DON'T WRITE THAT BOOK PODCAST

Your personal guidebook to penning your way to a bestseller!

The “Don’t Write That Book” Podcast serves as your guide to crafting your bestseller and embracing your role as an author. Your hosts, Mike Michalowicz and AJ Harper, demystify all aspects of creating and releasing your book, offering insights drawn from their own journey. This podcast will be your safeguard against writing THAT book.

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AJ’s Monetization Strategies
In this episode, AJ shares all the ways she has monetized her book and explains why she chose them.
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Mike’s Monetization Strategies
In this episode, Mike breaks down all the ways he has monetized his books over his career.
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Ghostwriters
In this episode, AJ and Mike share how to work with a ghostwriter—and spot the red flags.
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Front-loading
In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss the importance of front loading the good stuff to keep readers engaged.
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Pain Versus Promise
In this episode, AJ and Mike break down the important work your Chapter One must do: meet the reader where they are.
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The Truth About Amazon Bestseller Lists
In this episode, AJ and Mike expose the truth about Amazon best seller status and what authors should focus on instead.
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Reasons Manuscripts are Rejected by Publishers
In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss what could lead an agent or publisher to pass on a manuscript.
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Measuring Book Marketing ROI
In this episode, AJ and Mike break down how they track marketing data and how to apply to future marketing endeavors.
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Writer’s Block Isn’t Real
In this episode, you’ll learn why writer's block isn't real, and what it took for AJ to learn this truth.
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Grow Your Readership Through Collaboration
In this episode, Mike and AJ share that authorship isn’t a zero-sum game. Collaboration with other authors fosters readership for all.
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Which Book Should I Write?
In this episode, AJ and Mike have a conversation about how to choose the next book project.
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Understanding Translation Rights
In this episode, AJ and Mike walk the listener through securing foreign translation rights.
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The Great Pre-Order Debate
In this episode, AJ and Mike debate the merits of pre-orders and whether or not authors should try to get them.
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How to Get Compelling Stories
In this episode, AJ and Mike will break down how to maximize an interview to get to the good stuff.
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Use Your Personal Stories in Your Non-Fiction Books
In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss the use of personal story for prescriptive nonfiction.
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Everything You Need To Know About Proposal
In this episode, Mike and AJ break down each element of a successful book proposal.
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My Publisher Told Me to Stop Writing Books Until...
In this episode, what could have been a blow from his publisher Mike and AJ instead turn into a plan of action.
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Cover Design
In this episode, Mike and AJ walk you through what makes a compelling book cover.
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Dos and Don'ts For Audiobooks
AJ and Mike discuss their own experiences recording their audiobooks.
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Licensing Your Book and Brand
AJ and Mike discuss the process for licensing the intellectual property of a game-changing book.
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The Next Steps: Post-Launch
AJ and Mike focus on post-launch strategies share the biggest mistake most authors make: They stop their marketing after their book is released.
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Creating A Successful Book Launch
AJ and Mike continue their discussion about how to prepare for your book launch, including every step necessary for its success.
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How to Prepare Your Pre-Launch
AJ and Mike share how to prepare for your book launch with every step necessary for its success.
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Is Hybrid Publishing Right For You?
AJ and Mike share everything from soup to nuts about hybrid publishing—what to know, what to avoid, and how to move forward with confidence.
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How to Self-Publish Like a Pro
AJ and Mike pull back the curtain on self-publishing, sharing all the pros and cons.
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How to Vet and Pitch Traditional Publishers
AJ and Mike teach you how to vet a traditional publisher in order to pitch your book and get a contract.
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Choosing A Publishing Path
AJ and Mike discuss the three main ways an author can publish, their pros and cons, and how to choose your path.
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Creating A Second Edition
AJ and Mike focus on second editions - how do you know if you need one and what it takes to build from the ground up.
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Title Your Book to Sell
AJ and Mike do a deep-dive into titles, how to find one, test it, and why you can't rely on a subtitle to do the heavy lifting.
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Transform Your Draft into a Must-Read Book
AJ and Mike demystify the editing process, breaking it down step-by-step, and explain how everyone needs multiple editors.
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Understanding Your Ideal Reader
AJ and Mike identify the secret sauce that answers every question in writing a must-read book: understanding their ideal reader.
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Does Your Book Work?
AJ and Mike share one crucial step most writers of prescriptive nonfiction make: they don't find out if their books actually work! You'll learn about test drives and why you need one.
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My Least Successful Book—Why It Tanked
AJ and Mike talk about their least successful book, Surge. They openly discuss their breakup, and how it affected this book and taught them to always write the book their readers need next.
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My Most Successful Book—Why It Worked
AJ and Mike talk about their most successful book, Profit First. They debrief what specifically worked about that book and why.
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The Book That Changes Everything
AJ and Mike are on a mission to get authors to ditch the "better business card" book and instead write the right book: the one with the power to change a reader's life.
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