

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

Sep 19, 2024 • 46min
Creating Content Based On Your Book
In this episode, inspired by a listener’s questions, AJ and Mike dive into ways authors can use their books to create engaging content. From social media posts to video, the duo shares what is easy to repurpose and how to keep it reader-focused. From newsletters to videos to programs and even to new books, they’ll cover it!
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:
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie
The Art of Nonconformity, by Chris Guillebeau
A Brief Guide to World Domination, by Chris Guillebeau
French Pronunciation Guide
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

Sep 12, 2024 • 47min
Don't Write That Conclusion
In this episode, Mike and AJ do a deep dive on how authors should conclude their manuscripts, what elements must be present, and what authors should avoid including. You’ll learn about AJ’s Call to Greatness, the way she recommends closing nonfiction books, with a touching tribute to the man behind the Call to Greatness in Mike and AJ’s latest book, All In.
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:
Jeffrey Shaw, Lingo & The Self-Employed Life
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

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
Don't Write That Introduction
In this episode, AJ and Mike spill the tea on Introductions, when you need one, and when you don’t. Most importantly, they’ll break down what it should contain and what it absolutely should not if you want your readers to keep turning the page! Listeners will also learn when in the writing process an Introduction should be written. (Spoiler: it’s not at the start of the writing process!)
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:
John Ruhlin, Gift*ology
Todd Herman, The Alter Ego Effect
Kristina Paider, https://a.co/d/aLoLn3ahttps://a.co/d/aLoLn3a
Joseph Nguyen, Don’t Believe Everything You Think
Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
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

4 snips
Aug 29, 2024 • 54min
Making Time for Authorship
The discussion dives into the intricate dance of balancing authorship with entrepreneurship, showcasing personal stories and trade-offs. There's a focus on the wide range of responsibilities authors face beyond mere writing, including marketing and deal negotiations. The hosts liken the author's journey to a multi-lane highway, emphasizing adaptability and prioritization. They share practical strategies for carving out dedicated writing time and the importance of community support, all while exploring the deeper motivations behind pursuing a writing passion.

Aug 22, 2024 • 43min
Are You Qualified to Write Your Book?
In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss a question they get more than almost any other: “Am I qualified to write about my topic?” They’ll share the instances when credibility absolutely matters to readers and when it doesn’t. Listeners will learn how authors can get in front of the credibility issue and even hear AJ’s tips for speaking directly to readers on the page about why the author is, in fact, qualified to write about their chosen topic.
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:
Blowback, by Miles Taylor
4-Hour Body, Tim Ferris
The Obesity Code, Dr. Jason Fung
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

Aug 15, 2024 • 54min
Finding Your Author Voice
In this episode, AJ and Mike explain what is meant by “author voice.” They share how they struggled to find Mike’s as coauthors, and what aspiring authors can do to get started developing their voice on the page. AJ shares the time she lost hers as a ghostwriter and what it took to find it once again, and how this applies to all 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:
Profit First for Photographers, by Venus Micheal
Don’t Believe Everything You Think, by Joseph Nguyen
Big Red Books
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

Aug 8, 2024 • 46min
Negotiating Contracts with Your Publisher
Time to bust some myths! In this episode, Mike and AJ will share everything they know about publishing contracts. Can you negotiate with a publisher, or do authors just have to accept contracts as given? What about royalties? Delivery dates? Will they pass if you push back? What are red flags to look out for and green flags to help you feel confident signing on the dotted line?
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:
Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman
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

Aug 1, 2024 • 53min
Timing: How We Plan Out the Next Book
Another fly-on-the-wall episode, where listeners get to hear Mike and AJ map out their next book's writing and editing schedule in real time! They’ll hold nothing back about their process, including the game they play with copy edits. This is insider baseball on their co-writing process. If you ever wondered how they do it, be sure to listen in!
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

Jul 25, 2024 • 57min
The Great Endorsement Debate
In this episode, Mike and AJ have another friendly battle answering the question: Do endorsements matter? Tune in to hear their individual takes on endorsements from big-name authors and listen to the end to find out who won the debate. You’ll hear how Mike goes about getting endorsements, if ghostwriting endorsements is even a thing, and how a newbie author’s entire life was changed because of one. You’ll also learn what to avoid in the Big Ask and the mistake Mike made that he’ll never repeat. You won’t want to miss a moment!
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:
Running With Lions, Julian Winters
Simon and the Homosapien Agenda, Becky Albertalli
Adam Wallace’s books
Start With Why, Simon Sinek
Steven Pressfield
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

Jul 18, 2024 • 55min
New Book Updates
Well? What did they pick? In this episode, Mike and AJ will each reveal the decisions they’ve landed on with respect to their next books and why they made that choice. They also speak frankly about timelines, when they can expect publishing milestones to occur, and how they’re feeling about this new development.
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:
Get Signed, by Lucinda Halpern
Launch, by Jeff Walker
Test Drive Your Content, evergreen workshop
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


