Sheryl Bass is a children's author and book PR expert with a master's degree in social work and journalism. Her Baby Dragon series focuses on social emotional learning for children, teaching important life lessons through engaging stories. Starting from a flash of inspiration during a sneeze 15 years ago, Sheryl brought her first book "Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze" to life through self-publishing after traditional publishing routes proved unsuccessful. She runs Be Kind Publishing, emphasizing kindness and social emotional development in children's literature.

In this episode:

• Origins of "Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze" from a sneeze inspiration
• Importance of social emotional learning in children's books
• Working with developmental editors to strengthen storylines
• Finding illustrators through self-publishing resources
• Understanding work-for-hire contracts with illustrators
• Self-publishing vs traditional publishing in children's literature
• Using pubby.co for obtaining book reviews
• PR strategies for children's book authors
• Marketing through podcasts and in-person events
• Building a children's book series

Resources mentioned:

• Self Publishing Made Simple - April Cox's mentoring service - https://www.selfpubmadesimple.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoodOm97WpZCXhBvTukZyUleNWbf4QPvbmp0DJGvSO4-EyZ5SJr8
• Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators: https://www.scbwi.org/
• Pubby.co - https://pubby.co/
• IngramSpark - https://www.ingramspark.com/
• Amazon KDP - https://kdp.amazon.com/

Book Recommendations:

• "Hunger for Words" by Christina Hunger - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092DYHW2K?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Sheryl Bass:

• Website - https://www.be-kindpublishing.com/
• Baby Dragon Finds His Family: A Picture Book About Belonging - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLRX6WKG?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze: A Picture Book About Empathy and Trust - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJTFPQ55?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Chris Wallace is a professional poker player, author, and co-founder of WrittenWell.com. With a background in guitar building before developing an allergy to exotic hardwoods, Chris transitioned to professional poker, which led to writing opportunities during the poker boom. He began writing for poker magazines and blogs, eventually publishing several poker books including a strategy guide and "Short Stacked Ninja." After helping famous poker players increase their book sales through his understanding of Amazon's algorithms, Chris expanded into consulting with authors across all genres before co-founding WrittenWell.com with Adam Stempel and other publishing experts.

In this episode:

• Journey from poker player to poker writer to author consultant
• How analyzing Amazon's search algorithm led to book marketing success
• Comprehensive self-publishing resources on WrittenWell.com
• Genre-specific guides with tropes, clichés, and market trends
• Keyword optimization strategies beyond basic search terms
• Importance of avoiding keywords that hurt conversion rates
• Audiobook trends and AI narration developments
• WrittenWell.com's critique groups and writing sprints
• The future of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing

Resources mentioned:

• WrittenWell.com - https://writtenwell.com/
• Publisher Rocket - https://publisherrocket.com/
• Kindle Trends - https://kindletrends.com/
• ProWritingAid - https://prowritingaid.com/
• AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.com
• Spoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/
• ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/

Book Recommendations:

• Thomas Harris novels (including "Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs") - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-Harris/author/B000AQ28TK?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
• Cormac McCarthy's works
• "Characters and Viewpoint" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599632128?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Chris Wallace:

• WrittenWell.com - Use code "publishingperformance" for a discount

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Mitch Carson is a bestselling author, TV host for NBC in Las Vegas, and international speaker who specializes in helping people build their personal brands and increase their media exposure. With decades of experience in television and media, Mitch has mastered the art of getting authors and entrepreneurs featured on major platforms. He shares his expertise on creating compelling pitches, building credibility through strategic media appearances, and leveraging visibility to achieve greater success in business.

In this episode:

• The importance of continuous marketing and "omnipresence"
• Creating a professional one-sheet to secure media appearances
• How to customize your pitch for different media outlets
• Strategies for approaching major networks like BBC
• Understanding editorial calendars and timely hooks
• The value of matching testimonials to your target market
• Case studies of successful clients who used media to grow their businesses
• First steps for authors with no existing media presence
• The crucial role of credibility in media bookings

Resources mentioned:

• Get Interviewed Guaranteed program
• Author Speaker Summit (February event)
• LinkedIn as a primary platform for author visibility

Book Recommendations:

• "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Connect with Mitch Carson:

• Website: getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meet-with-mitch

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Andrew Wallner and Phil Marshall are co-founders of Spoken, an innovative platform that combines AI narration technology with a streaming network for audio content. Coming from backgrounds in healthcare technology where they developed conversational AI systems, they sold their company in 2021 before turning their attention to the audiobook market. Phil, as a sci-fi writer and audio-only reader, recognized the need for better tools to create, publish, stream, and monetize audio content, which became the genesis of Spoken.

In this episode:

• Origins of Spoken from healthcare technology to audiobook innovation
• How Spoken combines AI narration with streaming capabilities
• Multi-character and multi-voice narration options
• Creating custom AI voices designed exclusively for specific characters
• Using the "Speak It" feature for precise pronunciation and inflection
• Automatic analysis of characters to suggest appropriate voices
• The Unified Streaming Network monetization model
• Free options for authors just getting started
• How authors retain their rights on the platform
• DIY audiobook creation in a single sitting
• Upcoming "Take It With You" feature for exporting audio

Resources mentioned:

• Spoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/
• ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/
• Worldcon - https://www.worldcon.org/
• Author Nation - Author conference where Spoken was presented

Book Recommendations:

• "Kill Your Darlings" - https://ihave.spoken.press/p/3SatPI7Y1iE
• "Welcome to the Audioverse" - https://drphilmarshall.com/spoken

Connect with Andrew and Phil:

• Spoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/
• drphilmarshall.com - https://drphilmarshall.com/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Johnathan McClain is a multi-talented creative professional working as a screenwriter, narrator, actor, and novelist. With a background in theater and television, Johnathan transitioned to audiobook narration in 2012, coinciding with Amazon's acquisition of Audible when the demand for narrators exploded. His first major audiobook projects included narrating several Jack Reacher novels, and he has since recorded over 200 books across various genres including sci-fi, fantasy, lit-RPG, mystery thrillers, and romance.

In this episode:

• Journey from child actor to audiobook narrator
• Theater experience as preparation for narration
• Transition from TV to complete performance control
• Why voice quality alone isn't enough
• Adapting narration style across genres
• Preparation process for fiction vs. non-fiction
• Author-narrator collaboration workflow
• Best practices for manuscript formatting
• Challenges of dual vs. duet narration
• Common narration mistakes and solutions
• Tips for DIY audiobook narration

Resources mentioned:

• Audible/ACX - https://www.acx.com/
• Find A Way Voices - https://www.findawayvoices.com/
• iAnnotate - https://www.folia.com/iannotate
• Audio Technica 4040 - Microphone recommendation for home recording
• Focusrite Solo - Preamp recommendation for home recording

Book Recommendations:

• "James" by Percival Everett - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385550367?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• "The Wealth of Shadows" by Graham Moore - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG8G3NRT?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Johnathan McClain:

• Website: Available for contact through his personal website
• "Meet Your Maker" - Fantasy series co-written with Seth MacDuffie and published by Podium
• "Newtown" series - Popular lit-RPG series narrated by Johnathan

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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JD Barker is a New York Times bestselling author who has experienced various publishing paths including traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing. With a background as a book doctor and ghostwriter for over 20 years, JD transitioned to writing his own novels and has since collaborated with James Patterson among other notable authors. His unique publishing journey includes a special relationship with Simon & Schuster that combines the advantages of indie publishing with the distribution power of a major publisher. JD's expertise spans multiple genres within the thriller and suspense categories, and he has numerous works optioned for film and television.

In this episode:

• JD's journey from ghostwriter to bestselling author
• The pros and cons of traditional vs. indie publishing
• His unique partnership arrangement with Simon & Schuster
• Collaborating with James Patterson and other co-authors
• How outlining transformed his writing process
• Creative marketing strategies for book promotion
• Tips for new authors on quality, consistency, and platform building
• The challenges of adapting books for film and television
• Upcoming projects including a Flatliners reboot novel

Resources mentioned:

• Writers Ink podcast: https://writersinkpodcast.com/
• NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/
• Website: https://jdbarker.com/

Book Recommendations:

• "On Writing" by Stephen King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439156816?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with JD Barker:

• Website: https://jdbarker.com/
• Books: https://jdbarker.com/books/
• "We Don't Talk About Emma"” https://jdbarker.com/books/we-dont-talk-about-emma/
• "The Writer" with James Patterson: https://jdbarker.com/books/the-writer/
• Upcoming Release: "Something I Keep Upstairs" (May)

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Aryn Van Dyke is a book marketing expert and the founder of Book Rockstar, specializing in LinkedIn marketing strategies for authors. With extensive experience helping both fiction and nonfiction writers leverage LinkedIn as a powerful platform for book promotion, Aryn has developed proven methods for building professional networks, crafting engaging content, and connecting authors with their target audiences. Despite LinkedIn's reputation as a purely professional platform, Aryn demonstrates how authors can transform it into a dynamic marketing channel that drives book sales, speaking engagements, and business opportunities.

In this episode:

• Why LinkedIn is valuable for authors, especially nonfiction writers
• How fiction authors can also leverage LinkedIn effectively
• Creating a strategy to connect with niche audiences
• Optimizing your LinkedIn profile to showcase your book
• Content formats that drive engagement and visibility
• Networking techniques for building valuable connections
• Tools and resources to streamline your LinkedIn marketing
• Common mistakes authors make on the platform
• Working with a LinkedIn marketing specialist

Resources mentioned:

• LinkedIn content creators to follow: Kate LaDawn and Holly Krashaw
• Later: https://later.com/
• Loomly: https://www.loomly.com/
• Buffer: https://buffer.com/
• LinkedIn's native scheduler: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1347212
• Author Nation conference

Book Recommendations:

• "Own Your Influence" by Shereen Simon: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/own-your-influence-sherenne-simon/1146338027

Connect with Aryn Van Dyke:

• Website: https://www.bookrockstar.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryn-van-dyke

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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Nicola Kinloch is an artist and illustrator with a background in fine art photography and textile design who recently ventured into children's book illustration. Her first illustrated book, written by her mother Patricia Lang, is about bees and beekeeping, combining adventure storytelling with educational content. The book uniquely presents the world from a bee's perspective, teaching children about beekeeping while engaging their imagination. With a passion for visual storytelling, Nicola has developed her own illustration techniques and is now working on additional books for the bee series as well as her own projects.

In this episode:

• Nicola's background in fine art photography and textile design
• How the mother-daughter collaboration began during COVID
• The inspiration behind the beekeeping children's book
• Nicola's process for learning illustration and developing her style
• Techniques for creating illustrations by hand and digitally
• How to balance technical information with storytelling in children's books
• Finding the right visual style for different age groups
• The importance of pacing and page turns in visual storytelling
• Nicola's upcoming projects, including "The Adventures of Common Cutlery"
• Resources for aspiring children's book creators

Resources mentioned:

• Online courses: "The Art of Sketching" by Matthias Adolfsen: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1218-the-art-of-sketching-transform-your-doodles-into-art/reviews?page=313
• The Good Ship Illustration Limited: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/
• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); https://www.scbwi.org/
• Children's Writers and Artists Yearbook 2025: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1399411829?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Book Recommendations:

• "Designing Your Life: Build the Perfect Career Step by Step" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451494083?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Nicola Kinloch:

• Website: https://www.boundtobee.com/
• Kindle Publishing Income: https://kindlepublishingincome.com/
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-kinloch

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show