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What really makes a book a bestseller, and is the famous “blueprint” worth following?

In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson breaks down what entrepreneurs need to understand about bestselling books, platform growth, and the publishing machine behind major author success. Using Mel Robbins, James Clear, and other big self-help names as examples, Meghan explains why simple ideas, wide audience appeal, and massive platforms often drive bestseller momentum.

She also looks at the darker side of influence, including parasocial relationships, copycat strategies, and the line between learning from others and losing your own integrity. This episode is especially useful for entrepreneurs, experts, and creators who want to publish a meaningful book without feeling pressured to chase trends or copy someone else’s path.

The big reminder: You do not need a New York Times bestseller badge to write a book that matters. You need clarity, purpose, and a publishing path that actually fits you.

Read the Atlantic article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/04/let-them-mel-robbins-cassie-phillips/686840/.
Watch journalist Scott Carney’s YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VFa7AVis7E.

Episode Highlights:
(1:24) Why Mel Robbins Is the Case Study
(2:02) How James Clear Reverse Engineered Success
(2:42) Platform Matters More Than Content Alone
(3:27) Mel Robbins’ Publishing Path
(4:48) Finding a Broad but Specific Niche
(5:48) Influencers, Trust, and Parasocial Relationships
(7:32) Bestseller Dreams Without Losing Integrity
(8:28) The Let Them Theory Controversy
(9:24) Copying, Learning, and Bestseller Strategy
(10:42) Bestseller Lists Are Not the Only Impact
(11:37) How to Start Your Publishing Journey

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 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.

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A six-figure book deal sounds exciting, but the real story is more honest and more useful than a big number. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson explains what entrepreneurs, experts, and creators need to understand about traditional publishing advances, literary agents, and the real value of a book deal.

Meghan breaks down why publishing is a reputation-based business, why many agents aim for deals of $100,000 or more, and why not every strong proposal lands a massive advance. She shares how market timing, editor interest, competition, and the economy can all affect what a publisher offers. She also explains her 3P Framework™: potential, platform, and proposal, and why those are the pieces authors can actually control.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer view of what book advances mean, why lower upfront money does not always mean a weaker book opportunity, and how traditional publishing can create long-term visibility, credibility, speaking opportunities, and business growth.

Meghan’s episode about money in publishing can be found at https://www.meghanstevenson.com/podcast/episode-14.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:24) Why six figures became the goal
(2:45) How literary agents make money
(3:13) Publishing as a business model
(5:03) Common book deal advance ranges
(6:53) The 3P framework for authors
(7:41) Why publishing mirrors real estate
(9:17) Best deal does not mean biggest deal
(10:17) Why lower advances still matter
(11:25) Books as business growth tools
(13:22) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

What if the book deal you want depends less on your idea and more on the business you build around it?

In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson sits down with Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, founder of 7-Figure Educator™ and forthcoming author of 7-Figure Educator™. Erica shares the real journey behind preparing for a traditional publishing deal, from hearing the hard truth about audience size to spending two years growing her platform with strategy, consistency, and data.

She explains why social media growth is not about vanity metrics, but about learning what your audience needs and proving you can sell your message. Erica also opens up about building the team, systems, and support needed to write a book while running a multiple seven-figure business. This episode is a grounded look at authorship, entrepreneurship, visibility, and why expert support can make the publishing process smoother, stronger, and more strategic.

Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas is the CEO and Founder of 7-Figure Educator™, a business development company shifting power in education and closing the racial wealth gap by equipping high-performing educators to build 7-figure consulting businesses. Through her programs, she’s worked with over 20,000 educators nationwide. Her clients earn an average of $92,000 in annual business revenue outside their 9-to-5s, 42% more than the average teacher’s salary.

A former math teacher and school principal, Dr. Erica holds degrees from The Ohio State University, Relay Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she earned her doctorate. She’s also a real estate investor and CEO of Emma & Easter Realty Group, and the forthcoming Hay House author of 7-Figure Educator: Turn Your Experience as an Educator Into Income, Impact, and Freedom, available everywhere books are sold on June 16, 2026.

Find Dr. Jordan-Thomas on social
https://www.instagram.com/e_jordanthomas/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drericajordanthomas/

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:34) Meet Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas
(3:00) Starting the publishing journey in 2022
(4:21) Getting direct feedback on audience growth
(6:24) Why platform size matters to publishers
(9:25) Building a strategic social media presence
(11:25) Hiring support without losing your voice
(14:41) Preparing the business to write a book
(20:06) Using time, joy, and revenue as filters
(25:45) Balancing manuscript deadlines and live events
(35:47) Finding the right literary agent
(39:14) Why New York Times bestseller matters
(42:39) Investing in a serious book launch
(48:20) The best advice for growing an audience
(51:26) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

Stop writing the book before you build the platform. In this fiery episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs, experts, and creators make when trying to land a traditional publishing deal: writing the entire manuscript too soon.

Meghan explains that prescriptive nonfiction, including self-help, business, leadership, money, parenting, health, and how-to books, is usually sold through a book proposal, not a finished manuscript. She shares the story of Paul, a business consultant who had strong expertise and a solid book idea but was focusing on the wrong thing. His issue was not the manuscript. It was his author platform.

This episode helps listeners understand why traditional publishing is a business, why audience matters, and why the ability to sell books can be just as important as the idea itself. For anyone dreaming of a traditional book deal, Megan’s advice is clear: pause the manuscript, build your platform, strengthen your audience, and create the foundation that makes publishers want to say yes.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:31) You do not need to write the book
(2:52) Why writing first gets in the way
(3:05) Book proposals sell prescriptive nonfiction
(3:34) The common writer’s group mistake
(4:25) Why author platform matters most
(5:28) Completed manuscripts often go nowhere
(6:41) The real gap before a book deal
(8:24) Platform work builds bigger impact
(9:13) Focus on the three Ps
(10:33) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

What if the biggest risk is letting other people define success for you?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson sits down with Amy Smilovic, founder of Tibi and author of Almost Reckless, to talk about building a life and business that feels true to you. Amy shares how chasing outside markers like money, status, and industry approval can leave you deeply unhappy, even when things look successful on paper. Instead, she explains why contentment comes from three things: agency, shared mindset, and doing work that lets you be creatively at your best.

This conversation is a strong reminder that success is personal. Amy breaks down why your best decisions come from knowing your own principles, not blindly following someone else’s playbook. She also talks about the value of being present in every stage of life, because even small jobs and ordinary experiences can become the “dots” that shape your future. For listeners building a business, writing a book, or trying to carve their own path, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for defining success on your own terms and having the courage to pursue it.

This week’s guest is Amy Smilovic. Amy is an author, founder, and creative director. Born in the American Midwest, raised in the South, she moved to New York City and Hong Kong after college. In 1997, she founded the designer clothing brand Tibi, where she is the Creative Director. Tibi has grown to be America’s longest standing independently owned women’s designer brand, something Amy is intensely proud of.

Amy said, “I built this business with an incredible team that looks like a veritable UN Assembly. I have no doubt this fact has played a role in our success — not the optics of it, but that the composition of our team has always forced us to be very clear in our communications and work through the discourse that arises with varied points of view. And if I’m honest, the team’s shared mindset — exhibited every day in their work ethic and their willingness to take risks — is, in my opinion, the result of a through line that runs through our respective experiences.”

Find Amy at amysmilovic.com.

Find Amy on social
instagram.com/amysmilovic
instagram.com/tibi

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:23) Meet Amy Smilovic and her new book
(2:35) Why she decided to write it
(4:00) Who Almost Reckless is for
(6:31) What contentment really means
(8:25) Defining success for yourself
(10:50) Why following others can mislead you
(13:03) The three principles behind real contentment
(18:25) Collecting the dots of your life
(24:21) Turning personal story into practical lessons
(29:20) Building your “reckless resume”
(41:32) Why thoughtful people connect with this message
(45:47) You are your own algorithm
(48:38) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

What actually makes a publisher say yes to a book deal? In this episode, Meghan Stevenson breaks down the real thinking behind successful traditional publishing deals through her 3P framework: potential, platform, and proposal. She explains that a strong book idea is not enough on its own. It also has to fit the market, reach the right audience, and be presented in a way that answers a publisher’s biggest concerns before they even ask.

One of the biggest takeaways is that platform is more than follower count. Meghan shows why audience trust, engagement, and clear messaging matter just as much as visibility. She also explains how a proposal can make or break a deal, especially when it anticipates objections and proves the book can sell.

This episode is especially useful for entrepreneurs, creators, and experts who want a traditional book deal. It gives listeners a clearer picture of why some books get rejected, why some advances are bigger than others, and what they can do now to improve their chances of success.

Listen to Meghan’s 3P framework episode at https://www.meghanstevenson.com/podcast/episode-4

Leave Meghan a voicemail at https://telbee.io/channel/qe1lgsl0yrjbrcj-xcb3pa/

Send Meghan an email with your questions at meghan@meghanstevensonbooks.com

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:31) Real book deal numbers and what they show
(2:17) How the 3P framework drives results
(3:24) What makes a book idea marketable
(4:18) Why crowded categories can hurt potential
(5:53) Why platform matters more than followers
(7:14) How content builds frameworks and clarity
(9:16) Why advances depend on platform and sales potential
(11:01) How strong proposals win publisher interest
(12:55) Anticipating objections inside the proposal
(14:08) What usually goes wrong in the 20 percent
(16:01) Can they get a deal soon or later
(17:39) When even strong proposals still do not sell
(19:38) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

What if the biggest value of your book has nothing to do with book sales alone?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson explains why a book is more than a product. It is intellectual property, and that changes the way entrepreneurs should think about publishing. She breaks down the hidden advantages of traditional publishing, especially for experts, creators, and business owners who want their book to reach more people and create more long-term opportunities.

One of the biggest takeaways is that traditional publishing offers wider distribution, which gives your book a better chance of landing in bookstores, airport shops, and places beyond Amazon. Megan also highlights subsidiary rights, like international editions, magazine excerpts, and even film or TV adaptations. These rights can create added income, more visibility, and a bigger platform for your message.

This episode is especially useful for anyone deciding between self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. It gives listeners a clearer understanding of what they may gain or give up with each path, so they can make a smarter and more aligned decision.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:11) The Rich AF example and why it matters
(2:13) What entrepreneurs give up outside traditional publishing
(4:13) Two major reasons traditional publishing stands out
(4:25) Why distribution gives books a bigger reach
(5:19) What subsidiary rights actually mean
(5:43) International rights and how authors earn from them
(6:52) First and second serial rights explained
(7:49) TV and film rights and when they happen
(8:31) Why rights are only valuable if the book has reach
(9:16) Real example of world rights sold fast
(9:33) Final advice for choosing the right publishing path
(10:07) Outro

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when years of hard-earned expertise finally become a book that can help thousands of people at once?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson talks with employment lawyer Daphne Delvaux about building a platform, landing a traditional book deal, and turning deep expertise into something practical, clear, and useful. Daphne shares how she grew her audience by speaking in a real voice, testing ideas online, and refusing to sound like everyone else. She also explains why her book, Moms in Labor, matters so much, especially for mothers trying to understand their rights at work.

One of the biggest takeaways is that strong content does not come from sounding polished and safe. It comes from telling the truth in a way people can feel. This is a great listen for entrepreneurs, authors, and experts who want to grow their platform, share what they know, and build something that lasts.

Daphne Delvaux, Esq. is an employment lawyer and trial attorney. She is the Founder of Delvaux Law, the nation’s first and only law firm devoted to mothers’ rights at work. She has been graced with the prestigious Outstanding Trial Lawyer award, elected by her peers.

Daphne is also the creator of the Mamattorney, a platform on a mission to educate mothers on their rights at work and teach them how to advocate for their needs, including extended maternity leaves, financial benefits, telework, flexibility, more breaks, pumping protections, and more, all without sacrificing their career goals. As the only employment lawyer in the motherhood space, Daphne is routinely seen as THE expert on maternal rights.

Daphne offers The Portal through Liberated Mother Society, a membership with attorney-drafted HR scripts plus 1:1 support.

Her mission as a “love lawyer” is to protect the mother-baby bond, help mothers maximize time off, and confidently seek the accommodations they need. She reminds moms that their baby’s needs come first, and that motherhood is a superpower, not something to hide.

Find Daphne on social
https://www.instagram.com/themamattorney/
https://www.facebook.com/themamattorney

Find Daphne’s “Bundle of Joy” freebie at https://www.themamattorney.com/book/.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:33) Meet Daphne and her book mission
(4:38) Why she started posting online
(7:35) How real content builds trust
(14:24) Why she hired experts for the book
(23:18) Publisher pushback and proving demand
(30:24) Helping mothers and employers work better
(40:15) Why books change your business model
(49:01) Daphne’s advice for growing an audience
(55:57) Outro

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 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.