Open Draft - with Fabio Cerpelloni

In this conversation, I sit down with Tim DeMoss, the creator of the YouTube series "Reasons to Read." Tim shares the origin story of his channel, his favorite reading insights, and the creative process behind his recently published tiny book of fiction. We also discuss the challenge of maintaining focus while reading, why book summaries miss the point, how to get through thick books, and the difference between reading as consumption versus reading as participation in life.Enjoy the conversation!Videos mentioned:- Full "Reasons to Read" playlist (27 videos) - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2c&si=Vl9Nnw3vK1iXofu5- Uncommon Reader video (books not summaries) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2c&v=kh4Jb6Q4vA0&feature=youtu.be- The video Tim made on AI - https://youtu.be/Eyk_ncyY67U?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2c- The video with the St. Exupery quote on participation in life - https://youtu.be/FR5w49rSOoo?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2c- The video on "words are crayons, get a big box" - https://youtu.be/V_wAl4ORaKA?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2c- The video on how reading helps with focus (your whole brain & both of your hands) - https://youtu.be/ObHyI5UrRTk?list=PLZpKwDwO5HwPrGyF9_Py_-BHcxbp_Co2cBooks/essays mentioned:- Turtle Eggs for Agassiz by Dallas Lore Sharp- The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett- Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, including the introduction essay "Just This Side of Byzantium"- Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury- Chapter 8 "Books" from Society & Solitude by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Attached is a PDF of the excerpt I mentioned & my thoughts on it.- James Chalk, Fair Buyer of Lightning by Tim DeMossJoin Better Writers: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private

In my first tiny book, there are mistakes of various kinds. I've decided to keep them. Here's why.This video is based on a post I wrote on Substack. Read it for free here: https://open.substack.com/pub/fabiocerpelloni/p/this-is-writing?r=2iifxg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false"Tiny Book Author" is now on Amazon - https://a.co/d/7QfZyr8

Do you prefer paper books or audiobooks? What about e-books? Do you think they’re the best? I have clear preferences when it comes to reading. (I wrote about this here - https://open.substack.com/pub/fabiocerpelloni/p/e-books-audiobooks-or-just-paper?r=2iifxg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false)

How do you market your book if you don’t like social media or public speaking? What makes a nonfiction book stand out when there are already thousands on the same topic?How do you get real, unbiased book reviews? I invited Sarah Bean, an experienced book marketing specialist from the US, to have a chat about tips and strategies to market a nonfiction book. Enjoy the conversation!Links, books, and stuff we mentioned:Book Launchers: https://booklaunchers.com/Author Launch Kit software: https://authorlaunchkit.com/"Your Music and People" by Derek Sivers"On Writing" by Stephen King"Self-Publish & Succeed" by Julie BroadBook review services Sarah recommended: Get Books Reviewed: www.booklaunchers.com/gbrGet Authentic Book Reviews: https://getauthenticbookreviews.com/Gemsy: https://gemsy.io/Join Better Writers: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/privateTime stamps00:26 - Intro & guest: Sarah Bean (Book Launchers)03:25 - What a book marketing specialist does04:30 - Success vs failure: prep wins (+ Amani Roberts case)06:49 - Prep essentials: UVP, target reader, positioning08:02 - Foundations: website + ongoing content08:50 - If you’re shy/off social11:29 - Unconventional tactics tied to passions14:12 - Start with goals18:22 - “I’m a writer, not a marketer”: audit your assets & network (Ellen story)22:53 - Tool: Author Launch Kit (AI plan, assets, media list)24:24 - Differentiate beyond personal story28:42 - “Outcome of the outcome”32:19 - Reviews = lifeblood; Amazon dynamics37:24 - Getting reviews41:27 - Self-Publish & Succeed43:52 - Practical AI uses46:35 - Audiobooks48:42 - Format strategy: offer print + ebook + audio50:28 - Why a unified team beats piecemeal freelancers51:49 - Book recommendations

The trial copy of my new tiny book just arrived and I’m seeing it for the first time! Watch as I unbox it...Better Writers (my private email list) - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

Writers often wonder if their work is worth reading. In this video, I share why I think that’s the wrong question to ask. Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private

Last week I finished reading "Eat Well: The Easy Way to Look and Feel Fabulous by Nell Nelson." There are a few lessons for nonfiction writers and readers here. Enjoy the ramble! - Tiny Book Author services - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/services/- Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

...and misunderstood. A few thoughts on how to get skilled instead. Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

You’re a writer. Period. No more self-doubt. No more questioning your identity. Listen for a few thoughts on this. Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

A couple of years ago, I discovered PJ Milani, aka Milani Creative, an illustrator who publishes the coolest visual metaphors on the internet. I reached out to him and invited him on the show to discuss creativity. Enjoy the conversation!Links- PJ Milani's Newsletter - https://idea-milanicreative.beehiiv.com/- Milani Creative - https://www.milanicreative.com/- Thinking in Visual Metaphors - https://maven.com/milanicreative/visualthinking- Join Better Writers: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/privateBooks and stuff we mentioned:- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon- Ship 30 for 30 – a writing cohort/course PJ joined early in his creative journeyTime Stamps00:00 – Intro02:24 – Creating Daily08:05 – The Start of PJ Milani’s Creative Journey23:22 – The Creator Economy33:10 – Creating for Yourself vs Creating for Others38:46 – The Goal of Visual Metaphors45: 25 – PJ Milani's Creative Process53:37 – On Being Original1:01:18 – PJ Milani's Book1:06:25 – Words of Encouragement for Creatives1:16:40 – Conclusion & where to find PJKeywords (ignore)creativity, daily practice, visual metaphors, content creation, artistic process, self-awareness, personal growth, creative practice