The Ugly Truth About Book Deals

The Ugly Truth About Book Deals

If you're a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the brutal reality of the modern publishing landscape. Learn how to ditch the broken traditional system and scale your author income using professional self-publishing frameworks and targeted Amazon advertising. In this episode, prize-winning author and founder of InkLab Editing & Publishing [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://inklabpublishing.com], Michael Totten, breaks down exactly how to navigate the shift from traditional publishing to a highly profitable indie author career. "You've got a really high bar. You have to be basically perfect in order to get through this gauntlet. Agents just spent six seconds instead of nine seconds on your manuscript, and they didn't realize they actually had a good one." -  Michael Totten We pull back the curtain on why traditional book advances have cratered—revealing why "$5,000 is the new $50,000"—and why corporate publishers expect you to do all your own book marketing anyway. Michael shares invaluable writing advice on the technical errors that instantly get manuscripts rejected by agents, including the exact dialogue mechanics you can fix in just 45 minutes. You'll learn actionable freelance writing tips on how to invest your marketing budget strategically, why Facebook ads fail for most books while Amazon ads crush it, and how to scale up your self-publishing efforts by treating your work like a real business. If you want to stop waiting for permission from corporate gatekeepers and discover how to make money writing on your own terms, this discussion is for you. FULL TRANSCRIPT [https://thewritingbiz.com/the-ugly-truth-about-book-deals] Timestamps: * * 0:00 — Intro * * 1:05 — Why Traditional Publishing is Broken * * 2:45 — The Reality of Author Platforms & Marketing * * 6:25 — The Nightmare Grid of Finding a Literary Agent * * 10:15 — The 10% vs. 70% Royalty Reality Check * * 12:10 — Professionalizing Indie Publishing: Covers & Editing * * 14:15 — How to Sell Your Book Safely via Amazon Ads * * 19:55 — Why You Can't Edit Your Own Writing * * 24:00 — Hidden Manuscript Flaws: Dialogue Mechanics & Head Hopping * * 34:00 — Using Beta Readers to Fix a Broken Ending * * 43:05 — The InkLab Ecosystem & Finding Professional Editors * * 53:20 — Outro & Resources Michael Totten's Official Website [https://michaeltotten.com/] InkLab Editing & Publishing [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://inklabpublishing.com] Michael's Best-Selling Book: Write, Edit, Publish: What Every Writer Needs to Know But Only an Editor Will Tell You [https://amzn.to/3RzEJ3Q] ⭐FOLLOW US⭐The Writing Biz Website [https://thewritingbiz.com]On YouTube [https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcast]BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social]Facebook [https://facebook.com/onthewritingbiz]X [https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@lwilliams.author]

The Secret to Book Design for Writers

If you are a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the critical mistakes writers make during the book design and formatting process. Learn how to maximize your reader's experience and increase book sales using proven, genre-specific positioning layouts. "The cover’s not for you, the cover is for your reader.” - Victoria Wolf In this episode, book designer Victoria Wolf breaks down exactly how to align your exterior cover art and interior typography with real marketplace expectations. We dive deep into why treating your cover as a personal decorative project instead of a strategic book marketing asset will tank your sales. Victoria reveals her unique "live Zoom design" framework that streamlines collaborative book editing, and explains how to navigate the technicalities of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Whether you are dealing with a messy Microsoft Word file or trying to salvage AI-generated artwork, this conversation provides actionable writing advice to ensure your book looks like it belongs on a major bookstore shelf. "A cover is not decorative. It has a job. It is supposed to market your book, and it's supposed to evoke emotion..." - Victoria Wolf 0:00 — Intro 0:58 — The Most Common Formatting Headaches 03:30 — The "Reader-First" Cover Design Shift 06:00 — How to Match Genre and Subgenre Trends 11:53 — The Scientific Formula for Interior Readability 16:54 — KDP Paper Choices: Cream vs. Groundwood 21:40 — Navigating IngramSpark, ISBNs, and Marketing Strategy 23:37 — The Mechanics of Children's Book Illustration Layouts 28:00 — Live Zoom Designing & Correcting AI Typography 35:56 — Where to Spend Your Budget: Editing vs. Covers 43:21 — Portfolio Review and Closing Thoughts Connect with Victoria Wolf and check out her portfolio at: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://wolfedesignandmarketing.comhttps://wolfedesignandmarketing.com [https://wolfedesignandmarketing.com] Watch on YouTube: @WolfsOnBooks FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-secret-to-book-design-for-writersDon't miss an episode! Sign up to get new episodes, special guest interviews, resources, and more! Subscribe to our Newsletter! [ https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/]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

Self-Publishing Doesn't Have to Be Painful

If you want to know exactly when your manuscript is ready for the world and how to navigate the complicated steps of publishing without wasting thousands of dollars, this video is for you. In this episode, self-publishing expert Leanne Janzen from FriesenPress breaks down exactly how to transition from a creative writer to a successful project manager who actually sells books. "Hitting publish isn't the end, it's the beginning." — Leanne Janzen If you're a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the heavy lifting required after you write the final sentence. Learn how to balance your time and money budgets using reliable freelance writing tips and professional writing advice. Leanne shares crucial self-publishing tips that every indie author needs to hear, including why "done is better than perfect" and how an early manuscript evaluation can save you from unnecessary developmental editing costs. "Done is better than perfect because you're never going to get it perfect on your own." — Leanne Janzen We dive deep into the real-world mechanics of book marketing for indie authors. If you've been wondering how to write a book that actually performs well on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing, you need to understand that hitting publish is just the beginning. We discuss how to find reputable tools for writers, why standard graphic designers fail at book promotion, and how to build a genuine author business. Whether you are navigating Amazon KDP for beginners or deciding between full-service indie publishing and pulling together an a la carte team, this conversation will help you map out your career. Timestamps: * 0:00 — Intro * 0:35 — Why "Done is Better Than Perfect" for Authors * 2:35 — The Shocking Shift From Creative to Project Manager * 6:10 — How to Spot Reputable Publishing Partners and Avoid Scams * 9:40 — Balancing Your Time Budget vs. Your Financial Budget * 12:45 — Why Street Graphic Designers Cannot Design a Book Cover That Sells * 14:40 — FriesenPress Deep Dive: Manuscript Evaluations & Standalone Services * 18:50 — The Brutal Reality of Book Promotion: Hitting Publish is Just the Start * 21:30 — Author Branding vs. Book Branding * 25:55 — How Introverted Writers Can Master Face-to-Face Networking * 29:46 — Outro Learn more about FriesenPress [https://friesenpress.com⁠] Free Resources: Check out our newly redesigned author tools page. [https://thewritingbiz.com/resources⁠] https://thewritingbiz.com/how-to-self-publish-a-book-without-the-stress/

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]