How You Can Successfully Market a Debut Novel - BM531

Ever wonder how a debut novel can open doors far beyond book sales?This week’s guest is Kailey Holbrook, award-winning filmmaker, author, and film student at USC. Kailey published her first 500+ page novel while still in high school. Since then, she's built an engaged online following, navigated the worlds of publishing and filmmaking, and learned firsthand what it takes to connect with readers in a crowded marketplace.In this conversation, Kailey shares how she found her audience, built a creative community, and leveraged storytelling skills across multiple platforms. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, you'll discover practical lessons on visibility, audience growth, and creating opportunities that extend well beyond your book.Key TakeawaysWhy a Book Can Become Your Biggest DifferentiatorDiscover how publishing a book can create unexpected opportunities, boost credibility, and help you stand out in ways most people never consider.The Audience Mistake Many Authors MakeLearn why trying to reach everyone often leads to reaching no one, and how identifying the right readers can transform your marketing results.What Social Platforms Are Really Telling YouFind out how Kailey uses TikTok, Instagram, and Goodreads to learn what readers care about and build genuine engagement without feeling promotional.The Hidden Power of Creative CommunityExplore how surrounding yourself with fellow creators can spark new ideas, fuel motivation, and help your work reach a wider audience.What It Takes to Turn a Book into a ScreenplayGet an inside look at the biggest differences between writing a novel and writing for the screen, plus the skills every aspiring screenwriter should develop.Why Successful Authors Stay FlexibleLearn how adapting your writing, marketing, and creative process can help you stay relevant as your audience and goals evolve.Tune in now!Here's how to connect with Kailey:Tik Tok: @kaileyholbrookauthorYoutube: @KaileyHolbrookAuthorInstagram: @kaileyholbrookLinkedIn: Kailey Holbrook*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Want more book sales, visibility, and credibility? Speaking may be one of the fastest ways to get there.But how do you land speaking opportunities if nobody knows who you are? Do you need a polished keynote? A speaker reel? A big platform?In this episode, I sit down with Steve Markman, founder of Markman Speaker Management and a respected insider with more than 35 years in the speaking and conference world. Steve pulls back the curtain on what really gets authors booked and what quietly ruins opportunities before they begin.If you’ve ever thought, I’d love to speak, but where do I start? this conversation is for you.Steve shares practical advice on how nonfiction authors can use speaking to grow authority, open doors, sell more books, and create new opportunities without feeling pushy or self-promotional.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why speaking can change the trajectory of your bookWhat happens when people hear you speak before they buy your book? Why do some authors gain momentum while others stay invisible?The surprising truth about getting your first speaking gigDo you need to get paid right away? Where should you start? Steve explains why some of the smartest opportunities may not pay a fee at first.What meeting planners secretly look forWhat makes someone an easy “yes”? The small details that can move you from overlooked to booked.The mistake that can kill speaking opportunities fastOne habit turns audiences and planners off almost instantly. Are authors making this mistake without knowing it?The simple assets that make you look more credibleDo you really need a speaker one sheet? A video reel? A polished bio? Steve shares what matters and what may not.If speaking has been sitting on your someday list, this episode may change how you think about what’s possible.Here's how to connect with Steve:EmailWebsite*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Could using AI in your book create a legal problem you never saw coming?What if parts of your manuscript are not actually protected by copyright? And what should authors know before using AI for research, outlines, editing, or content creation?In this eye-opening conversation, legal expert Elissa Hecker breaks down what nonfiction authors need to understand about AI, copyright, contracts, and protecting their intellectual property in a fast-changing publishing world.This episode answers the questions many authors are afraid to ask.Key TakeawaysCan You Copyright AI Content? The surprising truth about what parts of AI-assisted work may not be legally protected.Are You Using AI Safely? Smart ways to use AI without risking ownership, credibility, or control of your content.The Contract Clause Authors Cannot Ignore Why publishers are paying attention to AI use and what disclosures may soon become standard.Your Biggest Competitive Advantage in an AI World Why your voice, experience, and originality matter more than ever and how to protect them.One Copyright Mistake That Could Cost You The difference between “having copyright” and protecting it when problems arise.If AI feels exciting, confusing, or a little intimidating, this conversation will help you separate hype from reality and make smarter decisions about your book, your ideas, and your intellectual property.Here's how to connect with Elissa:Email Elissa for your complimentary 30-minute consultationWebsiteResources: US Copyright OfficePatent and Trademark Office*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Are you undercharging without realizing it?What if the biggest thing standing between you and higher-value clients has less to do with talent and more to do with how you see your own expertise?In this eye-opening conversation, business advisor and author John Ray challenges some common assumptions about pricing, generosity, confidence, and the role your book should play in growing your business.If you’ve ever questioned your value, struggled to price your services, or wondered why your book is not creating bigger opportunities, this episode may shift how you think about expertise altogether.Key TakeawaysAre You Being Too Generous? Why giving more is not always the smartest move and what actually builds trust with clients.The Pricing Mistake That Quietly Hurts Credibility What your fees may be signaling about your value and why cheaper rarely wins.Why Smart Experts Still Feel Like Frauds A simple mindset shift that can quiet self-doubt and help you own your expertise.Is Your Book Working Hard Enough? Why your book should open doors, spark conversations, and lead to bigger opportunities.The Small Shift That Makes Clients Say Yes How changing the focus from you to them can transform proposals, conversations, and results.If pricing feels awkward, confidence feels shaky, or your book is sitting on the sidelines instead of opening doors, you’ll want to tune into this powerful conversation.Your free gift from John: The Red Flags of Inadequate Pricing, a one-page diagnostic that will help service providers assess whether they are laboring with inadequate pricing.Here's how to connect with John:WebsiteLinkedIn*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Do you know why some authors struggle to market their books even when they have a powerful message?This week’s guest expert is April Adams Pertuis, award-winning journalist, producer, and founder of Light Beamers. After conducting more than 10,000 interviews over a 30-year career, April has learned one truth most authors miss: storytelling is not separate from marketing. It is the marketing.In this eye-opening conversation, you’ll discover how to use your personal stories to build trust, spark curiosity, and create stronger connections with readers. April also shares how AI can help uncover and organize your stories without replacing your authentic voice.If marketing your book feels forced, awkward, or exhausting, this episode may completely change the way you think about promoting your work.Key Takeaways: Storytelling makes marketing feel human. When you stop “selling” and start sharing meaningful stories, people pay attention.  Your “why” matters more than your pitch. Readers connect with the reason behind your book before they connect with the book itself.  AI can help uncover your stories. Used the right way, AI becomes a creative partner that helps you organize ideas and discover stories you may have forgotten.  Create a story bank. The best authors collect stories from their life, work, and experiences so they always have meaningful content to share.  Authenticity builds trust. Real stories, challenges, and lessons create deeper audience connection than polished marketing language ever will. Don’t miss this episode if you want your marketing to feel more natural, more engaging, and far more effective. Tune in now!Here's how to connect with April:WebsiteFree gifts for listeners:Your Story Formula: www.lightbeamers.com/formulaYour Story Formula Quiz: www.lightbeamers.com/quizLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lightbeamersInstagram: www.instagram.com/lightbeamersFaceBook: www.facebook.com/apriladamstv*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Do readers judge a book by its cover? Absolutely. And if your book looks self-published, readers notice before they read a single word.This week on the podcast, book designer extraordinaire Victoria Wolf pulls back the curtain on what makes a book look polished, credible, and impossible to ignore.With more than 30 years in the industry and 500+ books designed, Victoria shares the design choices that separate books people buy from books people scroll past.We talk covers that instantly signal quality, interiors that keep readers engaged, and the subtle design mistakes that quietly kill credibility. You’ll also hear why many nonfiction authors sabotage their authority with amateur visuals without even realizing it.If your book is supposed to open doors, your design can’t afford to whisper.Key takeways from this week's episode; Why interior design matters far more than most authors think  The typography and layout choices that make books easier to read and harder to put down  The real job of a book cover and why most self-published covers miss the mark  When your author photo helps your brand and when it hurts it  The tiny design tweaks that instantly make a book feel professionally published  How strong design builds trust, authority, and sales before readers even open the book If you want your book to compete with traditionally published titles instead of looking like an afterthought, don’t miss this conversation. Tune in now!Here's how to connect with Victoria:Website:  Wolf Design and Marketing,LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriawolf/LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolf-design-marketingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfdesignandmarketingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfsOnBooks*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Are you actually stuck… or are you hiding behind perfection?Most nonfiction authors say they’re “not ready.” Kristin Bentley calls that out for what it is.As founder and CEO of EP House, Kristin has spent 25+ years helping leaders, experts, and change-makers turn lived experience into books that matter. In this conversation, she breaks apart the idea that confidence comes first… and replaces it with something far more uncomfortable and far more effective.Because the truth? You don’t think your way into writing a book. You write your way into clarity.What This Episode Will Challenge:“Ready” is a moving target. If you’re waiting for it, you may be waiting forever.Clarity doesn’t come before the work. It shows up because of it… and only if you start.Outlines can help… or quietly stall you. There’s a fine line between structure and avoidance.Writer’s block isn’t random. It’s usually pointing to something deeper you’d rather not face.Your voice gets lost the moment you try to please everyone. And most authors don’t realize when that’s happening.Kristin also shares how to use tools like AI without losing your voice, how to move through resistance without forcing it, and why your first draft should feel a little uncomfortable if you’re doing it right.If you’ve been circling your book, tweaking your outline, or telling yourself you’ll start “soon”… this episode will hit closer than expected. So, tune in now!Here's how to connect with Kristin:Website: EPHouse.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-hernquist-bentleyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristin.hernquist.bentley*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Are you writing a novel… or quietly hoping people will magically find it later?This week’s guest, Olivia Zugay, isn’t here for that fantasy.As a marketing and sales strategist for self-published fiction authors and founder of Story Flow Solutions, Olivia helps writers stop treating marketing like an afterthought and start building real reader demand before the book even exists.If you want loyal readers rather than one-time buyers, this conversation will challenge the way you think about publishing from day one.Key Takeaways:Stop waiting to be “ready.” Your audience-building window opens the moment you decide to write. Miss it, and your launch gets a lot harder.Your readers will tell you what to write… if you ask. Surveys, conversations, and feedback loops aren’t extras. They’re your unfair advantage.One book is a gamble. A series is a strategy. Thinking beyond a single title changes everything about sales, visibility, and momentum.Confused authors don’t sell books. Understanding the publishing landscape upfront saves time, money, and a whole lot of frustration later.Social media doesn’t own your audience. You do… or you should. An email list isn’t optional. It’s your most reliable path to consistent sales and long-term growth.If you’ve been treating marketing like something you’ll “figure out later,” this episode might be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. So, tune in now!Here's how to connect with Olivia:Website: storyflowsolutions.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-zugay/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyflowsolutions/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyflowsolutionsFree Gift: The Profitable Author Roadmap*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Why do some nonfiction books get read… and others get put down halfway through?If your book isn’t connecting the way you expected, it’s probably not a marketing issue. It’s how the message is landing on the page.This week’s guest expert, Corey Radman—editor and ghostwriter for memoir, self-help, and business authors—breaks down what actually makes a book resonate.Because readers don’t stay for information. They stay for how it makes them think, feel, and see themselves.If you want your book to do more than inform—if you want it to stick—this conversation will show you what’s missing.There's a Real Person on the Other Side of the Screen: The one mindset shift that makes readers feel like you're writing just for them.The Boring Topic Is a Myth: Why the driest subject in the room is secretly the most powerful story waiting to be told.A Vignette Is a Knife, Not a Blanket: The overlooked rule about story length that separates forgettable writing from writing that sticks.Some Stories Aren't Only Yours to Tell: The question every writer should ask before hitting publish — but almost nobody does.AI Is a Brilliant Brainstorming Buddy With a Lying Problem: How to use AI in your writing without letting it quietly sabotage your credibility.If your book isn’t landing the way you hoped, it might not be a marketing issue.It might be how the message is being experienced on the page. Tune in now to find out more.Here's how to connect with Corey:WebsiteLinkedIn*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************

Are you building your authority… or quietly eroding it without realizing it?In a world where AI can write, mimic, and scale content in seconds, trust has become fragile.And for nonfiction authors, that changes everything.This week’s guest, Gal Borenstein—global branding and PR expert and author of Don’t Believe the Hype—breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface.Because this isn’t about whether you use AI.It’s about what it signals to your audience when you do.What you’ll start to question:Is AI helping your message… or diluting it? It’s not always obvious where that line is.Can people tell when something feels off—even if they can’t explain why? There are patterns. And once you see them, you can’t unsee them.How much transparency actually builds trust… and when does it backfire?What happens when credibility slips—even slightly? And how do you recover when it does?Are you actively shaping your digital presence… or leaving it to chance?If trust is the foundation of your work, this conversation will shift how you think about every piece of content you put out.Because in this environment, it’s not just what you say.It’s how real it feels when you say it.Here's how to connect with Gal:Free E-Book copy to exclusive listeners of the show. Email Gal directly at [email protected] Galls book Don't Believe the HypeWebsiteLinkedIn*************************************************************************When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming, Clarity Changes EverythingIf you know your book deserves more visibility, but marketing feels confusing or inconsistent, the Author Influencer Circle helps nonfiction authors build authority, attract opportunities, and market with confidence.Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and turn your book into money making opportunities!*************************************************************************