Your Path to Book Publishing

Juxtabook
  • 5.0 (63)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Writing a nonfiction book is one thing. Publishing it with purpose—and turning it into a powerful platform for your business—is another. You’ve poured your heart into your nonfiction book—and now you’re ready to publish it, market it, and use it to grow your business. But with so many book publishing options (self-publishing, hybrid, traditional), how do you choose the best one for your goals? Welcome to Your Path to Book Publishing—the podcast that guides nonfiction business and self-help authors through the five essential phases of the author journey: Book Development, Book Publishing, Author Branding, Launch & Book Marketing, and Beyond the Book. Hosted by publishing strategist Zach Kristensen and powered by Juxtabook, each bite-sized episode helps you answer the real questions: What’s the best book publishing path for me—self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional?How do engage in book marketing effectively?How do I use my book to boost visibility, increase sales, and attract new clients or speaking gigs? This show isn’t just about book publishing—it’s about turning your book into a strategic business asset. Whether you want to build your authority, streamline your marketing, or sell 10,000+ copies in your first year, we’re here to help you make it happen. Turn Your Book Into a Business Asset—Not Just a Passion Project Hit play to discover how to confidently publish your book, launch with purpose, and build a legacy that lasts.

  1. What Author Branding Really Means for Nonfiction Authors

    3D AGO

    What Author Branding Really Means for Nonfiction Authors

    If the phrase author branding feels vague, overused, or like it only applies to logos and visuals, this episode will help you think about it in a much more practical way. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach introduces a new series on author branding and explores what branding really means for nonfiction authors. He shares lessons from his own career, personal stories, and examples from authors he has worked with to explain why your brand is not just about visuals. It is about your reputation, your message, and what you want people to remember about you. This episode is especially relevant for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who want to think more clearly about what they want to be known for as they write, publish, and market their book. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why author branding is more than logos, visuals, and taglinesHow to think about what you want to be known for as an authorWhy reputation and messaging are such an important part of your brandWhy being memorable matters in book publishing and book marketingHow your brand can evolve over time as your clarity growsA simple question to ask yourself as you think about your author brandMany nonfiction authors spend a lot of time thinking about their book, but not enough time thinking about the reputation and message behind it. This episode will help you start thinking more intentionally about your author brand and how it connects to your book publishing journey.  Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    12 min
  2. How Book Publishing, Branding, and Marketing Work Together for Nonfiction Authors

    MAR 30

    How Book Publishing, Branding, and Marketing Work Together for Nonfiction Authors

    If you’ve been thinking about writing, branding, and marketing as separate parts of the author journey, this episode will help you see how connected they really are. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach reflects on key insights from his recent conversations with Emily Crookston and Denise Thomas to show how book publishing, author branding, and book marketing influence one another. He explores the role of clarity, vulnerability, trust, relationships, and long-term strategy in building a stronger nonfiction book and author platform. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why clarity matters early in the author journeyHow collaboration, interviews, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help strengthen your bookWhy vulnerability and storytelling make your book more relatableHow your book can strengthen your brand and build trustWhy relationships often matter more than authors expect in book marketingWhy marketing is not just a launch sprint, but a long-term marathonWhy this episode matters Many nonfiction authors think of publishing, branding, and marketing as separate steps. In reality, each one shapes the others. This episode will help you think more strategically about your author journey so you can build a book that supports your bigger goals Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    15 min
  3. How Ghostwriting, AI, and Strategy Shape a Better Nonfiction Book | Expert guest Emily Crookston

    MAR 23

    How Ghostwriting, AI, and Strategy Shape a Better Nonfiction Book | Expert guest Emily Crookston

    If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write your book yourself, hire help, or use AI in the process, this episode is for you. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach talks with ghostwriter and author Emily Crookston about what it really takes to turn your ideas into a strong nonfiction book. They explore how ghostwriting, collaboration, strategy, and AI can all play a role in helping authors create a book that reflects their voice and supports their bigger goals. This conversation is especially relevant for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who want to write a nonfiction book but are unsure what kind of support they need. What You’ll Learn  What ghostwriters actually do  How to decide whether to write your book yourself or get help  How AI can support your writing process without replacing your voice  Why your goals should shape your book development process  Why clarity and strategy lead to a stronger book Resources & Links The Pocket PhD: https://www.thepocketphd.com/ Unwritten: https://www.thepocketphd.com/unwritten-book/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilycrookston/ Write and Rise: https://thoughtful-budget-258.notion.site/Write-Rise-The-Newsletter-for-Authorpreneurs-2ae88c6705eb808b814dcf78d5414ee3?source=copy_link Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    29 min
  4. How Publishing a Book Elevates Your Authority, Brand, and Speaking Opportunities | Denise M. Thomas

    MAR 16

    How Publishing a Book Elevates Your Authority, Brand, and Speaking Opportunities | Denise M. Thomas

    Many aspiring nonfiction authors hope that publishing a book will open new doors for their career. But what actually happens after you publish a book? For many coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders writing a nonfiction book, publishing is about more than becoming a published author. It’s about building authority, strengthening credibility, and creating new opportunities to grow a personal brand or business. Yet many aspiring authors still wonder: Will writing a book actually help grow my brand? Will publishing a book lead to speaking opportunities or new clients? And how do authors turn a book into something that continues creating impact long after launch? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen sits down with Denise Thomas, executive communication coach and author of The Only One in the Room, to talk about her real-world experience writing and publishing her nonfiction leadership book. Denise shares what it was like moving from the idea of writing a book to becoming a published author—and how the book has already influenced her author brand, leadership work, and speaking opportunities just months after its release. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Denise’s journey writing and publishing a nonfiction bookHow publishing a book can elevate your authority and credibilityThe role relationships play in supporting a successful book launchHow Denise used print-on-demand book publishing and e-commerce to sell books directly to readersWhy organizations often purchase books in bulk for leadership development and professional growthDenise also shares advice for aspiring nonfiction authors who feel called to write a book but aren’t sure where to start. Coming Next Next week’s episode features ghostwriter and author Emily Crookston, where we’ll discuss: Working with a ghostwriter to write a bookHow authors can get their ideas onto the page fasterThe evolving role of AI in the book-writing process Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    37 min
  5. The 5 Phases of the Author Journey — Why It’s More Than Just Book Publishing

    MAR 9

    The 5 Phases of the Author Journey — Why It’s More Than Just Book Publishing

    Many aspiring nonfiction authors think the journey is simple: write the book and publish it. But book publishing is only one phase of a much bigger author journey. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, Zach Kristensen reviews the five phases every author navigates and explains why understanding the full picture can help you make better decisions about your book, your brand, and your long-term goals as an author. The 5 Phases of the Author Journey Book Development – Writing the book, defining your ideal reader, and shaping a clear message.Book Publishing – Choosing between self-publishing, traditional publishing, or hybrid publishing.Author Branding – Clarifying what you want to be known for and the problem you help your audience solve.Launch & Marketing – Planning how your book reaches readers and supports your larger goals.Beyond the Book – Using your book to open doors to speaking, coaching, consulting, and other opportunities.What’s Coming Next This episode marks the beginning of a four-part series on the Author Journey. Next up: An interview with Denise Thomas, author of The Only One in the RoomA conversation with a professional ghostwriter about writing support and using AI thoughtfullyA final episode pulling together insights and answering listener questionsIf you're writing a nonfiction book—or thinking about becoming an author—understanding these phases can help you move forward with greater clarity and strategy. Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    14 min
  6. A New Chapter for Your Path to Book Publishing —And What It Means for Nonfiction Authors

    MAR 2

    A New Chapter for Your Path to Book Publishing —And What It Means for Nonfiction Authors

    After 130 episodes, it’s time for an evolution. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why we are shifting the format of the show and how these changes are designed to help you—the nonfiction author—navigate the "team sport" of publishing with more clarity and real-world insight. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The Power of the "Team Sport": Why going it alone is the hardest way to publish and how a team of experts elevates your brand.Why Failure is a Teacher: Why I’m committed to sharing the "real-time" struggles and setbacks of the authors I work with, not just the highlights.The New 4-Part Monthly Format: A breakdown of how each month will now be structured to provide a 360-degree view of the publishing process.The New Monthly Roadmap Starting March 16th, every four episodes will follow a specific theme (e.g., Marketing, Ghostwriting, Editing) using this flow: Episode 1: The Foundation – A solo deep dive where I share my personal insights and what you need to consider regarding the month's theme.Episode 2: The Author’s Journey – An interview with an author I have personally worked with. No fluff—just real stories of their current struggles and successes.Episode 3: The Expert’s Lens – I’ll bring in the pros (editors, ghostwriters, marketers) to fill the gaps and share technical expertise I don't provide alone.Episode 4: The Recap & Listener Q&A – We’ll pull the insights together and answer your specific questions about the topic.Key Quotes from the Episode "A book is a team sport. No matter how hard or how smart you are, you need the expertise of others to produce a book people actually want to read. What’s Next? Mark Your Calendars: We are taking a brief break next week (look out for a possible preview!), and our first official themed series kicks off on March 16th.Get Involved: We are bringing back the Q&A segment! If you have questions about writing, publishing, or building your brand, I want to hear them for our Episode 4 recaps.Share the Love: Know a fellow speaker, consultant, or coach who is ready to write their book? Share this episode with them and help us spread the word about the new format! Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    11 min
  7. You Don’t Want a Bestselling Book. You Want What It Brings You.

    FEB 23

    You Don’t Want a Bestselling Book. You Want What It Brings You.

    Almost every nonfiction author says it at some point: “I want to be a New York Times bestselling author.” It sounds ambitious. It sounds impressive. It sounds like the gold medal of publishing. But in this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the conversation goes deeper than the badge. Because bestseller status isn’t a trophy. It’s a tool. And tools only matter if they serve the right purpose. This episode explores what bestseller status can actually change — and what it doesn’t automatically fix. It breaks down the difference between major lists like the New York Times and USA Today, category-based Amazon rankings, and what those signals truly mean in the marketplace. More importantly, it reframes the core question nonfiction authors should be asking: Not “How do I hit a list?”  But “What is bestseller status supposed to unlock for me?” Listeners will discover: Why bestseller status functions as a credibility signalWhat it can realistically influence (speaking, positioning, authority)What it does not guarantee (business clarity, revenue systems, long-term sales)Why some bestselling authors still struggle after launchThe strategic question every coach, consultant, and thought leader should answer before pursuing a listIf you’re considering a bestseller strategy — or simply wondering whether it’s worth it — this episode offers a clear, strategic perspective rooted in long-term thinking. Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    17 min
  8. How to Choose the Right Book Idea: The First Step in Your Nonfiction Author Journey

    FEB 16

    How to Choose the Right Book Idea: The First Step in Your Nonfiction Author Journey

    Many nonfiction authors believe the first milestone of writing a book is finishing a draft. It’s not. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we explore the often-overlooked stage that determines whether your writing flows, your publishing decisions make sense, and your marketing actually connects. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many book ideas… If you’ve rewritten the same chapter multiple times… If you’re unsure who your book is really for… This episode addresses the real issue underneath those frustrations. Because most authors don’t have a productivity problem. They have a positioning problem. And without solving that first, the rest of the author journey — from book development to publishing to marketing — becomes harder than it needs to be. Inside this episode, you’ll discover: Why “having too many ideas” is often a warning signThe hidden phase of the author journey most writers skipHow lack of clarity quietly slows down writing and decision-makingA simple way to test whether your book concept is strong enough to move forwardIf you want to write faster, publish smarter, and build a nonfiction book that actually lands with readers, this episode will help you rethink where the journey truly begins. Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com  and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you.  Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensen Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

    13 min
See All (140)

Trailer

5
out of 5
63 Ratings

About

Writing a nonfiction book is one thing. Publishing it with purpose—and turning it into a powerful platform for your business—is another. You’ve poured your heart into your nonfiction book—and now you’re ready to publish it, market it, and use it to grow your business. But with so many book publishing options (self-publishing, hybrid, traditional), how do you choose the best one for your goals? Welcome to Your Path to Book Publishing—the podcast that guides nonfiction business and self-help authors through the five essential phases of the author journey: Book Development, Book Publishing, Author Branding, Launch & Book Marketing, and Beyond the Book. Hosted by publishing strategist Zach Kristensen and powered by Juxtabook, each bite-sized episode helps you answer the real questions: What’s the best book publishing path for me—self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional?How do engage in book marketing effectively?How do I use my book to boost visibility, increase sales, and attract new clients or speaking gigs? This show isn’t just about book publishing—it’s about turning your book into a strategic business asset. Whether you want to build your authority, streamline your marketing, or sell 10,000+ copies in your first year, we’re here to help you make it happen. Turn Your Book Into a Business Asset—Not Just a Passion Project Hit play to discover how to confidently publish your book, launch with purpose, and build a legacy that lasts.

Information

You Might Also Like