Self Publishing for Professionals

Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis
  • 5.0 (4)
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Are you an executive with methodologies to share, a professional speaker ready to expand your reach, or a thought leader ready to cement your legacy? This isn't just another "how to write" podcast—it's a comprehensive guide to navigating your entire self-publishing journey. Each episode delivers actionable advice on everything from finding the right ghostwriter and understanding hybrid publishing to effective time management for busy executives, marketing techniques for thought leaders, and avoiding the vanity press trap while maintaining professional credibility. Turn your big ideas into a self published book without the traditional publishing headaches or costly mistakes that plague first-time authors. Join multi-published author and ghostwriter Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis of Write For You as she pulls back the curtain on modern publishing, showing professional speakers, executives, and thought leaders how to transform their expertise into compelling books that build their brand and legacy. Whether you're struggling with impostor syndrome, overwhelmed by publishing options, or worried about maintaining your professional reputation, Lynn tackles these fears head-on with practical solutions and proven strategies. Lynn doesn't just share successes—she dives into failures and missteps so you don't have to learn the hard way. No more wondering if your book will ever see the light of day or worrying about damaging your professional reputation with a subpar publication. Self Publishing for Professionals provides a blueprint for becoming a published author on your own terms, with your credibility intact and enhanced. New episodes drop every week on your favorite podcast player and YouTube!

  1. 4D AGO

    Costliest Mistakes to Make When Formatting Your Self Published Book

    I’m revealing the five costliest mistakes I see new authors make when self-publishing. If you're using your book as a business card, you cannot afford amateur formatting giving bad first impressions to readers who immediately notice wrong fonts and layouts, especially if they read extensively in your genre. Let’s start with the number one mistake that cost my client thousands: formatting your book before all editing is complete. My client paid for formatting before we finished all four editing types—developmental, line, copy, and proofreading—then had to pay for reformatting again after editing changed content. Mistake two involves not understanding different format requirements where authors assume one format works for all book types. However, each book format has specific technical requirements with separate file types that Amazon won't accept if improperly formatted. Mistake three is using manual formatting with hard returns and extra spaces instead of professional paragraph styles, or worse, formatting in Word which looks unprofessional and Amazon often rejects. Mistake four means ignoring industry standards where every genre has specific formatting expectations professional readers recognize instantly. Join my free School community "Publishing for Leaders" at school.com where first 100 members get complimentary access to monthly group coaching sessions plus casual coffee chats. Book your discovery call at write4u.me for formatting, editing, or publishing support. Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born!

    21 min

  2. MAR 10

    Five Essential Facts Every Author Should Know About Book Editing

    Lately, I’ve talked to several clients and found out they have made mistakes surrounding hiring a book editor—mistakes that cost them upwards of $10,000, so I created this informational episode so you don’t make those same costly mistakes!  I share five critical facts every author must know about book editing. First, I address the blind spot reality where you cannot edit your own book effectively because your brain auto-corrects what you meant to write. This cognitive limitation causes repeated mistakes that disempower writing, and missing unclear explanations your brain automatically fills in. Professional writers, including myself, hire editors because even big authors need fresh eyes for objectivity that transforms good books into great books. Fact two explains the four editing types in critical order: developmental editing first for big picture structure, content, and audience alignment; then line editing for sentence-level clarity and pacing; followed by copy editing for grammar and style guide compliance; finally proofreading for typos before publication. The biggest mistake is authors hiring line editors first then wanting developmental editing afterward, wasting money since they'll need another line edit after adding developmental content.  Fact three covers realistic timelines for editing. I work on faster timelines, completing developmental edits in one week if you're in a timeline crunch. Good editors book out weeks or months in advance, and rushing editing backfires because rush jobs cost more and deliver less. Work backwards from your launch date and add buffer time since editing is not a once and done process. Fact four addresses pricing. Cheap editing ends up costing you in missed opportunities because inexperienced editors miss critical issues and one lost speaking opportunity costs more than quality editing. Professional editing delivers higher speaking fees, attracts better clients, and creates immediate opportunities. Red flags include prices significantly below market, editors who don't specialize in your genre, unclear pricing, and "I can do it all" editors claiming every specialty. Authors will want to put aside and invest $2,000-$5,000 for book editing because skipping these damages reputation and costs income. Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    24 min

  3. MAR 3

    Why Every Professional Needs a Book Plus How to Finally Start Writing When Overwhelmed

    I coach Tom Fox in this Book Blueprint episode. Tom has won 42 podcasting awards and has written 38 books through his transition into traditional nonfiction.  When speaking with Tom, I explained Edelman studies and how these consistently show that professionals with books get more traction, exposure, and authority, separating them from competitors because prospects usually choose authors over non-authors. Tom adds three motivations: it's the best business card, the research process forces you to become a subject matter expert, and the ego satisfaction of seeing your name on the cover. For overwhelmed professionals, I recommend identifying time wasters and then redirecting your time toward writing with reward systems. Time blocking works well for focused time specific to writing your book. The most difficult hurdle when writing a book is creating a sustainable writing habit.  Our brains resist change, so stop listening to negative thoughts and just sit down and write. Tom shares his challenge with wandering thoughts when writing nonfiction. I advise writing those wandering thoughts directly into the story to get them out of your head, because nonlinear creative thinking adds powerful depth. When hiring ghostwriters or editors, I always recommend finding a professional who has published their own books, answers all your questions, and has a compatible personality. I recommend starting your book marketing a minimum of three months before publication, building email lists, and using social media schedulers. Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Ready to write your authority-building book? Book a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Connect with Tom at compliancepodcastnetwork.net or tfox@tfoxlaw.com Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereafter based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    34 min

  4. FEB 24

    How to Avoid Publishing Scams and Choose the Right Publishing Path for Your Book

    In this Book Blueprint episode, I coach AJ Tyler, author of "Immigrant Men" which hit number one in two Amazon categories and debut novel "Death and Short," through critical publishing challenges.  AJ opens with a pressing issue facing newly published authors: floods of scam solicitations from fake reviewers and fraudulent marketing services. I advise verifying any unsolicited offers through national writers' associations, checking LinkedIn to confirm company affiliations, and requesting author references because these scammers easily fabricate contact information. We tackle publishing options where AJ asks how to choose between self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing. Publishers often want to mainstream your book, changing your voice to fit their vision. I emphasize 90% of readers never notice the publishing company, they only care about quality content, professional editing, good flow, and valuable information or compelling plots with well-developed characters. For marketing, I recommend reverse engineering by determining your budget first, then building campaigns around platforms you already use and content formats you enjoy.  Start marketing six months ahead, recruit beta readers, and leverage Substack's author community plus BookTube and BookTok. I warn against paying someone to get you on podcasts as those are typically scammers charging thousands for two or three placements. Book awards are worth the investment if you’re building an author career or writing series, especially in saturated fiction markets where awards provide crucial social proof. Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Connect with AJ Tyler at his author website Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    24 min

  5. FEB 17

    AI Writing Tools and Copyright Law Explained by Intellectual Property Lawyer Gordon Firemark

    In this crucial legal episode, I sit down with Gordon Firemark, intellectual property entertainment and media lawyer, to navigate the Wild West of AI in publishing.  With 50 lawsuits currently underway against AI companies, most dealing with training on pre-existing copyrighted material, Gordon explains that Anthropic just agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement with a group of authors, noting if the trained system outputs material substantially similar to an existing copyrighted work, that is infringement. We can't hold the machine responsible for damages, meaning the person or company who publishes AI generated material bears full liability.  Beyond copyright concerns, AI systems hallucinate, requiring meticulous fact-checking especially for nonfiction work. Gordon shares an alarming example where an AI-generated article about a person with a common name incorrectly attributed a felony conviction from someone in Colorado to an innocent person in Florida, creating defamation liability. Gordon emphasizes that authors cannot own AI-generated work because copyright law has been clear for a century that if the author isn't human, the work gets no copyright protection. Courts have consistently ruled this way with AI-generated images, with one case currently petitioning the Supreme Court for review. However, if human authors show sufficient creative input, they can claim copyright in elements they contributed.  When publishing on Amazon, there's a checkbox requiring disclosure if you used AI to create your material, and failing to check it could result in delisting, violating terms of service, or accusations of fraud. If you use AI and don't disclose it, you can be accused of defrauding the copyright office, invalidating your copyright entirely and leading to damages and penalties if you try to sue for infringement. Those advertisements promising six figures by having AI write your book in one day are misleading because you can't claim copyright infringement if someone else copies, distributes, or creates derivatives. Gordon recommends safe ways to use AI as a tool. His strongest advice: there's nothing like making writing a habit. The act of writing, rereading, rewriting, and reorganizing is what authorship truly is, and while mainstream publishing involves editors and copy editors, they guide the fundamentally human process. Ready to write your authority-building book? Schedule a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Get Gordon’s online class Easy Legal for Entrepreneurs or Easy Legal for Podcasters Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    28 min

  6. FEB 10

    The Truth About New York Times Bestsellers and Other Publishing Myths Authors Believe

    I sat down with Terry Whalin to debunk common misconceptions that trip up aspiring authors. Terry tackles the biggest misunderstanding among new authors, which is the belief that publishers will sell and promote your book for you.  While publishers invest in marketing, they have hundreds of books published, meaning authors must take 100% responsibility. The person with the greatest investment in your book is you, not your publisher, making author-driven promotion essential regardless of whether you're self-published or working with a publisher.  He also addresses the New York Times bestseller dream, which Terry calls almost like winning an Oscar in the book business. The New York Times list isn't purely numbers-based, but editorial, meaning you need approximately 11,000 copies sold in a seven-day period through their list of brick-and-mortar and online bookstores, plus editorial approval from Times editors who decide whether your book deserves the list. Terry knows authors who sold enough copies but didn't make the list because editors deemed it unsuitable. However, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists are slightly more accessible.  The key is consistency and perseverance in promotion. He warns authors against spending $30,000 on the wrong PR firm and emphasizes building assets you control like your own newsletter, blog, and website rather than relying solely on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Terry demolishes the myth surrounding the glamorous writer's life. Other common mistakes include pitching children's books "for all ages" and submitting 190,000-word manuscripts from first-time authors. Terry stresses that everyone needs professional editors providing developmental feedback, not just AI tools. He warns against using ChatGPT or Claude to edit books because AI-generated phrases slip into your work that you would never write yourself, becoming an immediate cause for rejection.  Ready to write your authority-building book? Schedule a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Get Terry’s book 10 Publishing Myths Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    30 min

  7. FEB 3

    The Hidden Price of Amateur Book Editing and How It Undermines Your Professional Authority

    This is one of the biggest mistakes I see authors make repeatedly: skipping professional editing or relying solely on AI to edit their work.  I cannot stress this enough—your book creates a first impression you cannot undo! An unprofessionally edited book at a business networking event is like wearing jeans and a t-shirt while everyone else wears business casual. Grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, and missing transitions signal to readers that you lack professional confidence.  Readers equate writing quality with professional credibility, so a poorly edited book damages years of reputation building in an instant. Professional editing solves problems you cannot see in your own work. Editors tighten prose by eliminating redundancies while ensuring clarity and accessibility for your audience. Sensitivity editing catches cultural, social, and trauma-related issues authors might miss.  Your book is a permanent professional artifact living on Amazon for years, representing you when you're not in the room. Event planners review books before booking speakers, journalists and podcast hosts evaluate credibility through writing quality, and potential clients use books to assess you. If you charge premium prices for your services but present an amateur-quality book, the disconnect destroys credibility and costs you high-paying clients. Professional editing costs between $1,500 and $5,000, which might sound expensive until you consider that one lost media opportunity, speaking engagement, or high-paying client costs more than professional editing. Your ROI includes better speaking fees, more opportunities, improved client acquisition, ability to charge higher prices, and media opportunities that multiply over time. Even professional editors hire other editors for their own books because you cannot effectively edit your own work no matter how skilled you are. I myself am co-writing a fiction book with an editor friend, and we're still paying another editor because we want our book to be well-received.  Whether self-publishing or working with a publisher, professional editing is non-negotiable for protecting your reputation, establishing authority, and safeguarding your income and lead generation. Ready to write your authority-building book? Schedule a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    23 min

  8. JAN 27

    The Permafree Book Method Side Hustle Nation's Nick Loper Used to Build an Email List Through Amazon

    Nick Loper is my guest today. Nick is the owner and CEO of Side Hustle Nation. He’s on today to share proven strategies for using your book as a lead generator rather than a revenue source.  Nick's philosophy is simple: most authors will find greater value using their book as a business card and authority builder. He demonstrates this at local vendor fairs where his stack of books carries more weight than his podcast's 30 million downloads.  Nick views Amazon as a top-five search engine and if you can show up through strategic titles and keywords, your book becomes a powerful point of discovery at the top of your funnel. The key is integrating compelling calls-to-action throughout your content. For those just starting, Nick suggests creating quick-start checklists, 30-day implementation guides, or curated lists of tools and resources, bonus points if you can repurpose content. The game-changer in Nick's strategy is his permafree book approach, which has driven over 150,000 free downloads since 2019. While he can't track exact conversions, he's confident these 150,000 readers have become podcast listeners, Facebook group members, and email subscribers. Nick's permafree strategy is fundamentally a search play on Amazon. When potential readers search Amazon and find competing books alongside Nick's free option, they naturally choose the low-friction entry point, capturing them before competitors do. His approach evolved significantly over the years, with his biggest growth coming when he started offering text summaries of podcast episodes as lead magnets. This simple shift took his email list from 1,000 subscribers to 12,000 within a year, creating a content marketing arm for the business he wanted to build. Ready to write your authority-building book? Schedule a discovery call and take the next step to moving one step closer to writing and publishing your book! Until next time, keep writing, dreaming, and creating—your book is waiting to be born! Podcast Resources Start on your author journey today by Booking a Discovery Call Unsure where to start when it comes to writing your book? Download your Book Clarity Blueprint today! 100 Ways to Make $1000: How Real People Make Real Money on the Side (and how you can too) Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared by the host, guests, and any affiliates is not intended to substitute for professional legal or financial advice or any professional advice specific to your situation. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have. The opinions expressed on the show by the host or guests are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Publishing Company. Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, guests, and affiliates are not responsible or liable for any decisions made by listeners or actions taken hereto based on the information discussed in this podcast. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to release Unicorn Publishing Company, the host, affiliates, and guests from any liability.

    25 min
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About

Are you an executive with methodologies to share, a professional speaker ready to expand your reach, or a thought leader ready to cement your legacy? This isn't just another "how to write" podcast—it's a comprehensive guide to navigating your entire self-publishing journey. Each episode delivers actionable advice on everything from finding the right ghostwriter and understanding hybrid publishing to effective time management for busy executives, marketing techniques for thought leaders, and avoiding the vanity press trap while maintaining professional credibility. Turn your big ideas into a self published book without the traditional publishing headaches or costly mistakes that plague first-time authors. Join multi-published author and ghostwriter Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis of Write For You as she pulls back the curtain on modern publishing, showing professional speakers, executives, and thought leaders how to transform their expertise into compelling books that build their brand and legacy. Whether you're struggling with impostor syndrome, overwhelmed by publishing options, or worried about maintaining your professional reputation, Lynn tackles these fears head-on with practical solutions and proven strategies. Lynn doesn't just share successes—she dives into failures and missteps so you don't have to learn the hard way. No more wondering if your book will ever see the light of day or worrying about damaging your professional reputation with a subpar publication. Self Publishing for Professionals provides a blueprint for becoming a published author on your own terms, with your credibility intact and enhanced. New episodes drop every week on your favorite podcast player and YouTube!

Information

  • Creator
    Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis
  • Show Website
    Self Publishing for Professionals