John DeDakis: From CNN to the Writing Business

How to Build a Book Business Plan

Learn how to treat your book as a product and build a sustainable career by creating a strategic author business plan. "The book is a product, and that product has its own business plan." — Nina Amir In this episode, Nina Amir breaks down exactly how to move from "aspiring author" to successful business owner. Whether you are looking for self-publishing tips or planning a traditional book launch, having a clear business roadmap is the most effective way to ensure your book finds its audience. "The publisher becomes your venture capital partner... they're not just backing the project, they're backing you." — Nina Amir Nina shares actionable writing advice on why you shouldn't just dive into drafting without a plan, how to identify your unique place in the market, and why your book needs to be built on a foundation of professional planning. We also discuss how to overcome imposter syndrome, navigate neurodivergence in the creative process, and why hiring a developmental editor is the best investment you can make in your writing. If you want to learn how to make money writing and finally get your work in the hands of readers, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro 0:34 — Why you need an author business plan 6:28 — Diversifying income streams 13:51 — Overcoming writing blocks & imposter syndrome 26:19 — Writing with ADHD & neurodivergence 33:35 — The value of developmental editing 38:07 — Final thoughts & resources Resources: Visit NinaAmir.com [https://ninaamir.com⁠] Nonfiction Writers University [https://writenonfictionnow.com] The Inspired Creator Community [https://ninaamir.com/icc-2026/⁠] FULL TRANSCRIPT [https://thewritingbiz.com/?p=224682] FOLLOW US:Website [https://thewritingbiz.com]YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodccast]BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social]Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz]X [https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz]Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz]

Luna Westish: Overcoming ADHD Obstacles in the Self-Publishing Process

In this episode of The Writing Biz, host Laura Williams sits down with author and environmental researcher Luna Westish to explore the intricate intersection of neurodiversity, the self-publishing industry, and sustainable business practices. Luna pulls back the curtain on her winding journey from writing non-fiction climate reports and childhood cult essays to publishing her debut novel, Meet Me At The Ruins. She shares invaluable, practical strategies for authors navigating the administrative hurdles of self-publishing with an ADHD brain, emphasizing the importance of building personalized environments, honoring productivity swings, and rejecting rigid, standard industry advice that harms creative flow. The conversation also shifts into a vital, eye-opening discussion on the ethics of modern authorship. Luna shares her perspective on the heavy environmental tolls of generative AI and digital workflows, challenging creators to build localized economies and adopt eco-friendly habits within their indie author businesses. * Throw Out the Rules: Why the standard "write 15 minutes every morning" rule can freeze an ADHD writer, and how to design your own executive-functioning scaffolding. * The Business Inertia: Practical insights into overcoming the overwhelming administrative "next hundred steps" of formatting, marketing, and self-publishing. * Listen to Your Productivity Swings: Navigating medication shifts, managing chronic illness flares, and shedding the capitalist shame of low-energy days. * The Eco-Conscious Author: Unpacking the hidden environmental impacts of generative AI, email storage, and data usage. Treating your writing workspace, schedule, and business as an unfolding experiment rather than a static goal. Learn more about Luna: lunawestish.com [http://lunawestish.com/] FULL BLOG POST & TRANSCRIPT FOLLOW US: Website: https://thewritingbiz.com [https://thewritingbiz.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodccast [https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodccast] BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz] X: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz [https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz]

Brandon Janous on "Just Do" & The Author Life

Brandon Janous, founder of Blue Hat Publishing, explains how authors can maintain 100% ownership of their rights and royalties while navigating the modern publishing landscape. Discover why the "Just Do" mindset is essential for any writer looking to turn their story into a professional book without the "shady" hurdles of the industry. In this episode, Brandon Janous joins Laura Williams to discuss the gap between finishing a manuscript and getting it into the hands of readers. Brandon shares his personal story of writing as therapy following his late wife's cancer diagnosis, a journey that eventually led to his book Just Do and the founding of Blue Hat Publishing. We explore the "service-based" publishing model where authors keep their royalties, own their Amazon accounts, and maintain complete creative control. Brandon also provides a reality check on book marketing, reminding authors that they are always their own best advocates. Beyond the business, we talk about "whole face" presence—the vital practice of setting strict boundaries to ensure your writing business never comes at the cost of your family. Whether you are exploring traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a hybrid service model, Brandon’s insights will help you identify your goals and protect your creative property. Learn how to find a "book friend" to walk you through the process so you never have to write alone. Learn more about Blue Hat Publishing [⁠https://bluehatpublishing.com/⁠] Order “Just Do” by Brandon Janous [⁠https://a.co/d/03cYjjJ3⁠] BLOG POST & TRANSCRIPT [https://thewritingbiz.com/?p=224257] #WritingBiz #BlueHatPublishing #AuthorRights #SelfPublishing #JustDo #WritingCommunity #AuthorTips #BookBusiness FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ: Website [https://thewritingbiz.com] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodccast] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social] X [https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thewritingbizpodcast/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@lwilliams.author]

Building Learning Equity in Your Writing Business

Scale your author career with Michael La Ronn, who has published over 100 books while working a full-time job. Learn how to leverage "Learning Equity" and navigate the 2026 AI landscape to reach more readers. In this episode of The Writing Biz, host Laura Williams talks with prolific author Michael La Ronn about the concept of "Learning Equity"—the value of the knowledge you acquire to run your business effectively. Michael breaks down how he achieved competence without the grueling 10,000-hour rule by identifying knowledge gaps and avoiding the "Writer Lobotomy". We dive deep into the reality of publishing in 2026, discussing the "AI Layer" that now sits between creators and consumers. Michael shares how understanding these tools is essential to remaining visible in a crowded market. Whether you are a beginner focusing on your first book cover or a veteran looking to automate your business with AI agents, this episode provides a roadmap for sustainable, high-volume production. Master your craft and your business by bridging the gap between being a consumer and a creator. Put your learning equity to work and build a writing portfolio you can be proud of. Learn more about Michael La Ronn: https://www.michaellaronn.com/ [https://www.michaellaronn.com/] Michael’s Podcast, The Writer’s Journey: https://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast/ [https://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast/] FULL BLOG POST AND TRANSCRIPT: https://thewritingbiz.com/building-learning-equity-michael-la-ronn [https://thewritingbiz.com/?p=224237] FOLLOW US:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThewritingbizpodccastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBizFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz

Storytelling & Authority for Authors with Lee Pound

Stop treating your book like a hobby and start building a brand. In this episode, author and business coach Lee Pound shares the storytelling secrets he learned from the legendary Sol Stein. Lee Pound explains why writing is fundamentally a business and why authors must master marketing to succeed. He breaks down his unique PCOR framework (Problem, Conflict, Opportunity, Resolution) which helps both fiction and nonfiction writers create compelling narratives. We also dive into Lee's background as a corporate CFO and how those "details-first" skills translate into a successful publishing career. Whether you are struggling with a first draft or wondering how to sell more books through public speaking, Lee’s insights provide a roadmap for the modern author. Don't let your masterpiece stay hidden on a hard drive. Learn how to combine the art of storytelling with the grit of business strategy to reach your target audience. Learn more about Lee Pound: http://leepound.com/ Read the blog post, includes full transcript: https://thewritingbiz.com/storytelling-authority-for-authors FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ: Website [https://thewritingbiz.com] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodccast] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social] X [https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thewritingbizpodcast/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@lwilliams.author]