Even though Amazon has been all the rage for book-buyers for much of the last twenty years, did you know there are many other outlets where readers can find your books? Well … of course you did! You’re not just a writer, but a reader as well. If your life resembles mine, you probably buy books from Amazon all the time because of the price, speed, and convenience. But Amazon is only one of the many, many places where readers can find your books! My guest today, Susan Neal, is here to help us learn how to get our books into bookstores and libraries—two absolutely vital places our books need to be. Susan Neal, RN has a Masters in health science and an MBA. She lives her life with a passion to help others improve their health. After suffering a health crisis, she became an author and health coach to provide others with the tools they needed to heal their bodies and reclaim their ideal weight. Her award-winning #1 Amazon best-seller is 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates. The third book in her Healthy Living Series, The Healthy Living Journal, won the Golden Scrolls award “Best Inspirational Gift Book.” Her newest release is 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger, which releases near the end of May. Susan has been featured in many media outlets including CTN’s Bridges TV show, WATC-TV Atlanta Live and Friends & Neighbors, TCT’s Julie and Friends, Charisma magazine, and numerous podcasts and radio shows. You can learn more about Susan at https://susanuneal.com. Susan is also the Director of the Christian Indie Publishing Association, an incredible resource for faith-based authors to grow your author platform, book sales, and much more. I’m a member myself and recommend it highly! Learn more about https://christianpublishers.net. In this conversation, Susan and I talk about several key topics related to getting your book into bookstores and libraries: Why get your book into those places when you can just Amazon? The importance of having your own imprint. Why you need to have the retail price printed on the back cover. Why your book should be available through a major distributor, not just IngramSpark. The value of speaking to a manager at local Barnes & Noble stores, or indie bookstores. Susan’s thoughts on getting in libraries. * * * Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

I’m a big fan of learning from other industries and professionals. It’s very easy as a writer to spend all your time around other people who only think about books and publishing. Yet it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, you’re a business owner. That’s why I’m excited to bring you this conversation with my friend Anastasia Forrest, a rockstar real estate agent! Anastasia Forrest is a lifelong learner, creative, and sobriety-enthusiast based out of St. Augustine, Florida. She has two amazing daughters and an awesome husband who builds beautiful houses. Her main profession is helping people buy and sell homes as a Real Estate Broker Associate with EXP Realty. Her creative passions are songwriting, authoring books, and painting. Her favorite things to do with her family are to go out on boat adventures, explore new places together, and have pizza and movie nights. Anastasia is also the author of The Creative Real Estate Agent: How to Build a Rocking Real Estate Business and Be More Creatively Productive Than Ever in addition to her previous book, The 30-Day Sobriety Experiment: A Guided Journey of Self-Discovery. I was fascinated by Anastasia’s ability to write a compelling book for real estate agents, but do it through the lens of creativity, which is a passion of hers. On today’s episode, she shares some lessons from her experience as an author and real estate agent that you can use to boost your creativity and grow your business. Topics in our conversation include: Why real estate is indeed a creative field How she developed a unique take on a familiar topic Various ways to cultivate a creative mindset to work and wealth How to build great relationships … especially if you’re an introvert How she has found success on social media by just being herself Be sure to check out Anastasia’s book, music, and real estate business at https://www.anastasiaforrest.com. * * * Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

Since you’re listening to this podcast, you’re presumably interested in becoming more profitable. Sometimes as writers we play too small, thinking that if we can muster 10% growth this year, that’s a huge win. I want to encourage you think bigger—much bigger! Today’s episode is different kind of conversation, where we’ll focus more on the philosophy of achievement and how to set really big goals for yourself. My guest is Brianna Hendley. I met her a couple of years ago through Honorée Corder’s Empire Builders Mastermind, and I soon discovered that Brianna is razor sharp, with an incredible business instinct. I’m excited to introduce her to you today. Brianna owns Achievant Coaching, which focuses on business, executive, and career coaching services. She describes herself as a problem-solving, goal-focused, process-driven morning person. Brianna is also a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and much more. In this conversation, Brianna and I talk about the mindset it takes to double your revenue and triple your time off. Sound impossible? It won’t after you’ve heard Brianna’s brilliant thinking and strategy for going after the life you truly want. You can connect with Brianna at https://achievantcoaching.com, where you can learn more about her coaching services and programs. * * *  Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

You’ve probably heard the phrase before, “Are you working IN or ON your business?” This question refers to the difference between being an employee who does the work of your business, and being the owner who is maximizing productivity, profits, and success. When you’re a solo business owner, you wear both hats. It can be hard to see the difference between those two roles, especially if you don’t come from a business background and you feel swamped by all the things you have to get done. I’m excited about this conversation my guest, Johnna Lacey, who is a long-time writer and advocate of better systems in our business. Johnna Lacey is the CEO and head writer and editor of J.M. Lacey Communications, which focuses on writing and brand storytelling, training, and coaching. Built on empathy and the desire to eliminate frustration for business owners, leaders, and nonprofits, Johnna seeks ways to simplify what has been unnecessarily complicated using proven systems to achieve results. She has been writing professionally for more than twenty years, but writing creatively for forty. She is also a poet, and is working on a novel and essays. Johnna also enjoys macro photography, gardening, cooking, exploring museums, and all things related to the arts. You can connect with Johnna through her website, https://jmlacey.com. In today’s conversation, we talk through a variety of questions: What are solopreneurs, particularly writers, consultants, and coaches, doing to prevent business growth? What does our mindset have to do with operating our business? Why should we, as creators, separate ourselves from the business? What does it mean to think about how we do things vs. what we do? Why is it important to have standards, company policies, benchmarks, SOPs, and objectives in a business of one? Why should you never tackle projects over which you cannot control? This is a great conversation filled with practical advice for every writer! * * * Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

If you and I were having coffee together, and I asked if you believed in the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus, you’d probably reply, “No, those are nice ideas but they’re not real because they’re myths.” It’s pretty easy for us to distinguish reality from fiction when it comes to figures like Santa Claus. However, it’s not so easy for writers to distinguish fact from fiction when it comes to publishing. That’s why I’m glad my friend Terry Whalin is here to help us dispel publishing myths that can lead you astray. Let me tell you a bit about him. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk. A former literary agent, Terry is an Acquisitions Editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers and several books have sold over 100,000 copies. Terry has also written for more than 50 magazines. As a frustrated editor in 2004, Terry wrote Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success, which has nearly 200 5-star reviews and has helped many authors. Terry is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and lives in Southern California. Today we’re here to talk about another one of his fantastic book, which is 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. These are some of the myths we discuss (you’ll love these!): My publisher will sell and promote my book. Writing a book will make me famous. I can’t call myself a writer unless I publish a book. The editor will fix all my mistakes. Good writers are born, not made. My book will be a NYT bestseller. The life of a writer is glamourous. You can connect with Terry at his website, https://terrywhalin.com, as well as visit https://publishingoffer.com, where you can download the 11th publishing myth. * * * Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

  On today's episode, we dive into three key ways you can demonstrate your credibility to prospective clients. *** Thanks to today's sponsor! Vellum is the go-to book formatting software for indie authors who care about creating beautiful ebooks and print books. Use the link to download Vellum for FREE. 

Most of what we discuss here on the Profitable Writer podcast is centered around nonfiction. That’s what I write, both for myself and for clients, and most of our guests are focused on nonfiction. However, today I’m honored to feature a guest who is here to share tips and advice on writing and marketing historical fiction. Melissa LaShure is the host of the LiteraryScape Podcast, where she discusses and recommends books in the historical Christian romance genre to readers around the world, as well as offering writing tips, tricks, and tools for aspiring authors. She is also the creator of HCRW (Historical Christian Romance Writers), a membership group where authors of historical Christian romance can learn and grow together. You can connect with Melissa at her website: https://literaryscape.com. Our conversation focuses on a variety of topics, including: Her journey as a writer. How to find and target your reader. What makes a historical Christian romance novel memorable. What she’s doing this year to market her fiction. Tips for authors who are just getting started. Although Melissa’s genre is historical Christian romance, the vast majority of her advice will apply to authors writing in a variety of genres. * * * Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

  As a ghostwriter (or someone who wants to be), it's easy to worry about whether you have the right credentials to be perceived as a pro. However, there's a far more important question you must ask first. *** Thanks to today's sponsor! Vellum is the go-to book formatting software for indie authors who care about creating beautiful ebooks and print books. Use the link to download Vellum for FREE. 

We talk a lot about income streams here on the show because there are countless ways to take your book or message and make money from it. A book is only the starting point. Many authors write a book, publish it, and then ask, “Now what?” My guest today is going to help us think about various ways to take your book or message and turn it into dollars. Thomas Umstattd, Jr. is the CEO of Author Media, a professional speaker and nonfiction author, and host of the Novel Marketing Podcast and the Christian Publishing Show. He is a wealth of knowledge on all things related to book marketing, media for authors, author branding, and much more. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and children. You can connect with Thomas at https://authormedia.com and his personal website. https://www.thomasumstattd.com. In this conversation, Thomas and I discuss: Non-book related ways to monetize your author platform. How to diversify your income stream. The role of Patreon in his business. And more! * * *  Today’s episode is sponsored by Karen Hunsanger, an incredible editor known as “The Word Wizard.” I’ve worked with Karen many times, and she is your secret weapon for crafting the highest-quality book possible. Visit the link above for a free sample edit.

The #1 topic people ask me about is ghostwriting. On this episode, we'll dive into ten reasons ghostwriting is a great business for writers. 1. You can work on your own time. 2. Books are pretty straightforward to write.  3. You only need a few projects per year to make a good income. 4. “Ghostwriter” is a compelling term that makes people curious.  5. Ghostwriting is easy to explain to people.    6. Everybody wants a book! 7. You can set your own income.   8. Ghostwriting is not a commodity-based business. 9. You become a trusted confidante to your clients.  10. As a ghostwriter, you can explore your curiosity. *** Thanks to today's sponsor! Vellum is the go-to book formatting software for indie authors who care about creating beautiful ebooks and print books. Use the link to download Vellum for FREE.