The Writing Biz

No one can sell your book better than you! Guy Morris, founder of the Author Event Network shows how to sell books in person at festivals and keep the profit.Most authors lose money on book marketing that pays pennies in royalties. Guy flips it with direct sales — shared booths, high-traffic community events, and a one-line hook that stops buyers. Learn how the Network works, what a seat costs, why festivals beat book signings, and how to pitch, handle payments, and cross-promote like a pro.GUEST: Guy Morris, Author Event NetworkFULL TRANSCRIPT & MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/author-guy-morris-no-one-can-sell-your-book-better-than-you/#howtosellbooks #bookmarketing #directsalesFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZWebsite: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/onthewritingbiz

Tired of pitching your book and hearing silence? Hollywood publicist turned LA Times reviewer and author Gary Goldstein (K-9 Custody, The Last Birthday Party) breaks down how to think like a journalist, find niche angles, and follow up like a pro to land coverage without a PR firm.In this episode, Gary shares why self-marketing is a core author skill, how to pitch the right person the right way, how to turn one book into multiple niche stories, and the organized follow-up system that turns no-reply into yes. You will also learn what makes a strong subject line, why to skip AI pitches, and how to balance writing time with promotion.Perfect for self-published and traditionally published authors who want practical book marketing and publicity strategies that get noticed.#BookMarketing #BookPublicity #AuthorMarketing #SelfPublishing #writingcommunity MY GUEST:Gary Goldstein, author, screenwriter and LA Times reviewer http://www.GaryGoldsteinLA.comGARY GOLDSTEIN'S BOOKS: Canine Custodyhttps://amzn.to/4sdOEdw The Mother I Never Hadhttps://amzn.to/4hSDirR The Last Birthday Partyhttps://amzn.to/4zvOBvSFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:WebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro: Become your own best publicist 01:02 - Gary's dual view: publicist and LA Times reviewer 01:17 - Why book publicity is so crowded now 03:00 - Pitching protocol: who to pitch and how 06:25 - Why authors must embrace self-marketing 09:42 - Take ego out of marketing 12:08 - Find niche angles that get coverage (K-9 Custody example) 18:30 - Follow-up system that turns silence into yes 25:19 - Manage expectations and value small wins 27:38 - Subject lines that get opened (skip the AI pitch) 30:00 - Workflow: balance writing and marketing timeSUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/I am a member of the Amazon Associates program.

Yes is the destination, no is how you get there. Andrea Waltz, co-author of Go for No!, joins The Writing Biz Podcast to show writers how to overcome rejection and turn every no into momentum.If fear of rejection is keeping you from pitching agents, publishers, bookstores, or readers, this conversation reframes rejection as proof you are in the game. Andrea breaks down the failure quota, setting a no-goal to gamify pitching, remove the emotional sting, and keep you submitting. She also shares the 10-year overnight story behind Go for No!, from self-publishing in 2000 and hearing crickets after sending 500 copies, to redesigning the cover, refining the message, and building a full business with courses, sequels, and speaking around one book.You will learn how to handle silence as rejection, why follow-up closes sales, how to fix messaging around audience needs, and how to use your book as a calling card for a sustainable writing business. Perfect for authors working on success mindset, growth mindset, and book marketing systems that survive algorithm changes. #GoForNo #OvercomeRejection #WritingBusinessTimestamps:00:00 - Meet Andrea Waltz and Go for No! 01:03 - Reframing no to silence imposter syndrome 03:00 - What is a failure quota or no-goal 06:34 - How to apply your no-goal and follow up 09:47 - The 10-year journey to a bestseller 14:00 - Focus, coachability, and fueling perseverance 16:05 - Turning one book into courses and speaking 18:27 - Andrea's writer origin and partnership story 26:46 - Fixing audience and messaging struggles 32:00 - Social media, algorithms, and owning your listFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/onthewritingbiz

Learn the strategy to move from commodity work into a high-fee ghostwriter for CEOs and entrepreneurs.Many writers get stuck in a cycle of low-rate work, but the path to building a sustainable career relies on changing how you position your services. Dr. Marcia Layton Turner joins the podcast to explain how to move away from basic freelance writing and start commanding premium rates.She breaks down the specific shift required to become a trusted ghostwriter for CEOs and entrepreneurs. By positioning yourself as a strategic publishing partner rather than just a writer, you can secure high paying clients who value the ROI of a professional business book.#Ghostwriter #Ghostwriting #freelancewriting MY GUEST: Marcia Turner-Layton, ghostwriterhttps://marcialaytonturner.com/ https://www.facebook.com/marcialaytonturnerhttps://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MarciaLaytonTurner https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcialaytonturner/ RESORCES MENTIONED:Association of Ghostwriters: Professional association founded by Marcia providing education, community, and business resources for ghostwriters https://associationofghostwriters.orgEditorial Freelancers Association (EFA): Referenced for freelance rate surveys and industry benchmark data. https://www.the-efa.org/ Gotham Ghostwriters: Premier ghostwriting agency referenced for industry market rate reports and freelance opportunities. https://gothamghostwriters.com/ Kevin Anderson & Associates: Leading ghostwriting firm mentioned as a potential agency partner for qualified writers. https://www.ka-writing.com/ Advantage / Forbes Books: Publisher highlighted for regular freelance ghostwriter job postings. https://advantagebooks.com/ American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): Professional writers' organization where the idea for the Association of Ghostwriters originated. https://www.asja.org/ FOLLOW USWebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebook

Nobody buys your book because YOU need them to.Editor and ghostwriter Ally Machate joins The Writing Biz Podcast to show why your business book has to work as a lever for clients, speaking, and authority — not just royalties. If you're self publishing a business book, planning your book launch, or wondering how to market your book after publish day, this is your marketability check.In this episode: why business growth beats book sales as the goal, the good book wrong book trap, marketability vs marketing, the 3 must-haves baked into the draft (goal, readers, promise), nonfiction titles and searchability, Big 5 blind spots, why you must deliver real value instead of a long commercial, and launch week non-negotiables — seeding the right readers and stacking reviews in the first 30-90 days.See below for Ally's special offer for the audience of The Writing Biz!#BusinessBook #BookMarketing #SelfPublishingMY GUEST:Ally Machate, founder of The Writer's Allyhttps://www.thewritersally.com FREE WEBINAR FOR THE WRITING BIZ AUDIENCE!!“Don’t Write the Wrong Book!”Before you invest time, money, or momentum in a book, make sure you’re writing the right one…the one that will build your business, credibility, and client list. This free, 25-minute on-demand webinar will help you avoid that.https://www.offers.thewritersally.com/thewritingbiz TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Why nobody buys your book because you need them to 02:15 Your book is a lever, not the business 06:30 Good book, wrong book trap 11:00 Marketability vs marketing 15:30 The 3 things every marketable business book needs20:15 Nonfiction titles, subtitles and searchability 25:00 Big 5 blind spots indie authors repeat 29:30 Deliver value, not a long commercial 33:45 Launch week: seeding + reviews in the first 90 days38:00 Your book is a tool, not the projectFOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:WebsiteYouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX