Write the Damn Book Already Elizabeth Lyons

Kathleen Schmidt is a well-respected voice in book publishing with in-depth experience in all aspects of the industry.
She has worked on 50 New York Times bestsellers, and her clients have continuously appeared in top-tier national print, broadcast, and radio outlets such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Vogue, Elle, Financial Times, and Vanity Fair.

I was thrilled to chat with her about her perspective on book publishing as well as the rise in indie author opportunities.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Navigating the current collective rut in book publishing The truth about bookstore distribution today (including the average number of copies an appearance on the Today Show sells)The HOW of Book publicity for indie authors and how to decide what makes sense when it comes to selling more books without having to take out a second mortgageThe important difference between publicity, marketing, and salesThe slippery slope of partnering with “influencers” for promotionCONNECT WITH KATHLEEN
Click here to Subscribe to her Substack newsletter
Instagram: @kathmschmidt
Threads: @kathmschmidt
Website: kmspr.com


RESOURCES MENTIONED
Kathleen's appearance on Brad Listi's Other People podcast
Jane Friedman’s Hot Sheet
The Zodiac Academy  book series




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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

Donna Norman-Carbone's second novel, Of Lies and Honey, just launched (April 24, 2024, Red Adept Publishing), and it was wonderful to have her on as a repeat guest.

Her first novel, All That Is Sacred, came out less than a year ago (June 2023, Red Adept Publishing), and chatting about the differences between book 1 and book 2 proved as fun and insightful as I knew it would! 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The biggest differences between the first launch and the second (including the task she full-on forgot to do when launching the first book!)How Donna navigates looking at sales numbers and reviewsUsing NetGalley for reviews: the benefit of being with a smaller publisher versus a Big 5 publisher The admission that made me question whether Donna and I could be friends (yes, that’s clickbait.)The challenge of writing back cover copy/book jacket summaryDonna's strategy for ensuring she doesn’t get “stuck” while writing a book

ABOUT DONNA
Donna Norman-Carbone's debut novel, All That is Sacred, was released in June 2023 and has earned eight awards. The BookFest Awards featured All That is Sacred among the other winners on the Tower billboard in Times Square. Donna holds a master’s degree in English from Southern CT State University and is a member of the WFWA, CAPA, WNBA. She is the co-host of the podcast Authors Talking Bookish and program director for Bookish Road Trip. Donna has a passion for writing women’s fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. 
After having taught as a university adjunct and adult educator, Donna currently teaches writing, film and British literature to high school students. She lives in a small Connecticut suburb where she and her husband have raised three wonder
Guygiene lets you equip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands,  developed just for teen and 'tween boys.  
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout. 
MOCKUP SHOTS DEALI've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media. It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

The time has come! We're finally able to move on from the days of traditional offset printing to print-on-demand options when it comes to children's books and cookbooks. Whether you're contemplating watercolor illustrations for a children's book or publishing a mouthwatering cookbook, this episode is for you! 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Managing the balance between print quality, profitability, and the different book distribution methods at your disposal. The nitty-gritty of offset printing vs. the economics of self-publishing The pros and cons of overseas printing The real costs of self-distributionDemystifying the printing process to ensure your images pop off the page. 
RESOURCES MENTIONED

>> Publish A Profitable Book discount: For a limited time, we're celebrating the updates to the Publish A Profitable Book course with 15% off! Use code PUBLISH15 at checkout (applies to pay-in-full AND payment plan options!). 
>> Which publishing approach is best for you? Click here to find out!
>> Click Here for spreadsheet detailing considerations to prioritize when publishing a cookbook or children's book
>> Click Here to listen to podcast detailing Elizabeth's Threads PR Crisis of 2024.  
>> Scaredy Cat by Erin Thorburn


Guygiene lets you equip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands,  developed just for teen and 'tween boys.  
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout. 
MOCKUP SHOTS DEALI've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media. It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

The story is always unfolding...

In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Diana Naranjo about her memoir (which is currently on submission). She recounts a pivotal moment where a professional connection with author Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone, The Covenant of Water) led to her first agent connection.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
How Diana learned to write after completing her first draftThe nuanced difference between memoir and creative non-fictionHer strategies for finding agents and the value of learning from the author community's experiences. The challenge of identifying as "a writer" 
ABOUT DIANA
Dr. Diana Naranjo is a professor at Stanford University and a clinical psychologist. She’s a leading expert in children's health and equity, and has written a memoir. THE ART OF FLYING is a story about growing up with her Ecuadorian father who suffered from bipolar disorder. 

In her journey from academic writing to creative writing, she’s been as excited about the process of learning how to write and about the writing industry as she has been the actual writing. When tasked with “growing her platform” from feedback on submission as a debut memoir author who isn’t “famous,” she almost lost hope. But then, in a serendipitous moment taking The Shit No One Tells You About Writing’s Deep Dive course, she heard from Dr. LaToya Watkins about her writing process. LaToya is a method-writer, taking her characters to therapy. Diana thought, "Wow, now that’s something I would love to do!" And that’s how her podcast idea THE CHARACTERIST was born—where she is the therapist for fictional characters and brings authors onto the show to take their favorite characters for therapy.  


CONNECT WITH DIANA
Instagram:
Guygiene lets you equip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands,  developed just for teen and 'tween boys.  
Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout. 
MOCKUP SHOTS DEALI've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media. It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.Click Here for 60% off >>
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

This solo episode discusses the pressure authors face to follow specific strategies and approaches when writing and promoting their books. I share my observations about the conflicting advice authors receive about book writing, publishing, and marketing (and how to handle it without losing your mind!). 
Key Takeaways:
Don't feel obligated to follow every piece of advice or strategy suggested by others. Choose what feels right for you and aligns with your goals.Experiment with different approaches and give yourself permission to change course if something doesn't feel enjoyable or authentic.Consistency is key. Stay committed to your chosen path and keep going, even if you don't see immediate results.Avoid overthinking and second-guessing yourself. Trust your instincts and focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment in the writing and publishing process.Be aware of the expectations and assumptions you have about different strategies. Evaluate them objectively and adjust your approach accordingly.
Resources Mentioned:

Creative Explained on Instagram: @creative_explained
Sister Golden Shop on Instagram: @sistergoldenshop
Enough: The Simple Path to Everything You Want  (Elizabeth's 5th book)
Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

In this solo episode of Write the Damn Book Already, I respond to listener's questions, including:
How do I make sure I'm not infringing on someone else's copyright by referencing their advice, book, or insights in my book? Why is publishing so complicated?Why do I become an insecure mess whenever I sit down to write?RESOURCES MENTIONED

Cory Goodrich's book, Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA


Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth