September is National Reading New Book Month, and in this episode, I’m sitting down with Michele Defilipo, a publishing veteran who knows all about how new stories come to life. If you’ve ever wondered how to professionally publish a book—or avoid common missteps as a creator—this episode has some essentials you won’t want to miss. Michele unpacks the differences between self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional models, helping you see which path might fit your next project. We also dig into the top mistakes new authors make (and how to sidestep them) and the best way to hire professionals who really know books inside and out. Whether you’re an indie author, a hopeful writer, or just curious about the publishing world, you’ll walk away knowing how to give your work a professional edge. Tune in for smart, down-to-earth advice on making your book stand out—and learn why every voice (including yours) is worth sharing.

Connect With Michele Defilipo
Website: https://1106design.com
Newsletter & Free Guide: https://1106design.com

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Chapters

00:00 Celebrating National Reading New Book Month
01:14 Michele’s Journey in the Book World
02:18 Why New Books and Voices Matter
03:18 What True Self Publishing Means
05:56 The Three Main Publishing Models
07:07 Choosing the Right Publishing Path
08:24 First-Time Self-Publishing Mistakes
09:27 What Makes a Book Professional
10:47 Finding Legitimate Publishing Experts
13:28 Fixing a Badly Published Book
15:30 Supporting Indie and Self-Published Authors
16:33 Michele’s Resources for Authors
17:35 Final Thoughts and Farewell