Beyond the Bestseller

In this engaging interview, Grace Salmon shares her extensive experience in writing, publishing, and marketing books across genres. She discusses her innovative Launchpad series, the evolution of self-publishing, and insights into storytelling, editing, and building a successful author career.

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

• The Launchpad Framework: Understanding the three distinct phases every author must conquer: writing, publishing, and marketing.
• Defining Success Early: Why you need to know your audience, market, and budget (both financial and emotional) before you even begin writing.
• The Power of Editing: Why multiple rounds of professional editing, beta readers, and street teams are absolutely essential for any book.
• Claiming Your Voice: How telling your own story prevents the intergenerational price of silence and builds true, authentic connection.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
• Connect with Grace Sammon: https://www.gracesammon.net
• Buy the Launchpad Series on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com
• Buy The Reliable Narrator on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Grace Sammon's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Maria Kyriakos, author of 'Work It: How to Rock Your Career Intentionally.' They discuss the importance of taking charge of one's career, the target audience for the book, and the challenges faced in corporate environments. Maria emphasizes the need for influential communication and provides tools for effective career management. The conversation also explores the decision-making process regarding staying in a job versus seeking new opportunities, ultimately empowering professionals to take control of their career paths.

 

Connect with Maria:

• Website: Leader Assist Executive Coaching
• Email: maria@leadership-assist.com
• Get the Course: Work It (Available at WORK IT! ONLINE COURSE)
• Buy the Book: Work It: How to Rock Your Career Intentionally on Amazon https://amzn.to/4uNLtd2

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Maria Kyriakos's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Dr. Lakila Bowden, author of The Sho'nuff Principle. They discuss the importance of self-care, self-promotion, and self-celebration for high-achieving women. Lakila shares insights on how to prioritize oneself, the significance of acknowledging accomplishments, and the true purpose behind writing a book. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to overcome guilt and embrace their achievements, while also exploring the dynamics of partnership and support in personal and professional life.

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

• The Power of Reality Curation: Understanding how your internal narrative actively shapes the external resources, people, and opportunities you attract.
• Overcoming the Guilt of Self-Care: Why high-achieving women struggle with rest and how to intentionally banish guilt to reclaim your superpower.
• The 5-5-5 Reward System: A simple, actionable framework to celebrate your micro-achievements in 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days.
• Learning to "Brag More": How authentic self-promotion amplifies your impact and ensures you actually feel as accomplished as you are.
• Writing for Impact Over Lists: Shift your perspective from chasing bestseller metrics to focusing on deep, organic reader connection.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Purchase the book, The Sho'nuff Principle, on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dXZSw6
• Connect with Dr. LaKela Bowden on her website: Lakila Bowden – Teaching Women to Rest, Rise, and Celebrate Out Loud
• Connect with Dr. LaKela Bowden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakilabowden

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Dr. LaKela Bowden's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Jaclyn Strominger, author of 'Charting True North, the CEO's Guide to Authentistic Leadership.' They discuss the concept of authentic leadership, the importance of aligning personal and company values, and the process of writing a leadership series. Jaclyn shares insights on the collaborative writing process with her co-author, the significance of mentorship in leadership, and the balance between natural and learned leadership skills. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to reflect on their mission and values to foster a positive and productive work environment.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Purchase Jaclyn's Book: Charting True North: The CEO's Guide to Authentistic Leadership on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4o4yrFh
• Jaclyn Strominger's Website: https://www.leaptoyoursuccess.com
• Connect with Jaclyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynstrominger
• Jaclyn's Podcast: Unstoppable Success
• Books Mentioned: Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Jaclyn's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Bernice McDonald, author of the Little Books of Courage series. They discuss the journey of writing, the importance of courage in women's lives, and how to confront and humanize fear. Bernice shares her insights on self-identity, the impact of societal expectations, and the significance of knowing oneself. The conversation also touches on the purpose of writing beyond commercial success, emphasizing personal growth and empowerment.

Connect with Bernice MacDonald:

• Visit Bernice's Website: https://www.tinybravesteps.com
• Try the AI-Powered Tool: https://www.tinybravesteps.com (Access the free Tiny Brave Steps Generator directly on her homepage)
• Find Bernice’s Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dZPeES

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Bernice's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Camille Miller, author of the Ultimate Guide to Soul Professional Success series. They discuss the journey of creating a soul-aligned business, the signs of misalignment in one's career, and the importance of legacy. Camille shares insights on how to transition into a fulfilling career, the significance of being intentional about one's legacy, and the mission behind her books. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, personal growth, and heart-centered leadership in today's entrepreneurial landscape.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The Trilogy Roadmap: How Camille knew from day one that her message required a three-book series, and how she mapped out the distinct stages: Creating a Soul Aligned Business, Becoming a Successful Soul Professional, and Leaving Your Legacy.
• The Lottery Test: The simple, eye-opening question you need to ask yourself to see if your current career is truly aligned with your purpose.
• Scaling on Your Own Terms: Navigating the messy middle of business growth, avoiding expensive marketing traps, and automating systems so you can work less and make more.
• Intention and the Ripple Effect: Why legacy isn't something you think about only at the end of your life—it is something you actively build through your brand every single day.
• Testing Your Next Book Concept: How Camille uses Substack to share essays from her upcoming fourth book, The Rise of the Soul Professional, to test reader reactions in real time.

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Purchase Camille Miller's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/43aAJt6 (The Ultimate Guide to Soul Professional Success Series)

• Camille L. Miller's Official Website: https://www.soulprofessional.com
• Connect with Camille on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-l-miller
• Follow Camille's Substack: https://camillelmiller.substack.com
• Mentioned Book: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Camille Miller's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Amy Dickens, author of '101 Ways to Spread Joy.' Amy shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges and finding joy through small acts of kindness. The conversation explores the importance of positivity, community, and the ripple effect of spreading joy to others. Amy discusses the design and publishing process of her book, emphasizing the accessibility of self-publishing and the impact of sharing one's story. The episode concludes with a reflection on the deeper purpose behind writing and the potential to inspire change in others.

Connect with Today’s Guest:

• Free Gift: Get the first 10 pages of Amy’s book for free at https://livejoyfullyyou.com
• Social Media: Follow Amy on all platforms at https://instagram.com/theamydickens
• Purchase the Book: Grab your full-color copy of 101 Ways to Spread Joy on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4g1uFKO

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Amy Dickens's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Adriana Vaccaro, author of 'Culture Minded'. They discuss the importance of organizational culture, the writing process behind the book, and how personal stories can enhance the understanding of culture in the workplace. Adriana shares a success story of a client who transformed their organizational culture and emphasizes the need for intentionality in culture work. The conversation also touches on the significance of core values, measuring culture, and the ethical considerations of employee surveys. Adriana concludes by sharing her purpose in writing the book and how it has led to new opportunities for her business.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Adriana transitioned from a "statistics-first" mindset to using storytelling to connect with readers.
• Why culture is actually your company’s "autopilot" and how to be intentional about it.
• The truth about "anonymous" employee surveys and how to handle culture measurement ethically.
• How Adriana turned her book into a diversified business model with certifications, assessments, and cohorts.
• Practical ways for small business owners to start "culture work" through service delivery and client satisfaction tracking.

Connect with Adriana Vaccaro:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianavaccaro/
• Website: https://cultureredesign.com
• Book Portal & Resources: https://culture.minded
• Purchase the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5M7Y3Z4 (Culture Minded: Six Tools to Transform Organizational Culture and Empower Humanity)

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Adriana Vaccaro's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.