Resisting Book Industry Gatekeeping

Resisting Book Industry Gatekeeping

Traditional publishing still holds a powerful place in many authors’ imaginations. Even writers who care deeply about equity, access, and justice often find themselves wanting the validation of a traditional book deal. But what happens when the industry we’re trying to enter is built around gatekeeping? In this episode, we’re talking about alternatives to traditional publishing, the history and rhetoric behind “vanity press” shaming, and why excellence does not have to mean waiting for permission from the Big Five. 🔗 If you’ve been working on your memoir for a while but you’re not making the progress you want, I have something practical for you. The Memoir Method Checklist walks you through every step from idea to finished book—not in a vague, inspirational way, but in a clear, get-this-done way. Download it free at pageandpodium.com/checklist. New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 1:42 Wanting a book deal vs resisting the traditional industry 4:37 What is gatekeeping 6:21 Historical context of book publishing gatekeeping vs resistance 8:30 Differentiating traditional publishers from nontraditional publishers 12:22 The origin of the term "vanity presses" 14:45 The structure of gatekeeping in history 18:55 The two ways gatekeeping works 20:58 Separating neutral aspects of traditional publishing from inequitable aspects 24:30 Three ways authors can resist 24:55 Reflect on your own thought patterns surrounding traditional publishers 27:27 Identify gatekeeping as a historical pattern that prevents access 31:20 Remember that traditional publishers are trying to predict reader reaction 36:20 If you want a traditional contract, go into it with context 👉 *Follow Us:* *LinkedIn:* [Page and Podium Press]( / page-and-podium-press ) *Facebook:* [Page and Podium Press]( / pageandpodiumpress ) *Instagram:* [@pageandpodiumpress]( / pageandpodiumpress ) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

Retire the phrase push through

When your memoir feels stuck, the advice you’ll often hear is to push through. Sit down, force the words, meet the deadline, keep going no matter what. But for memoir writers, that advice can make the work harder—and the book weaker. In this episode, we’re talking about memoir writer’s block, why “pushing through” often backfires, and what to do instead. We’ll look at why a better writing process leads to a better finished book, how accountability can turn into self-bullying, and why joy still matters even when you’re writing about painful or traumatic experiences. 🔗 Most memoirs don’t stall because of lack of time. Most memoirs stall because of lack of clarity. That’s why I put together the Memoir Method Checklist. It gives you every step in the process from idea to finished book, so you can see what comes next and keep moving without forcing your way through. Download it free at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 2:45 "Pushing through" is antithetical to good work 4:38 Excellent memoirs come from excellent processes 6:15 Why a better process produces a better product 10:47 Pushing through is for things we don't want to do 13:17 Pushing through often leads to abandoning the project 14:05 Instead of pushing through, dig deeper and heal the root 14:44 Where is the urge to push through coming from? 16:22 Accountability without kindness is just bullying 18:00 Use your deadlines as long as they work, then set new ones 19:07 Big goals are important but not usually urgent and not as important as allowing creative expression 21:42 Keep your eyes on your own paper 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)] - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) [https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)] - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) [https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)] 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

What to Expect When Writing Your Memoir

Writing your first memoir can feel especially unsettling because there is so much you can’t know at the beginning. Will you struggle with the outline? Will you know what to include? Will your family be upset? Will the book change the way you understand your own life? In this episode, we’re talking about what to expect when you write your first memoir—from developing your natural voice and building a structure to navigating the messy middle, revising your draft, and knowing when to stop chasing perfection. If you’re craving certainty before you begin, this conversation will help you understand why some uncertainty is part of the process—and how to keep going anyway. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 2:01 Searching for certainty in memoir writing 4:13 Where these stages came from 4:45 Stage 1: Developing your voice 10:03 Stage 2: Learning structure in a basic way 15:16 Stage 3: Starting to trust your instincts 17:42 Stage 4: Outgrowing generic writing advice 21:29 Stage 5: Feeling the urge to start over 24:12 Stage 6: Hitting the revision despair stage 29:09 Stage 7: Accepting that finished isn’t perfect 31:29 Stage 8: Starting over at the next level 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)] - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) [https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)] - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) [https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)] 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

Why you Should Talk about your Memoir

Writing can feel isolating, and many memoirists make it even harder by keeping their process completely private. But talking about your work—especially early on—is one of the most powerful habits you can build. It strengthens your clarity, deepens your confidence, and makes the entire journey more sustainable. In this episode, we’re exploring why looping your family and friends into your writing process can transform both your memoir and your experience of creating it. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 1:54 When fear stops us from sharing: 4:23 Tip 1: Prepare/practice an "elevator pitch" 8:27 Tip 2: Ask questions about various events 10:38 Tip 3: Ask what memories stand out from your particular topic 13:54 Tip 4: Share passages in person or via email 17:28 Tip 5: Share your writing schedule 20:23 Tip 6: Share the things you’re learning about your story 23: 11 Talking about your work is never easy, but practice will help 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)] - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) [https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)] - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) [https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)] 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

5 Traits of Strong Memoir Ideas

Ideas feel electric when they first arrive—shiny, energizing, full of promise. But once you start trying to turn that spark into an actual memoir, the glow fades and the idea can suddenly feel heavy, ambiguous, or even burdensome. Is it really worth the effort, or was it only meant to live in your imagination? In this episode, we’re breaking down five traits of strong, marketable memoir ideas so you can tell whether your spark has the potential to become a book that truly lives up to its early promise. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 4:15 Focused topic 8:23 Unique angle 13:15 Curiosity 16:19 Connection to expertise 19:04 Audience 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)] - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) [https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)] - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) [https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)] 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal