

Don't Write That Book
Mike Michalowicz, AJ Harper
The "Don’t Write That Book" podcast serves as your guide to crafting your bestseller and embracing your role as an author. Your hosts, Mike Michalowicz and AJ Harper, act as your personal experts, steering you through the intricacies of writing and publishing. Mike and AJ demystify all aspects of creating and releasing your book, offering insights drawn from their own journeys. This podcast will be your safeguard against writing THAT book.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 1, 2025 • 49min
The Great Trade Review Debate
In this episode, Mike and AJ enter the debate round once again in a friendly debate about trade reviews. Listeners will learn what they are, if they matter, and what the heck an author does with them if they have one. They also throw in some bonus information about publishers’ sales teams, share a listener email, and give you a secret tip about trade reviews that’s exclusive to folks who self-publish.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
Big Freakin’ Change, by Cara Poppitt
In Search of You, by Kasey Compton
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Apr 24, 2025 • 44min
The Power of Purpose
In this episode, AJ and Mike share what they each believe their purpose is, and even share an exercise that Mike uses at speaking engagements to help folks find theirs. It’s a fun fly-on-the-wall conversation where they share stories from their past that helped forge their sense of self. They’ll even talk about how listeners can rekindle their own fires of passion to keep moving forward.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
Monday Night Readings
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Apr 17, 2025 • 52min
Are You a Career Author?
The hosts share their love for music, particularly iconic artists like Prince and Tom Petty, highlighting how music fuels personal growth. They delve into the transformation of recognizing oneself as a career author and the mindset shifts that come with this identity. The discussion addresses modern challenges faced by authors, including the impact of technology and the importance of community. With humor and anecdotes, they explore the journey of crafting a writing career, emphasizing the dedication required to succeed and the significance of understanding readers' needs.

Apr 10, 2025 • 47min
The Importance of Due Diligence
In this episode, AJ and Mike talk about a kerfuffle brewing in the publishing world, which leads to the main topic: authors are responsible for doing their due diligence. Do you need to give credit for a concept? What if it’s in the zeitgeist and you are the person who simplified the concept? What if you took someone’s simplified concept and made it something else? (They go into the Mel Robbins/Let Them/Cassie Phillips discussion.) Authors should take note of this episode in particular to learn how to avoid making potentially costly mistakes to their careers.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
“Let Them” by Cassie Phillips, a Timeline and explanation
William McRaven “Make Your Bed”
Wiggity-wiggity-whack, aka “Jump Jump” by Kris Kross
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Apr 3, 2025 • 43min
Author Gear
In this episode, Mike and AJ bring you into the workroom. They talk about their must-have gear that makes it possible for them to write their must-reads. From chairs, standing desks, to all the tech Mike uses when writing on the go, you’ll hear about everything these two feel is essential to authors.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
Kinesis Advantage Typewriter
Shure Microphones
iClever Foldable keyboard
Typerwriter-sounds Keyboard
Flight Flap
Travel Tablet Stand
Logitech Vertical Mouse
Conquering Carpal Tunnel, by Sharon Butler
The 3.3 Rule, by John Briggs
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books

Mar 27, 2025 • 51min
Author Sites vs Book Sites
The hosts share amusing anecdotes about their winter podcasting setup and the growth that writing brings to authors. They dive into the essential differences between author and book websites, emphasizing the importance of personal branding. Strategies for engaging readers through effective website design and innovative marketing are discussed, including creative ideas for using bonus materials. They also explore optimizing online presence and maximizing unused content for promotions, making the writing community's journey both practical and entertaining.

Mar 20, 2025 • 59min
Building the Marketing Plan
In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss where they often see authors go wrong with their marketing plan (hint: it’s when they get started versus when they should get started), go into detail about why a longer runway is almost always better, and hint at some of the new ideas Mike is cooking up for their next book. This is a topic on which everyone, from newbies to seasoned pros, can use a little refresher.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
Painted Baby, by Matt Shoup
I Will Teach You to be Rich, Ramit Sethi
Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Mar 13, 2025 • 52min
The List Everybody Needs
In this episode, Mike and AJ spill the beans on The Secret: all authors of Prescriptive Nonfiction need to write a book that connects with their readers and ultimately delivers on its promise: The List. What it is, how to get it, how to use it, don’t worry, listeners. They’ll tell you everything.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
The 3.3 Rule, by John Briggs
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Mar 6, 2025 • 55min
Author Etiquette
In this episode, AJ and Mike share cautionary tales of authors behaving badly and what the listeners can do to ensure their metaphorical pinkies are out. From how to approach an author for endorsements to asking for promotional help all the way to leaving reviews for other authors, you’ll be confident in your ability to practice proper literary citizenship.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn

Feb 27, 2025 • 52min
Substantive Editing
In this episode, Mike and AJ break down everything listeners and authors need to know about substantive edits and the editors who do this crucial work. They’ll talk about timelines for books past and where they are with their current book and will even share some author horror stories as a forewarning for newcomers to authorship.
Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper, website
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
AJ’s Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz, website
All books
Mike’s Socials:
IG
FB
LinkedIn


