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

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• 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.

What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial truths of traditional publishing, answering listener Becky’s smart questions about advances, royalties, taxes, and startup costs. From the real cost of writing a book proposal What if your book deal didn’t pay you the way you expected, but still made you rich in other ways? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the financial truths of traditional publishing, answering listener Becky’s smart questions about advances, royalties, taxes, and startup costs. From the real cost of writing a book proposal.

You’ll learn why writing a book is less about immediate profit and more about long-term ROI, like doubling your mastermind rates, landing speaking gigs, or scaling your brand. Plus, Meghan explains how tax structures (S Corp vs. sole prop) can affect your take-home income, and why your literary agent and collaborator will get paid before you do.

Whether you dream of a bestseller or a business-boosting book, this episode pulls back the curtain on the numbers that matter.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:25) Do you have to pay taxes on your advance?
(6:39) Why your advance might net $0
(8:25) How much to save before publishing
(12:01) Average advances and what’s left
(14:20) Where the real ROI actually comes
(15:34) Will your book actually sell?
(17:00) Do you repay the advance if you flop?
(19:03) Royalties explained with simple math
(21:15) Don’t let taxes stop your dream
(22:19) Where to ask your publishing questions
(22:29) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• 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.

What if your “impossible” dream isn’t so impossible after all?

In this powerful episode, publishing strategist Meghan Stevenson sits down with Jamila Souffrant, host of Journey to Launch and author of Your Journey to Financial Freedom, to unpack how Jamila turned a personal blog into a multiple six-figure book deal. Jamila shares how she started from scratch, built a loyal podcast audience, and stayed rooted in her financial values while navigating traditional publishing. From overcoming imposter syndrome to deciding whether to write a book proposal herself, she reveals the exact mindset, strategy, and support that helped her succeed.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered how to package your message, land a major publishing deal, or stay grounded when the pressure hits. You’ll hear honest insights on growth, vulnerability, and building your own version of a “guac level” lifestyle, on your terms.

Whether you’re starting at zero or already growing your platform, this conversation will leave you both inspired and equipped.

Jamila Souffrant is the author of Your Journey To Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Wealth and Happiness and the host of the Journey To Launch podcast. She is a go-to thought leader in the personal finance field and her work has been featured in BuzzFeed, ESSENCE, Refinery 29, Money Magazine, CNBC, CBS, Business Insider and more. The Journey To Launch Podcast has over 4+ million total downloads and was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money. Jamila and her husband saved $169,000 in two years and is also a mother of three young children and lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Find her at:
Website: www.journeytolaunch.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/journeytolaunch/
X: x.com/journeytolaunch/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@journeytolaunch
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamilasouffrant/

Her book is available at yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com/
The Journey to Launch podcast is available on Apple Podcasts at itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-launch-personal-finance-early-retirement/id1257126028?mt=2

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Jamila’s Journey: From Blog to Book
(2:51) Why She Started Journey to Launch
(6:43) Slow Growth and True Com

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• 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.