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🌟 Join the Published Creators Skool Community
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Sick of pouring your energy into social media and getting almost nothing back?

You're not alone. And you're not doing anything wrong.

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning, best-selling author and book coach Lana McAra, who shares how authors can sell more books—faster—without relying on algorithms, ads, or endless posting.

We dive deep into the lost art of in-person book promotion and why it still works (maybe better than ever). Whether you're introverted, writing fiction, or just burned out by digital hustle, this conversation will give you a fresh, fun, and human approach to marketing your books.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why online marketing alone isn’t enough (and never really was)
• How to turn your book into a live experience readers love
• Where to find venues that actually want you to speak
• Easy ways to make events interactive—even if you hate public speaking
• How in-person events help you grow your email list and online sales, too
• Stories from real authors making real money… without a single boosted post

🧩 Episode Highlights:

• The forgotten power of face-to-face connection
• Creative examples of book events that sell (even fiction!)
• What bookstores and libraries really want from authors
• Why “marketing” can be the most fun part of publishing
• A powerful mindset shift for long-term author success

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 🎧 Lana’s Fiction Writer’s Podcast
• 📕 Lana's Publishing Company
• ✍️ How To Write A Novel That Sells Course
• 📸 Follow Rodney on Instagram
• 💼 Connect on LinkedIn
• 📺 Watch The Episode on YouTube

💬 Let’s Connect:

If this episode gave you a lightbulb moment 💡 — or reminded you that yes, you can promote your book in ways that feel fun and aligned — I’d love to hear from you.

📥 DM me on Instagram or join the Published Creators Skool community and let’s talk about YOUR next live event idea!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

Join the Published Creator Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

Ready to take your book sales to the next level—beyond Amazon?

In this conversation, Rodney Washington chats with publishing expert Michelle Vandepas about expanding your reach through library sales, gift shops, international rights, and more.

If you're an author wondering how to distribute your book worldwide (and not just digitally), this episode is packed with real-world strategies.


*📌 Mentioned in this Episode:*

🎁 Michelle’s Free eBook – “26 Questions to Ask Before You Publish”: https://gracepointpublishing.com/25-publisher-services

📘 Marketing Your Book – Free Webinar:
Watch here - https://gracepointpublishing.com/marketing-your-book-webinar

🔗 Michelle Vandepas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellevandepass/

*Connect With Us:*

🎙 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublishedcreator

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneywashington.creative

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneylwashington/

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert interviews and author tips.

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

📝 Join the Published Creator Skool community (At the time of this recording, it's free)

✨ Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt and strategy-packed episode, I sit down with Micaela Benn, children’s book author, marketer, and founder of The Children’s Book Marketing Lab, to talk about how authors can create powerful, purpose-driven children’s books and sell them before they even go to print.

Whether you’re a writer, coach, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is filled with insights that will shift how you think about publishing, storytelling, and selling with heart.

🧠 What We Cover:

Why good stories start with connection, not just content

How to sell your children’s book before it's printed

The difference between bulk sales and wholesale, and how to find the right buyers

Real-life stories of emotional impact from readers

Why your book can be more than a product, it can be part of a movement

How authors are partnering with schools, dentists, and even shelters to reach more readers

🔗 Links Mentioned:

*Connect with Micaela Benn:*
📚 Join The Children’s Book Marketing Lab:
https://www.skool.com/childrens-book-marketing-lab-8402/about

📺 Watch her on Children’s Book Marketing TV:
https://www.youtube.com/@childrensbookmarketingtv

📷 Follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/micaelasbenn

💻 Follow her on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micaelasbenn/

*Connect with Me (Rodney Washington):*
🎓 Join The Published Creator Skool community:
https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

📺 Subscribe to The Published Creator on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thepublishedcreator

📷 Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rodneywashington.creative

💻 Follow me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneylwashington/

📣 Call to Action:

If this episode inspired you, here’s how to take the next step:

Join our communities to get support, ideas, and connections with like-minded creatives

Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if this helped you see your book — and business — in a new way

Your story deserves to be told. And there’s someone out there waiting to read it. 💛

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

📝 Join the Published Creator Skool community (At the time of this recording, it's free)

In this episode, I sit down with Chelsea Bennett, Education & Community Manager from Lulu.com, to explore how authors can think beyond “just a book” and turn their content into a full-fledged brand experience.

Whether you’re a coach, course creator, or speaker, this conversation is packed with strategies for turning your book into a powerful business tool—one that supports memberships, bundles, events, and more.

We cover:

• Why spiral-bound books (not available on Amazon!) are game-changers for workbooks
• How to use Lulu Direct to sell on your own website with full control
• Tactics to bundle your book with courses, coaching, and communities
• Using QR codes to grow your list, drive engagement, and build your ecosystem
• Kickstarter & fulfillment tips using Lulu’s Order Import Tool
• When and why to use ISBNs, and how to avoid common mistakes
• How to sell internationally without managing inventory

🔥 Bonus Insight:
Your book isn’t the final product—it’s the entry point into your brand and your world.

🎁 Mentioned in this episode:

• Lulu Pricing Calculator: https://www.lulu.com/pricing
• Lulu Direct (Shopify/Wix/Woo integration)
• Free interior templates for planners, journals, and notebooks
• Order Import Tool for bulk/kickstarter fulfillment
• Book a Monetization Mapping Call (includes a free Bestseller Impact Assessment)

🎧 Listen + Watch:
→ Watch The Episode on YouTube (includes a comprehensive and detailed list of resources mentioned)

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

**Join The Published Creator Skool Community:**
https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

Take my FREE Bestseller Impact Assessment
https://publishedandthriving.com/bestseller-impact-assessment

What if you could turn your book idea into a six-figure Kickstarter campaign?

In this interview, author and marketer Josh Jenne breaks down the exact funnel that helped him raise over $202,000 to launch his fantasy book series, without relying on AI-generated art, and with a razor-sharp marketing strategy.

You’ll learn:

Why concept is king — and how to position yours

How Josh used Reddit, Facebook, and Discord to build momentum

Why he spent over $30K on Facebook ads (and how he knew it was working)

The controversial truth about using AI art for books

How to build a pre-launch email list that converts

The one mindset shift that separates authors who succeed on Kickstarter from those who don’t

📚 This is required watching for any author, artist, or creator thinking about crowdfunding their next book.

👉 Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/7xhJpwMiQAY

**🎯 Resources Mentioned:**

Josh Jenne’s latest Kickstarter:
**(Warning: NSFW - Content may be considered Not Safe For Work)** https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leopardprintpress/pinup-monster-girls-55e?ref=5ce39o

Lulu Print-on-Demand: https://www.lulu.com
Jellop: https://jellop.com/
BackerKit: https://www.backerkit.com/

Artist Rosa Mendez: https://www.instagram.com/_nubesrosas_

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Give it a 👍, subscribe for more interviews like this, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. Have questions about launching your own Kickstarter campaign? I’d love to hear them!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

Join The Published Creator Skool Community
https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

Take my FREE Bestseller Impact Assessment
https://publishedandthriving.com/bestseller-impact-assessment

In this episode of The Published Creator Podcast, I sit down with author and creative entrepreneur Josh Jenne, who successfully raised $202,000 on Kickstarter to fund his beautifully illustrated fantasy book for the Dungeons & Dragons community.

**Note: (this is part 1 of a two-part interview series)**

👉 Watch Part 2 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7DoUIh9M8Y

If you've ever wondered whether crowdfunding your book could actually work, especially without a massive audience, this conversation is for you. Josh shares the exact strategy he used to validate his idea, build momentum before launch, and structure his Kickstarter campaign for maximum conversions.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:

How Josh went from zero audience to $202K in book sales

The importance of concept validation before you launch

Why building an email list and community is critical for Kickstarter success

How to use platforms like Lulu for fulfillment and print-on-demand

The role of pricing, bundles, and “whale tiers” in campaign growth

Why your day one launch matters more than you think

The difference between publishing on Amazon vs launching with Kickstarter

Whether you’re writing a novel, creating a graphic novel, or launching a tabletop gaming guide, this is a masterclass in self-publishing and Kickstarter strategy.

🎯 Resources Mentioned:

Josh Jenne’s latest Kickstarter:
**(Warning: NSFW - Content subject may be considered Not Safe For Work)** https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leopardprintpress/pinup-monster-girls-55e?ref=5ce39o

Lulu Print-on-Demand: https://www.lulu.com
Jellop: https://jellop.com/
BackerKit: https://www.backerkit.com/

Artist Rosa Mendez: https://www.instagram.com/_nubesrosas_

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Give it a 👍, subscribe for more interviews like this, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Have questions about launching your own Kickstarter campaign? I’d love to hear them!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

I’m closing the chapter on The Coloring Book Creator and stepping into something bigger. In this kickoff episode of the Published Creator Podcast, I share the turning point that sparked this shift and how you can take your book beyond the pages to build a thriving brand, business, and legacy.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Published Creator!

I’m Rodney Washington, and I’m thrilled to share this space with you. This podcast is here for authors, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to go beyond publishing a book and instead build experiences, communities, and thriving businesses around their ideas.

Turning the Page: From Coloring Book Creator to a New Beginning

For three years, The Coloring Book Creator has been my platform to help aspiring authors bring their ideas to life. But as I’ve worked with more creators, I realized the journey doesn’t stop at the book.

The real opportunity lies in how you take that book and expand it into something bigger, coaching, courses, memberships, retreats, and even licensing opportunities.

This is the heartbeat of becoming a Published & Thriving author creator.

Why Books Are Just the Beginning

A book is powerful, but it’s not the finish line. Think of it as your business card on steroids; it opens doors, creates opportunities, and builds credibility. But if you stop at book sales, you’re leaving so much potential on the table. In this episode, I share how to reframe your book as the foundation of a much larger ecosystem.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for joining me for this first episode of the Published Creator podcast.

As I close the chapter on The Coloring Book Creator and step into this new season, I invite you to come along for the journey.

Together, we’ll explore how to turn your book into more than just pages; we’ll turn it into a thriving brand, a business, and a legacy.

Join our new Published Creator Community on Skool

Watch Episodes on YouTube

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

In Episode 60 of the Published Creator Podcast, we dive deep into common fears surrounding the creation and sales potential of your coloring books, planners, and journals.

I share 10 actionable strategies to help you release those fears and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're brainstorming your first book or trying to improve sales on existing titles, these insights will guide you toward success.

Want to continue the conversation, plus get additional action steps you can implement immediately? Join Us On Skool

Key Takeaways:
1. Conduct Thorough Research:
Understand the market demand before you create your book. Just because a subject has been covered doesn't mean there isn't room for your unique perspective.

2. Align with Your Passion:
Choose a book topic that you are genuinely interested in, as it will require a significant amount of your time and energy to bring to life.

3. Mindset Adjustment:
Prepare to learn from the process regardless of the outcome. Challenges will arise, but persistence will teach you invaluable lessons.

4. Pre-Sell Your Book:
Start marketing your book before it’s complete. This approach not only validates your idea but also generates early interest and potential sales.

5. Leverage Community and Collaboration:
Engage with communities and collaborate with others to expand your reach and credibility. Shared interests can lead to powerful partnerships and opportunities.

Episode Highlights:
- Discussion on the importance of market research and finding a niche within popular genres.

- Tips for mentally preparing for the hurdles of book creation and sales.

- Strategies for pre-selling and marketing your book early in the creation process to gauge interest and secure early buyers.

- Importance of community support and collaboration in spreading the word and enhancing your book’s success.

Listen and Engage:
Tune in to learn how to navigate the fears of book creation and sales with strategic actions that can lead to success. Engage with us through comments or on our social media to share your experiences and insights.

Additional Resources:
- Link to the full video discussion on YouTube for visual insights.

- Access to a free audio course to help validate your coloring book ideas.

038: After The Rain with Surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator Now Coloring Book Creator Lisa Dolson

019: The #1 Mistake Coloring Book Authors Are Making That's Killing Sales On Social Media

051: You’re Leaving Money On The Table If You Aren’t Doing This

047: 10 Steps to Pre-Launch Your Book (Without Ads or Being on Social Media All Day)

Bonus Episode: The Passive Income Myth (what nobody tells you about selling your book on Amazon)

We’re committed to supporting you in turning your creative vision into reality. Join us to learn, grow, and succeed together in the world of coloring book creation!