208. How to get a book deal (replay)

When you hear the word “equity,” most of us will think of gender, race, and ethnicity. But oftentimes, disabilities are left out of the conversation—and that needs to change. That’s why I’m thrilled to welcome this week’s podcast guest, Heather Markham, a woman on a mission to show businesses how to make their space warm, welcoming, and accessible to the more than 1 billion persons with a disability. With her background in electronic warfare and assistive technologies, she has honed her engineering skills and an eye for otherwise unseen details. Heather has fifteen years of experience as a power wheelchair user, and she taught me so much in this episode! In it, we discuss: Heather’s life-changing diagnosis of progressive muscular dystrophy at age 34 How she leaned into a life of adventure and focuses on what she can control How she’s created a community around her and how listeners can build their own community Challenges she faces while traveling as a power wheelchair user How businesses can become more accessible, both in physical locations and online Why she wrote her memoir and what her writing process was like Heather is an inspiring woman who embodies her personal belief: the one thing she can absolutely control every single day is how she chooses to react to things. She expresses herself creatively through her memoir Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy and fine art photography. This is an important, inspiring, and practical episode—don’t miss it! Learn more about Heather: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy Show notes: This Little Miggy Instagram Disability Reframed Instagram Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

31 Jan 202452min

Nearly every author I meet wants to be traditionally published. But the path to get a book deal can feel darn near impossible. Not only do you have to create a book proposal, which is a massive project in and of itself, but you then need to pitch agents. Where is an aspiring author to start? Well, Richelle Fredson is here to help in this week’s episode. As a book proposal coach and publishing consultant, Richelle has worked with aspiring and published authors to create impactful book concepts and competitive book proposals. In this episode, we cover: What a nonfiction book proposal is and why authors need one The key components of a nonfiction book proposal How an author’s platform, credentials, and other aspects factor into their ability to get signed by a publisher Common misconceptions about the process of looking for an agent and landing a deal Tips for making your proposal stand out and getting your dream book deal Richelle is the former director of publicity and book marketing for Hay House, and also served in acquisitions, so she knows her stuff. This was a fantastic conversation—don’t miss it! Learn more about Richelle: Instagram @richellefredson Facebook LinkedIn Website Podcast: Bound + Determined Show notes: How to Create an Influential Author Platform guide  Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

24 Jan 202446min

It’s mid-January, the period where momentum around New Year’s resolutions start to wane. In fact, statistics show that only 8 percent of people achieve the goals they set at the start of the year. In this week’s episode, I share my thoughts around achieving big goals and practical strategies to be part of the 8 percent. I detail my secrets for how I’ve built a mid-six-figure business, moved abroad, and written multiple books. It’s not rocket science, but the tips I share may just be the needle-mover you need today. This episode is short and practical.  Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

17 Jan 202422min

I have to say: wow! I had a wonderful time connecting with you. Thank you for bringing energy, questions, and fun to our time together. I hope you gained new insights and practical strategies to finish your book in 2024—and make the impact you’re meant to on this world. As I shared during the training, I am a book coach and author educator who has spent my entire life developing my expertise in writing. From falling in love with reading at age seven to my master's in professional writing and editing, helping future authors like you is my life's work. I’m honored to coach smart people like you as they write powerful books that change readers’ lives. I’m also an author myself. I’ve ghostwritten or authored seventeen books and thousands of content pieces over the last fourteen years. And I was able to do so by developing a successful, repeatable book-writing system. I’ve helped others learn this system and become authors both through 1:1 book coaching and through my live coaching program, Idea-to-Draft Accelerator and Author Mentorship. But I only offer this program twice per year, with limited seats available (yes, I really will close enrollment once it's full!). Shownotes: Book a call with Stacy  Apply to Idea-to-Draft Accelerator and Author Mentorship program  Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

12 Jan 20241h 23min

This week, I’m joined by Catherine Fishman, who has been a part of my team since before we moved to Thailand. She’s been an integral support as I’ve grown from solopreneur to a small global team. In this episode, Catherine and I talk about: How my work has shifted over the years—from book editor to ghostwriter to coaching to programs Where we niche in author support How a book supports our clients as they grow their thought leadership, businesses, and overall impact How we track and manage the many moving parts of the team, content creation, client work, and more How we celebrate clients (my favorite part!) This episode is packed with client love and practical tips, because we share some of our own areas of learning as the business has grown, as well as reflect on our clients’ success. It’s also such a fun conversation with someone who has been along for the ride with me for so long! Learn more about Catherine: LinkedIn Website Instagram Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

10 Jan 202444min

Oh, hey, podcast listeners—I’m back this week with a solo episode. I don’t do these enough, thanks to the many wonderful guests I have the honor of speaking with on the pod. This week, I’m reflecting on all the things 2023. To guide this episode, I’m drawing on a team meeting we had recently, where we talked through big wins, challenges, and even our theme song for the year and what type of car the business would be. Specifically, we looked at: BTS on how I do vision work, our strategy planning, and how we use our annual work to guide the year High points, including Instagram catching fire and the podcast drastically growing, adding new team members, and our social equity impact Low points, including my personal challenges and the eclipse (this is the woo on my team—I’m too practical to think of these things!) Three major accomplishments . . . OK, five Two things we learned Our theme song and car for the year 😊 Our big, hairy, audacious goal and what we are doing in 2024 to reach it I hope this episode inspires you to reflect too. Here’s to a flourishing 2024! Shownotes: Life Visioning Guide A free worksheet to guide your team through year-end reflection Idea-to-Draft Accelerator and Author Mentorship Program  Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

27 Dec 202332min

On the pod this week, I’m excited to share a thoughtful conversation about book writing, business, and growing beyond the book. I’m joined by Dave Goetz and Melissa Parks, cofounders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. In this episode, we cover: How a book integrates into overall marketing strategy A client case study that integrates a documentary, book, and more How to uncover the thesis of your book (what I refer to as a “core message”) How to self-diagnose your own needs on your book project Nerdy industry talk from long-time publishing pros 😊 Even if a book isn’t on your radar, this episode will get you thinking about all things marketing, messaging, and more. Learn more about Journey Sixty6: Website The Writing Podcast Dave Goetz: LinkedIn Melissa Parks: LinkedIn Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

20 Dec 202347min

Writing a book and being successful as an author is hard work. This week on the podcast, I unpack the hardness and amazingness of the author journey, from writing to marketing and beyond, with Alexa Bigwarfe, a USA Today best-selling author, publisher, and founder and CEO of Write, Publish, Sell. In this episode, we discuss: Alexa’s moving, personal journey into publishing What authors should know about the big-picture process of writing, editing, publishing, launching, and marketing a book The difference between integrating your book into your business growth strategy and making a living as an author Advanced author marketing strategies Alexa owns three hybrid publishing houses: Kat Biggie Press; Chrysalis Press; and Purple Butterfly Press, a children's book publishing company. Her courses and training focus on author professional development, platform growth, and fun, creative ways to market books. Alexa also has a publishing conference coming up: Women’s Publishing Summit. Sign up with my link here—this affiliate link helps support my ability to produce the pod.   No matter your stage of authorhood—idea to ongoing marketing—I know you’ll find value in this episode. Enjoy! Learn more about Alexa: Website Instagram @writepublishsell LinkedIn Facebook @WritePubSell Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennis Facebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedIn Youtube @stacyennisauthor To submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit www.stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

13 Dec 202342min