For authors and publishing professionals - we're talking all routes to publishing, book launches, book marketing, tips, tools, and resources to write, publish, and sell your book. Self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. Author interviews and industry experts. Hosted by Alexa Bigwarfe of the Women in Publishing Summit. Formerly known as the PublishHer podcast.
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The Truth About Self-Publishing: Debunking the Biggest Myths with Joel Pitney {ep. 170}
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1:08:16In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe and Joel Pitney of Launch My Book unpack the biggest self-publishing myths. Learn what it really takes to succeed, from production costs to metadata, bookstore distribution, and pre-order strategies. In this podcast, Alexa and Joel discuss: How Joel went from science major to journalist to book coach and publisher Th…
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5 Authors Share Their Book Marketing Journeys {ep. 169}
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1:01:51From Overwhelmed to Empowered: 5 Authors Share Their Book Marketing Journeys In this special panel episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, Alexa Bigwarfe brings together five incredible authors—Linda Needham, CC Robinson, Zariah L. Banks, Tracy Myhre, and Pat Black-Gould—who represent a wide range of genres and publishing journeys. All graduates of the…
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From Author to Entrepreneur: Building a Bookish Business that Works! {ep. 168}
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1:15:30In this episode, Alexa teams up with her longtime collaborator Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro to dive deep into the business side of publishing. Whether you’re bootstrapping your first book or scaling a freelance editing business, this conversation is packed with practical tools, hard-earned lessons, and a whole lot of encouragement. In this epi…
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The Stories of 7 Women Who Gave All - Memorial Day Tribute {ep. 167}
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18:58As we observe Memorial Day here in the U.S., we honor the brave service members who gave their lives in defense of our country. And while many names are known, too often the women who served—and died—remain overlooked. As the founder of the Women in Publishing Summit, I’m passionate about helping women write stories that matter. And today, I want t…
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How BookFunnel Supercharges Author Marketing with Damon Courtney {ep. 166}
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48:45In this episode, Alexa chats with Damon Courtney, creator and CEO of BookFunnel, about how indie authors can grow their readership, build their email lists, and sell more books using BookFunnel's ever-expanding toolkit. Whether you're just getting started or looking to maximize your existing account, this episode is packed with insights. In this po…
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Writing Soulful Nonfiction with Danielle Anderson of InkWorthy Books {ep. 165}
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40:10In this inspiring episode, Alexa sits down with Danielle Anderson, founder of InkWorthy Books and the Soulful Nonfiction School. Danielle is a certified nonfiction book coach and editor with more than 14 years of experience helping writers bring mission-driven, healing-centered books into the world. They discuss what it means to write "soulful nonf…
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From Ghostwriting to Global Bestsellers: JD Barker’s Savvy Moves that Grew His Author Business {ep. 164}
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39:52In this episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, bestselling author JD Barker joins Alexa to share the bold, strategic decisions that helped him build a powerhouse fiction career. From ghostwriting and indie publishing to launching his own imprint with Simon & Schuster, JD has built a career grounded in talent, creative risk-taking, and entrepreneurial …
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Luminare Press - Hybrid vs. Self-Publishing with Patricia Marshall {ep. 163}
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48:57As hybrid presses become a more popular option, we're often asked about the difference between hybrid presses and self-publishing. Here's a breakdown of the differences at Luminare Press 📚 Self-Publishing Assist vs. Hybrid Publishing Self-Publishing Assist (Luminare Press) Offers fee-for-service publishing help: editing, cover and interior design, …
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Make Marketing Fun Again: How to Promote Your Book Without Losing Your Mind {ep. 162}
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35:17📚 In this episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, Alexa shares: The terrifying moment every author faces—wondering if people will hate your book—and how to overcome it. Why marketing doesn’t have to feel icky or overwhelming—and how to make it fun. The power of early feedback: how to build and use an advance reader team. What to do if talking about you…
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Is Substack Right for You? with Claire Tak {ep. 161}
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39:16If you’ve been hearing the buzz about Substack but aren’t sure what it is—or how it could actually help you as a writer—you’re going to love today’s conversation. I’m joined by Claire Tak, a tech writer turned aspiring memoirist, who shares how Substack became her go-to platform for building an authentic writing community, sharing her journey, and …
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Building Author Community & Confidence with Brooke Black {ep. 160}
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23:46📝 Show Notes: In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe chats with Brooke Black of Black Bear Communications about the power of author community, the journey from editing to full-service support, and how The Hive Collective helps authors thrive. From self-publishing to traditional routes, Brooke shares wisdom, encouragement, and practical strategies. 💡 Key T…
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Self-Publishing Secrets for Children's Book Authors with Karen Ferreira {ep. 159}
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30:37🎙️ Show Notes In this episode, Alexa and Karen discuss: How Karen’s journey as an illustrator led her to launch Get Your Book Illustrations and Children’s Book Mastery Common struggles children's book authors face and how Karen helps solve them Why writing a short children's book is actually harder than people think The essential elements every chi…
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Books Born from Grief: Writing to Heal and Help with Nathalie Himmelrich {ep. 158}
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42:34In this episode, Alexa and Nathalie discussed: 💡 How it all began: Nathalie reflects on her first book, Grieving Parents: Surviving Loss as a Couple, which grew from sharing her own story online and realizing it could help others. ✍️ The unexpected journey to six books: She never set out to be an author, but over time felt called—intuitively and em…
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Hot Sh*t & High Standards: Women Redefining Publishing {ep. 157}
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1:11:17Panelists: Karen Strauss (Hybrid Global Publishing) Pam Sheppard (Sheppard Edits) Alesha Brown (Fruition Publishing) E. Danielle Butler (EvyDani Books) Linda Ruggieri (Editor, The Insightful Editor) Panel Discussion Highlights: Karen Strauss shared her experience leaving corporate publishing due to gender bias and lack of upward mobility. She found…
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International Women's Day: Amplifying Your Voice with Karen Strauss {ep. 156}
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36:09In this podcast episode, Alexa and Karen discuss: Karen’s Publishing Journey Started in publishing by accident while working at Macy’s, where she managed book events. Moved into traditional publishing, working at Bantam, Random House, McMillan, and Crown in sales, marketing, and publicity. Noticed that her voice was being muted in the corporate wor…
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The Truth About Ghostwriting: How to Bring Your Nonfiction Book to Life with Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane {ep. 155}
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35:58If you've ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the process, you’re not alone. Many aspiring authors struggle to put their ideas into words, whether due to lack of time, writing challenges, or uncertainty about structure and flow. That’s where ghostwriting comes in. Alexa Bigwarfe and award-winning ghostwriter Roxanne McCarty-O’Kan…
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The Inside Scoop on Offset Printing & Board Books with MCRL {ep. 154}
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35:37In this episode, you will learn all about offset printing and MCRL! Topics covered includeL Offset Printing vs. Print-on-Demand (POD) What is offset printing, and how does it differ from POD? Pros and cons of each method depending on your book’s goals. Why offset printing is a better choice for high-quality, bulk book production. Why Bulk Printing …
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Protecting Your Creative Legacy: Estate Planning for Authors & Publishers with Kelley Way {ep. 153}
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41:20In this episode, Alexa and Kelley discuss: The importance of estate planning for authors and publishers Alexa’s personal experience with a medical crisis that made her rethink the future of her business and books Why copyrights are considered part of your estate and what happens to them when you pass away How copyright transfers work and why it’s c…
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Be Contagious, Not Viral: Smart Marketing Strategies with Markeyla Henton {ep. 152}
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32:39In this podcast episode, Alexa and Markeyla discuss: 🎉 From Summit to Collaboration – How a standout presentation at the 2024 Women in Publishing Summit led to an exciting partnership between Alexa and Markeyla. 📝 Markeyla’s Journey in Media & Publishing – From a book-loving kid to running Against the Stream Magazine and building a thriving busines…
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AI Tools for Authors and PublishDrive with Danica Favorite {ep. 151}
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57:04Alexa Bigwarfe chats with Danica Favorite, Community Manager at PublishDrive and a multi-published hybrid author, about how authors can leverage AI and PublishDrive’s powerful tools to streamline their publishing journey. They discuss how metadata impacts book sales, how AI can help optimize book descriptions, keywords, and pricing, and why Publish…
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The Essentials of Story Craft: Plotting Act 1 with Alida Winternheimer {ep. 150}
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1:09:14In this podcast episode, Alexa and Alida discuss: The importance of honing your writing craft, regardless of genre or experience. Understanding the fundamentals of story structure, including the three-act structure. Breaking down the key elements of Act 1: hooks, setup, inciting incidents, and points of no return. How story craft applies across gen…
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Is Hybrid Publishing Right for You? With Mindy Kuhn of Warren Publishing {ep. 149}
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39:48In this podcast episode, Alexa Bigwarfe interviews Mindy Kuhn, CEO of Warren Publishing, a hybrid publishing company with over 36 years of history. They discuss the unique benefits of hybrid publishing, including retained author rights, professional editing and design, and higher royalty rates. Mindy shares tips for authors on choosing the right pu…
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The Power of Big Picture Thinking with Nikki Nash {ep. 148}
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46:00In this podcast, Alexa and Nikki discuss: Nikki Nash’s journey to becoming a Hay House author and marketing expert: From wanting to be a journalist to becoming a Fortune 100 marketer and finally starting her own entrepreneurial journey after a wake-up call about family health, Nikki’s inspiring story highlights the power of following your purpose. …
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Navigating Self-Publishing with Confidence – Leanne Janzen of FriesenPress {ep. 147}
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45:06Be sure to grab your ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit to learn more from Leanne as she teaches the workshop Working with a Service Provider to Self-Publish Your Book In this podcast episode, Alexa and Leanne discuss: Introduction to Leanne Janzen and FriesenPress: Leanne’s journey in publishing, starting as a publishing specialist and now l…
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Kathryn Day and How This Community All Began with Alexa Bigwarfe {ep. 146}
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28:59In this podcast episode, Alexa shares: Reflections on a Personal Anniversary: Alexa commemorates the 13th anniversary of her daughter Kathryn’s passing and shares how this event shaped her journey as a writer, publisher, and creator of the Women in Publishing Summit. The Power of Writing to Heal: Writing became a vital tool for Alexa's healing, lea…
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Building Community and Author Collaborations with Danika Bloom {ep. 145}
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21:25Grab your ticket to the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit! In this podcast episode, Alexa and Danika discuss: The importance of building an author network and community for long-term career growth. How connecting with other authors helps manage the inner critic and provides motivation. The value of having a purposeful network to support marketing eff…
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Writing Rituals to Inspire Creativity and Get Sh*t Done! with Elizabeth Barbour {ep. 144}
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30:27Don't forget to grab your ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit! In this podcast episode we discuss: What Are Writing Rituals? The Importance of Writing Rituals Examples of Writing Rituals Writing Rituals in Community Post-Publication Rituals Elizabeth’s Coaching and Retreat Offerings Resources Mentioned: (affiliate links included) Atomic Habits…
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How to Write About Native Americans with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer {ep. 143}
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52:03In this podcast episode, we discuss: the importance of knowing how to refer to and write about Native Americans; terminology matters - differences between “American Indian,” “Native American,” and “First American.” Is it okay for authors who aren’t Native American to write about them? How to start researching a tribe's history and culture and wheth…
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Networking for Authors with JF Garrard {ep. 142}
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21:48Grab your ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit, where we'll be networking a LOT! In this episode, the key points discussed are: How JF has successfully published short fiction in books that are not advertised, launched a literary podcast and became the President of the Canadian Authors Association’s Toronto Branch Why an author network is impor…
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Finding the Right Small Press with Lindsay Gibson and Savannah Carlisle {ep. 141}
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55:23In this podcast episode, we discuss: Transitioning into Romance Writing: Kristi Dosh (Savannah Carlisle) and Lindsay Gibson share how they moved from careers in sports journalism and grief memoir writing into romance fiction. Both found joy and fulfillment in creating heartwarming love stories. The Therapeutic Power of Fiction: Lindsay talks about …
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Translating Your Book & Selling in Foreign Markets with Isabella Nanni {ep. 140}
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45:11In this episode, we discuss: Maximizing Book Sales Globally: opportunities in the international markets for expanding book sales and reaching a wider audience. Finding the Perfect Literary Translator: what you should look for in a translator to make sure that your investment has better chances to pay off what the main features of a literary transla…
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Uncover your Powerful Story with Karen Rowe {ep. 139}
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34:34UNCOVER YOUR POWERFUL STORY Overview: Karen shares everything you need to know if you want to write a book, which includes when you should do it, common mistakes to avoid, and some strategies and hacks to help you get started on your book right away. In this episode, Alexa and Karen talk about: Why is there a fear of putting your voice out into the…
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Finding Mission Aligned Publishers with Angela Yarber {ep. 138}
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46:27In this episode, we discuss: The importance of finding a missionally aligned publisher (in TCP's case: feminist and queer with a commitment to BIPOC writers) how to find mission-aligned publishers who share your values and support your vision as an author. Angela's story of why she created Tehom Center Publishing to fill a lack in the industry the …
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Project Seed Money - to fund Women Writers! with Sharissa Bradley {ep. 137}
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36:07Alexa and Sharissa talked about the following key points: Sharissa's project to fund women's writing projects: Project Seed Money Project Seed Money provides a monthly grant funding female authors at $1,500.00 a month to be used for writing expenses How women are still underrepresented in the publishing industry, her reason for starting this progra…
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How to Get Book Reviews with Derek Doepker {ep. 136}
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37:00In this episode, Derek and Alexa discuss: how Derek went from being a broke valet parker to a bestselling author, selling over 100,000 books using mostly free and low-cost marketing strategies (he got into personal development and started writing fitness blogs, which eventually led him to publish a book.) Why you shouldn't give up after a launch th…
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Book Marketing tips with Keri-Rae Barnum & Alexa Bigwarfe {ep. 135}
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39:27Two book marketing experts, Alexa Bigwarfe of Write|Publish|Sell & the Women in Publishing Summit and Keri-Rae Barnum of New Shelves Book, dish out book marketing advice and trends for authors. We discuss why authors hate marketing and how to make it fun. Best tips for growing your audience. Why finding new readers is critical to your success. And …
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Moving past the blocks and objections we face as writers; Joni B. Cole {ep. 134}
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35:39In this episode, Alexa and Joni discuss (among other things!): Joni's Writing Center in Vermont, and how she started that The ways we writers get in our own way... and how to move past them The importance of being inspired when you're writing How to deal with feedback and the power of positive feedback Dealing with self-sabotage and negative self-t…
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New name for the podcast + trademark violations {ep. 133}
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16:58What happens when a company reaches out and tells you: you have to stop using the name you're using for your brand, podcast, website, courses, business, or other items? Well, if they have a trademark to back them up, you can either go through a fight, or you can choose to rebrand. Option 3 - if you can prove you were using the brand/name/logo prior…
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First Things First: Write your Proposal Before You Write Your Whole Nonfiction Book with Amy Goldmacher (ep. 132)
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21:54Amy Goldmacher will guide you through what agents and publishers look for in the components of a proposal, how to write proposal sections effectively, and how the proposal will help you write your book and achieve your publication goals. Amy Goldmacher's journey into the world of writing and publishing began with a deep-rooted passion for sharing s…
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The Power of Podcasting: How to Grow Your Platform and Sell More Books with Michelle Glogovac (ep. 131)
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32:20In this episode, you will learn about: Mastering the Art of Podcasting: Unlocking Proven Strategies for Authors and Creators to Amplify Their Reach and Impact. Captivating Audiences: Unveiling the Power of Podcast Tours for Successful Book Launches. Crafting Compelling Speaking Topics: Empowering Authors to Command Attention and Inspire Action Thro…
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Growing Your Audience Through Beta Readers with Jenna O'Malley (ep. 130)
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35:01In this episode, Alexa and Jenna O'Malley discuss the differences between alpha readers and beta readers, as well as covering some of the ways subscription models can enhance a writing career. Key Takeaways: Alpha Readers: Early-stage readers who see raw drafts and help keep the story on track, particularly valuable for serial fiction. Editing Proc…
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Winning Book Proposals with Amy L. Bernstein {ep. 129}
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36:11In this episode, Alexa and Amy discuss best practices in the process of writing, publishing, and selling your book, whether fiction or non-fiction using proposals and successful pitch packages. In this episode, Ellie and Alexa discuss: How nonfiction book proposals differ from fiction queries. Nonfiction requires a detailed proposal, including an o…
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How Young Writers are Making Huge Strides - Mel Torrefranca {ep 128}
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17:28Join Alexa Bigwarfe, with guest, Mel Torrefranca on this new episode of PublishHer Podcast for a fascinating interview with a very interesting young author. Mel and Alexa cover Mel's unique experience becoming a published author at the age of 17 while she was still a student in high school. Fascinatingly, YouTube accidentally played a role in attra…
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How Publishing 1 Book Every Month led to Success - Ellie Hall {ep. 127}
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51:46Ellie set her sights on writing and publishing as many books as she could, and for years, operated on an aggressive timeline of publishing one book every month! With insights into her rapid publication model, disciplined writing routine, and challenges of maintaining a sustainable income, Ellie offers valuable lessons for aspiring indie authors see…
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Productivity & Time Management Tips for Authors: Stacy Ennis {ep. 126}
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47:07Productivity and time blocking - these are important for authors, especially those who are busy trying to balance all of the things! Throughout the conversation with Alexa, Stacy Ennis emphasizes the significance of time blocking and energy management in enhancing productivity, advocating for the creation of consistent, dedicated time for deep work…
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Becoming a Speaker as an Author with Jess Ekstrom {ep. 125}
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35:27In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe and Jess Ekstrom dig into what it takes to create a fruitful speaking career. These strategies are aimed at empowering women writing nonfiction books who want to take the stage to make a bigger impact. Key Takeaways How to leverage connections as starting points for speaking engagements Negotiating for assets beyond …
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Using Autocrit to improve your manuscript, with Katherine Graham {ep. 124}
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32:49In this episode of the PublishHer Podcast, host Alexa Bigwarfe engages in a conversation with Katherine Graham from Autocrit, shedding light on the significance of AI-driven tools in the writing and editing process. Autocrit is an incredible tool that helps authors write and edit their books, analyze their chapters, and even brainstorm if you're st…
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Habit Stacking, Small Steps, & Welcome to Season 4 with Alexa Bigwarfe {ep. 123}
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16:12In this episode: Alexa Bigwarfe gives a short overview of what's to come in Season 4 Alexa shares some encouragement around taking the small steps to see big wins Habit stacking - what is it, why is it important Life's short - don't push off til tomorrow what you can do today Join for upcoming webinars and workshops at https://womeninpublishingsumm…
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Taking the Leap with a Book Coach! Guest: Larissa Soehn {ep.122}
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18:54In this episode of the PublishHer podcast, Alexa Bigwarfe interviews Larissa Sohen, an established author and founder of Next Page Publishing Inc. Larissa shares her journey to becoming a book coach and provides insights into writing, publishing, and marketing books. Key Takeaways: Larissa's Writing Journey: Larissa shares her unexpected entry into…
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I Still Have Love to Give with Emily A. Myers {ep. 121}
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39:12As a reminder, as this show publishes, we are counting down the days to the 2024 Women in Publishing Summit! Get your ticket today, and save $50 with either of the coupon codes: ALEXA50 or LOVEYOURSELF In this episode, Alexa and Emily discuss: Her new book of poems and love, I Still Have Love to Give Exploring different genres to expand your writin…
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