Ever wondered what really goes on behind the glossy covers and catchy titles of your favorite books?

In this episode of Bookbound, award-winning author and journalist Julie Satow shares the secrets behind the success of her latest book, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion. She discusses her unique approach to digital marketing, revealing how leveraging social media significantly enhanced her book's visibility and sales.

Julie walks us through the nitty-gritty, surprising influence of sales teams on book covers and titles, sharing her own experience of a rejected fashion illustration cover and a title change from Garment Queens to a title more related to the theme of the book.

If you’re a writer interested in a behind-the-scenes look at what brings a book and a book launch to life, check out this episode!

Resources:
Connect with Julie and check out her work here: https://juliesatow.com/

Subscribe to Bethany & Fran’s Substack here: https://bookswithbethanyandfran.substack.com/

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What does it take to transform a persistent idea (over many years) into a published book?

On this episode of Bookbound, executive leadership consultant Elaine Lin Hering joins us to explore the nine-year journey behind her book, Unlearning Silence.

Elaine shares her insights on overcoming self-doubt, navigating the challenges of writing a long-form piece, and the pivotal moment she decided to build a team to bring her vision to life. From her decision to work with a literary agent to the delicate balancing act of positioning her book for both business and wellness markets, Elaine's insights are both inspiring and practical to the aspiring author or the author with many books under their belt!

Resources:
Connect with Elaine here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering
Check out Elaine’s work here: https://elainelinhering.com/

Join Bethany and Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What happens when a professor discovers that her real strength lies in her journalism skills and academic experience?

For Rachel Somerstein, it’s a critically acclaimed book. Rachel is an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz and author of "Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section." We sat down with her to talk all about her author journey.

From platform building to time management challenges as a busy professor and parent and the dedication required to see a book through to completion, Rachel shares her struggles and tips for those navigating the writing and publishing of a book. She provides an inside look at the publishing process, like securing an agent through the CLMP conference’s “speed dating” event and navigating deadlines and legal reads. Her insights are pure gold if you’re about to embark on your own author journey.

Resources:
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-somerstein-1aab2610/

Connect with Rachel on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rachelesomerstein/

Connect with Rachel on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/rachesomerstein?lang=en
Check out Rachel’s work here: https://www.rachelsomerstein.com/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

Can astrology help you gain a competitive edge in your career or business?

We’re sitting down with Ophi Edut, renowned astrologer and author, to dive into her journey of publishing her book, The Astrology Advantage, and how astrology played its part in her own success.

She discusses her journey from self-publishing to traditional publishing, and the development of her book, which makes astrology accessible through a framework involving innovator, maven, and entrepreneur personality types. We also talked about the importance of finding your signature thing, creating binge-able content, and using different platforms to promote your work.

Resources:
Connect with Ophi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astrotwins/
Check out Ophi’s work here: https://astrostyle.com/

Join Bethany and Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What happens when a woman discovers that the man she's been interacting with online isn't who he says he is?

On this episode of Bookbound, we sit down with Anna Akbari, author of the “jaw-dropping” (according to the New York Times) memoir There is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America’s Biggest Catfish.

Anna shares her journey of transforming a harrowing experience with an internet predator into her engaging and impactful memoir. She reveals the behind-the-scenes struggles with the publishing industry, the significance of storytelling, and how her ordeal resonated with many women facing toxic relationships and online dating exhaustion. We also explore the broader topics of the current trend of audiobooks and the strategy behind great book titles and covers.

Join us for an episode filled with advice for aspiring authors and a fascinating look at the journey from real-life experience to published memoir.

Resources:
Connect with Anna and check out her work here: https://www.annaakbari.com/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club

Produced by Share Your Genius https://shareyourgenius.com/

What does it take to write four bestselling books in just as many years while juggling the demands of running a successful business and raising young twins?

In this episode of Bookbound, we dive into the incredibly inspiring journey of Bola Sokubi, a finance expert, keynote speaker, and the founder of Clever Girl Finance.

Bola shares her tips for authors on aligning goals with personal happiness, the nuances between writing and business, and the strategic moves she made to seal her first book deal—all without an agent! You’ll also learn how she masterfully markets her work, viewing each book as an "amplifier" of her brand.

Whether you're an aspiring author or a seasoned professional, this episode is a goldmine of practical advice and motivation. Tune in to explore how passion, resilience, and clever strategies can help transform your writing dreams into thriving realities.

Resources:
To connect with, follow Bola, or read her books, go to https://www.bolasokunbi.com/
Apply for Fran & Bethany’s BOOKBOUND Accelerator here.

Produced by Share Your Genius

What if the secret to resolving conflict and getting along is simpler than you think?

Gabrielle Hartley, divorce lawyer turned author, joins us on this episode, and her transformative experiences have culminated in her latest book, The Secret to Getting Along: And Why It's Easier Than You Think.

Gabrielle shares what she’s learned along her publishing journey—from manifesting an endorsement by Gwyneth Paltrow to navigating publishers with no prior connection. Through the ups and downs, her path illustrates the power of persistence and belief in oneself.

She also shares her unique YES method—a powerful tool for unraveling arguments at their emotional core, promoting mutual understanding and resolution. This episode isn't just about writing; it's about reframing your approach to challenges and turning obstacles into opportunities. We hope you can carry some of her tools and inspiration into your own journey.

Resources: Connect with Gabrielle: https://gabriellehartley.com/
Apply for Fran & Bethany’s Fall 2024 BOOKBOUND Accelerator here.

Produced by Share Your Genius

What does it take to transform a personal health journey into a bestselling cookbook?

Here to walk us down that path is Vasudha Viswanath, cookbook author and founder of the community-centered initiative "We Ate Well." After a career on Wall Street and a life-changing Prediabetes diagnosis, Vasudha shifted gears dramatically. She embraced her roots in vegetarian cooking but with a fresh, low-carb twist that flew in the face of traditional plant-based diets heavy in processed options.

In this episode, we dive into her challenges and wins in creating her cookbook, "The Vegetarian Reset," navigating the world of publishing, and building a thriving community around healthy eating. From the deep dives into recipe development and personal trials to marketing strategies and career pivots, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone looking to turn their passion into a tangible product.

Resources: Follow Vasudha: https://www.instagram.com/v8well/
Subscribe to Vasudha’s newsletter, V8Well: https://www.v8well.com/
Apply for Fran & Bethany’s BOOKBOUND Accelerator here.

Produced by Share Your Genius