What’s really holding you back from landing that big book deal?

In this no-BS episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the most common mistakes aspiring authors make and how to avoid them. From hiding your ideas out of fear, to trying to do everything yourself, to staying stuck in analysis paralysis, Meghan calls it all out with hard-earned insight and humor.

You’ll learn why educating yourself, building a real platform, and getting expert help are non-negotiables in today’s publishing landscape. Whether you're dreaming of a traditional publishing deal or just want to finally write that book, this episode is a must-listen wake-up call.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(01:26) The harsh truths about traditional publishing
(02:26) Mistake #1: Going in blind
(03:51) Mistake #2: Hiding your idea from the world
(05:02) How to protect your intellectual property
(07:44) Mistake #3: Staying small = staying invisible
(10:21) Mistake #4: Doing everything yourself
(12:27) Buying back your time is smart business
(15:00) Leveraging help to land the book deal
(16:41) Rapid-fire recap of the 4 big mistakes
(20:38) Outro

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.