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Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Meghan Stevenson
26 episodes
17 hours ago
What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how un...
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All content for Kind Of A Big Book Deal is the property of Meghan Stevenson and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how un...
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Books
Arts
Episodes (20/26)
Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 25 - How and When To Choose Your Book's Categories and Comps
What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how un...
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17 hours ago
12 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 24 - Why Authors Can Stop Competing with Ruchika Malhotra
What if success wasn’t about competition but collaboration? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with bestselling author Ruchika Tulshyan, whose new book Uncompete flips the script on what it means to win. Ruchika shares how the myth of “doing it all yourself” keeps entrepreneurs and authors burnt out and isolated and how equity, generosity, and radical collaboration can build true, sustainable success. Listeners will learn why letting go of scarcity thi...
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2 weeks ago
53 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 23 - How to Build an Author Platform With—or Without—Social Media Followers
Most entrepreneurs dream of writing a book but few realize what really catches a publisher’s eye. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson reveals the missing piece behind most failed book pitches: intellectual property that’s uniquely yours. She explains why having your own framework, language, and approach isn’t just nice, it’s non-negotiable if you want to stand out to agents and publishers. Meghan also breaks down what a strong author platform actually looks like...
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4 weeks ago
11 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 22 - From Corporate Darling to Entrepreneurial Author with Jamie Trull
What if the financial system you’ve been told to follow is actually holding your business back? In this episode, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with CPA and profit strategist Jamie Trull to talk about building businesses that thrive, not just survive. Jamie shares her journey from corporate life at Coca-Cola to creating a booming financial education platform that guided thousands of small business owners through the uncertainty of COVID. Listeners will discover why popular frameworks like Pr...
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1 month ago
47 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 21 - When Rejections Matter—and When They Don't
What if the rejection you got from a publisher wasn’t really about you at all? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson pulls back the curtain on the truth behind publishing rejections and what they actually mean for your book journey. Meghan shares her unforgettable story about passing on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and uses it to highlight an important lesson: rejection is rarely personal. Listeners will learn the difference between rejections that deserve atte...
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1 month ago
11 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 20 - How Self-Published Authors Get a Traditional Publisher
What does it really take to land a traditional book deal and is it even worth the leap from self-publishing? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson answers a common question from listener DeShanna, an educator with three self-published books who’s eager to break into traditional publishing. Megan breaks down the 3P Framework: Potential, Platform, and Proposal, to explain what publishers are really looking for and why many authors stumble at the platform stage. She h...
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2 months ago
17 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 19 - How 18 Months of Rejection Turned Into a Six-Figure Book Deal with Dr. Natalie Nixon
What if the very thing holding you back from a book deal isn’t your writing, but your platform? In this episode, Meghan sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon to unpack the highs and lows of her author journey. From countless rejections to finally landing a deal for The Creativity Leap, Natalie reveals the grit, courage, and community support it took to get there. Whether you dream of landing a traditional publishing deal or simply want to bring your ideas into the world, Natalie’s story is a maste...
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2 months ago
59 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 18 - Is Traditional Publishing Right For You?
What separates the dreamers from the authors with a big book deal? In this real talk episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls no punches. She shares the uncomfortable truth behind traditional publishing success rates and the one thing that determines who makes it and who doesn’t: alignment. Spoiler alert: it’s not your book idea, your expertise, or even your writing skills. It’s whether you're willing to grow a large audience and build a platform that can sell 20,000+ books in a year. Meghan walks t...
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3 months ago
13 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 17 - How Many Followers You Need to Get a Book Deal
If you’ve ever wondered whether your social media numbers are good enough for a book deal, this episode is a must-listen. Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the most common questions aspiring authors ask: Do follower counts make or break your shot at traditional publishing? The answer isn’t what you think. Meghan shares real-world examples from authors with tiny social followings landing massive deals to those leveraging podcasts, YouTube, corporate clients, or speaking gigs instead. What ma...
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3 months ago
11 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 16 - From Self-Publishing To a Three-Book Deal with Denise Duffield-Thomas
What if your messy first draft could become a bestselling book? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Denise Duffield-Thomas opens up about her journey from self-publishing her first book Lucky Bitch to landing a traditional deal with Hay House. She shares how imposter syndrome nearly stopped her, how she turned early success into industry credibility, and why writing a book is more about momentum than mastery. Denise, together with host Meghan, demystifies the traditional p...
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4 months ago
42 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 15 - How Entrepreneurs Sabotage Their Book Deal
What’s really holding you back from landing that big book deal? In this no-BS episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the most common mistakes aspiring authors make and how to avoid them. From hiding your ideas out of fear, to trying to do everything yourself, to staying stuck in analysis paralysis, Meghan calls it all out with hard-earned insight and humor. You’ll learn why educating yourself, building a real platform, and getting expert help are non-negotiables in today’s pu...
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4 months ago
20 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 14: How Book Advances Work
What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial truths of traditional publishing, answering listener Becky’s smart questions about advances, royalties, taxes, and startup costs. From the real cost of writing a book proposal What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial tru...
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5 months ago
22 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 13: Financial Freedom, Podcast Growth, and Publishing Power Plays with Jamila Souffrant
What if your “impossible” dream isn’t so impossible after all? In this powerful episode, publishing strategist Meghan Stevenson sits down with Jamila Souffrant, host of Journey to Launch and author of Your Journey to Financial Freedom, to unpack how Jamila turned a personal blog into a multiple six-figure book deal. Jamila shares how she started from scratch, built a loyal podcast audience, and stayed rooted in her financial values while navigating traditional publishing. From overcoming impo...
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5 months ago
1 hour 5 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 12: How To Understand Your Author Platform Right Now
What shows up when someone Googles your name? If you’re dreaming of landing a traditional book deal, that search result matters more than you think. In this punchy and insightful episode, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why your author platform is just as important as your book idea, and how a quick Google search is the first litmus test agents and editors use to decide if you're worth a call. Meghan explains why most aspiring authors aren’t ready to pitch, the three comm...
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6 months ago
17 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 11: How To Get The Best Advice For Your Book
Ever wonder why some writers’ retreats and book conferences leave you feeling inspired but stuck? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson gets real about why so much advice out there won’t actually help you land a traditional publishing deal—and what will. Megan shares three crucial lessons for getting the right help for your book journey: finding experts who truly specialize, being wary of vague promises from conferences and memberships, and doing real due diligenc...
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6 months ago
24 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 10 - From Idea to Deal: Elaine Lin Hering's Publishing Journey
In this inspiring episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson talks with author and leadership expert Elaine Lin Hering about her nine-year journey to publishing her debut book Unlearning Silence with Penguin Random House. Elaine shares how the idea sparked from her work at the Harvard Negotiation Project, what held her back, and how she finally took action. From doomscrolling on LinkedIn to securing a six-figure book deal, Elaine offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the emoti...
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7 months ago
49 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 9 - The Basics: What Bestseller Lists Don't Tell You: NYT, USA Today
In this episode, publishing pro Meghan Stevenson breaks down the truth behind bestseller lists—and it’s not as straightforward as you might think. From the mysterious and curated New York Times list to the purely data-driven USA Today list and the sometimes-misleading Amazon categories, Meghan pulls back the curtain on what these rankings actually mean. She explains why the USA Today list is the most objective, how bulk buys can skew numbers, and why some wildly successful books never make an...
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7 months ago
20 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 8 - The Basics: Choosing Your Publishing Path: Self, Hybrid, Traditional
Thinking about publishing your book? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to find the best fit for your goals. In this episode, we break down the three main options: self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. Each path has its pros and cons, so knowing what to expect is key. Tune in for real-world insights to help you make the best choice! Have questions? Send us an email or leave a voicemail—we’d love to hear from you! Find the 3Ps freebie here: https...
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7 months ago
25 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 7 - The Basics: Book Proposals 101
Writing a book proposal can be overwhelming, especially for experts and entrepreneurs who want to publish a nonfiction book. In this episode, we break down why book proposals matter and why most authors shouldn’t write them alone. Our guest, an experienced proposal writer and publishing insider, shares how a strong proposal can make or break your chances of landing a literary agent and a book deal. We cover the key elements of a proposal, from the business sections—like competitive titles and...
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8 months ago
30 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
Episode 6 - The Basics: Why Publishers Want Author Platforms
In this episode, we break down what it really takes to land a book deal—hint: it’s not just about having a great idea. With over 850 people taking our book quiz in 2024, we found that 64% were working on books outside of what we focus on: self-help and how-to books. If you’re an entrepreneur or expert aiming for a book deal, this episode is for you. The key to getting a book deal? Your author platform—the audience and credibility that prove you can sell books. We cover why social media, speak...
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8 months ago
27 minutes

Kind Of A Big Book Deal
What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how un...