Don't Write That Book

Épisodes

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  When Your Book Needs to Change in Big Ways 30.07.2026 48min

  Today’s episode is inspired by a request from listener Mara: “Finding the legs when the original book you envision hits a stumbling point.” Almost every author has experienced a hard stop like this while working on their book. Mike and AJ bring up how many authors may immediately bulldoze their work, but counter how that may do more harm than good and how to save your book.
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  New Ideas and Developments for Audiobooks 23.07.2026 50min

  You would never believe this, but the last time we made an episode about audiobooks was 122 episodes ago! Today’s episode covers piracy in audiobooks and new ways to protect your books. Audiobook sales are on the fast rise and it’s time that the industry grows with it. Mike and AJ talk about their new ideas and some insider scoops on the changes occurring in publishing.
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  Making the Shift from Academic Writing to Transformational Nonfiction 16.07.2026 39min

  Shoutout to listener Irena for inspiring this week’s episode all about the challenges of going from academic writing to transformational nonfiction. Mike and AJ discuss how to focus on the reader more and why the shift is so hard for those in academic writing. They give solutions on how academics can become more comfortable with writing for their readers.
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  Book Club Scams & Other Bad Ideas 09.07.2026 43min

  As an author, have you ever gotten offers in your inbox that promise you things like turning your book into a movie or getting it highlighted in a featured magazine or make your book an overnight Tiktok trend? Mike and AJ have received hundreds, maybe even thousands, of these emails. It’s simply fishing and scammers trying to pull the rug out from underneath new and aspiring authors. AJ and Mike break down these scams and how to catch them before you fall into their trap.
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  Using Substack to Grow Your Author Platform 02.07.2026 41min

  In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ talk about the use of Substack and newsletters as an author. They discuss what has worked for them and what has flopped. If you're struggling starting out and figuring out revenue generation, this episode is for you!
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  Hybrid vs. Traditional: Revisiting Publishing Path Decisions 25.06.2026 56min

  In this episode, Mike and AJ talk about the pros and cons of hybrid and traditional publishing. Mike and AJ discuss their own personal journeys through publishing their books and why they chose the paths they did. Wherever you are in your journey of authorship, this episode will be full of information you need to know!
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  Lindy West: What Happens When Your Readers Are Mad at You 23.06.2026 50min

  Surprise! This week, we have a bonus episode all about what happens when your readers are upset with you. Author of Shrill, Lindy West, was a feminist sensation who became a millennial icon. But when her next memoir, Adult Braces, hit the market, it stirred up a frenzy of backlash. Articles started coming out, and West and her partners did not appreciate what was being said. Soon enough, it snowballed out of control. Mike and AJ are here to help authors who may find themselves in this situation and to show them how to respond.
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  Five Years Out: Bold Predictions for Publishing 18.06.2026 41min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss and reflect on the publishing industry and its evolution over the years. They even share what their predictions are for the future of book publishing. Mike and AJ will be making some pretty bold statements, you do not want to miss!
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  Why Your Book Probably Needs a Test Drive 11.06.2026 36min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss all about validating your book’s content before and during writing. They call this “test driving” your content, to see if your content really resonates with readers. Identifying where your readers get confused, overwhelmed, or bored helps to improve your book to better serve your audience. Mike and AJ give actionable steps on how to execute these “test drives.”
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  Creating Special Editions for Your Book 04.06.2026 39min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike talk about all things special editions and why they might just increase your audience engagement. Special editions are dominated by fiction books, but why not non-fiction? AJ and Mike weigh the pros and cons and why polling your fanbase first is always the best strategy.
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  AI is the Kiss of Death for Authors 28.05.2026 59min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike debate whether AI causes intellectual atrophy or is a potential augmentation tool for authors. AJ brings up both the loss of creativity and the ethical issues of AI’s training data. Mike argues that can be helpful with tools such as transcription and summarization. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
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  Grifters 21.05.2026 56min

  In this episode, Mike and AJ address the stinky 800-pound gorilla rummaging through your pockets: the grifter authors. In this audience-inspired episode, they’ll share how authors can come across with authenticity and deliver on their book’s promise and not be the type of author who’s just looking to make a buck? In this world of easy money grabs, learn how to be an author who delivers. This is one you won’t want to miss!
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  Two Ways to Make Progress This Summer 14.05.2026 43min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike lay the groundwork for summer progress on your must-reads. Bonus, they don’t require you to actually open your manuscript and type! This hour, listeners will learn how to gather and bank information from their ideal readers at a time when many of us are taking vacations or otherwise struggling to stay super-focused on our manuscripts.
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  How to Get Over Big Nerves 07.05.2026 42min

  In this episode, Mike and AJ address feeling nervous about the book, either nervous that they don’t have the authority to write on it, to worries it could flop. (And all the other elements to book writing that can stymie an author!) Our duo shares the things that give them pause or outright nail-biting worry because surprise! Even successful authors have worries. But for this hour, Mike and AJ will calm those fears with tips and tricks they use to keep moving forward.
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  ROI on Writing a Book 30.04.2026 58min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss a question they hear from new authors often: What’s the ROI (return on investment) in writing a book? They each define what they believe the key point is with different points of view on how to achieve that result. Should authors treat their book like a business proposition or a bonus to their business? Tune in to hear it from our dynamic duo to find out!
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  Twelve Hour Launch Day 23.04.2026 57min

  In this episode, Mike walks AJ through THE MONEY HABIT’s launch day, a whopping twelve hours of special guests, marketing ideas and more. Not even technical glitches could stop the show! Well, they did, but they got everything back on track quickly, due to Mike’s intrepid team behind the scenes. Listeners will learn the tech used, how the parade of authors and guests were managed, and ultimately if Mike thought it was worthwhile.
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  Bulk Buys Debrief 16.04.2026 43min

  In this episode, it’s all the data! Mike breaks down the numbers so far with respect to bulk buys for his new book, The Money Habit. Large and small orders, how the logistics of shipping played out, and more – nothing is left out. Did AJ manage to convince Mike that bulk buys are as important as individual sales, or did Mike finally win a debate? You’ll have to listen to find out!
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  Influencers: How to Ask Other Authors to Support Your Book 09.04.2026 59min

  In this episode, AJ and Mike answer one of the most common questions they get from first-time authors. How the heck are you supposed to get an endorsement for your book? How do you ask a Big Name someone for a shout-out? This week our duo not only tells you the dos, they give you the absolutely do nots so authors can ask the Big Ask in a way that feels good. They’ll even cover how to follow up on a “no” and why it’s not always a closed door.
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  Amy Griffin: A Breakdown and What You Can Learn From It 06.04.2026 48min

  In this surprise episode, Mike and AJ break down the Amy Griffin controversy and how authors can learn from it. Amy Griffin authored the book The Tell, in which she recounts a repressed memory of alleged sexual abuse. However, Griffin’s classmate, Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit saying that the alleged story of SA was not Griffin’s, but Doe’s. Mike and AJ discuss the issue of authors taking stories that aren’t their own and how to learn from other stories without creating a false narrative.
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  The Big Book-Launch Debrief 02.04.2026 58min

  In this episode, Mike breaks down all the data he’s managed to collect so far since publishing The Money Habit in January 2026. He updates AJ on bulk buys, individual orders, how he ran orders through third-party systems like Porchlight, and how pre-sales added up, and more. He’ll lay out whether they met or missed his team’s expectations. If you’re into juicy data, this is the week you won’t want to miss!