Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

Send us a textDavid Kadavy is a creative entrepreneur and author of Design for Hackers: Reverse-Engineering Beauty (which debuted in the top 20 on all of Amazon), The Heart to Start, and multiple “short reads.”   He is also the host of the Love Your Work podcast where he features inspiring entrepreneurs and creators. His writing has been featured in Observer, The Huffington Post, Inc.com, Quartz, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Upworthy, and Lifehacker.   What We Discuss with David Kadavy: How David started his journey to writing via blogging Why writing a book is like cell division Examples of conceptual innovators vs. experimental innovators Some insights into growth mindset vs. perfectionism How Davis is able to reference other influencers and still be able to make his own Discover David’s writing exercise and how to overcome writer’s block Giving yourself permission to suck What is linear work distortion? Finding the balance between structure and curiosity Finding the art inside of you The importance of finding joy in your work Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textLarry Ruhl is the author of a very powerful memoir, Breaking the Ruhls: A Memoir, a beautiful story about going through trauma from sexual abuse, living in shame and guilt, and taking the courage to stand up and speak out. Even during the editing stage, Larry was still rattled by his own story. It wasn’t just any other story. It was his personal journey. Ultimately, the message he wants to come across is that you can shed shame and that healing is possible. Now, he’s ready to stand up, speak up, and share his story!   What We Discuss with Larry Ruhl: Larry recalls his experience writing at the monastery and what he learned from the monks. One of the biggest fears in writing a memoir His story’s message: you can shed shame and healing is possible Taking vulnerability with you wherever you go: Larry's challenges while writing the book Larry’s thought process in deciding which to write Some tough things he had to go through during the editing process The power of standing up for yourself The publishing experience and the waiting game Shifting from guilt to maturity The massive impact the book has made, especially to other “survivors” Larry recommends resources to those who are also hiding in shame and seeking help   Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textInspired by Seth Godin’s book, Purple Cow, Jason Zook is known for a variety of things, one of which is making over a million dollars wearing t-shirts. He also sold his name twice and auctioned them off - one of them was Jason SurfrApp. Jason is also the author of Creativity for Sale which he wrote for only two weeks.   What We Discuss with Jason Zook: Jason recalls how he started to write a book after shutting down his business. Being the purple cow: The idea behind making money from wearing t-shirts You can't just put something on the internet and expect everyone to show up. How Jason sold his last name twice: those moments when you know you're doing the right thing Dealing with imposter syndrome while writing his book and the power of practice Jason’s two-week writing experience and the editing process. Why your first draft always sucks and why writing books doesn’t have to take forever Why Jason wrote his second book and how he created these websites The power of sharing your story - doesn’t have to be a textbook you know! Jason’s WatchMeWrite project and The Action Army Podcast: his version of having a therapist More about Jason and his wife’s new show Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textCindy Henson is an incredible author with a message to share about how she, not only left her corporate life, but found herself during the process of finding what she was meant to do. She is the author of the book, The Jungle: A Journey to Peace, Purpose, and Freedom. Today, Cindy shares how a certain health challenge led her to “project manage” her own life and transform her life in a way that also impacts other people. Meditation, forgiveness, and speaking your truth are just three key takeaways from this amazing episode!   What We Discuss with Cindy Henson: Making that decision to finally have her book published after several years How do you tell the story without crossing the line? Cindy's story on education, a rough childhood, and her factory job A health challenge that led Cindy to take away every rule she used to follow to get to success Tapping into the power of meditation to figure out your next step Writing the book: Disrupting the reader as part of the story How Cindy got herself to attend the University for Peace in Costa Rica and some things she found that challenged her beliefs What genuine curiosity and listening can make an incredible difference A story of forgiveness: Why you have to forgive the unforgivable Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textSrinivas Rao is the author of An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake. He is also the host of the podcast, Unmistakable Creative. Srinivas' mantra is around creativity.   What We Discuss with Srinivas Rao: Creative tools then and now: What has changed over the years? Challenges during internship and graduating from college during a time of recession How he got into the podcast world and why podcast? The struggles of being a creative at this time and age When digital validation becomes the measure of the quality of the work but this is so irrelevant The importance of focusing on the work itself How much energy do you put into things that you have no control over? The beauty of creating something timeless Some insights into publishing a book Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing How do you create something engaging? The power of cutting ties with toxic people Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textCraig Martelle is a science fiction author. In just about two years, Craig has authored 30 full-length novels, numerous short stories, anthologies, and co-written books. He has written 2.25 million words written over the last 844 days, averaging 2,677 words a day. Talk about hard work! Craig is also the man behind the 20Books conferences.   What We Discuss with Craig Martelle: Assume your first novel is going to suck and that's okay! Writing the book is only half the battle, you still have to put it out there Where Craig gets his book writing ideas from and developing the writer's voice Developing the habit of writing everyday Craig's book writing process and the importance of creating relatable characters How the 20Books Conferences came about Building and developing relationships with your editors The challenges of publishing and the concept of vanity press Craig's process of creating audiobooks and how to write a very powerful first page Tools Craig use for writing and tips for creating the best cover for your book   Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textSteve Sims is the author of Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen. Today, he talks about the concept behind Bluefishing and utilizing different platforms (outside of email) of reaching out to people. He talks about the things he’s afraid of (yet how those fears drive him to success) and the power of asking why!   What We Discuss with Steve Sims: The concept behind the technology of Bluefishing Is email dead? Listen in to what Steve has to say (essential stats included!) Steve describes how the educational system teaches you to avoid rejection and failure Making that decision to change: It's human nature to run more on fear than on opportunity Being afraid of standing still: Why Steve needs to know that he's not in the same place every six months The challenges of raising kids as an entrepreneur and allowing them to discover stuff Why you don't want to overcome your fears but use them to fire you up The power of asking why and why you need to ask yourself and other people why The first question to ask yourself before writing your book and who is it for How to get an unfiltered, "uneducated" feedback about your book Steve shares some things to write about and why ghostwriters rock! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textJessamyn Stanley is an internationally acclaimed yoga teacher. She is also the author of the book Every Body Yoga. She describes writing a book as an expression of your truth. She's not anything like you see on most yoga ads with the perfect body and asanas, standing on the mat in the middle of paradise. She represents everybody who doesn't see themselves reflected on the media.   What We Discuss with Jessamyn Stanley: What got Jessamyn to write a book about yoga Who Jessamyn wishes to represent and why her book resonates most with people The importance of showing authenticity in the practice of yoga How the mental roadblocks in yoga are synonymous with life in general Writing a proposal vs. writing a book Different techniques she used in writing the book Saying that you still haven't figured it all out and that's okay Being blessed by having amazing editors, allowing her to speak her own voice The hardest part of writing having to talk about her mom's illness Being afraid of offending people who read your book vs. understanding not to make everyone comfortable all the time The parallels of yoga and writing - just show up! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textKathryn Kemp Guylay is a wellness and nutrition advocate, fellow podcaster, and writer. Her first book is called Mountain Mantras: Wellness and Life Lessons from the Slopes, and her podcast also bears the same name, Mountain Mantras, that covers topics around Wellness and Life Lessons. Her most recent book is called Make Nutrition Fun.   What We Discuss with Kathryn Kemp Guylay: Having the mindset that you're in control of finding new excitement in your life The impetus behind Kathryn's passion for wellness and nutrition Meeting former first lady Michelle Obama through the mom-and-daughter tandem's winning recipe Why you can't expect your first book to be your best book How Kathryn defines leadership and dealing with "mom guilt" The three different kinds of hats Kathryn wears and the critical importance of having a creative outlet to achieve wellness Why Kathryn wrote Look Before You Leap talking about the pains of publishing and the joys of self-publishing Why self-publishing is anything but "self" Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Send us a textPeter Shankman is an American entrepreneur and author. He has written amazing books such as Can We Do That?, Nice Companies Finish First, Zombie Loyalists, and his recently released, Faster than Normal. Today, Peter shares about the power of storytelling, how you can get things done, and some great ideas about writing, publishing, and recording audiobooks. What We Discuss with Peter: How to put together a catchy presentation without having any visuals - Learn the secret! Just be better than crap and you’ll be great! - What does Peter mean by this? Peter shares how he actually launched his book out of a podcast and a webinar Turning your book idea into the real thing! Where Peter interestingly does his writing and how he does his editing Creating quick rituals over big goals if you want to get things done. Peter shares his first experience writing a book and why is self-publishing the next time The challenges of recording your own audiobooks How to build your story that will resonate with people Why calculated risks are risky but not stupid Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!