every author navigates and explains why understanding the full picture can help you make better decisions about your book, your brand, and your long-term goals as an author.

The 5 Phases of the Author Journey

1. Book Development – Writing the book, defining your ideal reader, and shaping a clear message.
2. Book Publishing – Choosing between self-publishing, traditional publishing, or hybrid publishing.
3. Author Branding – Clarifying what you want to be known for and the problem you help your audience solve.
4. Launch & Marketing – Planning how your book reaches readers and supports your larger goals.
5. Beyond the Book – Using your book to open doors to speaking, coaching, consulting, and other opportunities.

What’s Coming Next

This episode marks the beginning of a four-part series on the Author Journey.

Next up:

• An interview with Denise Thomas, author of The Only One in the Room
• A conversation with a professional ghostwriter about writing support and using AI thoughtfully
• A final episode pulling together insights and answering listener questions

If you're writing a nonfiction book—or thinking about becoming an author—understanding these phases can help you move forward with greater clarity and strategy.

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

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After 130 episodes, it’s time for an evolution. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why we are shifting the format of the show and how these changes are designed to help you—the nonfiction author—navigate the "team sport" of publishing with more clarity and real-world insight.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• The Power of the "Team Sport": Why going it alone is the hardest way to publish and how a team of experts elevates your brand.
• Why Failure is a Teacher: Why I’m committed to sharing the "real-time" struggles and setbacks of the authors I work with, not just the highlights.
• The New 4-Part Monthly Format: A breakdown of how each month will now be structured to provide a 360-degree view of the publishing process.

The New Monthly Roadmap

Starting March 16th, every four episodes will follow a specific theme (e.g., Marketing, Ghostwriting, Editing) using this flow:

1. Episode 1: The Foundation – A solo deep dive where I share my personal insights and what you need to consider regarding the month's theme.
2. Episode 2: The Author’s Journey – An interview with an author I have personally worked with. No fluff—just real stories of their current struggles and successes.
3. Episode 3: The Expert’s Lens – I’ll bring in the pros (editors, ghostwriters, marketers) to fill the gaps and share technical expertise I don't provide alone.
4. Episode 4: The Recap & Listener Q&A – We’ll pull the insights together and answer your specific questions about the topic.

Key Quotes from the Episode

"A book is a team sport. No matter how hard or how smart you are, you need the expertise of others to produce a book people actually want to read.

What’s Next?

• Mark Your Calendars: We are taking a brief break next week (look out for a possible preview!), and our first official themed series kicks off on March 16th.
• Get Involved: We are bringing back the Q&A segment! If you have questions about writing, publishing, or building your brand, I want to hear them for our Episode 4 recaps.

Share the Love: Know a fellow speaker, consultant, or coach who is ready to write their book? Share this episode with them and help us spread the word about the new format!

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 

Almost every nonfiction author says it at some point:

“I want to be a New York Times bestselling author.”

It sounds ambitious. It sounds impressive. It sounds like the gold medal of publishing.

But in this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the conversation goes deeper than the badge.

Because bestseller status isn’t a trophy. It’s a tool.

And tools only matter if they serve the right purpose.

This episode explores what bestseller status can actually change — and what it doesn’t automatically fix. It breaks down the difference between major lists like the New York Times and USA Today, category-based Amazon rankings, and what those signals truly mean in the marketplace.

More importantly, it reframes the core question nonfiction authors should be asking:

Not “How do I hit a list?”
 But “What is bestseller status supposed to unlock for me?”

Listeners will discover:

• Why bestseller status functions as a credibility signal
• What it can realistically influence (speaking, positioning, authority)
• What it does not guarantee (business clarity, revenue systems, long-term sales)
• Why some bestselling authors still struggle after launch
• The strategic question every coach, consultant, and thought leader should answer before pursuing a list

If you’re considering a bestseller strategy — or simply wondering whether it’s worth it — this episode offers a clear, strategic perspective rooted in long-term thinking.

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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Many nonfiction authors believe the first milestone of writing a book is finishing a draft.

It’s not.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we explore the often-overlooked stage that determines whether your writing flows, your publishing decisions make sense, and your marketing actually connects.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many book ideas…
If you’ve rewritten the same chapter multiple times…
If you’re unsure who your book is really for…

This episode addresses the real issue underneath those frustrations.

Because most authors don’t have a productivity problem.
They have a positioning problem.

And without solving that first, the rest of the author journey — from book development to publishing to marketing — becomes harder than it needs to be.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why “having too many ideas” is often a warning sign
• The hidden phase of the author journey most writers skip
• How lack of clarity quietly slows down writing and decision-making
• A simple way to test whether your book concept is strong enough to move forward

If you want to write faster, publish smarter, and build a nonfiction book that actually lands with readers, this episode will help you rethink where the journey truly begins.

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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Feeling stuck at the starting line of book publishing is more common than most authors realize.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the focus is on the real reason aspiring nonfiction authors feel overwhelmed before they even begin — and why trying to jump straight into writing, publishing options, or marketing is often what keeps them stuck.

Instead of rushing into tactics, this episode reframes the starting point of the author journey around orientation before execution. It walks through the two foundational questions every author must answer before choosing a publishing path, building a platform, or writing a single chapter.

Listeners will learn:

• Why “where do I start?” isn’t a motivation problem — it’s a context problem
• How skipping clarity leads to overwhelm, comparison, and stalled progress
• The difference between movement and meaningful progress
• The two questions that quietly guide every successful author journey

This episode is especially helpful for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who know they want to write a book — but feel unsure how to begin without wasting time or making costly mistakes.

🎧 Key Topics Covered:
Book publishing for beginners, author mindset, nonfiction author journey, book clarity, writing a nonfiction book, book publishing strategy, getting started as an author

If starting has felt harder than expected, this episode provides the grounding and clarity needed to move forward — without pressure, panic, or perfection.

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 Really Happens on Book Launch Day (A Real Hybrid Publishing Case Study)

Book launch day doesn’t always go the way authors expect.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we share a real-world case study from the January launch of Connected Deeper by Richard L. Godfrey and Christine Lavulo—a launch that hit unexpected issues the moment the book was supposed to go live on Amazon.

Instead of celebrating launch day, the book was still in preorder, shipping dates were wildly off, and buyers were already asking questions.

This episode breaks down what happened behind the scenes, how the issue was handled, and what nonfiction authors need to understand about launch-day realities.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why something going wrong on launch day is more common than authors expect
• How a hybrid publishing setup can protect your book launch
• What to do when Amazon rankings don’t update right away
• Why launch day isn’t the time to troubleshoot publishing tech
• The difference between a publication date and a launch date—and why separating them gives you more control

If you’re planning to publish a nonfiction book—or have a launch coming up—this episode will help you approach book publishing and book launch strategy with clearer expectations and less stress.

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 

Why does book publishing almost always take longer than expected?

For nonfiction authors — especially coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders — delays in the writing and publishing process are extremely common. Most of the time, these delays aren’t caused by mistakes or lack of discipline. They happen because the real-world timelines between writing, editing, and publishing are often underestimated.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the focus is on where those hidden delays typically occur, based on consistent patterns seen while working with authors throughout every phase of the author journey. From drafting and editing to print-on-demand proofs and platform approvals, small timing gaps add up quickly.

The episode also includes a real-world example involving print-on-demand proofs from multiple platforms, where subtle design differences forced a pause in a client’s timeline — not because of errors, but because different printers processed the same files differently.

In this episode, listeners will learn:

• Why writing a book takes longer in practice than most authors expect
• Where the editing process is commonly underestimated
• Why “print on demand” still includes real production and approval timelines
• How proof copies, platform reviews, and distribution delays compound
• How to build more realistic publishing timelines without unnecessary stress

This episode helps authors reframe publishing delays as part of the normal process — not a sign of failure — and provides clarity on how to plan timelines with greater confidence and flexibility.

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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If you’re a nonfiction author—especially a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader—there’s a moment you eventually reach in the publishing process:

How much of selling my book is really on me… and how much depends on the publishing path I choose?

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we unpack a mindset that shows up consistently across self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing—and why understanding this early can change how you approach book marketing, momentum, and long-term visibility.

Rather than focusing on tactics or launch hacks, this conversation reframes what ownership actually looks like for authors—and why being invested in your book’s success isn’t a burden, but an advantage.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Why publishing infrastructure supports momentum—but doesn’t create it
• How book sales tend to work across different publishing paths
• The role authors play in early traction and long-term visibility
• Why effective book marketing is about intention, not volume
• How to integrate your book naturally into the work you’re already doing

This episode is especially helpful if you’ve ever felt unsure about where your responsibility begins—or if you’ve been waiting for the “system” to take over after publication.

🎧 Listen in to reset your expectations, clarify your role, and approach book marketing with more confidence and alignment.

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