In this episode, Jayme sits down with editor, publishing mentor, and founder of Big Time Publishing, Jessi Dunnagan, for an honest and behind-the-scenes conversation about the realities of writing, editing, publishing, and becoming an author in today’s digital age.

Together, they unpack the emotional, strategic, and creative process of bringing a book to life: from navigating the “messy middle” of writing to restructuring manuscripts, refining storytelling, and building an authentic author brand online.

Jessi shares insights from working with authors at every stage of the journey and explains why getting support early in the process can dramatically reduce overwhelm and accelerate momentum. Jayme also opens up about her own evolving identity as she steps more fully into authorship, including restructuring her manuscript, refining her audience, and embracing visibility in a whole new way.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• The emotional reality of writing a book and moving through the “messy middle”
• Why hiring an editor early can transform the writing process
• Structuring nonfiction books for clarity, engagement, and flow
• Why first drafts are not supposed to be perfect
• How storytelling strengthens business and prescriptive books
• Writing as a healing process- not something you wait to do until after healing
• The evolution of publishing and how TikTok / BookTok is changing book marketing
• Building an author brand on social media
• Rebranding your identity as an entrepreneur, becoming an author
• The importance of personal branding and storytelling in modern publishing
• The value of coaching, developmental editing, illustrators, and publishing support

Together, Jayme and Jessi explore the intersection of creativity, healing, entrepreneurship, and publishing, and why writing a book is often less about perfection and more about devotion, structure, and allowing the process to unfold.

About Jessi D.

Jessi is an editor, publishing mentor, and founder of Big Time Book Publishing. She helps authors navigate the book-writing and publishing process through coaching, editing, community support, and educational resources. She also runs Big Time Book Studio and supports writers in building sustainable publishing pathways.

You can contact her here: https://bigtimepublishing.com/

Instagram & TikTok: @bigtimepublishing and @especiallyjessi

Community page (Growing free resource library, other courses, offerings, question page, etc.): https://app.heartbeat.chat/bigtimepublishing/invitation?code=233E3C

Ask Jayme a Question here!

Learn more about DayDream Summer School here: https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/rnqsTBS5wWs65YtmIn2A