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"Kind of a Big Book Deal" is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs eager to dive into the world of traditional publishing. Hosted by Meghan Stevenson, a seasoned editor with deep roots in the publishing industry, this podcast is perfect for anyone dreaming of topping the bestseller lists. Meghan shares her wealth of experience, including securing over $5 million in book deals for her clients from giants like Penguin and Harper Collins. Each episode is packed with insider tips on snagging a boo ...
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Episode 19 - How 18 Months of Rejection Turned Into a Six-Figure Book Deal with Dr. Natalie Nixon
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59:57
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What if the very thing holding you back from a book deal isn’t your writing, but your platform? In this episode, Meghan sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon to unpack the highs and lows of her author journey. From countless rejections to finally landing a deal for The Creativity Leap, Natalie reveals the grit, courage, and community support it took to …
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Episode 18 - Is Traditional Publishing Right For You?
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What separates the dreamers from the authors with a big book deal? In this real talk episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls no punches. She shares the uncomfortable truth behind traditional publishing success rates and the one thing that determines who makes it and who doesn’t: alignment. Spoiler alert: it’s not your book idea, your expertise, or even you…
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Episode 17 - How Many Followers You Need to Get a Book Deal
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11:28
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If you’ve ever wondered whether your social media numbers are good enough for a book deal, this episode is a must-listen. Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the most common questions aspiring authors ask: Do follower counts make or break your shot at traditional publishing? The answer isn’t what you think. Meghan shares real-world examples from au…
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Episode 16 - From Self-Publishing To a Three-Book Deal with Denise Duffield-Thomas
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42:48
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What if your messy first draft could become a bestselling book? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Denise Duffield-Thomas opens up about her journey from self-publishing her first book Lucky Bitch to landing a traditional deal with Hay House. She shares how imposter syndrome nearly stopped her, how she turned early success into industry cr…
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Episode 15 - How Entrepreneurs Sabotage Their Book Deal
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What’s really holding you back from landing that big book deal? In this no-BS episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the most common mistakes aspiring authors make and how to avoid them. From hiding your ideas out of fear, to trying to do everything yourself, to staying stuck in analysis paralysis, Meghan calls it all out with hard-earned insigh…
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What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial truths of traditional publishing, answering listener Becky’s smart questions about advances, royalties, taxes, and startup costs. You’ll learn why writing a book is less about immediate profi…
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Episode 13: Financial Freedom, Podcast Growth, and Publishing Power Plays with Jamila Souffrant
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What if your “impossible” dream isn’t so impossible after all? In this powerful episode, publishing strategist Meghan Stevenson sits down with Jamila Souffrant, host of Journey to Launch and author of Your Journey to Financial Freedom, to unpack how Jamila turned a personal blog into a multiple six-figure book deal. Jamila shares how she started fr…
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Episode 12: How To Understand Your Author Platform Right Now
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What shows up when someone Googles your name? If you’re dreaming of landing a traditional book deal, that search result matters more than you think. In this punchy and insightful episode, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why your author platform is just as important as your book idea, and how a quick Google search is the first litmus …
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Episode 11: How To Get The Best Advice For Your Book
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24:17
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Ever wonder why some writers’ retreats and book conferences leave you feeling inspired but stuck? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson gets real about why so much advice out there won’t actually help you land a traditional publishing deal—and what will. Megan shares three crucial lessons for getting the right help for your b…
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Episode 10 - From Idea to Deal: Elaine Lin Hering's Publishing Journey
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In this inspiring episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson talks with author and leadership expert Elaine Lin Hering about her nine-year journey to publishing her debut book Unlearning Silence with Penguin Random House. Elaine shares how the idea sparked from her work at the Harvard Negotiation Project, what held her back, and how she f…
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Episode 9 - The Basics: What Bestseller Lists Don't Tell You: NYT, USA Today
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20:42
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In this episode, publishing pro Meghan Stevenson breaks down the truth behind bestseller lists—and it’s not as straightforward as you might think. From the mysterious and curated New York Times list to the purely data-driven USA Today list and the sometimes-misleading Amazon categories, Meghan pulls back the curtain on what these rankings actually …
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Episode 8 - The Basics: Choosing Your Publishing Path: Self, Hybrid, Traditional
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Thinking about publishing your book? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to find the best fit for your goals. In this episode, we break down the three main options: self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. Each path has its pros and cons, so knowing what to expect is key. Tune in for real-world insights t…
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Episode 7 - The Basics: Book Proposals 101
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Writing a book proposal can be overwhelming, especially for experts and entrepreneurs who want to publish a nonfiction book. In this episode, we break down why book proposals matter and why most authors shouldn’t write them alone. Our guest, an experienced proposal writer and publishing insider, shares how a strong proposal can make or break your c…
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Episode 6 - The Basics: Why Publishers Want Author Platforms
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27:55
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In this episode, we break down what it really takes to land a book deal—hint: it’s not just about having a great idea. With over 850 people taking our book quiz in 2024, we found that 64% were working on books outside of what we focus on: self-help and how-to books. If you’re an entrepreneur or expert aiming for a book deal, this episode is for you…
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Episode 5 - The Basics: Is Your Book Idea Ready for Traditional Publishing?
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21:29
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In this episode of Kind Of A Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson breaks down the first key element of landing a traditional book deal: Potential. She explains how to determine if your idea is truly book-worthy, why having a built-in audience is crucial, and how to assess whether similar books have been successful. Meghan shares real-world examples…
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Episode 4 - The Basics: Three Ps Every Author Needs to Get a Book Deal
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Welcome to Kind of a Big Book Deal with host Meghan Stevenson! If you’ve ever dreamed of landing a book deal but felt lost in the process, this episode is for you. Meghan, a former editor at top publishing houses, shares her hard-earned insights on what it takes to turn your book idea into a reality. In this episode, Meghan introduces her Three P’s…
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Episode 2 - The Basics: How Entrepreneurs and Experts Get a Book Deal
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In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, host Meghan Stevenson walks entrepreneurs through the key stages and roles in traditional publishing. She breaks down the six main steps to getting a book deal, from writing a book proposal and securing an agent to landing a deal, writing the manuscript, preparing for publication, and, finally…
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Episode 3 - The Basics: The Essential (and Secret) Strategy to Land a Book Deal
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22:40
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In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the most overlooked but essential parts of publishing—understanding your book’s category. If you’re an entrepreneur hoping to land a traditional book deal, knowing where your book fits is key to getting the right publisher, agent, and audience. Meghan starts by deb…
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Episode 1 - The Basics: How to Publish Your Prescriptive Nonfiction Book Traditionally
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Welcome to the very first episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal! In this episode, host Meghan Stevenson kicks off a 10-part crash course on traditional publishing. She shares a funny and eye-opening story about a client who thought she missed out on her dream book deal—only to realize she actually got exactly what she wanted. Meghan explains the diffe…
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Welcome to "Kind of a Big Book Deal," the podcast where entrepreneurs like you learn the ins and outs of navigating the traditional publishing world. I'm your host, Meghan Stevenson. With my background as an editor for major publishers and now helping entrepreneurs turn into authors, I've seen it all. My clients have raked in over $5 million in dea…
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