How do you turn a personal story into a publishable memoir?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Ruthie Ackerman, a journalist, book coach, and author of The Mother Code, about the journey from personal storytelling to completing a book.

Ruthie shares how her Modern Love essay helped reveal the through line for her memoir, what she learned from losing a major book deal, and how she rebuilt her path to publication. She also discusses the power of micro-communities over social media when building a platform, and the emotional ROI of showing up in person through book tours and community events.

Resources:
Connect with Ruthie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruackerman

Connect with Ruthie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthieackerman/
Connect with Ruthie in Substack: https://ruthieackerman.substack.com/
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

What happens when a seasoned editor turns the lens inward and pens her own deeply personal narrative?

In this episode of Bookbound, Bethany Saltman and Fran Hauser sit down with Samhita Mukhopadhyay, former executive editor of Teen Vogue and current editorial director at The Meteor, to discuss her powerful new book The Myth of Making It.

Drawing from her extensive career in media, Samhita offers a compelling critique of workplace culture, addressing women’s ambition and the societal pressures intensified by hustle culture. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of writing the book, from maintaining a 1,000-word-per-day writing routine to her fears about exposing her vulnerabilities.

Resources:
Connect with Samhita here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhita-mukhopadhyay/
Check out Samhita’s work here: https://www.samhitamukhopadhyay.com/
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What does it take to turn an idea into a published book?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Lisa Marchiano, Jungian analyst and co-host of This Jungian Life podcast, to explore the journey of writing, publishing, and building an author platform.

Lisa shares how her simple yet powerful daily practice of writing 300 words a day helped her complete two books, including her upcoming book Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams, which she co-authored with her podcast co-hosts. She also explains the importance of crafting a focused book proposal and how she built an author platform that caught the attention of publishers.

Resources:
Check out Lisa’s work here: https://lisamarchiano.com/

Check out Lisa’s podcast here: https://thisjungianlife.com/

Sign up here to be notified when the e-book is released: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

Ever wondered how a chaotic writing process can transform into a bestselling book?

In this episode of Bookbound, Amy Shoenthal, author of The Setback Cycle, shares her journey from journalism to book writing, inspired by her interviews with business leaders and entrepreneurs during the pandemic. Amy reflects on the importance of setbacks in professional and personal growth, detailing how her own experience as a mother shaped her perspective. She also discusses the process of creating her framework, the "four E's," and the challenges of getting her book published, offering valuable insights into book proposal writing, marketing strategies, and navigating rejection.

Resources:
Connect with Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoenthal/
Check out Amy’s work here: https://www.amyshoenthal.com

Subscribe to Bethany & Fran’s Substack here: https://bookswithbethanyandfran.substack.com/

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What happens when a cultural critic and mother of boys decides to tackle the complexities of masculinity in modern society?

In this episode of Bookbound, Ruth Whippman, author of Boy: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, talks about her motivation behind crafting a book that embraces uncertainty and chaos, shedding light on her experiences parenting during the #MeToo movement.

Ruth shares her journey from conception to publication, navigating the intricacies of proposal writing, and balancing authenticity with market appeal. She also reflects on the significance of the book's title and its reception, touching on its broader appeal beyond parents of boys.

Resources:
Connect with Ruth here: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwhippman/?hl=en
Check out Ruth’s work here: https://www.ruthwhippman.com/
Check out Ruth’s Substack here: https://ruthwhippman.substack.com/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

Ever wondered how the competitive world of finance could be critiqued through a deeply personal lens?

In this episode of Bookbound, Carrie Sun talks about her journey in writing her first book and memoir, Private Equity, which has garnered significant acclaim. Carrie shares her journey from an MFA student to a celebrated author, highlighting how her experiences influenced her narrative approach. She discusses the initial challenge of balancing personal and professional themes and ultimately finding a voice that resonates universally.

The conversation also touches on valuable insights and restructuring advice from her agent Mel, which transformed her book from an experimental format to a compelling chronological structure. Carrie reveals the cathartic process of writing her book during the pandemic, the importance of editorial feedback, and the heartfelt message about understanding one’s relationship with money and work.

Resources:
Connect with Carrie here: https://www.instagram.com/carrieyisun/?hl=en
Check out Carrie’s work here: https://www.carriesun.com/

Sign up here to be notified when the e-book is released: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the glossy covers and catchy titles of your favorite books?

In this episode of Bookbound, award-winning author and journalist Julie Satow shares the secrets behind the success of her latest book, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion. She discusses her unique approach to digital marketing, revealing how leveraging social media significantly enhanced her book's visibility and sales.

Julie walks us through the nitty-gritty, surprising influence of sales teams on book covers and titles, sharing her own experience of a rejected fashion illustration cover and a title change from Garment Queens to a title more related to the theme of the book.

If you’re a writer interested in a behind-the-scenes look at what brings a book and a book launch to life, check out this episode!

Resources:
Connect with Julie and check out her work here: https://juliesatow.com/

Subscribe to Bethany & Fran’s Substack here: https://bookswithbethanyandfran.substack.com/

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What does it take to transform a persistent idea (over many years) into a published book?

On this episode of Bookbound, executive leadership consultant Elaine Lin Hering joins us to explore the nine-year journey behind her book, Unlearning Silence.

Elaine shares her insights on overcoming self-doubt, navigating the challenges of writing a long-form piece, and the pivotal moment she decided to build a team to bring her vision to life. From her decision to work with a literary agent to the delicate balancing act of positioning her book for both business and wellness markets, Elaine's insights are both inspiring and practical to the aspiring author or the author with many books under their belt!

Resources:
Connect with Elaine here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering
Check out Elaine’s work here: https://elainelinhering.com/

Join Bethany and Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/