In this episode, Jodi reacts to recent industry reports on declining nonfiction sales and explains why business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs who want to use a book as a marketing asset shouldn't let these numbers/trends derail their book plans.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Nonfiction book publishing is not in peril
01:56 The sources sparking the "collapse" conversation
04:00 The numbers: Bookscan, the AAP, and Publishers Marketplace
05:53 Traditional publishing's goal vs. your goal
07:46 Are business owners still reading? (Yes.)
08:45 Why nonfiction sales are declining
10:45 "Why would someone buy my book if the info is free?"
11:45 Using media to draw readers in, not check them off
13:00 Why the front-end work matters more now
14:00 Don't let traditional publishing numbers stop your book

Keywords:
nonfiction book publishing, state of publishing 2026, nonfiction book sales, self-help book sales decline, business book, book as a marketing asset, book for business owners, self-publishing nonfiction, hybrid publishing, traditional publishing, intangible ROI, book ROI, author platform, building authority, building trust with readers, AI and nonfiction, how-to nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, book marketing strategy, BookScan data, six-figure book deals, professional author vs. business owner, writing a book for your business, thought leadership book, podcast guesting for authors

Resources Mentioned:
Jane Friedman's "Publishing Industry Update: First Half 2026"
Tim Ferris blog post "Has AI Already Killed How-To Nonfiction? Sales Trends, My Personal Data, and What It Might Mean for the Future"
Sean DeLone's Dear Head of Mine Substack by Sean DeLone "The Nonfiction Book Market Is Collapsing"
Book Brainstorm Session with Jodi: https://tidycal.com/jodibrandon/book-brainstorm
Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13lil_M0lbUG8CqgDbhGI0cYXc4BHYm2dDCo7RrGRrJo/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi breaks down why this happens to almost every business owner writing a book — and the two opposite mistakes that can derail your manuscript if you don't catch them.

Time Stamps:
0:00 – Intro
0:45 – The "uh-oh, is this even the right book?" moment
2:10 – Why book ideas evolve mid-draft
3:40 – Trap one: ignoring the shift
5:00 – Trap two: overreacting and the hamster wheel
6:30 – How to tell refinement from a real rewrite
7:45 – Factoring in the cost of changing direction
9:00 – Wrap-up + conclusion

Keywords:
book writing process, book idea evolution, nonfiction book outline, working outline, book coaching strategist, business owner book, book manuscript clarity, book writing momentum, self-publishing deadlines, beta reader feedback, book audience research, knowledge gap, book transformation, refining a book idea, restarting a manuscript, book project misalignment, writing rabbit hole, book planning, manuscript revision, book coaching, nonfiction writing process, business book strategy, book outline tweaks, writing momentum loss, finishing your manuscript

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Write Publish Market Episode 218: 5 Tools for Business Owners to Write Your Book Faster

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lBYsxxKO5Xb02-G9peOO1i730cjd7lITNDRBN1O77B0/edit?usp=drive_link

In this episode, Jodi breaks down why overcomplicating your nonfiction book actually backfires, overwhelming readers, diluting your message, and making your book harder to market. She walks through how to identify the real knowledge gap between you and your reader, why "more information" doesn't equal "more value," and how messaging, positioning, and reader outcomes work together like a three-legged stool.

Time Stamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Write.Publish.Market.
00:45 – Why business owners overcomplicate their books
02:00 – The fear of leaving something out
03:15 – Finding the knowledge gap between you and your reader
05:00 – Why overteaching weakens a book
06:30 – The real cost: reader implementation and satisfaction
08:00 – How an unclear book makes marketing harder
09:30 – Messaging, positioning, and reader outcomes as a three-legged stool
10:45 – Final thoughts on keeping your book on poin

Keywords:
nonfiction book writing, business book strategy, book marketing, author positioning, book messaging, reader transformation, knowledge gap, overteaching, book clarity, imposter syndrome, business owner author, book ROI, simplifying your book, point A to point B, book reader outcomes, book launch strategy, author expertise, book as marketing asset, business book ROI, writing for your audience, book positioning strategy, nonfiction author tips, book writing process, foundational book work, write publish market

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Ready Set Write Challenge: www.jodibrandoneditorial.com/readysetwrite

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F0PFNiz6QJZLftHsfZ9xNri2NM_1xpDTLPoe3wW01AY/edit?usp=sharing