JD Barker didn't become a New York Times bestselling author by accident. He treated writing like a brand — and built an empire.In this episode, Barker breaks down the business systems behind his international book launches, why his finance background gave him an edge most authors never develop, and the surprising productivity advantage of his Asperger's diagnosis.If you're still treating your writing like a hobby, this one's for you. 🖊️FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/jd-barker-jd-barker-global-branding. #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #authorpreneur #bookmarketing #jdbarker🤩MY GUEST:JD Barker. AuthorWEBSITE: https://jdbarker.com/INSTAGRAM: @jdbarker_author📚BOOKS BY JD BARKER: The First Scarlet Door - A 4MK Thriller Book 4PRE-ORDER TODAY!Pre-Order Hardcover https://amzn.to/4wjElpy Pre-Order Ebook https://amzn.to/4wjvnZt The Fourth Monkey - A 4MK Thriller Book 1Paperback https://amzn.to/4pSyoO5 Ebook https://amzn.to/4b8c90i The Fifth to Die - A 4MK Thriller Book 2Paperback https://amzn.to/4yA3aio Ebook https://amzn.to/45eUTmzThe Sixth Wicked Child - A 4MK Thriller Book 3Paperback https://amzn.to/3TuI5py Ebook https://amzn.to/4fqX3UW Dracul By JD Barker & Dacre StokerPaperback https://amzn.to/4bYK5wD Ebook https://amzn.to/4fOyC57 ⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast 📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/⭐FOLLOW US⭐Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz👋🏼HI! Are you currently treating your writing as a creative hobby, or have you structuralized it into a formal business brand? Let us know your approach in the comments below!🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/RNTN💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Laura-Williams--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.ABOUT THIS VIDEO:In this episode, host Laura Williams sits down with J.D. Barker, a New York Times bestselling suspense thriller author known for the 4MK series, Dracul, and his collaborative novels with James Patterson. Barker shares his transition from working as a ghostwriter and corporate chief compliance officer into running a global publishing brand that handles simultaneous international releases across 150 countries. Learn how to apply corporate branding strategies, protect narrative pacing during translations, and organize your daily writing schedule to achieve long-term commercial success."I tend to think of myself as a brand. I try to get my name as visible in as many places as I possibly can." - JD Barker0:00 - Introduction01:42 - Managing a Global 150-Country Book Launch04:53 - Writing Dracul and Uncovering Bram Stoker's Notes09:56 - Navigating Global Translation and Hollywood Film Rights12:35 - Daily Productivity Routines and treating Authorship as a Brand15:50 - Transitioning from Finance and Ghostwriting to Bestselling Novels18:55 - Embracing Autism as a Creative Superpower20:06 - Co-authoring with James Patterson and Collaborative Writing Mechanics

Learn the core storytelling principles and creative reinvention strategies needed to level up your self-publishing career later in life. FULL TRANSCRIPT & MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/youre-nobody-in-that-world-richard-sparks-publishing #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #storystructure #authorpreneur #writingtips 🤩MY GUEST:Richard Sparks, screenwriter & authorWEBSITE: https://richardsparks.com/📚RICHARD SPARKS BOOKS: “Ready Player One meets Lord of the Rings in Disc World.”New Rock, New RolePaperback https://amzn.to/44uEudB Ebook https://amzn.to/4fezzSNNew Rock, New RealmPaperback https://amzn.to/4hbqqwY Ebook https://amzn.to/4w9CjbvNew Rock, New RulesPaperback https://amzn.to/44y9OIo Ebook https://amzn.to/4w0oKuO⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast 📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/⭐FOLLOW US⭐Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/RNTN💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Laura-Williams--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.ABOUT THIS VIDEO: In this episode, host Laura Williams sits down with Richard Sparks, a highly versatile writer whose iconic career spans British television comedy, main-stage operas with Placido Domingo, and his debut satirical fantasy novel series, New Rock, New Realm. Richard shares deep insights into moving away from a script editor mindset to master long-form fiction, revealing why an author must establish a clear plot structure and ending before taking creative risks. Discover how his love for online role-playing games transformed into a publishing venture and how tracking your emotional arcs can help turn your passion project into a profitable writing business."Publishers don't want books, they want writers. They want names. They want something that the public knows and something that the publisher can sell." - Richard Sparks0:00 - Introduction to Richard Sparks1:10 - Stepping Into a New Genre Later in Life4:45 - Breaking Into the Script Writing World6:15 - Taking Creative Risks and Avoiding Pigeonholing9:35 - Where Inspiration and Coincidences Intersect11:57 - The Mechanics of Plotting and Story Structure18:05 - How to Outline Your Ending First23:14 - Setup and Payoff Lessons from Game of Thrones25:58 - Turning a Love of Online Gaming into Fantasy Fiction33:31 - Finding Your Ideal Daily Writing Routine36:03 - Applying Plot Mechanics to Your Writing Business39:26 - Overcoming Failure and Handling Professional Disappointment43:12 - How to Download Free Chapters from Richard SparksEARNINGS & LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by The Writing Biz is for educational and informational purposes only. The external links provided in this description contain affiliate links, meaning the creator receives a small financial commission if you choose to purchase through them. This channel complies fully with FTC guidelines regarding digital disclosures. Please review official platform rules before implementing publishing strategies.

Learn how to build a professional author media kit to secure more podcast interviews, speaking engagements, and book sales. 🖊️FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/author-media-kit-mistakes-costing-you-interviews/ #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #mediakit #authorbranding #bookmarketing

🤩MY GUEST:

Teri M. Brown, Author

WEBSITE: http://www.terimbrown.com

Facebook.com/TeriMBrownAuthor

x.com/TeriMBrown1

Instagram.com/TeriMBrown_Author

LinkedIn.com/in/TeriMBrown

Goodreads.com/terimbrown

Tiktok.com/@terimbrown_author

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/terimbrown

Youtube.com/@TeriMBrown_Author

Bookbub.com/profile/teri-m-brown

📚TERI'S BOOKS:

Teri’s Books

Daughters of Green Mountain Gap

Paperback https://amzn.to/4vMatlj EBook https://amzn.to/4vFSf4W

Peg, Unhinged

Paperback https://amzn.to/4y6JwdJ EBook https://amzn.to/4pnXV1n

An Enemy Like Me

Paperback https://amzn.to/3Rk8DJt EBook https://amzn.to/4vP2hRq

⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast

📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/

💻WORK WTIH ME!

To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/

‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/

⭐FOLLOW US⭐

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👋🏼HI! Do you currently have an online media kit set up for your books, and what is the number one element you struggle to format correctly? Let us know in the comments below!

🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ

💫DIY Book Covers: Book Cover Formatting & Mockups: https://diybookcovers.com/

💫Canva: Graphic Design & Photo Editing Software https://canva.com

💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place:

💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv

--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

ABOUT THIS VIDEO: In this episode, host Laura Williams sits down with award-winning contemporary and historical fiction author Terri M. Brown to pull back the curtain on professional branding for authors. Terri, the author of Peg Unhinged and Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, shares her practical strategies for organizing an editable online media kit that makes booking media appearances effortless.

"What you're trying to do is make it easy for other people to access. Have you on their show, to have you come and speak, to talk with you about your book... You want to make it as easy for other people as possible." - Teri M. Brown

🕑TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Introduction to Author Media Kits

1:34 - Why You Should Use Google Docs for Media Kits

2:15 - Must-Have Elements: Contact Info, Bios, and Book Blurbs

4:23 - Adding Speaking Topics and Sample Interview Questions

5:19 - Including Editorial Reviews, Awards, and Past Appearances

7:54 - The Formula for Writing Versatile Author Bios

11:20 - What Makes a Professional Author Headshot

16:55 - Using Canva to Easily Format Your Media Assets

20:00 - Best Practices for 2D and 3D Book Cover Files

21:49 - Designing a Readable Layout and Section Headings

24:41 - Creating General vs. Book-Specific Media Kits

26:43 - Author Website Optimization and AI Discoverability Tips

28:35 - Terri’s Upcoming Historical Fiction Project

31:56 - When to Update Your Media Kit Elements

32:42 - Conclusion and Where to Connect with Teri

Discover how to protect your creative work and prove human authorship in an era dominated by generative AI technology. FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE

#selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #bookcoverdesign #bookformatting #authorpreneur "To say that a story has never been touched by AI in any way is just no longer something that we can say." — Gordon McClellan🤩MY GUEST:Gordon McLellan, founder and CEO of DartFrog BooksWEBSITE: DartFrog BooksTrue Origin Documented Authorship: https://dartfrogbooks.com/manuscript-authorship-protection/⭐SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast 📰SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/

🔨MENTIONED TOOLS, BOOKS, ETC.

⁠True Origin Documented Authorship⁠

⁠Grammarly⁠

⁠DartFrog Books⁠

💻WORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/‼️To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/⭐FOLLOW US⭐Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz👋🏼HI! How do you personally balance using AI-powered tools for editing while maintaining your unique human voice in your writing? Let us know in the comments below!🔨TOOLS FOR YOUR WRITING BIZ💫Sign up for GOOGLE WORKSPACE and organize your business in one place.💫Are you looking for an easy, reliable newsletter service? Check out the one I use and love, BeeHiiv--This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.ABOUT THIS VIDEOIn this episode, I sit down with Gordon McLellan, founder and CEO of DartFrog Books, to discuss the critical intersection of human-first storytelling and artificial intelligence. We explore practical ways for authors to protect their intellectual property using blockchain technology and provide actionable advice on identifying legitimate human editorial services in an increasingly automated world."The only way I think that we can know for sure that a person has written is to show the evolution of their thought, edits, rewrites over time." — Gordon McClellan0:00 — Intro0:39 — The Impact of Generative AI on Authors0:4:58 — Drawing the Line: Human Writing vs. AI Tools0:10:41 — Why AI Content Detection Tools Fail0:13:36 — Introducing True Origin Blockchain Stamping0:17:19 — How Human Authors Out-Compete Machine Content0:22:00 — The Em Dash Dilemma and Reader Perception0:27:00 — Red Flags: How to Verify Your Editor is Human0:34:46 — Real Stories of AI Book Scraping and Theft#WritingTips #SelfPublishing #WritingBusiness #Writingcommunity#authors #selfpublishers #AI #AIBooks #AIDetection #TrueOriginEARNINGS & LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by The Writing Biz is for educational and informational purposes only. The external links provided in this description contain affiliate links, meaning the creator receives a small financial commission if you choose to purchase through them. This channel complies fully with FTC guidelines regarding digital disclosures. Please review official platform rules before implementing publishing strategies.

If you're a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the brutal reality of the modern publishing landscape. Learn how to ditch the broken traditional system and scale your author income using professional self-publishing frameworks and targeted Amazon advertising.

In this episode, prize-winning author and founder of InkLab Editing & Publishing, Michael Totten, breaks down exactly how to navigate the shift from traditional publishing to a highly profitable indie author career.

"You've got a really high bar. You have to be basically perfect in order to get through this gauntlet. Agents just spent six seconds instead of nine seconds on your manuscript, and they didn't realize they actually had a good one." - Michael Totten

We pull back the curtain on why traditional book advances have cratered—revealing why "$5,000 is the new $50,000"—and why corporate publishers expect you to do all your own book marketing anyway. Michael shares invaluable writing advice on the technical errors that instantly get manuscripts rejected by agents, including the exact dialogue mechanics you can fix in just 45 minutes. You'll learn actionable freelance writing tips on how to invest your marketing budget strategically, why Facebook ads fail for most books while Amazon ads crush it, and how to scale up your self-publishing efforts by treating your work like a real business. If you want to stop waiting for permission from corporate gatekeepers and discover how to make money writing on your own terms, this discussion is for you.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Intro
• 1:05 — Why Traditional Publishing is Broken
• 2:45 — The Reality of Author Platforms & Marketing
• 6:25 — The Nightmare Grid of Finding a Literary Agent
• 10:15 — The 10% vs. 70% Royalty Reality Check
• 12:10 — Professionalizing Indie Publishing: Covers & Editing
• 14:15 — How to Sell Your Book Safely via Amazon Ads
• 19:55 — Why You Can't Edit Your Own Writing
• 24:00 — Hidden Manuscript Flaws: Dialogue Mechanics & Head Hopping
• 34:00 — Using Beta Readers to Fix a Broken Ending
• 43:05 — The InkLab Ecosystem & Finding Professional Editors
• 53:20 — Outro & Resources

Michael Totten's Official Website

InkLab Editing & Publishing

Michael's Best-Selling Book: Write, Edit, Publish: What Every Writer Needs to Know But Only an Editor Will Tell You

⭐FOLLOW US⭐The Writing Biz WebsiteOn YouTubeBlueSkyFacebookX

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If you are a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the critical mistakes writers make during the book design and formatting process. Learn how to maximize your reader's experience and increase book sales using proven, genre-specific positioning layouts.

"The cover’s not for you, the cover is for your reader.” - Victoria Wolf

In this episode, book designer Victoria Wolf breaks down exactly how to align your exterior cover art and interior typography with real marketplace expectations.

We dive deep into why treating your cover as a personal decorative project instead of a strategic book marketing asset will tank your sales. Victoria reveals her unique "live Zoom design" framework that streamlines collaborative book editing, and explains how to navigate the technicalities of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Whether you are dealing with a messy Microsoft Word file or trying to salvage AI-generated artwork, this conversation provides actionable writing advice to ensure your book looks like it belongs on a major bookstore shelf.

"A cover is not decorative. It has a job. It is supposed to market your book, and it's supposed to evoke emotion..." - Victoria Wolf

0:00 — Intro

0:58 — The Most Common Formatting Headaches

03:30 — The "Reader-First" Cover Design Shift

06:00 — How to Match Genre and Subgenre Trends

11:53 — The Scientific Formula for Interior Readability

16:54 — KDP Paper Choices: Cream vs. Groundwood

21:40 — Navigating IngramSpark, ISBNs, and Marketing Strategy

23:37 — The Mechanics of Children's Book Illustration Layouts

28:00 — Live Zoom Designing & Correcting AI Typography

35:56 — Where to Spend Your Budget: Editing vs. Covers

43:21 — Portfolio Review and Closing Thoughts

Connect with Victoria Wolf and check out her portfolio at: https://wolfedesignandmarketing.com

Watch on YouTube: @WolfsOnBooks

FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-secret-to-book-design-for-writersDon't miss an episode! Sign up to get new episodes, special guest interviews, resources, and more! Subscribe to our Newsletter!FOLLOW US:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThewritingbizpodccastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBizFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz

If you want to know exactly when your manuscript is ready for the world and how to navigate the complicated steps of publishing without wasting thousands of dollars, this video is for you.

In this episode, self-publishing expert Leanne Janzen from FriesenPress breaks down exactly how to transition from a creative writer to a successful project manager who actually sells books.

"Hitting publish isn't the end, it's the beginning." — Leanne Janzen

If you're a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, this episode covers the heavy lifting required after you write the final sentence. Learn how to balance your time and money budgets using reliable freelance writing tips and professional writing advice. Leanne shares crucial self-publishing tips that every indie author needs to hear, including why "done is better than perfect" and how an early manuscript evaluation can save you from unnecessary developmental editing costs.

"Done is better than perfect because you're never going to get it perfect on your own." — Leanne Janzen

We dive deep into the real-world mechanics of book marketing for indie authors. If you've been wondering how to write a book that actually performs well on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing, you need to understand that hitting publish is just the beginning. We discuss how to find reputable tools for writers, why standard graphic designers fail at book promotion, and how to build a genuine author business. Whether you are navigating Amazon KDP for beginners or deciding between full-service indie publishing and pulling together an a la carte team, this conversation will help you map out your career.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Intro

• 0:35 — Why "Done is Better Than Perfect" for Authors

• 2:35 — The Shocking Shift From Creative to Project Manager

• 6:10 — How to Spot Reputable Publishing Partners and Avoid Scams

• 9:40 — Balancing Your Time Budget vs. Your Financial Budget

• 12:45 — Why Street Graphic Designers Cannot Design a Book Cover That Sells

• 14:40 — FriesenPress Deep Dive: Manuscript Evaluations & Standalone Services

• 18:50 — The Brutal Reality of Book Promotion: Hitting Publish is Just the Start

• 21:30 — Author Branding vs. Book Branding

• 25:55 — How Introverted Writers Can Master Face-to-Face Networking

• 29:46 — Outro

Learn more about FriesenPress

Free Resources: Check out our newly redesigned author tools page.

Learn how to treat your book as a product and build a sustainable career by creating a strategic author business plan.

"The book is a product, and that product has its own business plan." — Nina Amir

In this episode, Nina Amir breaks down exactly how to move from "aspiring author" to successful business owner. Whether you are looking for self-publishing tips or planning a traditional book launch, having a clear business roadmap is the most effective way to ensure your book finds its audience.

"The publisher becomes your venture capital partner... they're not just backing the project, they're backing you." — Nina Amir

Nina shares actionable writing advice on why you shouldn't just dive into drafting without a plan, how to identify your unique place in the market, and why your book needs to be built on a foundation of professional planning. We also discuss how to overcome imposter syndrome, navigate neurodivergence in the creative process, and why hiring a developmental editor is the best investment you can make in your writing. If you want to learn how to make money writing and finally get your work in the hands of readers, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:

0:00 — Intro

0:34 — Why you need an author business plan

6:28 — Diversifying income streams

13:51 — Overcoming writing blocks & imposter syndrome

26:19 — Writing with ADHD & neurodivergence

33:35 — The value of developmental editing

38:07 — Final thoughts & resources

Resources:

Visit NinaAmir.com

Nonfiction Writers University

The Inspired Creator Community

FULL TRANSCRIPT

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