Write the Damn Book Already

Elizabeth Lyons

Writing and publishing a phenomenal book doesn’t have to be ridiculously complicated or mind-numbingly overwhelming. From myths and misconceptions to practical tips and sound strategies, Elizabeth Lyons (author, book writing coach, book editor, and founder of Finn-Phyllis Press), helps writers feel more in control of and comfortable with the business of book publishing. Her interviews with fellow authors discussing their writing processes and publishing journeys aim to help you untangle YOUR process so you can finally get your story into the world.

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Top 10 Write the Damn Book Already Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Write the Damn Book Already episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Write the Damn Book Already for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Write the Damn Book Already episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Ep 61: Living Out Your Book's Message with Bethany Clemenson

Write the Damn Book Already

10/25/23 • 50 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

A little over a decade ago, Bethany Clemenson, author of Ditching the Dream: How to Live Life on Your Terms (Finn-Phyllis Press, 2022), found herself in a place where, on the outside, it looked like she was killing it. But on the inside, it was killing her.

She had climbed the corporate ladder and was an award-winning leader in the company. She and her husband had built their dream home. They had two healthy children. And they were financially healthy.

But behind the scenes, Bethany worked 80-plus hours a week, was on-call 24/7, and traveled regularly. She and her family were disconnected, and she felt exhausted, unfulfilled, resentful, and frustrated.

She began thinking about what she really wanted and started saying no to everything that didn't align. She found that all the pressure she felt was her own doing, and that she was both the problem and the solution.

As a result, she left her corporate role, she and her family sold everything and traveled the US in a motorhome, and she's been (jubilantly) living life on her terms ever since.

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about:

🎙️ Other people navigating your book and their role in it (even when you’ve been nothing but complimentary!)

🎙️ How writing a book helps you recognize how far you’ve come

🎙️ How to know when your book is finished (when you’re finished writing)

🎙️ Creative (and fun) marketing techniques

🎙️ Living out the message of your book

CONNECT WITH BETHANY

Website: www.bigliferesources.com

Instagram: @bethanyclemenson

TikTok:

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
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Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com
The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.
To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

Ep 40: How to Sell 2589 Books in 30 Hours (guest: Sam Garcia)

Write the Damn Book Already

06/01/23 • 61 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

Sam Garcia's first book, Regenerative Business: How to Align Your Business with Nature for More Abundance, Fulfillment, and Impact made quite a (quiet but impactful) splash right out of the gate.

It sold 2,589 copies in its first 30 hours on the market and hit #1 on several (large and relevant) Amazon lists, including Women in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Environmentalism.

It also hit #72 in the entire Kindle store (which boasts millions of titles), and when I checked it was #949 in the entire paperback store.

These are big accomplishments, without doubt.

But did it all happen with nary a plan? Absolutely not.

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Sam and I chatted about exactly what led to this incredible launch (and how she's planning to keep the momentum going!).

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

💥 The REAL reason she was able to hit all the charts and make all the sales (hint: it's all about authentic relationship building)

💥 The thought shift that got Sam writing again after a 4-month hiatus (and compelled her to finish the book in the next month)

💥 Sam's plans to continue to ride the "amazing launch" wave (her lack of "hustle attitude" will inspire you, I promise)

💥 The benefit of writing the book you WANT to write, not the one you think you SHOULD write

CONNECT WITH SAM

Instagram: @thedirtyalchemy

Website: thedirtyalchemy.com

Order a copy of Regenerat

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 39: Interview with Neely Alexander, author of Love Buzz

Write the Damn Book Already

05/17/23 • 36 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

If you love hearing other authors' experiences when it comes to querying, agent selection, and the publisher selection process, this episode is one to listen to!

Neely Tubati-Alexander's debut novel, Love Buzz, released on May 2, 2023. (It's so good, grab a copy through links below!).

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Neely and I talked about:

Finding her creative outlet in the midst of Covid, and why she started writing (then stopped) another book entirely, felt amazing about it, then trashed it
Neely's experience identifying which agents to query and how she ultimately select hers (she has great tips on how to find agents in your genre)
How she managed the mindf*ck of getting requests for partial or full manuscripts while also hearing “no thank you” from agents
The most beneficial way to respond to an agent’s or editor's request for plot modifications
Why she passed on the first agent who offered to represent her book (even though she loved her)
How she ultimately selected her publisher (Harper Perennial) after her book went to auction and she received multiple offers
How “asking for forgiveness” helped her get her dream agent
The “reality” of the advance for nonfiction versus fiction with a traditional publishing deal (plus, the lesser-talked about benefit of a smaller advance and a smaller publisher)
The important role of diversity in publishing
The value of writing groups (and how to get connected with one)
How Neely got Emily Giffin, queen of rom-com, to blurb Love Buzz

CONNECT WITH NEELY

Website: https://www.neelytubatialexander.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/neelyalexanderwrites/

Order a copy of Love Buzz

ABOUT NEELY

Neely is the author of women’s fiction with rom-com feels you can escape into with a smile. If you like seeing women pursuing love AND careers

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 104: Writing Personal Essays with Amy Wilson

Write the Damn Book Already

11/13/24 • 52 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

Amy Wilson, the brilliant co-host of the "What Fresh Hell" podcast and author of Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser (Jan 2025, Zibby Books), joined me for a fabulous conversation about owning your story through writing.

We dive right into the real stuff—like what it’s actually like to share personal essays (and how to spill your truth without accidentally blowing up your family’s group chat). Amy opens up about her journey from writing the hilarious chaotic When Did I Get Like This? on parenting to exploring deeper themes, like people-pleasing, that resonate with an audience far beyond parents.

And for anyone out there staring down an editing deadline or wondering what in the world the publishing gods are up to—Amy shares some hard-earned wisdom. From her writing routines to her secret recipe for mixing humor with “let’s get real” moments, she provides an inside look at what makes her stories connect with so many people.

So, grab your favorite drink (and maybe one of your new notebooks--I know you have one), and get ready for some relatable insights, laughs, and just the right amount of “you’ve got this” inspiration.

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 88: Writing From Multiple POVs with Ava Dellaira

Write the Damn Book Already

05/29/24 • 30 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

Ava Dellaira’s adult debut novel, Exposure, comes out with Zibby Books on September 10th, 2024. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novels In Search of Us and Love Letters to the Dead, which was named Best Book of the Year by Apple, Google, BuzzFeed, the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library.
She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow, and the University of Chicago. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now lives in Altadena, CA with her husband and their two young children.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The challenges of writing in identities that aren’t your own (and the risks involved in writing outside your own point of view)
Where Ava’s story ideas originate, and what she aimed to tackle through writing Exposure
Ava’s editing process preferences, including how she views the editing process and ensures she receives feedback most positively
Different approaches for when to start one's next book

CONNECT WITH AVA
Website: https://avadellaira.com
Instagram: @ava.dellaira
Exposure (Zibby Books, Sept 2024)
Love Letters to the Dead (Square Fish, 2015)In Search of Us (Square Fish, 2020)

WHAT AVA'S READING
All Fours by Miranda July
Victim by Andrew Boryga

WHAT ELIZABETH'S READING
The New Menopause by Marie Claire Haver

ELIZABETH'S BOOK REC OF THE WEEK
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 45: Does Your Writing Feel "Stuck"? Consider This...

Write the Damn Book Already

07/05/23 • 20 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

"Sometimes, the writing comes easy because we have been thinking about it for so long. It has taken years come to fruition, but it is already there. We are writing to explore both what we know and what we don’t know."

-Rick Rubin

Sometimes, content flows easily.

Sometimes, it’s like pulling a rock out of solid concrete with your bare fingers.

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, you'll discover often-overlooked reasons for why the writing sometimes feels "hard" (reasons that will have you both curious and eager to get your butt back in the chair!).

***

READY TO GET YOUR BOOK OUTLINED?

Consider enrolling in my pay-what-you-can Book Outlines Made Simple workshop!

***

MORE OF ELIZABETH'S WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS

BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE

A program for writing powerful, thought-provoking nonfiction or memoir so you can grow your business or simply share your story.

This is for you if you:

✍️ Want to write a powerful, top-quality book, making sure you're avoiding common (and unnecessary) mistakes along the way

✍️ Crave the support of a proven book-writing process as well as knowledgeable guidance and compassionate ass-kicking (when necessary) when the adventure feels “sticky” and you begin feeling unsure of what you’re doing, why you started, or whether it’s going to be worth it (hint: it absolutely will)

✍️ Desire to be part of a community of authors who provide you with accountability, motivation, and support (not to mention a spot-on meme here and there!)

and

✍️ 2x/month group coaching /support/guidance sessions with Elizabeth to help you navigate roadblocks (both tactical and mindset-based) so you can get to the finish line of writing a book you're immensely proud of

Learn more >>

PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK

A complete step-by-step program to help you self-publish a book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.

This is for you if you:

📚 Are ready to publish your book on your terms and your

10: Interview with Zibby Owens

Write the Damn Book Already

08/04/22 • 30 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

If you've ever wondered whether other people really have it easier than you do when it comes to writing and publishing a bestselling book, my interview with the incredible Zibby Owens is one to listen to.

Author of the recently released, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, as well as editor of Moms Don't Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology, Zibby is has a unique and thought-provoking perspective on writing, publishing, and just about everything in between.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

[4:35] The actual journey behind Bookends (hint: it was NOT "I think I'll write a book" and then the book was written).

[7:50] Zibby's "secret weapon" for improving her own writing

[9:02] How rejection before acceptance feels different from 273 rejections before "BUT THEN it was accepted."

[9:58] Handling setbacks and Zibby's "why" that compels her to continue to press on

[13:55] Wisdom on assumptions about how "easy" it is for someone else, and what we need to remember about other people's perspectives

[16:25] How Zibby decided on a unique structure for Bookends (the answer will surprise you, and it isn't exactly what I recommend, but it worked!)

[21:40] The unexpected formation of and mission for her publishing house, Zibby Books

CONNECT WITH ZIBBY

Website: https://zibbyowens.com/

Book: https://www.bookendsmemoir.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zibbyowens/

Subscribe to Write the Damn Book Already on your favorite streaming platform so you don't miss an episode!

(And please review and share if you enjoy it so I can get the word out---pun intended---to more people).

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 29: How to Sustainably Increase Book Sales

Write the Damn Book Already

02/08/23 • 22 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

"I can get your book onto the NYT bestseller list."

"I can get your podcast ranked in the top 10 on Apple."

"I can get you 8692.7 verified reviews on Amazon...in 2 days."

The offers are everywhere. And of course they're appealing. Who WOULDN'T want to be on the New York Times bestseller list? Or have a top-rated podcast? Or have Hunger-Games-level reviews on Amazon?

But the question often is, at what cost? (Literally.)

And then, after nearly passing out upon hearing the answer, the next question is, "Do I HAVE to do that? Is there another way?"

No, you don't. And yes, there is.

Magic bullets sound exciting. But they're rarely sustainable.

Bona fide shortcuts, on the other hand, ARE exciting. And yes, they require more work and time. But more often than not, work + time = joyful momentum, while magic bullet = quick (expensive) dopamine hit followed by months of sadness and confusion.

The good news is that there ARE ways to leverage the system without outright gaming it (and, bonus, you don't end up incredibly disappointed when, within a week, the flash in the pan is fully extinguished and you're unsure how you'll cover next month's expenses).

If getting one of these accolades is a bucket-list item for you and/or you have the cash to invest in the process, terrific.

But if not, there are plenty of other creative ways to get the word out and nurture organic (sustainable!) growth when it comes to book sales and visibility.

Resources Mentioned

HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

Kate Rock Book Tours

***

Are you ready to make some bold moves as an author (or aspiring author)?

This FREE challenge will help you stop overthinking and over-planning so you can get out of your own way and show yourself exactly what kind of magic your story or message is capable of creating.

Join the 25 Days of Bold Moves challenge!

23: Interview with Jamie Gagnon (Children's Books)

Write the Damn Book Already

11/21/22 • 47 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

Jamie Gagnon’s first book, Imagine My Love (an illustrated children’s book), was released in September 2022. With a degree in early childhood education and preschool teacher certification, it makes sense that she'd write a children's book.

But it was ultimately the love for her two children (combined with an "interesting" experience that showed her the power of words to young children) that compelled her to write this wonderful book.

In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we talked about the process of writing a children's book as well as the importance of recognizing the season of your life that you're in and not forcing yourself into others’ definition of success or opinions on how you “should” market your book.

Episode Highlights:

[3:55] The root of her reason to write this book (what her 2nd grade and 6th grade teachers taught her about the power of words)

[5:17] How she found that “motherhood made an incredible mess of her” and compelled her to find a way to lead her own kids with her love

[10:40] Industry standards for children’s books (and how Jamie avoided getting hung up not knowing exactly how to adhere to them)

[11:30] How Jamie found a children’s book writing mentor (and who that person is!)

[14:57] How she found and partnered with her amazing illustrator, Sandra Jessop

[18:11] Her biggest concern when embarking on the partnership with her illustrator (and how she grew through embracing the challenge)

[21:40] The process of getting the illustrations from creation (hand-painting) to being combined with Jamie’s text and printed as a book.

[25:48] Her distribution plans for bulk orders, indie bookstore events, and general sales [and how she feels about being carried by the BIG bookstores, which was shocking]

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

Ep 95: Conquering Nonfiction and Memoir Chaos

Write the Damn Book Already

07/31/24 • 38 min

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

🎙️ Feeling Overwhelmed Writing Your Nonfiction or Memoir? This Episode is For You!

Do you feel like you have multiple books' worth of material? Are you wrestling with imposter syndrome or struggling to organize a mountain of thoughts?

My work with authors typically focuses on two key genres: transformative nonfiction and inspirational memoir (yes, I made up these terms).
Transformative Nonfiction aims to guide the reader through a specific journey. It's infused with personal stories that help the reader relate and feel connected to the author.
Inspirational Memoir, on the other hand, shares the author’s personal experiences to inspire and resonate with readers, but in a way where the author is unattached to how (or when) the reader is inspired (or whether they're inspired at all!).
🚀 Feeling stuck?
Start by identifying your core message and the first step in your journey.
Remember, it’s about sharing the steps of your story, not prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution. By focusing on your unique path and experiences, you can create a relatable and impactful narrative without the pressure of being seen as "the ultimate expert."

💡 Tune in to hear my tips on overcoming self-doubt, structuring your content, and finding peace in sharing your personal story. This episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity!

Let's get you published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

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FAQ

How many episodes does Write the Damn Book Already have?

Write the Damn Book Already currently has 107 episodes available.

What topics does Write the Damn Book Already cover?

The podcast is about Publishing, Entrepreneurship, Writers, Podcasts, Books, Arts, Business, Book Writing and Authors.

What is the most popular episode on Write the Damn Book Already?

The episode title 'Ep 76: When Going Viral Goes Very (Very) Wrong' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Write the Damn Book Already?

The average episode length on Write the Damn Book Already is 39 minutes.

How often are episodes of Write the Damn Book Already released?

Episodes of Write the Damn Book Already are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Write the Damn Book Already?

The first episode of Write the Damn Book Already was released on Mar 25, 2022.

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Write the Damn Book Already

Elizabeth Lyons

Top 10 Write the Damn Book Already Episodes

Ep 61: Living Out Your Book's Message with Bethany Clemenson

Ep 40: How to Sell 2589 Books in 30 Hours (guest: Sam Garcia)

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

CONNECT WITH SAM

Ep 39: Interview with Neely Alexander, author of Love Buzz

CONNECT WITH NEELY

ABOUT NEELY

Ep 104: Writing Personal Essays with Amy Wilson

Ep 88: Writing From Multiple POVs with Ava Dellaira

Ep 45: Does Your Writing Feel "Stuck"? Consider This...

READY TO GET YOUR BOOK OUTLINED?

MORE OF ELIZABETH'S WRITING & PUBLISHING PROGRAMS

BOOK WRITING MADE SIMPLE

PUBLISH A PROFITABLE BOOK

10: Interview with Zibby Owens

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

CONNECT WITH ZIBBY

SUBSCRIBE

Ep 29: How to Sustainably Increase Book Sales

Resources Mentioned

Are you ready to make some bold moves as an author (or aspiring author)?

Join the 25 Days of Bold Moves challenge!

23: Interview with Jamie Gagnon (Children's Books)

Episode Highlights:

Ep 95: Conquering Nonfiction and Memoir Chaos

FAQ

How many episodes does Write the Damn Book Already have?

What topics does Write the Damn Book Already cover?

What is the most popular episode on Write the Damn Book Already?

What is the average episode length on Write the Damn Book Already?

How often are episodes of Write the Damn Book Already released?

When was the first episode of Write the Damn Book Already?

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