What if your story could open doors and reshape who gets to be seen? In this episode, Meghan talks with PR expert Caitlin Copple, co-founder of Full Swing PR, about the kind of visibility that actually drives results for entrepreneurs who want book deals and real impact.

Caitlin shares why PR only works when your business is ready for it, what founders must have in place before hiring a publicist, and how “publicity that fills your pipeline” differs from the vanity wins most people chase. She explains the value of consistent visibility habits, why many entrepreneurs aren’t prepared for the audiences they dream about, and how alignment, not hustle, creates lasting momentum.

You’ll walk away with practical guidance on growing an audience, knowing when to invest in PR, understanding what publishers care about, and identifying the energetic blocks that keep you stuck.

If you’re aiming for a book deal or a bigger platform, this conversation will help you get clear on your next move.

This week’s guest is Caitlin Copple. She is the Founding Partner at Full Swing Public Relations. Caitlin’s work teaching clients to “be the news” has elevated the stories of diverse founders, sold books, won elections, passed legislation in multiple states, and even ousted a lawmaker accused of sexual assault. She has placed clients in a wide array of outlets such as CNN, Forbes, Fast Company, TIME, and many more. Caitlin and her business partner, Holly Conti, scaled the agency to seven figures in less than four years.

Full Swing PR is the nation’s leading agency for underrecognized founders and leaders of professional services companies scaling $2M+. Our agency has helped hundreds of clients earn millions of dollars through smart, effective PR campaigns. In 2024 and 2025, Full Swing PR was named among Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing privately held companies in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Full Swing PR is a women- and LGBTQ-owned agency.

Find Caitlin and Full Swing on social

• https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_copple/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlincopple/
• https://www.instagram.com/fullswingpr/

Find the Full Swing PR podcast here: https://fullswingpr.com/how-to-hire-pr-podcast/.

Take Full Swing PR’s Visibility Scorecard quiz here: https://fullswingpr.typeform.com/visibilityscore

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:10) Introducing Caitlin Copple & Full Swing PR
(3:10) Why representation matters in PR
(5:03) What makes

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how understanding your audience makes category and positioning decisions effortless.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes agents and publishers say yes, or how to stop wasting time on what doesn’t move the needle, this episode gives you the roadmap. Meghan’s no-fluff advice will help you focus on what really sells a book: proof of concept and a loyal audience.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:17) Listener question: What is prescriptive nonfiction?
(2:10) Defining prescriptive vs. narrative books
(3:35) Understanding genre, category, and positioning
(4:46) How to choose your comparative titles wisely
(6:15) Why huge author comps can hurt your pitch
(7:15) How tone and audience affect book positioning
(8:00) What publishers and agents really look for
(9:21) The #1 focus before writing your book
(11:19) Final advice: Build proof, not perfection
(12:01) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if success wasn’t about competition but collaboration? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with bestselling author Ruchika Tulshyan, whose new book Uncompete flips the script on what it means to win. Ruchika shares how the myth of “doing it all yourself” keeps entrepreneurs and authors burnt out and isolated and how equity, generosity, and radical collaboration can build true, sustainable success.

Listeners will learn why letting go of scarcity thinking opens doors to creativity, opportunity, and community. Ruchika and Meghan talk candidly about navigating publishing gatekeepers, building authentic professional relationships, and finding courage to redefine success on your own terms. Whether you’re dreaming of your first book deal or just want to stop competing with everyone, including yourself, this conversation will change how you think about success.

This week’s guest is Ruchika Tulshyan. Ruchika T. Malhotra is the author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success. She is also the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm. A former business journalist, her writing appears regularly in publications such as Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, and more. She has previously held adjunct faculty positions at Seattle University and the University of Washington, where she now advises the Communication Leadership graduate program.

Ruchika is the author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, MIT Press’s top-selling book of 2022.

Find Ruchika on social

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchikatm/
• https://www.instagram.com/rtulshyan

Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success, will be released on Nov. 4. Preorder the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753092/uncompete-by-ruchika-t-malhotra/

Find upcoming events with Ruchika at https://www.ruchika.co/speaking.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:32) Meghan introduces author and inclusion strategist Ruchika Tulshyan
(3:17) The harmful myth of competition and burnout
(5:47) Why doing it alone doesn’t work
(10:46) How patriarchy and scarcity shape women’s success
(17:28) Gatekeeping and breaking barriers in publishing
(25:07) Building audiences through generosity and collaboration
(28:27) The power of amplifying others online

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

Most entrepreneurs dream of writing a book but few realize what really catches a publisher’s eye. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson reveals the missing piece behind most failed book pitches: intellectual property that’s uniquely yours. She explains why having your own framework, language, and approach isn’t just nice, it’s non-negotiable if you want to stand out to agents and publishers.

Meghan also breaks down what a strong author platform actually looks like today, from building genuine social media engagement (not fake followers) to diversifying your reach through podcasts, speaking gigs, and media features. You’ll hear a real-world example from “Chazz,” a coach who’s doing almost everything right but still missing the secret sauce.

If you’re serious about landing a major book deal and turning your ideas into impact, this episode shows exactly where to focus your time and energy

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:22) Chazz’s question on building author credibility
(2:05) The real value of social media for book deals
(4:37) Why buying followers backfires
(5:04) Diversifying your author platform
(6:11) The danger of sounding like everyone else
(7:42) Example: Melody Wilding’s “Sensitive Strivers” niche
(8:40) Social proof vs. sales power
(10:02) How to leverage your past book for your next deal
(10:56) Final thoughts and how to submit your question
(10:58) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if the financial system you’ve been told to follow is actually holding your business back? In this episode, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with CPA and profit strategist Jamie Trull to talk about building businesses that thrive, not just survive. Jamie shares her journey from corporate life at Coca-Cola to creating a booming financial education platform that guided thousands of small business owners through the uncertainty of COVID.

Listeners will discover why popular frameworks like Profit First often fall short for entrepreneurs earning beyond $200K, and how Jamie’s new book Hidden Profit offers a smarter, more adaptable approach to managing money. She also reveals the power of building genuine community and how showing up with service first leads to long-term loyalty and growth.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by spreadsheets or wondered how to scale your business without losing yourself in the process, Jamie’s insights will help you rethink profit, success, and what’s truly possible.

This week’s guest is Jamie Trull. Jamie Trull, CPA, is a Financial Literacy Coach and Profit Strategist dedicated to empowering small business owners to maximize profitability and grow sustainably. With a background as a Finance Leader at Coca-Cola, Jamie transitioned from the corporate world to serve women-owned businesses as a Virtual CFO. Observing a critical gap in accessible financial resources for small business owners, she shifted her focus to financial education, using her CPA designation to break down complex financial topics into easy-to-understand strategies. Jamie has built a following of over 100,000 small business owners on YouTube and social media, where her guidance helps entrepreneurs achieve strategic growth and retain more profit. Her upcoming book, Hidden Profit, will be published by Simon & Schuster in October 2025, providing readers with essential tools to unlock their businesses’ financial potential.

Find Jamie on YouTube - https://youtube.com/jamietrull

Preorder Jamie’s new book, Hidden Profit, and receive $300+ in free gifts! Find more information and links to preorder the book at https://jamietrull.com/book.

Episode Highlights:

(2:28) Jamie’s origin story: corporate to entrepreneur

(4:41) Pivoting during COVID and rapid growth

(9:58) Why Profit First isn’t enough for scaling

(14:26) Building a 41K-member Facebook community

(19:08) Navigating the book proposal process

(23:21) Landing a Simon & Schuster book deal

(27:10) The hardest part of writing a book

(30:28) Redefining success beyond sales numbers

(36:07) Patience, payoff, and the publishing journey

(42:02) What entrepreneurs need to know about money

(47:06) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if the rejection you got from a publisher wasn’t really about you at all? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on the truth behind publishing rejections and what they actually mean for your book journey.

Meghan shares her unforgettable story about passing on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and uses it to highlight an important lesson: rejection is rarely personal. Listeners will learn the difference between rejections that deserve attention, like feedback about platform size, crowded categories, or consistent editor comments, and those you can safely ignore, such as generic brush-offs or requests for unnecessary credentials.

This episode offers clarity and encouragement for aspiring authors who feel defeated by “no.” By breaking down real industry language, Megan equips entrepreneurs to know when to adapt, when to pivot, and when to move forward with confidence. If you’ve ever questioned whether rejection meant the end of your book dream, this conversation will give you the insight and resilience to keep going.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:08) The story of rejecting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
(2:16) How junior editors learn through submissions
(3:23) When rejections actually matter for authors
(4:27) Why platform matters more than just a good idea
(6:05) What “soft category” rejections really mean
(6:59) Handling consistent rejection feedback from publishers
(7:04) Rejections you can safely ignore
(8:10) “I couldn’t get support in-house” explained
(8:34) Requests for extra credentials—what they mean
(9:47) Final recap: when to listen, when to let go
(10:59) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What does it really take to land a traditional book deal and is it even worth the leap from self-publishing? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson answers a common question from listener DeShanna, an educator with three self-published books who’s eager to break into traditional publishing.

Megan breaks down the 3P Framework: Potential, Platform, and Proposal, to explain what publishers are really looking for and why many authors stumble at the platform stage. She highlights the hidden costs of building an author platform, the importance of aligning your book with your business, and why multiple book ideas can be a red flag for traditional publishing.

Listeners will gain clarity on whether pursuing a book deal is the right next step or if self-publishing (or hybrid publishing) is actually the smarter choice. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance passion, platform, and practicality in your publishing journey, this episode will give you the honest roadmap you need.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:19) DeShanna’s background and book history
(2:39) Challenges of transitioning from self to traditional
(4:08) The 3P Framework: Potential, Platform, Proposal
(5:20) Why building a platform is expensive and time-consuming
(7:26) The importance of frameworks and clarity for authors
(10:09) Why multiple book ideas can be a red flag
(12:28) Two paths forward: build a platform or stay indie
(14:47) The sales reality of self vs. traditional publishing
(16:18) Choosing the path aligned with your goals

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if the very thing holding you back from a book deal isn’t your writing, but your platform? In this episode, Meghan sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon to unpack the highs and lows of her author journey. From countless rejections to finally landing a deal for The Creativity Leap, Natalie reveals the grit, courage, and community support it took to get there.

Whether you dream of landing a traditional publishing deal or simply want to bring your ideas into the world, Natalie’s story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and believing in your work even when the path isn’t clear.

This week’s guest is Natalie Nixon, Ph.D. Dr. Natalie Nixon is the creativity whisperer to the C-suite, helping companies connect the dots between creativity and business impact. At Figure 8 Thinking she’s a creativity strategist, global keynote speaker and author of the award-winning The Creativity Leap. She’s ranked in the 2024 Thinkers50 Radar cohort and Real Leaders named Natalie one of the top 50 keynote speakers globally. She’s been featured in Forbes, INC and Fast Company.

Natalie received her BA from Vassar College, and her PhD from the University of Westminster. She’s a lifelong dancer, swimmer and doodler. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, John Nixon.

Find Natalie Nixon on social

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd
• https://www.instagram.com/natwnixon
• https://youtube.com/@natalienixon
• https://vimeo.com/user231039213/albums

Preorder your Move. Think. Rest. hardcover today and sign up for the “Ever Wonder…?” Free newsletter at www.figure8thinking.com and https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/dr-natalie-nixon-ph-d/move-think-rest/9780306835582/?lens=balance

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:14) Introducing Dr. Natalie Nixon and her new book Move. Think. Rest.
(2:23) Natalie’s journey from academia to publishing her first book
(5:29) Facing 18 months of rejection and revising her proposal
(7:40) The chance email that led to a book deal
(10:08) How developmental editing shaped The Creativity Leap
(16:03) The hard truth about platform and publishing
(18:09) Building courage through life experiences
(21:07) Growing her platform through community and consistency
(23:11) Becoming a top 50 global keynote speaker
(29:10) The power of showing up authentically as an author

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.