Your Path to Book Publishing

If you’re a nonfiction author — especially a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader — you’ve probably wrestled with the question:

"Should you focus on building your author brand first, or writing the book first?"

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we slow this question down and look at what actually keeps capable authors stuck — and why the answer isn’t as simple as choosing one over the other.

You’ll learn why waiting for clarity often creates more friction than progress, how author voice and positioning are shaped through action, and why the most successful nonfiction authors allow their book and brand to develop together over time.

This episode reframes the question entirely and offers a practical way to move forward without feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in planning mode.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why “brand vs. book” is often the wrong question to ask
• What truly prevents authors from getting started
• How author voice and positioning are developed through use, not theory
• Why focusing on one platform early can accelerate clarity
• A simple way to build momentum in both your book and your brand at the same time

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready before starting your book or building your platform, this episode will help you rethink what readiness actually looks like.

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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As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing is a reflection on what has been learned after working with more than 30 nonfiction authors this year across writing, publishing, launching, and book marketing.

If you’re a nonfiction author, coach, consultant, or thought leader navigating how to publish a book — and how to do it with intention — this episode will help you reset, refocus, and think more strategically about your path forward.

In this episode, I reflect on:

• What successful authors tend to get right early in the process
• Where many authors get stuck — and why
• How the book publishing and book marketing landscape is shifting
• What opportunities are opening up for authors heading into 2026
• Why clarity matters more than ever at every stage of publishing

This episode isn’t about tactics or step-by-step strategies. It’s about perspective — and making sure you’re building the right book, the right platform, and the right publishing path for your goals.

🎙 Your Path to Book Publishing returns January 12, 2026.

 Enjoy the holidays, and see you in the new year.

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 you’ve ever said, “I want to write a book… I just don’t have time,” this episode was made for you.

In this week’s episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we break down the real reason time gets in the way for nonfiction authors — and the practical strategies that allow you to start (and even draft) your book without adding hours to your week.

You’ll learn:

• Why your book actually begins long before you “start writing”
• How to make progress using the time you already have — even without typing a single word
• The creative process behind shaping ideas into a strong, marketable book concept
• How to capture, organize, and refine your thinking using tools you already use daily
• The pros and cons of speech-to-text writing, dictation, and idea-capture workflows
• Why a fast first draft matters more than a perfect one
• How ghostwriters and AI-assisted outlining can speed up your timeline dramatically
• The mindset shift busy coaches, consultants, and executives need in order to finish a book

If you’re a nonfiction author with a full calendar — client work, leadership roles, family, and everything in between — this episode walks you through how to finally start your book without waiting for “more 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 

Most nonfiction authors ask the same question at some point:
“How do authors actually make money from their books?”

In this episode, you’ll learn exactly that — because the truth is, royalties are not where most nonfiction authors earn their income. Your real opportunity comes from the ecosystem around your book. And once you start thinking like an IP company, the number of revenue paths available to you expands dramatically.

Today, we walk through 37 income streams nonfiction authors can use — and why you only need a handful of them to start seeing real traction. You’ll also hear the single fastest revenue generator for most coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why book royalties are almost never the main income source — and why that’s actually empowering
• The 7 categories of author income (book-based, education, consulting, speaking, digital media, memberships, licensing)
• How to choose the three streams that make the most sense for your stage and goals
• The biggest mindset shift that helps authors build a sustainable business — not just a book
• The income stream most nonfiction authors can activate before launch day

Free Resource:

Download the full one-page guide with all 37 income streams at: juxtabook.com/37ways

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 

Most nonfiction authors think they’re “writing a book.”

But the moment you decide to write one… you’ve actually become an intellectual property company.

In this episode, you’ll learn why this mindset shift changes everything about how you publish, market, and monetize your work — especially if you're a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader.

This episode breaks down how authors can think bigger, protect their ideas, and treat their book as the gateway to a scalable ecosystem—not a one-off product.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why every nonfiction author is an IP company (whether they realize it or not)
• How to turn your ideas, frameworks, and stories into long-term assets
• What Taylor Swift can teach authors about rights, licensing, and content ownership
• How top authors like Brené Brown, James Clear, and Donald Miller built multi-product ecosystems
• Why “your book is not your business”… your IP strategy is
• How to protect your content in an AI-driven world
• The key questions that help you identify the next asset in your author business

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 your Amazon rankings have been bouncing around lately or your ads suddenly feel less effective, there’s a reason. Amazon has quietly updated its A9/A10 algorithm, and it’s now heavily prioritizing external traffic from your author platform.

In this episode, we break down what this shift means for nonfiction authors, why outside traffic now matters more than Amazon’s internal discovery, and how to adjust your book marketing strategy so your book stays visible.

You’ll learn:

• What changed in Amazon’s latest algorithm update
• Why Amazon is prioritizing high-intent external traffic
• How LinkedIn, email newsletters, podcasts, and social media impact your ranking
• Why your author platform now matters more than your Amazon page
• How this affects self-published and traditionally published authors
• What nonfiction authors should update right now to stay competitive

Plus: The type of external traffic Amazon rewards the most for nonfiction, business, and self-help authors.

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 

Can self-publishing actually pay off?

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can make real profit from your book — not just cover your costs — this episode is for you.

In this week’s Your Path to Book Publishing, we break down how one nonfiction author launched their book just a few weeks ago and is already seeing thousands in profit from a direct-sales strategy that outperforms Amazon and traditional publishing combined.

Whether you’re a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader, you’ll learn how to turn your book into a real revenue stream — even if you don’t have a huge platform or marketing team.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why self-publishing is more than a publishing path — it’s a revenue model
• How to use direct book sales from your website to dramatically increase profit
• The real profit-per-book comparison between direct sales, Amazon, and traditional publishing
• How one author earned nearly $5,000 in profit in the first month after launch
• What tools and setup you need (like BookVault + WooCommerce) to make it all work seamlessly
• How to pair simple, consistent marketing with strong ROI — even without ads

If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether self-publishing can be profitable, this episode will show you the numbers, the process, and the path 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!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Ever feel overwhelmed trying to market your book?
Wondering if you should post on social media, run ads, hire a publicist, or just cross your fingers and hope readers find it?

You’re not alone.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, you’ll learn the four audience signals that tell you exactly how to market your book — so you can stop guessing, stop chasing every new trend, and finally create a book marketing strategy that fits you and your ideal readers.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The difference between demographics and psychographics — and how to identify what truly motivates your readers
• Why understanding where your audience spends time online (and offline) is the key to connecting effectively
• The emotional triggers behind book buying — pain, aspiration, and proof — and how to use them ethically in your messaging
• How to match your content format (posts, podcasts, visuals) to your audience’s learning habits for stronger engagement
• A simple system to align your message, audience, and delivery — so your marketing feels natural and actually works

If you’re tired of doing “random acts of marketing,” this episode will help you focus your efforts and build a sustainable author marketing plan that resonates with your readers.

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 

Before you hit publish on your nonfiction book, there are a few crucial steps that can make—or break—your launch.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, you’ll learn the six essential things to double-check before launching your book, plus the one final step that determines whether your book quietly fades or builds long-term momentum.

Whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or going traditional, this episode gives you a practical book publishing checklist to ensure your book connects with the right readers and sustains success beyond launch week.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

•  How to confirm your book still aligns with your audience’s biggest problem or desire
•  Why ordering a printed proof (and even listening to your book read aloud) helps catch hidden errors
•  The hidden power of metadata—your categories, keywords, and description—for discoverability
•  How to plan early for reader reviews that drive visibility and credibility
•  Why your author platform must reflect your upcoming book to build trust
•  How to choose the right book launch strategy for your goals and schedule

If you want your book not only to launch well but also to last, this episode provides the clarity and structure to ensure every detail is ready before you publish.

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 

Self-publishing gives authors incredible freedom—but it’s not the right fit for everyone.

In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’ll look at a real-world example of an author who seemed ready to self-publish—until it became clear that wasn’t the best path for their goals.

You’ll learn:

• When self-publishing might hurt your author brand instead of helping it
•  What to consider before investing time and money into publishing on your own
•  How hybrid or traditional publishing could better align with your long-term goals
•  The key questions to ask before choosing your publishing path

The truth is, publishing a book is more than a creative project—it’s a business decision.

And sometimes, the smartest move is to pause, reassess, and choose the path that gives you both credibility and longevity.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to evaluate your options, protect your investment, and make sure your publishing choice supports the kind of author—and business—you want to build.

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