What does it really take to land a traditional book deal and is it even worth the leap from self-publishing? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson answers a common question from listener DeShanna, an educator with three self-published books who’s eager to break into traditional publishing.

What if the very thing holding you back from a traditional book deal isn’t your writing, but your platform? In this episode, Meghan sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon to unpack the highs and lows of her author journey. From countless rejections to finally landing a deal for The Creativity Leap, Natalie reveals the grit, courage, and community support it took to get there.

What separates the dreamers from the authors with a big book deal? In this real talk episode, Meghan Stevenson pulls no punches. She shares the uncomfortable truth behind traditional publishing success rates and the one thing that determines who makes it and who doesn’t: alignment. If you’re an entrepreneur hoping to land a publishing contract, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you decide if the traditional path is really right for you.

In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast, Meghan tackles the question: Is there a magic number for your author platform? Discover what a modern, successful author platform really looks like today, why it’s deeply personal to each nonfiction author, and how to tailor yours for maximum impact.

Denise Duffield-Thomas speaks with Meghan in this episode about her journey from self-publishing her first book to landing a traditional book deal with Hay House. She also speaks about why a book should be a part of your marketing funnel and not your main income stream, the power of mentorship, and letting go of perfection.

In this no-BS episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast, Meghan Stevenson reveals the most common mistakes aspiring authors make on the road to securing a traditional publishing deal and how to avoid them. Discover why educating yourself about the publishing industry, building a genuine and impactful author platform, and seeking guidance from true publishing experts are non-negotiables in today’s competitive nonfiction market.

Listener Becky had questions about book advances, and Meghan answers. From how advances work and who gets paid when to why long-term ROI is really what you want to look at, you’ll gain a clear understanding of book-proposal numbers and how to navigate advances to maximize your nonfiction publishing success.

In this episode Meghan speaks with Jamila Souffrant about her inspiring journey from starting a personal blog to landing a multiple six-figure traditional book deal. Jamila shares how she built her author platform from the ground up, strategically attracting literary agents and publishers while staying true to her core values and message. You’ll discover practical strategies for creating a powerful author platform that reflects your vision and positions you for nonfiction publishing success with major publishers.

Dive deeper into the power of your author platform. Meghan explains why your author platform is just as critical to landing a traditional book deal as your book idea itself. She also talks about the three common business models that shape successful nonfiction author platforms and how to build your own in a way that aligns with your brand.

In this episode Meghan gets real about why so much common publishing advice doesn’t actually help you land a traditional book deal. Instead, she reveals what does work to move you closer to securing a lucrative nonfiction publishing contract. She explains why partnering with true publishing specialists matters and how doing thorough due diligence before investing your time, energy, or money can protect your momentum and increase your odds of success.

Meghan speaks with Elaine Lin Hering, author of Unlearning Silence, on her nine-year journey to publishing her book with Penguin Random House. Hear how she found the spark of her idea, what held her back, why she went from doomscrolling to taking action and the highs and lows of traditional publishing.

In this episode, Meghan shares the truth of bestseller lists, from skewed numbers to curated categories. Learn what the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon use to make their lists, why some successful books never make a list and how becoming a backlist bestseller is a fantastic goal. With insights from Meghan, discover how understanding bestseller lists can help you set realistic publishing goals and navigate the path to securing your own traditional book deal.

Meghan clarifies that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to publishing your nonfiction book in this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast. This episode will help you discover what will best fit your goals best. Meghan explains the three main publishing options: self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing, including the pros and cons of each.

Writing a nonfiction book proposal can feel overwhelming, but in this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast, Meghan explains why a strong proposal is the foundation of landing a traditional publishing deal. Meghan breaks down why most authors shouldn’t write them alone and the key elements every successful proposal needs, from compelling business sections that prove your book’s marketability to polished editorial sections that showcase your voice and expertise.

Publishers need proof you can sell books. That’s where your author platform comes in. In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, learn why social media, speaking gigs, media features, email lists, and corporate partnerships all play a role in landing a traditional nonfiction book deal.

In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast, Meghan Stevenson dives into the first pillar of her Three Ps framework: Potential. She explains how to determine if your nonfiction book idea is truly book worthy, why having a built-in audience is crucial for landing a traditional publishing deal, and how to assess whether similar books have been successful.

If you’re an entrepreneur or expert dreaming of a six-figure traditionally published nonfiction book deal but feeling lost in the process, this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast is your guide. Meghan introduces her  Three Ps framework—the key elements every author needs to secure a traditional publishing deal.

If you’re an entrepreneur or expert aiming for a six-figure traditionally published nonfiction book deal, knowing where your book fits is key to getting the right publisher, agent, and audience—that’s why Meghan talks about knowing your book’s category in this episode. Discover how aligning with the appropriate publishing category sets you up for success and gets your nonfiction book noticed by top industry professionals.

Meghan breaks down the six main steps to getting a book deal in this episode of the podcast, from writing a book proposal and securing an agent to landing a deal and writing the book. She also highlights the importance of building the right publishing team, including a skilled agent and an experienced editor, to maximize your chances of success and bring your nonfiction book vision to life.

In this inaugural episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan explains the difference between publishers and imprints, breaks down the Big Five publishers (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and Macmillan), and gives you the knowledge foundation to move forward with confidence.