Shows / Nothing but the Words
Nothing but the Words
Thinking about writing a book? Find out exactly how successful authors write, publish, and sell books that make a difference for their readers and for the author's business, platform, or career. Whether you choose self-publishing or go after a traditional book deal, these are the steps and strategies you need to know.
Your host, former PEN Emerging Voices fellow, award-winning writer, copy editor and developmental editor, and ghostwriter of more than 30 books, Candice L. Davis, is also a…
Episodes
- Nothing but the Words
150. Why Book Lovers Struggle to Write Books
If you're passionate about books but struggle to write your own, you're in good company. For book lovers, the writer's block can feel real as you compare your…
- Nothing but the Words
149. A Strategic Plan to Get Unstuck & Write Your Book
Are you stuck in the start-stop cycle of writing your book? Or maybe having trouble even getting started? You're not the only one, but you don't have to stay…
- Nothing but the Words
Create Your Author AI Policy
Now more than ever, the book you're writing needs all the protection it can get, and this includes deciding how AI will impact or influence it. While we can't…
- Nothing but the Words
147. Tame Your Inner Critic & Write Your Book
Don't let your thoughts stand in the way of writing your book. If you're procrastinating or overwriting, your Inner Critic might be to blame, but you can do…
- Nothing but the Words
146. Write a Memoir to Position Yourself as an Expert
I was wrong. I used to tell people writing a memoir to position yourself as an expert was a waste of time. In some cases, this is still true, but if you know…
- Nothing but the Words
145. How & Why to Shamelessly Ask for Book Reviews
Book reviews can feel scary, but they're also incredibly powerful. When a reader takes time to leave a rating and their opinion about your book, they're…
- Nothing but the Words
144. 5 Easy Ways to Tap into Your Hidden Creativity & Write Your Book
In this episode, I give you 5 strategies you can apply right now to get more creative and write your book. Writing a book of any kind requires creativity. And…
- Nothing but the Words
143. Terrible Writing Advice You Should Ignore
Following terrible writing advice can keep you you from ever writing and publishing your book. Bad writing advice is everywhere. But you don’t have to fall…
- Nothing but the Words
142. "I'm not a writer." How to Beat Self-Doubt & Write Your Book
If you ever have thoughts like “I’m not a good writer,” or “I suck at writing,” or “I’ll never write well enough to finish this book,” you need to grab hold of…
- Nothing but the Words
141. 5 Must-Have Stories to Build Your Authority in Your Book
Giving your readers facts, figures, and frameworks, just isn't enough. When you’re writing personal development or professional development, self-help or…
- Nothing but the Words
140. 3 Ways to Separate Your (Nonfiction) Book from AI Slop
Many nonfiction authors worry their book will get lost in all the AI books swamping Amazon and other booksellers. But the number of books published isn't the…
- Nothing but the Words
139. Why Aligned Authors Succeed Where Others Fail
Create alignment in these three areas, and you're much closer to writing and publishing a book that helps you achieve your goals. Whether you're writing…
- Nothing but the Words
138. The Problem with Using AI Research in Your Book
Everyone will tell you AI can make your research easier. That's true, but AI-produced research can also cause major problems. Luckily, these problems are…
- Nothing but the Words
137. 4 Reasons Successful Authors Go on Writer's Retreats & You Should Too
Struggling to find time to write your book? Maybe you have to fight for time to even think about what you want to write. Listen to discover why many successful…
- Nothing but the Words
136. How to Write Your Business Memoir, ft. Anita Henderson, author of "Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur"
Writing a how-to book isn’t the only way to grow your business as an author. In this episode, you’ll meet Anita Henderson, author of “Becoming the Minimalist…
- Nothing but the Words
135. The Art of Marketing Your Book, ft. Nadine Mullings, Book & Biz Marketing Expert
Whether you land a traditional book deal or self-publish, getting the word out about your book is always your responsibility. Find out how you can do it…
- Nothing but the Words
134. How to Keep Writing This Summer & Why You Should
With all the fun, travel, and distractions of summer, how do you keep writing your book? In this episode, you'll discover how to decide if you should try to…
- Nothing but the Words
133. Why I Really Want You to Write Your Book in 2024
As the year gets underway, lots of people are falling off the wagon when it comes to their New Year's resolutions and annual goals. But what about the people…
- Nothing but the Words
132. Book Envy: Make It Work for You
Ever felt even a smidge of envy because someone else has published their book, become a bestseller, or landed an incredible speaking engagement? If so, don't…
- Nothing but the Words
131. Lean In to Your Strengths to Write a Better Book
The world doesn't need more generic, boring books. The world needs the book only you can write. Discover how to identify the strengths you already have that…
- Nothing but the Words
130. 4 Unexpected Early Benefits of Outlining Your Book
Are you still skeptical about the real value of outlining your book? If you just want to dive in and write, I get it. I used to feel the same way. But a smart…
- Nothing but the Words
129. The Successful Author's Secret Weapon
You know all those authors whose books you admire, people who put out book after book? Here's a little secret about them: They're no smarter than you are. That…
- Nothing but the Words
128. Increase Your Impact and Income Beyond Your Book, ft. Parchelle Tashi
Why are you writing your book? Whatever your reasons, your book should help you have a greater (hopefully, positive) impact on your readers and on the world…
- Nothing but the Words
127. Why Writing a Book Feels Too Hard & How to Change That
Writing a book requires effort, but it doesn't have to be the painful. It's not a chore. It's not another task on your to-do list. It's something you get to…
- Nothing but the Words
126. Write Your Book Faster with Writing Dates
Shortcuts and hacks will typically fail you, but if you want to write more consistently and finish your book faster, there are proven strategies that can help…
- Nothing but the Words
125. 3 Big Reasons Not to Use ChatGPT to Write Your Book
Anything that makes writing a book a little easier can be appealing, but shortcuts are rarely as good as they look. Using ChatGPT and similar software to write…
- Nothing but the Words
124. Writing a Book to Create Real Social Change
DEIB consultant and interior design expert Jessica Bantom was determined to write a book that would impact her industry in a positive way. With "Design for…
- Nothing but the Words
123. When and How to Get a Foreword for Your Book
Do you really need a foreword for your book? Need is a strong word, and not one that applies here. But for the right kinds of books, a strong foreword can make…
- Nothing but the Words
122. 3 Ways Coaches and Consultants Know They're Ready to Write a Book
The idea that everyone should write a book is a bit extreme, and let's face it, ridiculous, but if you want to grow your coaching or consulting a business…
- Nothing but the Words
121. Keep Your Promise to Your Readers, ft. Rachel Luna, author of "Permission to Offend"
What takes a book from good to great? Listen in as author and master coach Rachel Luna describes her journey from book proposal to book deal and from writing…
- Nothing but the Words
120. 3 Ways to Write Your Book Faster (And Make It Better)
Do you ever worry you might, somehow, end up writing a bad book? That thought used to terrify me, but you can easily ensure it doesn't happen to you. Discover…
- Nothing but the Words
119. Writing and Illustrating Children's Books, ft. author Kimberly Wyman
If you've been thinking you might just want to write a children's book, this episode with author-illustrator Kimberly Wyman, author of "Grow Love," is for you…
- Nothing but the Words
118. 15 Prompts to Defeat Writer's Block and Finish Your Book
If you ever get stuck in your writing, please know you're not the only one. Most authors experience some amount of writing block as they write. Some are so…
- Nothing but the Words
117. The Real Reason People Trust Your Expertise After You Write a Book
Why do you trust the person who wrote a book on a topic to know what they're talking about? Why do you see authors as experts? Probably for the same reasons…
- Nothing but the Words
116. When Writing Your Book Is Really All about You
It might sound selfish. It might go against everything you've been taught. But the truth is writing your book can't be all about your readers. Any project that…
- Nothing but the Words
115. What It’s Really Like to Have a Traditional Book Deal, ft. Miriam Schulman, Author of "Artpreneur"
Have you ever thought about pursuing a traditional book deal? Does the idea excite you, and maybe scare you just a little? In this episode, Miriam Schulman…
- Nothing but the Words
114. 4 Ways to Make Sure You Don't Give Up on Writing Your Book
Don't give up on your book! Writing a book is like any other goal that takes more than a few days to accomplish. It's really easy to slowly give up on it. This…
- Nothing but the Words
113. 6 Ways to Make Readers Fall in Love with Your Book
There's nothing worse than buying a book only to find it's a huge disappointment. Your readers deserve better, and as an author, you deserve to write and…
- Nothing but the Words
112. The Secret to Writing Your Book This Year
As we start a new year, you may have some regret about not finishing (or starting!) your book last year. But you can make this the year you write your book. In…
- Nothing but the Words
111. How Writing a Book Fits into Your Empire
Writing a book can feel like an all-consuming task, so much so that you start to forget where it fits into your larger purpose. Finally writing your book is…
- Nothing but the Words
110. How to Know When You're Finished Writing Your Book
Picture it. You've been writing away for months. (Even if you're just getting started on your book, imagine this moment.) You feel like you're done writing…
- Nothing but the Words
109. Are You Investing in or Sacrificing for Your Book?
If writing a book required nothing of you, everyone would do it. (Well, not everyone, but lots more people.) Your book demands certain things of you, of…
- Nothing but the Words
108. Ask for Help to Make Your Book a Success
If you don't feel comfortable asking for help, you're not the only one. But there are people in your life who would love to help you make your book a success…
- Nothing but the Words
107. Protect Your Writing Capacity
Like every resource you have, your writing capacity has its (current) limits. The good news is you can protect and even expand your capacity to write. Why does…
- Nothing but the Words
106. How Modesty Is Costing You Book Sales
If you're reluctant to talk about yourself and your achievements too often, you're not the only one. Most of us--especially those of us socialized as…
- Nothing but the Words
105. Write Your Book from a Place of Intention
No matter what kind of book you're writing, it doesn't have to be a source of stress and angst. In fact, you can choose the kind of writing experience you want…
- Nothing but the Words
104. The Real Benefit of Your Book
If you're worried about the impact your book might or might not have on your readers, put your worries aside. In this episode, you'll find out why your book is…
- Nothing but the Words
103. Dissect Your Book's Competition
Competition isn't quite the right word for other book's in your category or on a similar topic. After all, readers read. They buy multiple books on any given…
- Nothing but the Words
102. 3 Steps to Make Time to Write in Your Busy Life
When you've talked about writing a book for months or even years, not getting it done can make you feel guilty, embarrassed, or like you've failed. Some…
Nothing but the Words101. Getting Blurbs for Your Book
Whether you publish with a traditional publisher or you take the indie route, marketing your book will mostly be your responsibility. Getting other prominent…
Nothing but the Words100. 4 Ways to Live Your Purpose with Your Book
In this episode, discover what might be a new way to look at your life's purpose. (This perspective might take some of the pressure off you in your pursuit of…
Nothing but the Words99. Who's in Your Corner?
So many authors are introverts, but even the most introverted authors are best served when they stop trying to do it all alone. In this episode, discover why…
Nothing but the Words98. Accept It or Reject It
You know a great book when you read it. And you recognize books that, somehow, just don’t rise to the quality of anything you want to read or recommend…
Nothing but the Words97. Success Leaves Clues
In the first of a 3-part series, What Successful Authors Know, you'll discover a foundation of good book writing that too many aspiring authors resist. While…
Nothing but the Words96. Writing Through Your Anger
If you're like most humans, you get angry when you or someone you care about is mistreated. You get angry about the injustices in the world. You get angry for…
Nothing but the Words95. Build Your Feedback Resilience
What do you do when someone criticizes your writing? How do you react when someone says your idea for a book isn't that great or when someone leaves you a…
Nothing but the Words94. The Courage to Write Your Book
You can do all the prepping and planning, but sitting down to write your book can still be scary. It doesn't matter if you're writing a novel, a memoir, or a…
Nothing but the Words93. Get More Eyes on Your Book - Part 2
Promoting your book is a long game--at least it should be. You can start marketing your book well before it's published. But even if you didn't, it's never too…
Nothing but the Words92. Get More Eyes on Your Book
Discover 6 simple ways to attract more readers before and after you launch your book. Your book launch is important--and it's just one small moment in the…
Nothing but the Words91. Are You Really Ready to Write Your Book?
You can have the best book idea in the world. You can have a fantastic outline and plenty of time to write--and you can still not quite be ready to write your…