The Writing Biz

In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, author H.A. Callum draws on 25+ years in the legal profession to show writers how to protect their work like a business. You'll learn how to read author contracts, what copyright actually protects for self publishing authors, how to protect your manuscript and files, and how to vet cover designers so you keep full control.If you want to publish a book, sell direct, and keep more profit and control, this is your playbook for doing it right. We cover book publishing basics, self publishing a book on KDP and IngramSpark, ISBNs, and simple systems to keep your writing business safe while you grow direct sales.Subscribe for practical strategies on how to write a book, how to publish a book, and how to make money selling books direct.Timestamps: 0:00 Why authors lose their book rights 0:58 Who is H.A. Callum and why contracts matter 3:47 Contract mistakes that cost authors control 7:21 How to protect your manuscript and data 13:11 What copyright actually protects for authors 16:58 Vetting cover designers and keeping your rights 37:55 Keeping control while selling direct#selfpublishing #copyright #bookpublishingLearn more at: https://hacallumwrites.com/ H.A. Callum offers online visits to schools, libraries, and book clubs!FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ!

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Anne Spielberg co-wrote Big starring Tom Hanks — now she wrote a children's book.The Writing Biz Podcast host Laura Williams talks with Anne about her pivot from Hollywood screenwriting to picture books with her debut The Iceberg and the Penguin (out Earth Day 2027), and what that move teaches writers who want to sell books direct and build a sustainable writing business.Anne shares how trips to Alaska, Chile and the Falkland Islands, watching a glacier calve and meeting penguins up close, sparked the story. She breaks down how to write a children's book when you come from film, why picture books demand under 1,000 words, how she partnered with illustrator Daniel Fiore, and how she weaves in climate change without scaring young readers.We also get practical on the business side: getting an intro from Dr. Sylvia Earle, reaching out to Pierce Brosnan, why children's book marketing falls on the author, learning Instagram from scratch, and what freelance screenwriters know about cash flow, loan-out corporations, and selling direct at events and festivals that book authors can use.Perfect for children's book authors, screenwriters crossing mediums, and indie authors focused on direct sales and long-term backlist income.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: From Big to picture books 01:00 - How communication has changed for writers 01:34 - Inspiration for The Iceberg and the Penguin 05:49 - Writing climate change for kids 07:10 - Working with illustrator Daniel Fiore 11:00 - Screenwriting vs. picture book writing 15:03 - Film adaptation potential and message 17:26 - Endorsements and the author's marketing job 21:00 - Social media for authors 22:55 - Release details and Earth Day 2027 26:26 - Advice for crossing mediums 29:39 - Freelance writing business realities 32:11 - Creative process and finding the zone#ChildrensBookAuthor #PictureBooks #BookMarketing #DirectSales #WritingBusinessVisit annespeilberg.com and preorder The Iceberg & The Penguin!FULL TRANSCRIPT & MOREFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZWebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX

Author Paul Trammell sold his house in 2019, moved aboard a 40-foot sailboat, and built a full time author business from open water. In this episode he shares how he finished and published 13 books while sailing, how nature and solitude fuel his writing, and how writers can think like entrepreneurs to fund a life of freedom.You will learn how Paul structures his writing days at anchor versus underway, how he records his own audiobooks from the boat, and what it really takes to support yourself writing a book outside a traditional job. If you want to become a full time author through self publishing and selling direct, this conversation gives you a clear, practical picture of the tradeoffs and payoffs.Timestamps:00:00 Intro - Meet Paul Trammell, sailboat author of 13 books 00:57 Why he left land life behind and chased adventure 02:00 Learning to sail and moving aboard The Windflower 03:00 Selling the house in 2019 to sail and write full time 04:31 Daily life, power, Starlink, and sailor community 05:29 Living in Bocas del Toro, Panama and working from the boat 09:35 13 books, fiction and nonfiction, and recording audiobooks aboard 13:09 Nature as muse and the power of solitude for writers 21:13 Writing process underway vs at anchor and the story behind Identity Crisis 25:35 Learning the craft and staying human in your writing#writingabook #fulltimeauthor #selfpublishingPaul Trammell's Official Website: https://paultrammell.com Substack: https://paultrammell.substack.com/ FULL TRANSCRIPT & MOREFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ

Your publisher will not sell your book.Seth Panitch learned that the expensive way — then sold his debut novel by getting in front of readers in person.Seth spent decades under the theater lights as an actor, director, and playwright before publishing his debut novel, Antique, at 50. In this episode he breaks down what actually moved copies: book signings, festivals, community events, and talking to readers one at a time. He also explains why his stage training made the writing better, what surprised him about the publishing business, and why experience — not youth — is an author's real advantage.If you're writing a book and assuming someone else will market it, this conversation is for you.Timestamps:00:00 The theater career that trained a novelist00:42 Why he wrote a novel at 5005:08 From collaboration to writing alone08:10 How stage craft shaped Antique's structure10:37 Translating subtext from stage to page13:02 Why life experience makes a stronger debut20:01 Publishing a novel vs. producing a play24:44 Marketing that actually works: in-person selling29:37 The most joyful part of the process32:04 What Antique is about and where to get it34:45 What he's writing nextSeth's book, Antique, is available at Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and online retailers. Connect with him at https://sethpanitch.com/FULL TRANSCRIPT & MORE: ⁠ https://urls.thewritingbiz.com/44FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZWebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX#HowToSellBooks #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #AuthorPlatform #BookLaunch #WritingBusiness #WritingPodcast

He Turned Bigfoot Hunting Into a Book Business with Dr. Dean Russell. Most writers are told to write a bigger book. Dean did the opposite and built sales with short, focused books in ultra-specific niches. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Dean breaks down how he applies project management to research and writing, defines a clear outcome before chapter one, and structures short books that readers actually finish. You will learn why shorter books outsell long ones, how to split one broad idea into multiple small books that stack sales, his iterative editing process and what to demand from a copy editor, plus how to turn Kindle, audiobook, and direct sales into a repeatable system.If you are writing a book in a strange or crowded niche and want to sell more copies without waiting on publishers, this is your playbook for turning weird ideas into a real author business. Subscribe for weekly strategies on platform, marketing, and revenue for writers who think like entrepreneurs.#WritingABook #SelfPublishing #BookMarketingTimestamps:00:00 - Project Management Meets the Paranormal02:15 - From Led Zeppelin to Ghost Hunting06:10 - Reproducible Results and Real Ghost Hunts09:20 - Personal Stories and Skeptical Inquiry15:30 - Hospice Visitations and New Book Ideas21:00 - Staying Out of Research Rabbit Holes27:45 - Short Books, Editing and Structure That Sells36:20 - Future of Books and Direct SalesTRANSCRIPT & MORE: https://https://urls.thewritingbiz.com/43GUEST:  Dr. Dean Russell https://www.drdeanrussell.com/ FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZWebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX

No one can sell your book better than you! Guy Morris, founder of the Author Event Network shows how to sell books in person at festivals and keep the profit.Most authors lose money on book marketing that pays pennies in royalties. Guy flips it with direct sales — shared booths, high-traffic community events, and a one-line hook that stops buyers. Learn how the Network works, what a seat costs, why festivals beat book signings, and how to pitch, handle payments, and cross-promote like a pro.GUEST: Guy Morris, Author Event NetworkFULL TRANSCRIPT & MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/author-guy-morris-no-one-can-sell-your-book-better-than-you/#howtosellbooks #bookmarketing #directsalesFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZWebsite: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/onthewritingbiz

Tired of pitching your book and hearing silence? Hollywood publicist turned LA Times reviewer and author Gary Goldstein (K-9 Custody, The Last Birthday Party) breaks down how to think like a journalist, find niche angles, and follow up like a pro to land coverage without a PR firm.In this episode, Gary shares why self-marketing is a core author skill, how to pitch the right person the right way, how to turn one book into multiple niche stories, and the organized follow-up system that turns no-reply into yes. You will also learn what makes a strong subject line, why to skip AI pitches, and how to balance writing time with promotion.Perfect for self-published and traditionally published authors who want practical book marketing and publicity strategies that get noticed.#BookMarketing #BookPublicity #AuthorMarketing #SelfPublishing #writingcommunity MY GUEST:Gary Goldstein, author, screenwriter and LA Times reviewer http://www.GaryGoldsteinLA.comGARY GOLDSTEIN'S BOOKS: Canine Custodyhttps://amzn.to/4sdOEdw The Mother I Never Hadhttps://amzn.to/4hSDirR The Last Birthday Partyhttps://amzn.to/4zvOBvSFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:WebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro: Become your own best publicist 01:02 - Gary's dual view: publicist and LA Times reviewer 01:17 - Why book publicity is so crowded now 03:00 - Pitching protocol: who to pitch and how 06:25 - Why authors must embrace self-marketing 09:42 - Take ego out of marketing 12:08 - Find niche angles that get coverage (K-9 Custody example) 18:30 - Follow-up system that turns silence into yes 25:19 - Manage expectations and value small wins 27:38 - Subject lines that get opened (skip the AI pitch) 30:00 - Workflow: balance writing and marketing timeSUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/I am a member of the Amazon Associates program.

Yes is the destination, no is how you get there. Andrea Waltz, co-author of Go for No!, joins The Writing Biz Podcast to show writers how to overcome rejection and turn every no into momentum.If fear of rejection is keeping you from pitching agents, publishers, bookstores, or readers, this conversation reframes rejection as proof you are in the game. Andrea breaks down the failure quota, setting a no-goal to gamify pitching, remove the emotional sting, and keep you submitting. She also shares the 10-year overnight story behind Go for No!, from self-publishing in 2000 and hearing crickets after sending 500 copies, to redesigning the cover, refining the message, and building a full business with courses, sequels, and speaking around one book.You will learn how to handle silence as rejection, why follow-up closes sales, how to fix messaging around audience needs, and how to use your book as a calling card for a sustainable writing business. Perfect for authors working on success mindset, growth mindset, and book marketing systems that survive algorithm changes. #GoForNo #OvercomeRejection #WritingBusinessTimestamps:00:00 - Meet Andrea Waltz and Go for No! 01:03 - Reframing no to silence imposter syndrome 03:00 - What is a failure quota or no-goal 06:34 - How to apply your no-goal and follow up 09:47 - The 10-year journey to a bestseller 14:00 - Focus, coachability, and fueling perseverance 16:05 - Turning one book into courses and speaking 18:27 - Andrea's writer origin and partnership story 26:46 - Fixing audience and messaging struggles 32:00 - Social media, algorithms, and owning your listFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/onthewritingbiz

Learn the strategy to move from commodity work into a high-fee ghostwriter for CEOs and entrepreneurs.Many writers get stuck in a cycle of low-rate work, but the path to building a sustainable career relies on changing how you position your services. Dr. Marcia Layton Turner joins the podcast to explain how to move away from basic freelance writing and start commanding premium rates.She breaks down the specific shift required to become a trusted ghostwriter for CEOs and entrepreneurs. By positioning yourself as a strategic publishing partner rather than just a writer, you can secure high paying clients who value the ROI of a professional business book.#Ghostwriter #Ghostwriting #freelancewriting MY GUEST: Marcia Turner-Layton, ghostwriterhttps://marcialaytonturner.com/ https://www.facebook.com/marcialaytonturnerhttps://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MarciaLaytonTurner https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcialaytonturner/ RESORCES MENTIONED:Association of Ghostwriters: Professional association founded by Marcia providing education, community, and business resources for ghostwriters https://associationofghostwriters.orgEditorial Freelancers Association (EFA): Referenced for freelance rate surveys and industry benchmark data. https://www.the-efa.org/ Gotham Ghostwriters: Premier ghostwriting agency referenced for industry market rate reports and freelance opportunities. https://gothamghostwriters.com/ Kevin Anderson & Associates: Leading ghostwriting firm mentioned as a potential agency partner for qualified writers. https://www.ka-writing.com/ Advantage / Forbes Books: Publisher highlighted for regular freelance ghostwriter job postings. https://advantagebooks.com/ American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): Professional writers' organization where the idea for the Association of Ghostwriters originated. https://www.asja.org/ FOLLOW USWebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebook

Nobody buys your book because YOU need them to.Editor and ghostwriter Ally Machate joins The Writing Biz Podcast to show why your business book has to work as a lever for clients, speaking, and authority — not just royalties. If you're self publishing a business book, planning your book launch, or wondering how to market your book after publish day, this is your marketability check.In this episode: why business growth beats book sales as the goal, the good book wrong book trap, marketability vs marketing, the 3 must-haves baked into the draft (goal, readers, promise), nonfiction titles and searchability, Big 5 blind spots, why you must deliver real value instead of a long commercial, and launch week non-negotiables — seeding the right readers and stacking reviews in the first 30-90 days.See below for Ally's special offer for the audience of The Writing Biz!#BusinessBook #BookMarketing #SelfPublishingMY GUEST:Ally Machate, founder of The Writer's Allyhttps://www.thewritersally.com FREE WEBINAR FOR THE WRITING BIZ AUDIENCE!!“Don’t Write the Wrong Book!”Before you invest time, money, or momentum in a book, make sure you’re writing the right one…the one that will build your business, credibility, and client list. This free, 25-minute on-demand webinar will help you avoid that.https://www.offers.thewritersally.com/thewritingbiz TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Why nobody buys your book because you need them to 02:15 Your book is a lever, not the business 06:30 Good book, wrong book trap 11:00 Marketability vs marketing 15:30 The 3 things every marketable business book needs20:15 Nonfiction titles, subtitles and searchability 25:00 Big 5 blind spots indie authors repeat 29:30 Deliver value, not a long commercial 33:45 Launch week: seeding + reviews in the first 90 days38:00 Your book is a tool, not the projectFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:WebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX