Are you a self-published author, pouring your heart and soul into your book only to face the heartbreak of returns? Picture this: a cautionary tale of a publisher forced to pay back royalties on a staggering 25,000 returned copies. The publishing industry is like a consignment store, where that initial sale to a bookstore is just the beginning of a…

In this riveting episode of The Ingenium Books Podcast, author Ivan Scott defies the odds as he shares his journey through more than 300 rejections from traditional publishers, overcoming dyslexia, and achieving his dreams. With his mantra of "find a way or find an excuse," Ivan's story and positive attitude will inspire you no matter what obstacle…

Author Kathy Wagner (no relation to the hosts) shares her journey to a traditional publishing offer, revealing the challenges of gaining media attention and recognition for her memoir, along with the joy of achieving what she had set out to do. Kathy's story shows us the value of perseverance, and teaches us that there is virtually no path to publi…

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by your lack of book sales, despite your efforts to utilize email marketing, then you are not alone. Many authors find themselves stuck in a cycle of sending out newsletters, freebies, and promotional emails, only to see minimal results. Instead of seeing increased book sales and stronger connections wit…

Do you aspire to be a TEDx speaker? Are you eager to achieve the desired outcome of becoming a captivating presenter on the TEDx stage? Look no further. In this episode, our esteemed guest, Ingenium Books' author Marjorie Aunos, shares her invaluable insights on how to navigate the process of becoming a TEDx speaker. With her expertise, you can unl…

Join us as we delve into the world of book launch events with author Colleen Clark. Discover the secrets to creating a successful and impactful event, filled with symbolism, intention, and collaboration. Don't miss this story of the book launch event to top all book launch events. I've always been aware that we can't do things on our own. This book…

So, you've written the first draft of your book? Yay! Congratulations! But...does that mean it's ready to go to your editor? Does that mean it's ready for publishing? NO! On this episode we're talking about your first round of self-editing, and we're going to lay out a process and an approach to help you get from here to there. I'm with Amie McCrac…

Are you prepared to challenge how you think about your writer's voice? If you think, as I did before this podcast interview, that your writer's voice is mainly how your personality shows through, you're in for a surprise. It's true that our "writing voice" is how we "sound" in our writing, or the persona your reader detects as they read your words.…

Join us as David Morris, an independent publisher, shares his insights on the importance of understanding sales data and effectively communicating it to authors. But what happens when an author receives unexpected sales feedback that leaves them questioning their future in the industry? Find out in this episode of The Ingenium Books Podcast. "In th…

In a world where indie authors often face countless rejections, one woman dared to dream differently. Andrea Wehlann, a yoga teacher and author, developed an ingenious way to infiltrate the elusive world of bookstores. To date, she's held book signings or other book-related events at a whopping ten bookstores! But it wasn't just her enchanting word…

Meet Corrina Grace, the changemaker who, we believe, has shattered the mold. From her early career as an engineer in Australia, to founder of a Central American nonprofit organization called Seres, Corrina’s passion for climate justice took her on an unexpected journey — to Guatemala, where she had a realization that changemaking had become elitist…

Are you struggling to get media coverage to promote your books and grow your author platform? When you do get the coverage, are you frustrated by media interviews that don't generate the traction you want? We've brought in internationally recognized, award winning public relations expert Tracy Lamourie to help you crack the media code and establish…

Have you ever heard these myths about writing for the page versus writing for the screen? Myth number one: All you have to do is adapt your novel into a screenplay. Myth number two: Screenwriting is easier because you don't have to worry about descriptions or internal thoughts. And myth number three: Writing for the page requires more creativity th…

In this episode, Jane Friedman shares valuable advice on publishing and marketing for authors. Discover how to find your book buying audience, plan successful book launches, and the role of literary agents. But what happens when an author engages a non-book buying audience? Find out in this episode... In this second of a two-part interview, we welc…

Have you heard these myths about the impact of AI on the publishing industry? Myth #1: AI will replace authors, leaving them without a job. Myth #2: AI-generated content will flood the market, making it difficult for publishers to stand out. Myth #3: AI will eliminate the need for human creativity in writing. Join us in this episode as we debunk th…

In the tumultuous journey of book launching, Yvonne Caputo's path took an unexpected turn. As she poured her heart into her 2nd book, Dying with Dad, little did she know that her marketing strategies would lead her down a captivating and unforeseen path. With the help of Ingenium Books, Yvonne discovered the power of podcasts, Facebook groups, and …

Do you want your listeners to be fully immersed in your audiobooks? Do you want them to experience the emotions of the story on a deeper level? We have the solution for you. In this episode, John Wagner-Stafford will be sharing his expertise on how to create dramatized audiobooks with original music and sound effects. The result is improved emotion…

Ingenium Books is back with another podcast episode, discussing the challenge of finding time to write and be creative. But what happens when you prioritize the wrong things and forget about your own self-care? Join hosts Boni and John Wagner Stafford as they share their personal morning habits that have transformed their energy levels, focus, and …

Dr. Jack Rocco confronts the complexities of adoption and its aftermath through his compelling memoir, Recycled, aiming to understand and accept the irregularities of his life while urging society to rethink how we approach each adoption case. Do you long for a deeper understanding of yourself and your past? Are you an adoptee struggling to process…

Join us as we delve into the anatomy of a Wall Street Journal bestseller campaign with publisher Boni Wagner-Stafford and publishing manager Nancy Cavillones. Discover the strategy and hard work involved in achieving this prestigious milestone for authors. In this episode, you will: Learn the insider secrets to becoming a Wall Street Journal Bestse…

Are you tired of feeling like your writing is falling flat? Have you been told to show, don't tell without ever really understanding what that means or how to do it effectively? If so, you're not alone. Do you want to take your writing to the next level with a perfect balance of showing and telling? Look no further! Marie Beswick-Arthur and Amie Mc…

Dr. Peter Silverstone's quest to revolutionize mental health treatment took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a shocking discovery. The implications are mind-blowing, and the future of mental health therapy may never be the same. But what did he find? There is real potential, there is real hope, there is real optimism. Our special guest is D…

Authors, are you tired of hearing these myths about launching your book? Myth #1: Launching a book is a one-time event. Myth #2: It's best to focus solely on writing and worry about marketing later. Myth #3: Preparing the market takes too much time and effort. Well, get ready to debunk these misconceptions, because John & Boni Wagner-Stafford of In…

First up, it's a new season and a new name! Boni and John discuss the reasons for the name change from The Empowered Author Podcast to the Ingenium Books Podcast. Then we dive in to the wonderful ways to find passion and purpose in publishing. Are you tired of being told to just keep writing more books, without any real progress in your pursuit of …

The sell sheet is a tool that helps retailers see how your book can help them reach, engage and satisfy their customers. The sell sheet can help us achieve our goals for sales, reviews and promotion but it is also a powerful tool for working with retailers and buyers. As authors, we are often reluctant to talk up our books, and ourselves. Sell shee…

It could be said that an author's work is never done—even after the book is written and published. Marketing the book is an ongoing endeavour. On this episode we talk about how mindset can either help or hinder your efforts. Your book marketing mindset can either help you achieve your goals or forever keep you playing small. You choose. Our guest i…

Money, money, money: it’s always about money. Whether you’re at the beginning of your author journey, in the middle of it or at the other end and you’re selling books like hotcakes, you’ve got to deal with the money. So we are talking money stuff today and thrilled to have with us, Mark Leslie Lefebvre and D.F. Hart – or Deanna Hart. Support the sh…

As an author, it doesn’t take very long after you’ve published your book – and sometimes even before you’ve published your book – before you are going to be required to speak in front of an audience. Now that audience may be live, although much less so during the days of COVID. But virtual, it may be with video; it may be audio only; it may be pers…

Traditional publishers are all looking for the same thing as they consider which authors and books to take on: a solid manuscript, a unique approach and clear audience, and an author with a platform. As indie authors, the conventional wisdom is that you also want to have an author platform.... the bigger the better. But what if that advice doesn't …

There's a really good reason that traditional and hybrid publishers leave plenty of time between the book being finished and the actual publish date: and that's to give launch marketing and street team efforts sometime to work in your favour. There are all kinds of things you can do, as an author, to give your book the best chance of making a splas…

Writing a book is often a solitary venture. Some might even say it can be lonely. It doesn’t have to be, though. Teaming up with another author can make for a better book. It can even change history: just look at how Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward brought down a president with their coverage of and subsequent book about the Watergate scandal in Al…

If you're an author, or you're working toward becoming an author, you can't get very far down the road before you encounter publishing contracts. Perhaps your eyes glaze over and you just sign what's in front of you, or your anxiety goes through the roof as you try to read and understand the legal language. There are some key concepts it pays to be…

No doubt you’ve heard, by now, about the legal dispute between Dawn Dorland and Sonya Larson, brought to light by a recent New York Times article titled “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?”, written by Robert Kolker and published in October of 2021 in The New York Times Magazine. This case begs the question: how much can we draw from our own life, and the …

When it comes to social media, authors are no different from anyone else: if we want to raise awareness and engage in conversations with new people and new networks, we probably want to be active on social media. But what do you do on social media? What do you say? Do you create posts using a carefully crafted persona? Or you do adhere to a rigorou…

What if there was a way for you to help more readers discover your book? To determine whether your book will help them, whether that's by entertaining them, exposing them to new experiences or ideas, showing them how to do something new, or otherwise to enrich their lives. Wouldn't that be great? Well, there IS just such a way. It isn't necessarily…

Boni and John from Ingenium Books discuss a relatively new trend in publishing: hybrid or partnership publishing. Actually, hybrid publishing has been around for a long time: it's been a model selectively employed by traditional publishers in certain cases. What is it? What are the benefits? Is it right for you? What about industry standards? Suppo…

We are here today to talk about something that might trip one or two authors up every now and again, certainly at the beginning of their journey into being an author and that is point of view or POV. And related to that is the narrator's psychological distance. I am joined by Amie McCracken. And Amie is one of the fabulous people that we have worki…

Let’s debunk some of the most pervasive myths and look at the top ten publishing lies told to indie authors. If you’re a novice to publishing, you’ve probably already come across a ton of conflicting information. A big reason for this is that the publishing landscape has changed immensely in the past decade or two and what was true for an author wh…

Book titles. Who hasn't spent hours... days! months! working on just the right book title? What's the purpose of your book title? Why does it matter? What if someone else has published a book with the same or similar title? That's what we're talking about today... with guest Stephanie Feger of emPowerPR, where she helps nonfiction authors with mark…

The intersection of money and authors is littered with confusing road signs and paved with uncertainty. Well beyond "how much can I earn once my book is published' the issue of money and authors is something we must all address and make sure we're in the right lane for where we're headed with each of our books. Today I'm happy to welcome Roseanne C…

It's a common English idiom and I'm sure you've heard it: You can't judge a book by its cover. This metaphorical phrase means you can't always tell the value of something only by what it looks like on the outside. EXCEPT if we're talking about books. People DO judge a book by its cover all the time. And with good reason. That's what we're digging i…

It’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so back to square one they go for a total rewrite. What's your approach when this happens to you? You might think you have only two choices here: pantsing, which i…

You’re likely familiar with the term “safe harbor.” Figuratively, it’s any place or situation that offers refuge or protection. Literally, it’s a harbor where ships can stay safe—whether from a storm, or pirates or during war. What about “Leaving the Safe Harbor?” Why would we DO that??? Our guest today knows a thing or two about leaving the safe h…

Audiobooks have been gaining steadily in popularity, which means every author should be asking themselves: is producing an audiobook right for me? And if the answer is yes, how? Do I narrate myself? Do I set up a home studio? All the considerations are explored in this episode. I have the pleasure now of introducing the better half of Ingenium Book…

There's nothing quite as exciting for an author as the prospect of the book they've been writing and working so hard on finally being published. And then there's nothing quite as daunting as the book launch. In particular, for first-timers. We're digging into the book launch today with Tara Alemany, who is a multi-award-winning author and the publi…

Writing, publishing, and marketing a book is a big project, with lots of moving parts. Regardless of publishing model, there are costs involved: editing, layout and design, metadata research and preparation, and never mind all the marketing activities that go into building, cultivating, and leveraging a platform. One possible way to get some of tho…

Every author was a reader first. And this love of reading is commonly cultivated as children. Children who read become adults to write... but more than that, they become adults who think, lead, innovate, and contribute. Writing books for children has many things in common with writing books for any other age group, but there are differences, too. T…

Have you heard the myths surrounding royalties in book publishing? As an indie author, it's important to know the truth in order to optimize your earnings. Myth #1: Traditional publishers offer higher royalties than hybrid publishers or by self-publishing. Myth #2: Royalties are set in stone and non-negotiable. Myth #3: Royalties are calculated bas…

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An author's manuscript development process can be as unique as their DNA—and while you can certainly find lots of advice online about the quote-unquote "best" way to develop your story, as an author you must find what works for you. Which will likely be different based on whether you write fiction or nonfiction. We're talking today with a fiction a…