Blog
Peppering in Stories can Save your Book from being Boring
I recently read a book that was completely cut-and-dry, to-the-point. Though I have a great appreciation for brevity, I also need something to keep my attention. The book was so straightforward, though, that it bordered on pedagogical and left me feeling like I was in one of my college chemistry classes . . . which is usually the opposite of the environment you want to curate with your book. So how do you get around
When are you ready for an editor?
Some people take years to write their books. How awful, right? Why is this happening? Some people claim it’s time, but for the most part, it’s either lack of clarity in their message or how to publish, or it’s a lack of belief that the book is ready (which is actually a lack of confidence in their own words). I had to go there. We blame a lot of things for our lack of reaching
Why Your Book isn’t Helping your Business
Every once in a while, I run into someone who scoffs when I talk about how books build businesses. Usually, it’s someone who published and hasn’t seen results themselves. And this can absolutely happen! So if this is a current problem for you, there are several questions you need to look at to shift that and get your business into high gear. Your book is a vehicle, after all, and you should be able to
3 Things to Remember when Designing your Book Cover
Your book cover is the first chance for you to hook readers. It’s like when you walk in a room: you only get one shot at a first impression. So how do you know what to do? There are a few key rules to look at when working with a designer (or doing it yourself, if you have the skill). It has to match your genre. Do your research before you get super excited about
The Top 3 Reasons to Write a Book for your Business
We’ve all heard people refer to books as the new business card, but I believe that they are so much more than that. First of all, if you hand someone a book, they aren’t going to add you on LinkedIn and then toss it in the trash. A tangible item is way more likely to either lay on their desk (reminding them of you every day), be given to a friend who may need it
Key Visibility Components BEFORE you Launch your Book
I had a major epiphany earlier this year. I was at a networking event, and I introduced myself and what I do during the 30-second commercial period. It was pretty standard. I mentioned who I helped and what that’s so important. Dropped the info about being an author of 8 books and the executive editor of Inspiring Lives Magazine. Easy peasy. Later, a woman came up to me and said, “I didn’t realize you had
3 Reasons a Book is a Must for Speakers
Do you ever wonder why all the speakers at every big event that you attend have at least one book in their arsenal? They are sitting at the back of the room with a line of people excited to meet with them and chat about their impactful talk, and many of them are walking away with the book in their hands, eagerly announcing that they can’t wait to read it. But that book is more
The Most Important Elements for Your Book Cover
Humans have been judging a book by its cover since the dawn of publishing. Books have always had a certain look that, of course, has changed over time. Things trend. Styles end. And if we want to be a part of this industry, we have to keep up. When you self-publish, there is a high chance that you will do some of the book yourself, not just the writing part. And if you’re in charge
Why Do I Need a Book for My Business?
Everybody’s got a book for their business. But why? Not only are they great for when you think your bag isn’t already heavy enough, or when you need to fill empty space on an event table. Not only are books great for stacking up to reach the cookie jar . . . Books are great for getting people acclimated to the program they just enrolled in, or are about to enroll in. They are great
Tips and Tricks for Titling Your Book
Are you one of those people who stares at a blank page forever because you can’t come up with the title? Let me start by telling you that this is no way to finish writing a book. The title is NOT the first thing you have to write. In fact, sometimes, it should be the last. When you want something to encompass the depth and significance of your entire work, you need to have at
How to Build a Sustainable Writing Workflow
Most writers don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with consistency—finding a rhythm that supports creativity instead of draining it. A sustainable writing workflow isn’t about writing every day or hitting a magical word count. It’s about building a system that fits your life, your energy, and your creative process. Start by identifying your creative patterns. When do you think most clearly? When do you feel most imaginative? When are you mentally fried? A workflow that
What Authors Need to Know About AEO
If you’ve been anywhere near publishing or marketing conversations lately, you’ve probably heard the term AEO—AI Engine Optimization. And if your first reaction was “Great, another acronym,” you’re not alone. But AEO isn’t about playing a game or writing like a robot. It’s about making your work discoverable in a world where readers increasingly find books through AI‑driven tools. Here’s the simplest way to think about AEO: It helps AI understand who you are, what
How to Structure Your Novel’s Emotional Arc
When writers talk about story structure, they usually mean plot: the beats, turning points, and external events that keep pages turning. But the truth is, readers don’t fall in love with plot. They fall in love with emotional movement—the internal journey your protagonist takes as the story unfolds. That’s the emotional arc, and it’s the heartbeat of a novel. An emotional arc isn’t about making your character feel more feelings. It’s about guiding them through
Typeform Training
Working on a group book and navigating the collection of materials? You’ll want to check out Typeform! My client and colleague Christina Fontana shows you how to use this fantastic tool in this short training. If you found value in this training and want to try Typeform, please use Christina’s affiliate link!
How to Be a Successful Nonfiction Author
So you want to sell books … It’s more than just putting the book online and going about your business. There are certain things that a nonfiction author (or really any author) needs to do to make sure that people are finding their books. A book is intended to be a piece of the puzzle for your business, not some side thing that you do to check a box and never use again. Think of
3 Tips for Book Covers for Your Soul Book
Your book cover is the first thing people see when they are considering your book. If you want your legacy book to stand out while fitting in, looking professional and calling to your ideal reader, then make sure you check out the tips in this video so it packs the powerful punch that it should!
3 Tips to Help with Writer’s Block
People tend to not be fans of writer’s block. I wonder why … Just when you think you’ve got it all together, that you’re going to get that book out into the world, you can’t figure out what to say next. And it can come from a variety of places, which can make it even harder to cure. But if you want to keep on writing and stop being stalled, these are some of my
The Process I Use to Write Books
Writing a book is way easier if you have a plan ahead of time! Sure, we all want that magic moment when the words pour from our fingertips, gracing the page with our brilliance, but you have to wait for that. Plan first, party later. This is the method that I use to write my own books. Yes, they are fiction, but the principles apply to nonfiction, so I teach them to my authors as
How a Book Works for a Coach or Speaker Biz
You can’t just make a book, publish it on Amazon, and cross your fingers. It isn’t going to sell itself! One of the biggest mistakes I see authors of nonfiction make is to do just that. They have no plan at all for getting it out to the world, connecting with others, or using it to leverage a business they already have. Check out the video below for my tips on how to use your
What to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Book for Your Biz
You may have heard people suggest to “start from the beginning” when you want to tell a story, but it’s a little more complicated when you need to write a book, especially nonfiction, especially for your business. The beginning can be hard to pinpoint. And the real point of the book is to take people on a transformational journey. So how do you start? Let’s back up. Before you start writing the actual book, there