I don’t remember when, where or how this phrase came into my lexicon but it’s been a very important one recently and I almost feel like it’s become a mantra, a calling, maybe even a guide.

While Brooke and I met waayyyy back in our magazine publishing days, she has since worked in nearly every capacity of the book publishing world. She now balances her book work between the roles of ghostwriter and book editor. In addition to being one of the most fun AND funny people I know, Brooke has really smart things to say about helping authors.

Even though George started with his design passion way back in high school and carried him through college, his journey to become a book designer was anything but straightforward. Being part of a publishing start-up out of college George got immediate exposure to client facing work. Nearly 12 years later he had grown into the “Creative Director” position with a staff larger than the entire company when he had started.

After going through the “brand breakthrough” process with Michelle earlier this year, I was so captivated with her approach that I really wanted her to share it with others. Listen to our conversation, where she explains the concept of branding – in an authentic way that makes sense – and is FUN!

How are you springing out into the rest of this year?

Whether it’s because it’s spring, the second quarter, or the fact that the world feels like it’s coming back to life, it feels like we should be planning and taking some next steps, right?

Yes, Clubhouse is Another. Social. Media. App.
Cue the eye roll and know that I did not want to engage either. I don’t need another thing to do (or distract me) and was happy to sit this one out. But I can’t (I’m blaming Jen Lehner) and I don’t think you should either.

It was such fun to geek out and be nerdy about all things LinkedIn and personal branding with Marietta Crawford of MariBrands4You. We were dropping all kinds of good advice and wisdom about the power of raising your online profile.

CFA and Founder of Family Capital Strategies, David C. Wells, Jr. recently launched his first book, When Anything is Possible: Wealth and the Art of Strategic Living. I had the honor of working with David on helping him get ready for his book launch in January. Check out our video conversation where we walk through David’s journey from writing his book to launch and beyond.

So many good things are happening this month that can help you better show up online or onstage or in your writing. Below are several free (or nearly free) events hosted by some of my favorite people who are tops in their fields. 

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working with several clients on what I like to call “content conversations” because that is truly what they are — much more collaborative and conversational than “content planning meetings” — which sounds and feels much more generic and overwhelming. 

May we never ever experience a year like the one we have just had. But if we can focus on the positive, even if for a moment, I’d like to acknowledge the things that made this year more than tolerable, at least for me.

Learn from PR pro, Katie Reiss of KT Media Strategies, how authors can use PR and publicity to get better visibility for themselves and their books.

Learn how independent bookstores have managed to survive during the Covid crisis and how they are navigating their most important season – the holidays – this year. Also here’s how you can support indie bookstores no matter where you live – and look like a great gift-giver, too!

Having published several books, co-authors (and partners) Alex Jamieson and Bob Gower share their creative journey on how they went from self-publishing to their most recent book deal and also share what makes a good book publishing partner.

In this fun and insightful (and a bit technically challenged) conversation with take-no-BS, tell-it-like-it-is Carolyn Herfurth, we learn how she helps thought leaders to uplevel and play a bigger game in their businesses.

In this “Behind the Seens” interview you’ll hear from writer, author, speaker (and comedian) Terri Trespicio about how to get over yourself so your voice can be heard and your story can be told. Terri’s intensity and infectiousness will hook you in and help you see why and how you need to take some next bold steps in your writing and your life.

When I started sending my mostly monthly “Getting Connected” email newsletters – 6 years ago – I did it with the intention that I wanted to help people get better connected whether online or IRL (in real life). That is still my mission now more than ever – but it’s getting tricky – as we head into the seventh month of pandemic life. 

The publishing world is anything but straightforward these days and there are many routes for an author to get a book published. In a recent conversation with Jenn T. Grace, founder of Publish Your Purpose Press we discuss which publishing path is best for your next book.