

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

Jul 11, 2024 • 57min
AJ's Monetization Strategies
In this episode, it’s AJ’s turn to discuss ways to monetize books beyond sales. She has three key questions authors should ask themselves before starting, and she will go into detail about her plans and why she chose them. She’ll also explain how to artfully plant seeds in your book before publishing in a way that won’t feel icky and pushy.
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:
In Search of You, by Kasey Compton
Good Team Bad Team, by Sarah Thurber and Blair Miller
Street Smart Safety for Women, by Laura Frombach and Joy Farrow
The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stangier
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 4, 2024 • 54min
Mike's Monetization Strategies
In this episode, Mike shares his insights into monetizing books beyond sales. He holds nothing back and gives honest data about speaking engagements, how often and how much he gets paid, strategies he tried, as well as what didn’t work, and what he stopped doing. You’ll come away inspired to try something new!
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:
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

Jun 27, 2024 • 46min
Ghostwriters
In this episode, AJ and Mike share how their ghostwriter/client relationship evolved into a co-writing partnership. AJ also shares the different ways authors can work with a ghostwriter, red flags to watch out for, and what you can do to get the results you want.
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:
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

Jun 20, 2024 • 36min
Front Loading
Home podcast studio setups bring comedic challenges, leading to a discussion on enhancing audience engagement through YouTube. The hosts delve into the evolution of content creation, sharing humorous anecdotes about new strategies and advertising successes. They highlight the importance of voice in communication and support for authors, discussing the essential practice of front loading to captivate readers. The conversation shifts to the balance of sharing creativity and innovation, ultimately embracing the audience's role in the writing journey.

Jun 13, 2024 • 53min
Pain Versus Promise
Explore the struggle of writing a compelling chapter one and why it's often the hardest part. Discover the difference between 'pain' and 'promise' openings that draw readers into your book's purpose. Learn how to select impactful scenes from your life while avoiding dumping your entire story. The hosts discuss tonal choices and the importance of identifying reader pain points. With tips on crafting effective pain stories and the use of humor, this conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring authors.

Jun 6, 2024 • 34min
The Truth About Amazon Bestseller Lists
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ pull back the curtain to expose the truth about Amazon Bestseller status, how it’s fleeting and doesn’t ultimately translate into on-going sales. They explain what it takes to get that orange banner and why it doesn’t really matter.
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:
Publisher’s Rocket
Kindleprenuer
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz
All books
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

May 30, 2024 • 39min
Reasons Manuscripts are Rejected by Publishers
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, AJ explains to Mike what a Wall of No is. They’ll discuss all the fixable details that could lead to a publisher or agent rejecting a manuscript and share resources on how to find these Nos in your manuscript, as well as explain some of the reasons that are beyond an author’s control.
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:
Wool, by Hugh Howey
Publisher’s Marketplace
Writer’s Market
Top 5 Reasons video
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper: https://ajharper.com
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com
All books
Socials:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

May 23, 2024 • 52min
Measuring Book Marketing ROI
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ share just how to track if your book marketing is working. You’ll hear what they’ve used in the past and what they are doing now, and learn how to interpret the data, make the most of your marketing energy, what to keep doing, and what changes to make in marketing their must-reads.
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:
In Search of You, Kasey Compton
Book Pal
Porchlight
EO on Fire
HEROIC
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper: https://ajharper.com
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com
All books
Socials:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

May 16, 2024 • 28min
Writer's Block is Not Real
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike asks AJ about the time she stopped writing. For years she bought into the myth of writer’s block until finally learning that it’s not real. Listeners will not only learn what causes this blockage and how to get the words flowing.
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 Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron
The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper: https://ajharper.com
Write A Must-Read
Free resources
Socials:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com
All books
Socials:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

May 9, 2024 • 48min
Grow Your Readership Through Collaboration
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ highlight the importance of good literary citizenship. Mike shares how he formed relationships with influential authors through acts of service, and AJ talks about how newbies can get started from zero, using then-unknown, now NYT bestselling author Julian Winters as an example.
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:
E-Myth, by Michael Gerber
Wishcraft, by Barbara Sher
Never Lose an Employee Again, by Joey Coleman
How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, Michael Bungay Stanier
Building a StoryBrand, by Don Miller
Julian Winters, NYT Bestselling Young Adult author
Connect with AJ & Mike:
AJ Harper: https://ajharper.com
Write A Must-Read: https://a.co/d/4H0xQ7G
Free resources: https://writeamustread.com
Socials:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AJHarperAuthors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjanetteharper/
Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com
All books: https://mikemichalowicz.com/books/
Socials:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikemichalowicz/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MikeMichalowiczFanPage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/


