• Sarah Bullen of The Writing Room - Literary Matchmaking: How Books Find Their Perfect Publisher with a Book Agent
    Jan 30 2025

    Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author, writing coach, and literary agent, leading international writing mentorships. She is the author of Write your Book in 100 Days and works with authors as a book coach and agent. Over the last two decades, she has had over 180 books published by writers she has mentored. She has held editorial roles across books, magazines, and literary agencies. Her expertise in writing and publishing provides invaluable guidance to aspiring authors, helping them develop their craft, structure their stories, and navigate the publishing world.


    In this episode:

    • The insider secrets of literary agent selection
    • Differences between fiction and non-fiction manuscript submissions
    • How to create a compelling book proposal
    • Understanding the publishing industry's inner workings
    • Strategies for becoming a successful published author
    • The importance of online presence for writers
    • Navigating the traditional publishing landscape


    Resources mentioned:

    • The Writing Room mentorship: https://www.thewritingroom.co.za/author-mentorship
    • International writing retreats: https://www.internationalwritingretreats.com/
    • Online author platforms
    • Book proposal guidelines
    • Genre-specific writing conventions
    • Publishing industry networking


    Book recommendations:

    • The Ghost Ship by Colleen Dolan: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Ship-Fire-Colleen-Dolan/dp/1637776365
    • The Authority Gap by Marianne Seacart: https://www.maryannsieghart.com/the-authority-gap/


    Connect with Sarah:

    • Website: http://www.thewritingroom.co.za/
    • Alternative Website: https://www.internationalwritingretreats.com/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbullenwritingroom/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbullenwritingroom/
    • LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/sarahbullenwritingcoach


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    53 mins
  • Lucy McCarraher of Book Magic AI - The $100,000 Book: The AI-Powered Secret to Writing Your Business Book in Record Time
    Jan 28 2025

    Lucy McCarraher is the Founder of Rethink Press, BookMagic AI, the book-writing app, and the Business Book Awards. She also hosts the ABOO – A Book of One's Own – women writers' network. She is the author of 13 books including three novels, four self-help books and six books on writing books. Lucy mentors non-fiction and fiction authors through planning and writing their books and is the UK's most experienced business book mentor. She recently won a Stevie Award for Women Helping Women in Business; and the Great British Businesswomen's Award for Creative Industries Businesswoman of the Year for her work supporting more women to write and publish their business books.


    In this episode:

    • The journey from idea to published business book
    • Using AI tools to support (not replace) writing
    • Creating authentic business books
    • Hybrid publishing vs self-publishing
    • Book positioning strategies
    • Writing habits and routines
    • Distribution and marketing approaches


    Resources mentioned:

    • Book Magic AI: https://bookmagic.ai/
    • Rethink Press: http://www.rethinkpress.com/
    • KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing): https://kdp.amazon.com/
    • Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/
    • Key Person of Influence: https://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/


    Book recommendations:

    • The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart: https://www.amazon.com/Authority-Gap-women-still-seriously/dp/0857527568


    Connect with Lucy:

    • Get your Free Trial for Book Magic AI: https://bookmagic.ai/
    • Rethink Press: http://www.rethinkpress.com/
    • Personal Website: https://www.lucymccarraher.com/
    • Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    44 mins
  • Ellen Erikson - How to Make Money from Classic, Public Domain Books
    Jan 23 2025

    Ellen Erikson is a publisher of over 30 books, combining self-authored works and public domain publications. Her expertise lies in identifying, updating, and successfully marketing classic works for modern audiences.


    In this episode:

    • Understanding public domain books and copyright laws
    • Guidelines for publishing on Amazon KDP
    • Strategies for standing out in the market
    • Finding and selecting profitable titles
    • Formatting and production considerations
    • Marketing and advertising approaches
    • Common pitfalls and how to avoid them


    Resources mentioned:

    • Project Gutenberg
    • Many Books
    • Wikipedia copyright tables
    • KDP publishing guidelines


    Connect with Ellen:

    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenerikson/


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/




    Support the show

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    28 mins
  • Tom Wilde of ProWritingAid - Why Your Grammar Checker is Holding You Back from Writing a Best Seller
    Jan 21 2025

    Tom Wilde is the Head of Partnerships at ProWritingAid, a comprehensive toolkit for storytellers that helps authors improve their writing through advanced analysis and AI-powered features. With a background in English teaching, he brings deep insight into how writers can elevate their craft through technology.

    In this episode:

    • Evolution of ProWritingAid from grammar checker to complete writing toolkit
    • Understanding passive vs active voice
    • Key reports and features for writers
    • AI-powered tools for story development
    • Integration with popular writing platforms
    • Privacy and security considerations


    Resources mentioned:

    • ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com/
    • Writers Week events: https://prowritingaid.com/art/1163/learn-with-prowritingaid-this-month.aspx
    • Integration with Scrivener, Word, Google Docs: https://prowritingaid.com/integrations
    • YouTube channel tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIg


    Book recommendations:

    • Go As A River by Shelley Reed: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Go-River/Shelley-Read/9781954118232
    • Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: https://www.amazon.com/Fingersmith-Sarah-Waters/dp/1573229725


    Connect with Tom:

    • Website: https://prowritingaid.com/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prowritingaid
    • X.com: https://twitter.com/prowritingaid
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prowritingaid.insta/
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prowritingaid
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIg


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    37 mins
  • Audrey Hughey - Write Your Book in One Year: A Busy Author’s Complete Guide
    Jan 17 2025

    Audrey Hughey is a planner and workbook creator, and a multi-genre fiction author. She uses her B.A. in English and M.A. in Ancient and Classical History to research and craft riveting horror and thriller stories brimming with cultural nuance and rich with lore. She lives in the hills of Appalachia with her family and sweet-but-bossy felines.

    In this episode:

    • The importance of holistic life planning for authors
    • Breaking down yearly writing goals
    • Creating effective daily routines
    • Managing productivity with family commitments
    • Setting authentic and meaningful goals
    • Using time-blocking techniques
    • Monthly review and progress tracking


    Resources mentioned:

    • The Author's Planner series
    • Virtual writing retreats
    • Monthly Writing Focus Planners
    • Growth Day app
    • Female Entrepreneurship Association
    • Pomodoro Technique


    Book recommendations:

    • The Ritualist by Dakota Crowe
    • Six Habits of Growth by Brendon Burchard
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear


    Connect with Audrey:

    • Website: www.audreyhughey.com
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewriteservices
    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/thewriteservices
    • Sign Up to Audrey’s Newsletter: https://bit.ly/authorweekly


    Get your tickets for the 2025 Virtual Spring Writing Retreat:

    • Purchase discounted tickets while preordering their 2025 Author's Planner HERE: https://audreyhughey.com/2025preorders
    • Join Audrey’s newsletter waitlist HERE: https://bit.ly/2025vswrwait


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    44 mins
  • Evan Gow of StoryOrigin - The Power of Author Newsletters: Inside StoryOrigin
    Jan 16 2025

    Evan Gow is the founder of StoryOrigin, a platform designed to help authors grow their readership through newsletter marketing, review management, and cross-promotions. With a background in tech entrepreneurship and creative writing, he created StoryOrigin to streamline the essential tools authors need for success.


    In this episode:

    • Benefits of author newsletters
    • Creating effective reader magnets
    • Newsletter content strategies
    • Cross-promotion techniques
    • Building subscriber lists
    • Newsletter monetization options
    • Platform features and integrations


    Resources mentioned:

    • StoryOrigin: https://storyoriginapp.com/
      • MailerLite recommendation
      • Newsletter swap directory
      • Group promotions
      • Universal book links
      • Review copy landing pages


    Book recommendations:

    • He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell): https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26294/he-who-fights-with-monsters


    Connect with Evan:

    • Website: https://storyoriginapp.com/
    • Tutorials: https://storyoriginapp.com/tutorials
    • Contact Evan: evan@storyoriginapp.com


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    44 mins
  • Oriana Leckert from Kickstarter - How Authors Are Raising Millions Through Crowdfunding
    Jan 9 2025

    Oriana Leckert is the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, where she helps creators bring a marvelous array of literary projects to life. She's written and edited for Vice, MTV News, Slate, Hyperallergic, Gothamist, Atlas Obscura, and many more. Her first book, Brooklyn Spaces: 50 Hubs of Culture and Creativity (Monacelli, 2015), grew out of a multi-year project chronicling the rise and fall of under-the-radar creative places across New York City.

    In this episode:

    • Understanding Kickstarter's role in publishing
    • Creating successful crowdfunding campaigns
    • Setting realistic funding goals
    • Designing compelling rewards
    • Building community before launching
    • Case studies of successful book campaigns
    • Common mistakes to avoid


    Resources mentioned:

    • Kickstarter.com/publishing
    • Kickstarter for Authors Facebook group (6,000+ members)
    • Russell Notle's book on Kickstarter
    • Anthea Sharp's guide for authors
    • Writer MBA with Monica Lionel


    Featured Kickstarter Campaigns:

    • The Obsidian Spindle Saga
    • Feyland Tales
    • The Gilded Rose Auction
    • Cradle Books 7-9 by Will Wight
    • Saphira Statue
    • Nightlight Daily Horoscopes 2024


    Book recommendations:

    • Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Diniman - https://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Crawler-Carl-7-book-series/dp/B08BX5D4LC


    Connect with Oriana:

    • Website: https://www.kickstarter.com/
    • Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kickstarter
    • Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kickstarter
    • Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/kickstarter
    • Kickstarter Publishing newsletter: https://www.kickstarter.com/newsletters
    • Kickstarter Publishing Category: https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/publishing


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
    • Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
    • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

    Support the show

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    38 mins
  • The Publishing Performance Show: Our 2024 in Review & Future Plans
    Jan 7 2025

    Hey everyone! What a wild ride 2024 has been. From welcoming a new baby (and realizing two kids is WAY more than double the work) to watching this show grow beyond my wildest dreams, I want to share the highs, lows, and everything in between of this incredible year.

    In this episode, I'm diving into:

    • Life as a publishing dad
    • The amazing guests who've joined us - from Susie Quinn to Kevin J Anderson
    • My Vegas adventure at Author Nation (what happens in Vegas... gets recorded!)
    • Growing my own book empire to 22 titles
    • How Publishing Performance's AI is changing the ad game
    • What's coming in 2025 (spoiler: it's gonna be big)


    Resources mentioned:

    • Publishing Performance - Our AI advertising wizard
    • Author Nation Videos in Youtube


    Connect with Teddy Smith:

    • @teddyagsmith
    • Website - https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
    • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/teddyagsmith
    • Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
    • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teddyagsmith/
    • Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7qwkY_Tih2UlB82b3ysTg
    • Linkedin - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/teddyagsmith

    Support the show

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    14 mins