Leadership Powered by Common Sense The CEO’s Guide to Hybrid Publishing: Turn Your Leadership Story Into a Bestselling Book | Ep 413
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Aug 7, 2025 Amanda Johnson, founder of Saved by Story and a writing coach who helps leaders turn experience into books. She explains why high-achieving professionals stall on manuscripts. She breaks down hybrid publishing versus self or traditional routes. She describes her retreat-driven process to get leaders writing and how editing preserves voice. She reflects on print books and AI’s practical role.
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Pivot From Teaching To Story Coaching
- Amanda left teaching because she lacked energy to serve students and pivoted to online writing instruction while caring for her child.
- That shift led her to editing for female entrepreneurs who wanted fast fixes, which revealed deeper storytelling gaps in leaders' manuscripts.
Started Saved By Story With Her Son
- Amanda and her son started Saved By Story after seeing hybrid publishers mistreat clients and fail to protect brand coherence for CEOs.
- Her son suggested starting their own boutique imprint because they already had a team and publishing know-how.
Hybrid Publishing Protects Rights And Extends Reach
- Hybrid publishing offers a middle path: authors usually retain rights while gaining broader distribution beyond Amazon.
- This model appeals to entrepreneurs who need to keep frameworks and IP but want bookstore and platform access.
