Self-publishing gives authors incredible freedom—but it’s not the right fit for everyone. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’ll look at a real-world example of an author who seemed ready to self-publish—until it became clear that wasn’t the best path for their goals. You’ll learn: When self-publishing might hurt your author brand instead of helping it What to consider before investing time and money into publishing on your own How hybrid or traditional publishing co...

You can write the best book in your field, hire a top editor, and design a beautiful cover—but if you miss this one critical piece of your launch strategy, your book risks fading into the background after just a few weeks. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, you’ll learn: The #1 overlooked element in most nonfiction book launches Why audience engagement must start months before your release date How pre-launch engagement builds momentum, fuels reviews, and drives ...

Is self-publishing still worth it in 2025? For nonfiction authors, the answer depends on understanding the evolving publishing landscape and the strategies that drive long-term success. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, discover seven essential steps to successfully self-publish a nonfiction book in today’s market. The episode also explores why more authors are choosing self-publishing over traditional or hybrid publishing — and the exact strategies being used to make it work. ...

Episode 112: Why Book Reviews Are the Secret Fuel Behind Every Successful Author Why do some books climb the Amazon charts while others stall out? The answer isn’t just ads, bulk sales, or clever book marketing tactics—it’s reviews. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we dive deep into why reviews are one of the most powerful tools you have as a nonfiction author. You’ll learn how they boost your book’s visibility, fuel your Amazon ads, build trust with readers, and keep your boo...

Many authors think of AI only as a shortcut to write faster. But what if it could actually serve as your developmental editor? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, I share the exact AI strategy I used on my own book draft—how it flagged weaknesses I completely missed and how you can use it to sharpen your writing without losing your voice. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why good prompts are the difference between vague notes and actionable editing feedbackHow t...

A $1.5 billion settlement just shook the publishing world—and it directly affects you as an author. Anthropic, the creators of Claude AI, have agreed to pay one of the largest copyright recoveries in U.S. history for using pirated books to train their models. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’ll break down what happened, why it matters, and how you can protect your work in the age of AI, whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or working with a traditional publish...

Here’s a riddle: why can a $150,000 “good” book deal leave you with less money this year than a $50,000 “very nice” deal? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’re unpacking the reality of book advances—what they are, how they’re paid, and the contract details that matter more than the headline number. If you’re a nonfiction author exploring traditional publishing as a path to boost your credibility, speaking opportunities, consulting pipeline, or business growth, this episode wi...

What actually happens when someone who helps authors every day finally sits down to write their own book? In this behind-the-scenes episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, I’m sharing a personal update on my writing process—what’s working, what’s surprising me, and the things I’ll absolutely do differently next time. If you’re writing your first book or somewhere in the messy middle, you’ll find encouragement and practical takeaways from the trenches. Whether you’re self-publishing or explor...

What if your most effective book marketing strategy starts long before you type “The End”? In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we’re flipping the script on how to promote a nonfiction book. Instead of waiting until launch week to start generating buzz, we explore how to invite your audience into the process from the very beginning—so that by the time your book is ready, you’re not marketing to strangers... you’re celebrating with a team of believers. You'll learn: Why traditional launch ...

Many nonfiction authors dream of becoming a “bestselling author,” but the truth is—what most really want isn’t the title. It’s what they believe that title will unlock: more clients, paid speaking opportunities, credibility, and momentum. In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we’re unpacking the real reasons behind the bestseller obsession—and reframing it into a strategy that actually delivers results. Because the goal isn’t just to hit a list. The goal is to build a book that moves your ...

Most nonfiction authors focus on writing and publishing—but overlook one crucial step that can make or break their book marketing efforts: deeply understanding their audience. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we break down the three essential things every author must know about their readers to publish and market a successful nonfiction book. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: Why vague audience definitions (like “first-time managers”) fall flat—and what to do ins...

You’ve got the idea. You’ve got the passion. But you can’t seem to find the time. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, I’ll walk you through a simple but powerful exercise that has helped both me and my clients uncover hidden writing time—sometimes up to 60 minutes a day. It’s called the Time Awareness Audit for Authors, and it might just be the thing that finally gets your book moving forward. We’ll cover: Why waiting for “the perfect time” is the biggest myth in writingHow to ru...

You may be the only name on the cover—but behind every successful nonfiction book is a team of experts who helped bring it to life. In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’re talking about why writing and publishing a book is a team sport—and who you actually need on your side to finish strong, reach readers, and build your author business. 📚 Whether you're self-publishing, working with a hybrid publisher, or aiming for a traditional deal, this episode will help you figure o...

You’ve seen the titles: Amazon Bestseller, Wall Street Journal Bestseller, New York Times Bestseller. But what does it actually take to become a bestselling author—and is it worth it? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we break down the different types of Amazon bestseller statuses, how they work, and what they mean for your book’s success. If you're a nonfiction author, coach, consultant, or entrepreneur working on your book launch or building your author platform, this is the ...

How to Prevent Your Book Launch from Flopping: The Power of a Pre-Mortem You’ve put everything into writing, editing, and launching your nonfiction book—but what if it doesn’t go the way you hoped? In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we’ll explore how to use a pre-mortem strategy to strengthen your book marketing plan, avoid common pitfalls, and increase your chances of success across every stage of your author journey. Whether you're self-publishing, planning a business book lau...

It’s our 100th episode, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been part of the journey—whether you’ve tuned in from the beginning or just found Your Path to Book Publishing. In this milestone episode, I’m doing things a little differently. I’m sharing lessons learned from 100 podcast episodes and nearly 15 years in the publishing industry. You’ll hear my thoughts on where the publishing world is headed, how AI is reshaping the author experience, and what I believe every nonfiction au...

In today's online-heavy world, it’s tempting to think that selling your book on Amazon is the only option that matters. But there’s a powerful—and often overlooked—way to grow your credibility, build reader connection, and keep your book in readers' hands: your local bookstore. In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we’re diving into why bookstores still matter, how to approach them, and what you need to know before walking in with your elevator pitch. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’...

You’ve launched your book—congrats! But after the buzz fades, you might find yourself wondering: Now what? If you’re a coach, consultant, or speaker, your book shouldn’t just sit on the shelf. It should bring you leads, build trust, and drive your business forward. In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we break down how to turn your nonfiction book into a lead-generating funnel—one that works behind the scenes to attract your ideal clients. We’ll walk through how the free + shipping model ...

Think publishing your book is the finish line? Not quite. If you want to turn your writing into a sustainable career, you need more than royalties. In this episode of Your Path to Publish, we’re diving into how successful nonfiction authors actually earn a living—and how you can do the same by building smart, scalable income streams around your book. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: Why book royalties alone rarely pay the bills (and what to do instead)Five proven income streams...

Top Strategies on How to Market a Self-Published Book You hit publish on your book—now what? Whether you're on a tight budget or just overwhelmed by options, marketing your book doesn't have to be complicated or chaotic. In this episode of Your Path to Publish, Zach breaks down a simple, proven framework for self-published authors to build visibility, attract readers, and start selling books. From your author brand to advanced tools like ads and influencers, this episode will help you build a...