Don't Write That Book

Epizode

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  Get Pre-orders Way Before Your Pub Date 17.09.2026 48min

  This week’s episode covers all about pre-orders and when you can start getting orders in. Well, turns out you don’t need to wait for a pre-order link. Mike and AJ discuss their own experiences with taking orders before their books were even linked and other methods to start orders as early as possible.
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  How to Write on an Airplane 10.09.2026 42min

  In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ discuss adapting your writing to the environment you are in. Mike has extensive experience with writing on planes and even found that he sometimes writes best on planes. Mike and AJ all discuss their creative differences and how finding yours is extraordinarily important for becoming a bestselling author.
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  When Your Publisher Bullies You 03.09.2026 33min

  What do you do when you get your dream traditional publisher, an offer of a lifetime, and then everything goes sour? Your publisher begins to bully you, completely bulldozes your story, and you… Well, sadly, this happens from time to time. But AJ and Mike know exactly how to handle this!
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  Should You Put Your Book on Pause? 27.08.2026 34min

  Sometimes writing just stops- not writer’s block, but simply stuck. Life is busy, more urgent matters take precedence, and your body is exhausted. So what do you do? You pause on your book. But how do you decide when life is too much to do that? AJ and Mike cover just that in this latest episode and their own experiences, sharing their best strategies to get through the muck.
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  How to Choose Between Publishers 20.08.2026 46min

  When your publishing offers come in all at once, it can be hard to decide. Even the difference between two traditional publishing houses can be starkly different. In today’s episode, we tell you how to notice all of those little differences and what can be a make-or-break for your book’s life.
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  Should You De-list Your Book on Amazon? 14.08.2026 28min

  Sometimes authors rewrite their books or create expanded versions of their books, so what do you do with your old book? This week, Mike and AJ answer that question and lay out all of the pros and cons of delisting your book. Mike has pondered the same question himself and shares his personal experience.
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  The After the Book Launch Blues 07.08.2026 45min

  In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ cover a listener’s (shoutout Kathy) question: How to know when to move on after the book is complete? They share their own personal experiences with moving on when their launch is over and how to keep it alive after the fact. They also discuss how to not move on too quickly to your next project.
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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.