How Book Publishing Is Evolving with Agent Mark Gottlieb

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Justin Breen is living proof that writing a book can literally transform your entire existence. The co-founder and CEO of The Epic F.I.T. Network (named one of the top five masterminds on the planet) went from charging $500 for his PR services to commanding $30,000 a client—all thanks to the power of authorship.His journey from journalist to bestselling author reads like a business fairy tale: after his salary was cut in half, he reached out to 5,000 people to find his first five clients, then documented the entire wild ride in his first book, Epic Life.Breen describes the writing process as channeling divine inspiration while literally staring at the sun during his daily runs, resulting in what he calls a "complete ego death" that led to an amicable divorce and a total life overhaul.Now he's floating between companies (including an AI music platform called Corvia.AI), unsure where he'll live next, but certain that his books have been manifesting his reality in ways he never expected—proving that sometimes the best business strategy is having no strategy at all.Episode Highlights:Justin shares how writing his new book, Epic Journey, led to a complete personal and professional transformation, including an amicable divorce and new business ventures.Discussion of the themes in Epic Journey, including ego death, the merging of the divine masculine and feminine, and the impact the manuscript has had on early readers (including inspiring tattoos!).Insights into Justin’s previous books, the origins of the word “business,” and how writing has shaped his career and personal growth.The financial and reputational impact of publishing books: from charging $500 to $30,000 for his services, and how his books led to speaking engagements, media opportunities, and the creation of a global mastermind.The organic, non-strategic approach Justin takes to marketing and networking, and how authenticity and connection have driven his success.Reflections on the importance of storytelling, the challenges of writing, and why not everyone should write their own book.Justin’s thoughts on relationships, personal evolution, and the power of being understood through writing.A look ahead at future projects, including a potential book collaboration with Melissa Bernstein (of Melissa & Doug Toys) and his new company, CORV a.ai, focused on AI-generated music.Key Takeaways:Writing can be a catalyst for profound life changes, both personally and professionally.Authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling resonate deeply with audiences.Success often comes from organic connections and following one’s purpose, rather than rigid strategy.Everyone has a story, but not everyone needs to write it themselves—sometimes it’s best to collaborate with skilled writers.The journey of authorship can lead to unexpected opportunities, relationships, and self-discovery.DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST ON ANY PLATFORM HEREREAD THE SUBSTACK STORY BASED ON THIS INTERVIEW HERE

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Christos Garkinos has lived several lives—and nearly lost one along the way. From a lonely childhood as a gay Greek kid in Detroit to running marketing for Virgin Megastores, launching fashion lines on HSN and becoming Bravo’s “Robin Hood of Fashion,” Christos seemed unstoppable…until addiction, financial collapse and grief brought everything crashing down.In this episode, Christos and I talk about what happens after you lose everything—and how rebuilding can become more powerful than the original dream.We dive into the making and launch of his memoir Covet the Comeback, including how he orchestrated a book rollout that looked more like a rock tour than a traditional publishing plan: celebrity-filled dinners, sold-out events across the country, a five-month LA billboard that landed directly above an ATM from his darkest days and a community that showed up in ways he never imagined.Christos opens up about sobriety, ego, surrender and the surprising emotional weight of being seen—by strangers, by longtime fans and by the people who once underestimated him. He shares how storytelling transformed not just his public image, but his business, his relationships and his sense of legacy.Episode Highlights·       Why Christos refused a “normal” book launch and built his own rules·       The billboard moment that made him believe in something bigger than himself·       How sobriety reshaped his instincts, leadership and creativity·       What happens when your community turns your story into their own·       Why a book isn’t about sales—and what it actually gives you instead

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Walter Clarke has spent more than 30 years advising wealthy families—and he’s seen firsthand how money can quietly destroy relationships, identity and mental health when people aren’t prepared for it. A former investment manager turned financial educator, Walter didn’t set out to write books to build a brand. He wrote them because he’d lived the consequences of not understanding risk.In this episode, Walter and I talk about what happens when success arrives before education—and how one catastrophic business failure reshaped his philosophy on wealth, parenting and legacy.We unpack his first book, The Big Risk, which chronicles a painful chapter involving regulatory action, bad advice and the moment Walter lost his firm—and why owning the narrative was the only way forward. He shares how writing the book transformed shame into authority and positioned him as someone who teaches from experience, not theory.We also dive into his second book, 401Kid, and the radical idea that financial education should start at birth—not adulthood. Walter explains why kids lose their parents’ influence around age eleven, how money is actually a byproduct of value creation and why avoiding “entitlement” conversations does far more harm than good.This conversation is part cautionary tale, part parenting guide and part roadmap for building wealth that lasts across generations. It’s about learning the hard way—and making sure the next generation doesn’t have to.Episode HighlightsWhy sudden wealth is more dangerous than lack of moneyHow writing The Big Risk helped Walter reclaim his storyThe moment that inspired 401Kid—and why the title just clickedWhy money conversations must happen before age elevenHow books elevated Walter’s authority and opened entirely new business doors

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. When we published Right for the Role, I figured John would sell a few books, make a couple of actors cry and call it a day. Instead, the four-time Emmy-winning casting legend turned it into a full-blown second act. His memoir didn’t just tell the story of his decades casting ER, The West Wing and Shameless—it completely rewired his creative life.After decades shaping other people’s performances, John finally stepped into the spotlight. The book sparked a podcast, packed acting schools, earned a spot in the Studio City Barnes & Noble window and somehow made him Instagram-famous (his words, not mine). At 78, he’s directing plays in New York, reconnecting with old collaborators and discovering that telling his own story was the most powerful casting choice of all.In our conversation, John opens up about how writing forced him to drop his trademark privacy, what it’s like to relive your life with a co-writer on Zoom and how Right for the Role became both a calling card and a creative revival. He says the book didn’t give him a new life—it gave him his old one back. Which, for someone who’s spent decades defining what it means to be “right for the role,” feels about as poetic as it gets.Episode HighlightsHow Right for the Role became a podcast, a tour and a rebirthWhy John swears he “discovered no one” (but, come on, he totally did)What it’s like to publish your first book in your seventies and go viral for itThe Smoke House signing that turned into an LA industry reunionWhy he believes creative people need to tell their own storiesHow a memoir turned a quiet retirement into a full creative renaissanceWhy he now feels right for every role—including grandfather

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Dan Nicholson is just the founder and CEO of Nth Degree CPAs.He’s also one of my favorite Legacy Launch Pad clients.One of the reasons for this favoritism is that I had the privilege of watching him go from being just another CPA to becoming the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Rigging the Game. As a result of the book, he now commands up to $20,000 a speaking gig and has generated over seven figures in revenue from the ripple effects of authorship.How did he do it? Well, he had a system—and you could say he rigged it.First, he pre-sold hundreds of copies to his network before the manuscript was even complete, ensuring the project would be profitable before it launched. Then he started circulating the book with a focus on speaking and watched his speaking fees skyrocket. Masterminds and conferences have even built entire events around his book!Now prospects arrive at his CPA firm already pre-sold on hiring them, referrals flow in at record levels and his close rates have jumped significantly—even as he raised his prices by 30%. And that’s not all: thanks to his book, he's also doubled his media appearances, landed more podcast interviews and attracted new clients not only to Nth Degree CPAs but for his other ventures, including Certainty U and Certainty News.Listen in to find out why Dan’s system rigging leaves me in awe.Episode Highlights:How Dan pre-sold his book and turned it into a seven-figure revenue generatorThe challenges of writing authentically and why ghostwriters didn’t work for himWhy Rigging the Game resonates with entrepreneurs tired of cookie-cutter adviceHow speaking gigs, referrals and media appearances multiplied after publicationThe real difference between relationship-based and transactional businesses and how books impact eachThe systems Dan created to get 80% of his early readers to leave Amazon reviewsWhy giving away free copies can sometimes be more valuable than selling themThe philosophy of eliminating downside risk to guarantee upsideKey Takeaways:A book is not a lottery ticket—it’s a system and success requires planningReviews not vanity bulk sales are the most powerful long-term marketingFor service-based businesses credibility from a book allows you to raise rates and close more clientsMedia exposure and speaking opportunities don’t happen by accident—you must design the outcomes

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. I had a front-row seat to Bonnie Habyan’s transformation. A seasoned CMO with over 20 years in financial services, Bonnie wrote The World According to Bess—a book about her mother's wisdom that we released on her mom's 91st birthday, just months before she passed.In our conversation, Bonnie walks me through all that the book opened up for her: she landed a TEDx talk that now has 350,000+ views, launched her podcast This Is How SHE Did It and became a keynote speaker on resilience and personal brand power. We dive into the unexpected wins—Barnes & Noble book signings, knowing her book is available at Target and having strangers sharing intimate stories about their own mothers after hearing her speak. She also reveals how the writing process helped her understand her relationship with her mom better. In the end, she explains how the book scratched an itch that no CMO title ever could—giving her something authentically hers that will outlive her while also teaching her that her superpower is tenacity.She opens up about being terrified at first—worried about her employer's reaction, about being vulnerable, about putting herself out there. But as she explains, pushing through that fear brought unquantifiable rewards: confidence, legacy and the fulfillment of bucket-list dreams she'd had since childhood.Topics Discussed:Why book sales don't matter: How the real value comes from credibility, platform, and opportunities—not revenue from copies soldFrom book to TEDx stage: How The World According to Bess became the foundation for Bonnie's TEDx talk, which garnered 350,000+ views and created deep connections with audiencesThe power of pre-launch marketing: Building a reader group to generate reviews before publication day, ensuring the book launches with social proof that stays on Amazon foreverOvercoming fear and self-doubt: Bonnie's journey from worrying about her employer's reaction and being vulnerable to embracing confidence and not caring about naysayersThe book as connection machine: How strangers approached Bonnie after her TEDx talk, sharing intimate stories about their own mothers and revealing the impact of her workUnderstanding family through writing: How the process of writing the book gave Bonnie deeper insight into her mother's love language, upbringing and their relationshipDiscovering your superpower: How the book-writing process revealed that Bonnie's superpower is tenacity and persistenceThe gift that keeps giving: Unexpected moments like seeing the book at Target, doing book club talks and receiving messages from readers on the beachFinding your tribe: The importance of surrounding yourself with supporters rather than naysayers during the creative processLegacy over career advancement: Why the book's impact on Bonnie's personal fulfillment and legacy mattered more than advancing her CMO careerVulnerability and authenticity: Putting personal stories into the world and learning to care less about criticismThe book cover moment: How seeing the final cover design was the "aha" moment that brought everything togetherBucket list achievements: Checking off childhood dreams of writing a book, creating a podcast and delivering a TED talk—all stemming from the book

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. From the outside, it looked like Darren Prince had it all—a phenomenally successful sports and celebrity agent, his client roster overflowed with legendary names like Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali and Charlie Sheen.  But behind the scenes, he was battling an addiction that nearly cost him everything.When he finally shared his story in his memoir Aiming High, it didn’t just change his life—it created a movement. This book also had a massive impact on me because it was the first book I ever published and is in fact what made me start Legacy Launch Pad.In this conversation, Darren and I laugh, get a little teary and reflect on all that his book led to—from spokesperson deals and keynote speeches to appearances on shows hosted by Tucker Carlson and Jay Shetty to a non-profit that saves lives...and so much more.Episode HighlightsHow the loss of his father and a conversation with Magic Johnson inspired Darren to finally tell his storyThe moment I convinced him his addiction—not his celebrity roster—was the real story of Aiming HighWhy he released the book on the anniversary of Ali and Frazier’s “Thrilla in Manila” fightHow Aiming High transformed from a memoir into a mission to help others recoverThe behind-the-scenes story of Magic Johnson writing the book’s forewordHow a CNN interview with Chris Cuomo launched Darren’s global media tourThe massive ripple effect: appearances on Tucker Carlson, Dr. Oz, Fox & Friends and Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcastHow Aiming High led to a six-figure spokesperson deal—and why Darren turned the money into a foundation insteadThe creation of the Aiming High Foundation, which has now sent over 200 people to treatmentWhy authenticity and vulnerability made him a stronger agent, speaker and human beingHow the book helped reconnect him with old mentors, world leaders and new opportunitiesThe surprising role Aiming High played in revitalizing his agency, Prince Marketing GroupWhy he believes the real wealth isn’t in fame or money—but in helping others find hope and purpose

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Matt George isn't just a Harvard Business School executive leadership coach.He's also one of my favorite Legacy Launch Pad clients. Yes, I say that a lot but I only have my favorites on this show.I've had the privilege of watching Matt go from being a longtime nonprofit CEO to becoming a three-time #1 bestselling author who leveraged his book into a multimillion-dollar portfolio of speaking, consulting, media and coaching opportunities. As a result of his books, he now works at Harvard Business School, hosted his own prime-time TV show for four years and has generated over a million dollars in revenue from the ripple effects of authorship.How did he do it? Well, he treated the book we published, Non-Profit Game Plan, like a "business card for life"—he never stopped networking with it.First, he carried copies everywhere, giving them out on flights, at conferences and to nonprofits across the country. He even packed a full suitcase with 50-60 books for a John Maxwell conference and refused to bring a single one home. Then he embarked on an epic 61-city, 67-day book tour across America, combining media appearances with grassroots nonprofit visits where he literally saw his book help save a young girl's life. (He and I also got to meet for a cup of hot chocolate when his tour took him to LA.)Today, his media appearances have multiplied 10-15x, his consulting fees have skyrocketed and his speaking invitations stretch from Ivy League alumni clubs to global conferences. And that's not all: thanks to his book, Matt was able to leave his 30-year nonprofit career, land a coveted position at Harvard Business School (coaching C-suite executives from around the world) and launch his own company.Listen in to find out why Matt's "business card for life" strategy shows why a book truly is the world’s best business card.Episode Highlights:How Matt turned his book into the catalyst for a career reinvention at Harvard Business SchoolThe intentional strategy of carrying and giving away books to build brand and revenueWhy books outperform business cards for authority and credibilityHow Business Forward and other media opportunities emerged directly from authorshipThe 61-city book tour that combined grassroots impact with national visibilityWhy reviews and relationships matter more than bulk salesHow Matt monetized his book into consulting, speaking and global coaching streamsKey Takeaways:A book is a lifelong business card when used strategicallyReviews, not sales rankings, drive long-term credibilitySpeaking, consulting, and media come from intentional design, not accidentAuthorship creates authority, self-confidence and new revenue streamsThe impact of a book goes beyond business—it can literally change lives

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Calvin Bagley spent his childhood dodging the school bus and adulthood building business empires. The founder of multiple eight-figure Medicare companies and a self-proclaimed “big fish in a very specific pond,” Calvin went from growing up in rural isolation with nine siblings and no formal schooling to becoming one of the most respected names in his industry.His memoir Hiding from the School Bus doesn’t teach you how to scale a business—it shows you how to survive one hell of a childhood and still come out kind, successful and grateful.In this episode, Calvin and I cover everything from family feuds to Kirkus raves to what it’s like when people you barely know suddenly know all your darkest secrets. He talks about writing 1,000 pages during a bout of shingles (because of course he did), taking his co-writer back to the “scene of the crime” to really feel the trauma and throwing a Vegas book launch complete with goats, carrot cake and cocktails named after his childhood pain.It’s equal parts therapy session, comeback story and gratitude circle. Calvin somehow manages to turn abuse, neglect and educational deprivation into punchlines—and then pivots to heartfelt lessons on self-acceptance, fatherhood and what it means to finally stop running from your past.Episode HighlightsWhat happens when your mom doesn’t know you wrote a memoirHow a shingles outbreak became a literary blessing (seriously)The Vegas book party that doubled as emotional closureHow radical honesty can make your business strongerWhat happens when you tell your story and the world actually listens

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life. Ethlie Ann Vare has lived through every incarnation of the media machine—from the era when editors and agents were true gatekeepers to today’s age of algorithms and the “wisdom of the crowd.” A journalist, TV writer and author, Vare built a career on talent, timing and serendipity. She went from covering rock shows in 1980s Los Angeles to penning biographies of Stevie Nicks and Ozzy Osbourne then spent 15 years writing for television shows like Renegade, Silk Stalkings, Andromeda and CSI.In this episode, Vare reflects on how the publishing world she once knew—where publicists flew authors to The Today Show and books stayed in print for decades—has vanished, replaced by a firehose of content and a marketplace where visibility often trumps talent. She laments that authors are now the product, forced to become their own marketers and brands while readers drown in choice.A savvy observer of both life and the publishing industry, Vare has proven that good work finds its way. Her New York Times–noted Mothers of Invention and later Love Addict: Sex, Romance and Other Dangerous Drugs (which began as a Tumblr called Affection Deficit Disorder) both emerged from two respective subjects she cared deeply about—women inventors and the psychology of love addiction. Now through her Substack of the same name ,she continues to write “for fun and for free,” offering hard-earned wisdom without worrying about the clicks or sales.Episode Highlights:Ethlie recounts her early days in rock journalism where being “good and lucky” opened doors to Billboard, Rock Magazine and national TV appearances.The shift from gatekeepers to algorithms: how the fall of traditional publishing replaced discernment with popularity contests.Behind the making of her hit book Mothers of Invention and why its success led to a national lecture tour and lasting influence.Her perspective on today’s “firehose of content,” author branding and the exhaustion of self-promotion.The origin of Love Addict, her dive into sex and love addiction and how it evolved from personal exploration to public service.Reflections on age, authenticity and the strange liberation of being a “digital immigrant” in a youth-driven culture.Key Takeaways:The creative industry has shifted from talent being discovered to visibility being demanded.Writing remains a calling worth pursuing—for love not for money.Democratization has come at a cost: fewer filters more noise.The real reward of authorship isn’t fame but connection and survival through reinvention.