Don't Write That Book

In this episode, AJ and Mike answer one of the most common questions they get from first-time authors. How the heck are you supposed to get an endorsement for your book? How do you ask a Big Name someone for a shout-out? This week our duo not only tells you the dos, they give you the absolutely do nots so authors can ask the Big Ask in a way that feels good. They’ll even cover how to follow up on a “no” and why it’s not always a closed door. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier Scale Solo, Pia Silva Rich Relationships, Selena Soo Before the Bestseller, Alex Strathdee The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson Running with Lions, Julian Winters Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse, while not in detail, it may be disturbing and/or triggering to some listeners and viewers. In this surprise episode, Mike and AJ break down the Amy Griffin controversy and how authors can learn from it. Amy Griffin authored the book The Tell, in which she recounts a repressed memory of alleged sexual abuse. However, Griffin’s classmate, Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit saying that the alleged story of SA was not Griffin’s, but Doe’s. Mike and AJ discuss the issue of authors taking stories that aren’t their own and how to learn from other stories without creating a false narrative. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.

In this episode, Mike breaks down all the data he’s managed to collect so far since publishing The Money Habit in January 2026. He updates AJ on bulk buys, individual orders, how he ran orders through third-party systems like Porchlight, and how pre-sales added up, and more. He’ll lay out whether they met or missed his team’s expectations. If you’re into juicy data, this is the week you won’t want to miss! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.   Books/Resources Mentioned: Nir Eyal, Hooked Mike’s Monday Night Reading (Audio) Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ debunk the weird myth that persists that authors can’t make a profit from writing a must-read. What’s the ROI on writing a prescriptive nonfiction book? Sure, there’s parlaying your book sales into speaking gigs, but this week our duo lays out ways that authors can increase their sales and generate real income. The ideas might surprise you! (And you’ll learn our duo’s desert island books, too.) Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Vickie Lanthier, High Agency Human Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss what authors who don’t have the luxury of a long launch runway can do so they’re not ready to take a long walk off a short pier by publishing day! Our seasoned pros offer guidance on what authors should skip, and where they should focus their time and attention to maximize their launches without sacrificing their sanity. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Vickie Lanthier, High Agency Human Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss all the ways authors can maximize a longer runway for their book launch. They discuss big asks, relationship building, why pre-orders matter and everything in between. A year to half a year may seem like too much time, but our duo explains how that time will fly by – and how to manage that time so authors have the best launch they can. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: The Dysregulated Kid, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ share times in their authorship careers when life came hard and interrupted their flow. What steps do they take to keep “in the book” and keep it as a priority? Each shares moments that tested them and what concrete actions they took to persevere. AJ includes her “writing prescription” for when you want to walk away. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: My Favorite Murder, Episode 501 (Explicit content warning!) Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ hold nothing back and give their listeners every question they should ask themselves when deciding their publishing path. And the sooner an author asks themselves some of the biggies, the less wasted time, heartbreak, and struggle down the road. It’s not as simple as you may think, and you may be surprised by the alternatives our duo shares! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.   Books/Resources Mentioned: Joyspan, Dr. Kerry Burnight AJ’s Writing Sprint Marathon sign up (Free!) Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ talk about the one thing your must-read book better do: deliver on its promise. It isn’t about making pie-in-the-sky promises but understanding your reader and what their chief concerns truly are. It’s about checking in along the way to offer tiny wins. And for the rest, you’ll have to tune in and give this week a listen! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: I Will Teach You to be Rich, Ramit Sethi Too Much, Terri Cole The Book of Alchemy, by Suleika Jaouad Reset, Dan Heath Take Breaks, Work Better, John Briggs Time Freedom, Brian Herriot AJ’s Writing Sprint Marathon sign up (Free!) Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB    

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss potential pitfalls in the publishing process. They’ll share experiences they wish they could do over or avoid completely, like having too large a first print run and inviting strangers into your home to talk about their big book idea when they’re secretly nude yogis. (It turned out okay, but yikes!) This is definitely an episode you won’t want to miss! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Stig Severinsen, deep sea swimmer Defy, by Dr. Sunita Sah High Agency Human, by Vickie Lanthier Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn  

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss an area of promotion often associated with fiction authors, but one they know absolutely helps authors of prescriptive nonfiction: public readings! Listeners will learn how to create a reading, how to promote it, and how to use that opportunity to increase book sales and readership. And speaking of, you’re coming to Mike’s Monday Night Reading, aren’t you? Check the show notes to register for the free event (and see how it’s done by a pro!). Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Mike’s upcoming Monday Night Reading, where he’ll read selections from The Money Habit. Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

Happy Money Habit Release Week! In this episode, AJ and Mike celebrate the release of their new book. Mike updates listeners on launch week activities, what the marketing team has been up to behind the scenes, and how listeners can apply some of the steps to their own launches. There’s even some deep book geekery in how you can print run for your physical copy. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of the hard work our duo put in and a recommitment to providing real relief for their readers. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.   Books/Resources Mentioned: Mike’s upcoming Monday Night Reading, where he’ll read selections from The Money Habit. Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss the importance of structure when writing a prescription nonfiction book or even a creative nonfiction book, like a memoir. They’re prepared for all the pushback new authors have with respect to a structured outline and solid fundamentals, and will even explain how creating your book's scaffolding allows for creative freedom. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.   Books/Resources Mentioned: E-Myth, by Michael E Gerber Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss the organization that goes into working on multiple books at the same time. AJ likens it to a multilane highway – sometimes you’re zooming in the fast lane, other times you downshift to focus on other aspects. For Mike, he prefers to be all in, heh, on the writing, then put everything into the next phase of a book’s life. And of course, their admiration for Steven Pressfield’s process of managing multiple projects is the defining “how do you do it?” for the episode. You’ll have to listen to find out!  Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, AJ and Mike break down sponsorships for authors. Grab a pen and notebook, because this week is chock-full of how tos and details for any author, from nonfiction to memoir to fiction, to learn how to utilize the power of a sponsor to fund the book, the publication, the launch, and even ongoing programs, podcasts, and more. They hold nothing back! Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Exactly What to Say, by Phil Jones AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, Mike and AJ address another listener’s question about how to write and share supportive content for one’s must-read book. From planting your flag as the authority in your area of expertise to building your newsletter and circle of authorial friends to even launching a podcast, our team covers the what, how, and why every author should be creating content that supports their transformational books. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Joyspan, by Dr. Kerry Burnight Scaling Up, by Verne Harnish The Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, authors will learn everything they need to include in their bios. AJ and Mike share the different types of bios, from short social media bios to longer bios meant for the interior of your book and everything in between. You’ll also learn what not to include to avoid looking like a newbie. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Children’s Illustrator (My Money Bunnies and others), Eevi Jones The Biology of Trauma, by Aimie Apigian AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this second of a two-part episode, AJ and Mike answer another reader email in which they’re asked to explain how authors know when they’re “done,” this time with a focus on marketing. They detail what they think keeps authors from even getting started with marketing, give clear examples of what authors can do right now to get it going, and explain when enough is enough. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Photographer John DeMato AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this first of two parts episode, AJ and Mike answer another reader email in which they’re asked to explain how authors know when they’re “done.” How much outlining is enough? When does one know when their fundamentals are right? What about self-editing? Our duo tackles these tough questions with clear examples so authors know when it’s okay to move on to the next big thing in writing their must-reads. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: AJ’s Authorship Planning Workshop Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn

In this episode, AJ and Mike answer a reader email in which they’re asked to describe the emotional journey they each face when writing a book. It’s a deeply personal episode where they both expose the highs and lows, the exalted moments, and the suffering that comes from pouring one’s heart out to write a must-read. Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app. Books/Resources Mentioned: Sustainability Simplified, by Josh Spodek The Gap and the Gain, by Dan Sullivan Connect with AJ & Mike: AJ Harper, website  Write A Must-Read   Free resources AJ’s Socials: Facebook LinkedIn Mike Michalowicz, website All books   Mike’s Socials:  IG FB LinkedIn