The Journal
Insights on writing, storytelling & books.
Client releases, ghostwriting essays, and behind-the-scenes notes from the team at Pithy Wordsmithery — practical help for authors at every stage.
New Bestselling Entrepreneurship Book: The Stuff in Between by Garren Hilow
We worked with author Garren Hilow from start to finish on this project. Garren bootstrapped a biotech company and sold it for $190M, and he is passionate about helping other hardworking people grow successful businesses. His goal is for this to be the most impactful book on entrepreneurship of the past decade. There’s too much…
June 22, 2026
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Practical notes on ghostwriting, storytelling, and the business of books — no fluff, no spam.
Uncategorized
Why Most Readers Don’t Care Who Published Your Book
If you’ve been hesitating to start your book because you’re worried about whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing, I have news that might surprise you: your readers probably won’t even notice who published your book. After working with authors across all publishing routes—from major New York publishers to self-published Amazon bestsellers—I’ve learned that reader…
August 19, 2025
Uncategorized
How to Write a Book When You Don’t Have Time: Realistic Scheduling for Busy Professionals
“I’d love to write a book, but I just don’t have the time.” I hear this from successful professionals every single day. They’re running companies, managing teams, serving clients, and juggling family responsibilities. The idea of adding “write a book” to their already packed schedules feels impossible. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with…
August 12, 2025
Uncategorized
5 Factors That Determine How Much Work Your Book Will Actually Be
One of the first questions aspiring authors ask me is, “How much work is this really going to be?” It’s a smart question because writing a book is a significant commitment, and understanding the scope upfront helps you plan realistically and set yourself up for success. The encouraging news is that you have much more…
August 5, 2025
Uncategorized
Why Your Book Outline Is More Important Than Your Writing Skills
Here’s something that might surprise you: some of the most successful authors I’ve worked with weren’t naturally gifted writers when they started. What they had instead was something far more valuable—a crystal-clear vision of their book’s structure and purpose. After 14 years of ghostwriting and helping authors bring their ideas to life, I’ve learned that…
July 29, 2025
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Publishing House vs. Self-Publishing: 3 Things to Consider
I speak with people all the time who are hoping to publish a non-fiction book but don’t know how to get started. One of the first things I ask is whether they’ve considered going with a traditional publishing house or self-publishing. There are a variety of pros and cons to both routes and the best…
January 29, 2025
Uncategorized
What’s it like working with a book writing coach?
What’s it like working with a book writing coach? USA Today Bestselling Author Megan Gorman talks about what the experience was like writing her book and partnering with Amelia Forczak for coaching. Megan is an excellent writer, and she had managed a Forbes column for years, but creating a manuscript is different. There’s so much…
January 27, 2025
Video
How to choose your publishing route
Have you wondered whether you should try to get a book deal from a traditional publishing house or self-publish? We talk with aspiring authors about this all the time! This video has a few important things to consider! There isn’t one right answer that works for everyone. Both routes have pluses and minuses, and it…
January 23, 2025
Books
New Book Alert: You Are A Bad B*tch
As the founder of Pithy Wordsmithery, I usually help other people write books. This time, I partnered with a coauthor to create a book with our shared vision. When I met my co-author, Jaqueta King, we just clicked. Over many months, we worked together and created a guided journal that helps women step into their…
January 23, 2025
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When to Use Bolded, Underlined, or Italicized Text
By Chris Peters Writing Tips from the Pros There are countless tools available to manipulate the appearance of words on a page. For a blog post or newsletter, using bolded, underlined, or italicized lines can help draw readers to important content that can get lost among the flashing ads and other webpage distractions. But…
January 3, 2025
Books · Post
Liberate Your Greatness by John Roussot
Congratulations to my friend and client, John Roussot, on his new book, Liberate Your Greatness! John and I worked together for book outlining, and he was able to go from there with the writing and editing to get the book across the finish line. Writing a book is a major accomplishment but it’s doable if…
March 3, 2024
Books · Post
True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living
Congrats to our client, Darren Pleasance for hitting a #1 spot on Amazon for his new book, True North! Working with Darren was an absolute pleasure. The Pithy. Wordsmithery team loved being involved in the project from start to finish, from outlining, to writing, to publishing, and marketing. (This might be the best cover we’ve…
December 30, 2023
Books · Post
Ready, Mindset, Go! – By Macy Troyer
Congratulations to Macy Troyer for launching her first book, Ready, Mindset, Go! Our team loved working with Macy to help her edit and publish her book. We are thrilled the book became a bestseller on Amazon! About the book: Unlocking your limitless potential and purpose as an entrepreneur starts with your mindset. It seems so…
December 3, 2023
Books
New Podcast Episode – So you want to write a book – with Amelia Forczak
Do you want to write a book? Check out this podcast with Christina Wenman and Amelia Forczak! They talk about what it takes to write, publish, and market your next best seller. Listen: Spotify Apple Podcasts Christina is a talented podcast host! She wrote a book in high school, and she had a lot of…
October 5, 2023
Books
How to Write a Book for Beginners in 9 Steps
How to Write a Book for Beginners: A Step-By-Step Guide Taking the leap from novice writer to full-fledged author can be daunting and overwhelming. Many people feel they have a book inside of them, but so few people actualize that feeling and see it through to fruition. If you’ve been pondering writing a book, but…
October 18, 2022
Books
New Book Alert – Calling All Dog Lovers!
Intrepid Fiona is Finally Home By Carolyn Turner Fiona was a sweet, curious dog born into horrific circumstances. She was also born with severe hip issues that prevented her from walking. Against all odds, she was removed from the puppy mill when she was three years old and given a new chance at life. All…
October 11, 2022
Events
Pithy at Printer’s Row Lit Fest 2022!
The nice thing about rain is that it always stops…eventually. -A.A. Milne Yes, it was an absolute downpour at this year’s Printer’s Row Lit Fest – but that didn’t stop Pithy Wordsmithery from having a great time! Amelia spent the day meeting writers, book lovers, and aspiring authors and despite the deluge, it was…
September 21, 2022
Books · Video
How to Place Interviews in Your Book
You know you want to interview people for your nonfiction book, but sometimes it feels like a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Do you write your chapter first and then interview someone to fill gaps, or do you interview people first to help inform the writing? And how do you plan for interviews you haven’t conducted yet when…
September 8, 2022
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Q&A with Executive and Author, Christiana Smith Shi
As a Pithy insider, you already know the very exciting news that our dear friend and client, Christiana Smith Shi, has recently signed a book deal! Christiana and her co-author, Grace Puma, just secured the deal with Scribner & Sons—and it’s an absolute must-read for women leaders! We sat down with Christiana to learn…
September 6, 2022
Books · Post
The Ultimate 2022 Reading List
Are you looking for the perfect book to add to your ultimate summer reading list? The Pithy team has you covered! As the season is winding down, you may find yourself cozying up to a good book in the evening hours to relax and unwind. Or perhaps you’re getting back into a routine of…
August 18, 2022
Video
How to Write a Good Introduction for a Book
Struggling with how to write a good introduction for a book? After helping authors with their nonfiction books for more than a decade, I’ve realized that so many people have this problem. The beginning of the book is their biggest challenge. I get questions like: Do I need a foreword, preface, introduction, or a…
August 16, 2022
Books · Post
Should an Author Have Beta Readers?
You’ve done it. You’ve placed the final period, read every page one hundred times, and revised your manuscript so often you’ve started to see the pages in your dreams. It’s perfect. Well . . . maybe. You’re not 100% sure. It might be time for some feedback. Having beta readers look at your piece is…
July 26, 2022
Post · Video
How to Find Your Niche as an Author – Interview with 80s Pop-Culture Guy Chris Clews
Wondering how to find your niche as an author? It turns out 80s pop culture teach us about author branding! In this interview, Amelia Forczak talks with 80s pop-culture guy Chris Clews about how authors can brand themselves, stand out, and make their content fun. For business book writers, the key is to find a…
March 28, 2022
Post · Video
E-book Design 101
In conversations with our clients lately, we’ve come to realize that authors don’t always have a clear understanding of how e-books are designed compared with print books. Design is an incredibly important aspect of writing a book—it’s your first impression! From the look of the cover to the specific choice of fonts, the book’s brand…
March 11, 2022
Video
How to Promote Your Book
Wondering how to promote your book? Here’s one of the best pieces of marketing advice I have for authors: the best time to promote your book is BEFORE you finish writing it. I know that might seem a little bit scary! Your book isn’t done; how do you know you’re going to finish it? How…
February 1, 2022
Post
Writing Your First Book With Amelia Forczak
Guest interview with Nikki Groom on the Movement Makers Podcast Listen here: Writing Your First Book with Amelia Forczak — Nikki Groom About the Episode Writing a book is an accomplishment, a milestone, and a big undertaking. In fact, many first-time authors can be intimidated by the process. Joining me this week to discuss what…
December 29, 2021
Video
How to Start a Book – Writing the First Sentence
Are you an aspiring author wondering exactly how to start a book? Writing the first sentence of any project is something that stresses a lot of people out! Maybe you sit down to write your book and you can’t figure out how to start it. Sometimes you’ll have this problem at the beginning of a…
December 21, 2021
Video
Great Example of Book Marketing
Have you ever wondered how to market your book and get the word out in a fresh way to reach new audiences? Here’s a simple example of book marketing that anyone can do! The digital space can be crowded, but people pay attention to packages they get in the mail! Try creating some print materials…
December 13, 2021
Books
New Book Alert! – The Art of Quality Decision-Making
The Art of Quality Decision-Making: A Practical Guide to the Alternative Response Method By Warren Brand Decisions define every aspect of our lives. They lead us to success or failure. Happiness or misery. They lead us to find the right spouse, job, and career, and they often dictate our level of happiness, success, and bliss.…
December 1, 2021
Post
How to Find a Ghostwriter
It’s a dark and stormy morning. The keyboard creaks. Your notepad rattles. Suddenly, you see something out of the corner of your eye: YOUR UNFINISHED MANUSCRIPT! But it’s okay—you don’t need to be frightened! All you need is a ghostwriter…a GOOD one. A FRIENDLY ghostwriter, if you will. One who will understand your voice and…
October 27, 2021
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How to Record an Audiobook
If you’ve published a print book, or are working on a manuscript, now is the perfect time to consider how to record an audiobook. If you’re reading this post, I’m sure you’re interested in, or at the very least aware of, the recent boom in audiobooks. Nine years (at the time of this writing) of…
October 25, 2021
Post
Announcing a New Book! – How to Get the Most Out of Coaching
Congrats to Karen Davis and Alex Mill on their book launch! If you work with a coach, this book is a MUST HAVE!!!! Thanks to our hardworking team for their help in birthing this book baby! About the Book One-on-one coaching can transform both your career and personal life. Whether you want to be successful…
September 20, 2021
Video
How to Stay Organized When Writing a Book
When you think about writing a book, does it feel like your head might explode? Don’t stress. Get organized! Without a plan in place, it’s easy to write thousands of words and start to feel a little confused. (What have you covered already and what still needs to be added? How many interviews do you…
April 15, 2021
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Team Member Spotlight – Chris Peters, Senior Editor
How long have you been working with Pithy Wordsmithery? What do you do here? I have been working with Pithy on various projects since about 2014. These days my efforts focus mostly on assisting authors in the early editorial stages of publishing their work. I collaborate with writers to focus on the fundamentals behind crafting…
April 8, 2021
Video
When Things Get Hard, Keep Going
At Pithy Wordsmithery, we love all of our clients, but we have a special spot in our heart for this one. Let me paint a picture for you. You’re an athlete, you’ve married your college sweetheart, you’re building the house of your dreams, and creating the life of your dreams. Then one day, you get…
March 31, 2021
Video
How to Write Beginnings and Endings for Your Chapters
How do you make sure your nonfiction book is a success? You write a really good beginning and ending for each chapter! It might seem obvious, but during my years helping authors with manuscript evaluations, I’ve seen plenty of great writers make this common pitfall. So, how do you write a great chapter?…
March 25, 2021
Video
How to Outline Your Book: The What, Where, and Why
Let’s talk about book outlines! Specifically, the what, where, and why of your outline. I’m a HUGE fan of outlines. But sometimes authors wonder how detailed their chapter outlines should be. Specifically, how in the weeds should they get with their content? My advice? Get out of the weeds! Your outline should cover the following:…
March 25, 2021
Video
Want a Book Deal? You Need a Book Proposal.
Have you ever wondered whether you need a book proposal to become an author? I speak with aspiring authors all the time who are eager to get started on their book, but they aren’t sure if they need to focus on a book proposal first. Can you skip this (often painful) part of the book…
February 17, 2021
Video
How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Finish Your Manuscript
A lot of people have a lifelong goal of writing a book but very few people actually do it. Why? It’s not because they lack talent or a good idea; they just never get around to doing it. Writer’s block can be a painful experience, but this video shows why it isn’t real. If you’ve…
January 26, 2021
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17 Ways Aspiring Authors Can Squash Their Self-Doubt
When it comes to writing and finishing your book, perseverance is the biggest thing. It’s more important than writing ability or having extra time in your schedule. But to persevere, you need to focus on mindset & squashing your self-doubt. You need to get rid of limiting beliefs and fears. You ARE smart enough. You…
October 23, 2020
Post
Wounded War Veteran Receives New Home
One of the hallmarks of leadership is giving back. That’s why we’re feeling extremely inspired by our client, David Belman, who just gave away a new home to a wounded veteran.
September 3, 2020
Video
Book Trailer Example – Inspired, Not Retired
Clients often ask about best practices and suggestions for promoting their books. In working with many clients, we’ve seen a lot of fun, creative options, including creating a book trailer. Not only are book trailers enjoyable to watch, they also allow for a lot of flexibility and creativity. You can play with the tone, music,…
July 28, 2020
Video
Interview with best selling author Jennifer Fondrevay
What’s it really like writing a book and becoming an author? In this interview, bestseller ghostwriter Amelia Forczak talks with Jennifer J. Fondrevay, author of the bestselling book, NOW WHAT?: A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions. Jennifer shares her journey of doing research, positioning her book to align with her business, building…
July 18, 2020
Video
How to write a book with content you already have
Are you interested in writing a book, but a little overwhelmed by the size of the project? If you’ve been working in your industry for a long time or you have your own business, you’ve probably already created a lot of content that could be a great starting point for a book. When you look…
June 11, 2020
Video
Should you write a book during the pandemic?
COVID-19 has changed so many things for all of us. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book or you’re in the process of writing, you’re probably wondering how all of this disruption changes things for authors, and what to do next. I work with authors who write books that align with their businesses, like…
May 20, 2020
Post
Guest Interview with Amelia Forczak – BluHorn TV
Check out this episode of BluHorn’s “Marketing for Your Future,” with guest Amelia Forczak. Learn why so many business leaders and entrepreneurs are publishing books, and what the process is like working with a ghostwriter.
April 17, 2020
Video
How long does it take to write a book?
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, you’ve probably wondered how long it would take. How many months would you spend working on it, and how much time would you need to dedicate to the project each week? As a ghostwriter of many non-fiction books, in this video, I share what’s worked for me.
February 26, 2020
Video
How to start writing a book
Beginnings and endings are hard. So why not start in the middle? That’s what I do when I’m writing business books. With a good outline, you know where you’re going and you can start wherever you want. So instead of staring at a blank page trying to find the right words, pick a section that…
February 13, 2020
Video
How to write a book with content you already have
Are you interested in writing a book, but a little overwhelmed by the size of the project? If you’ve been working in your industry for a long time or you have your own business, you’ve probably already created a lot of content that could be a great starting point for a book. When you look…
February 12, 2020
Post
Your Writing Voice vs. Your Speaking Voice
By Chris Peters Many authors set out to write in a conversational tone. This may sound easy enough, especially for those with excellent public speaking and presentation skills. But effective communication is not merely about the words, and good writing is not merely transcribing thoughts to page. For this reason, finding your “writing voice” can…
January 13, 2020
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What I Left on the Side of I-80
By Pedro Escobar It was late October and the orange leaves had started to fall when our minivan jumped over a highway guardrail and hit a concrete pole at 75 miles per hour. We had been at a wedding the night before, and I had danced all night, at one point even dancing with the…
June 26, 2019
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Guest Podcast – Solidify Your Sales Credentials by Writing a Book
Ever wonder if writing a book would help your business? Sales expert and author David I. Hill talked with me about his experience writing a book, and how it has impacted his career. His new podcast, The Path to Mastery, now has more than 10,000 downloads per month! Since David’s podcast features business gurus like…
February 7, 2019
Video
The #1 Thing You Need to Know About Marketing Your Book
When I work with new authors, a lot of them feel uncomfortable when it comes to sharing the news about their book. Self-promotion rubs them the wrong way and sharing more than a couple messages on social media and e-blasts can feel like: “Look at me! Look at me! See how great I am!” When…
February 6, 2019
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Feature in VoyageChicago – Meet Amelia Forczak of Pithy Wordsmithery in Logan Square
I am honored to be featured as one of VoyageChicago’s rising stars! “Every neighborhood in Chicago has its own vibe, style, culture and history, but what consistently amazes us is not what differentiates the various neighborhoods but rather what they all have in common. From the North Side to the South Side (and everywhere in…
November 28, 2018
Post
Why You Need an Outline
Whether you’re writing a blog, book, or anything in between, you should start with an outline. If you have the urge to skip that step and just start writing, I understand. People either love or hate outlines, but it’s important to know that this extra planning almost always makes a big difference in quality. The…
November 26, 2018
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Best Ways Business Owners Can Manage Stress
Guest post by Life and Career Coach Julie Morris. When you are a career-minded person, a certain amount of stress is normal and even healthy. But when that stress gets out of control it can take a toll on your mental, physical, and emotional health. Too much stress causes headaches, heartburn, and stomach pains. It…
August 21, 2018
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Advice for New Entrepreneurs: How to Start A Small Business in the Sharing Economy
Guest Post by Dean Burgess from Excitepreneur.net Have you heard of the sharing economy? While the term is still fairly new and many people are still unfamiliar with it, the sharing economy is poised to change the workforce as we know it. The sharing economy is on the news each day, and you might already…
June 25, 2018
Video
How To Get Amazon Book Reviews
Many authors come to us wondering how to get Amazon book reviews. And it makes sense. If you’ve ever bought anything online, you know how important product reviews are for choosing what to purchase. The same is true for books. A book that doesn’t have many (or any) reviews looks like a risky purchase.…
March 22, 2018
Books
10 Books to Read in 2018
Maybe it was all the extra time I spent sober this past year (pregnancy will do that to you), but I managed to get in a lot of reading! Instead of going to happy hour, riding roller-coasters, or eating unpasteurized cheese, I stayed home and read 35 books in a variety of genres. I’ll admit,…
February 8, 2018
Video
When to Start Marketing a Book
It can be confusing for authors to know when to start marketing a book. A lot of non-fiction authors think that when their book is complete, they’ll be able to start promoting it online and sharing the news with friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, this strategy gives authors a really late start. It can put them…
February 2, 2018
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Amelia Forczak – Podcast Guest: Breaking Down Your Business
In the Breaking Down Your Business podcast, Brad Farris and Jill Salzman tackle the most complex small business questions of our day: Why can’t I hire competent employees? How do I take over the world? All wrapped up in 20 mins of 41% mediocre business advice and 54% tomfoolery. In this week’s podcast, Amelia Forczak…
November 27, 2017
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The Disruptors’ Feast Earns Publishers Weekly Review
A premier news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents, Publishers Weekly is one of the most competitive publications for book reviews. Of the hundreds of self-published titles received each month, only a handful of the very best are selected for review. On October 16th, 2017, PW featured The Disruptors’ Feast by Frits van…
November 17, 2017
Video
How to write a non-fiction book: Three ways to leverage interviews
One of the biggest missed opportunities for aspiring authors is failing to leverage great interviews when writing a book. Instead of working in a vacuum, it’s so easy to step outside that and get the perfect material to take your project to the next level. Here are three ways interviewing people can be a godsend…
November 2, 2017
Video
Writing a Book – Two Simple Tips from Lessons in Leadershit
Writing a book is hard, but it’s a lot easier if you get a couple of things right from the beginning! Lessons in Leadershit by Ana Dutra is a great example of how an author set herself up for success early in the writing process. Transcript: Hi. This is Amelia Forczak from Pithy Wordsmithery. And…
October 27, 2017
Video
Book Cover Design – 5 Covers That Work and Why
People judge books by their covers. That’s why it’s worth the time for authors to learn a little about designing a book cover so they understand what works and why. In this video, I show five examples of awesome covers and share some tips for designing your own book cover. A few small changes could…
October 27, 2017
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November Media Publishing and Pithy Wordsmithery Join Forces!
On October 3, 2017, November Media Publishing signed a one-year contract with Amelia Forczak, and her marketing firm, Pithy Wordsmithery. “This is great news for our current and future authors,” Tiheasha Beasley mentioned during a chat with her online authors’ group. Pithy Wordsmithery specializes in strategic marketing content. They work with business owners and authors…
October 16, 2017
Post
Beauty, Loss, and Iceland
I’m having an existential crisis. As an optimist, I try to forget that the world can be unbearably brutal sometimes. (Obviously things can get very bad, but they probably won’t! Most things tend to work out just fine in the end!) But all it takes is one crushing loss to challenge this sunshine and rainbows…
May 15, 2017
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Why Authors need to get Comfortable with Rejection
If you want to publish through a traditional publishing house, rejection is a fact of life. You’ll be submitting your idea for your book to literary agents and publishers. Chances are, you’re going to hear a bunch of criticism and Nos along the way. As an author, it’s important to get comfortable with rejection and…
May 1, 2017
Post
Christopher House Read-a-thon
Growing up, my house was practically exploding with books. They were crammed into bookcases, stacked high on end tables, and strewn across the bed in the guest room. From paperback novels, to kids’ picture books, to an endless stream of magazines, no surface was safe from the ever-growing surplus of reading material. Even the staircase…
February 28, 2017
Books
A New Bestselling Book! The Disruptors’ Feast by Frits van Paasschen
Released on January 16th, 2017, The Disruptors’ Feast hit the Amazon #1 bestseller spot in 10 categories! The Pithy Wordsmithery team has been working with author Frits van Paasschen for the past year to help with editing, manuscript evaluation, website development, and marketing. This has been one of our favorite projects for so many reasons!…
January 29, 2017
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How To Ask For Book Endorsement Quotes
With all of the books available today, it’s important for authors to do everything they can to make theirs stand out. A great way of doing this is by getting endorsement quotes about the book before it’s published. These quotes can be printed on the book jacket or inside pages, as well as used for…
January 3, 2017
Video
Stop Hating on Female Leaders
Jimmy Kimmel had a great skit last night with Hillary Clinton. He provided “helpful” advice to help Hillary win the election: “You’re too loud… it comes off as a little shrill… you’re making a speech, not an arrest.” She speaks more quietly. “You have to speak up because we can’t hear you. You’re like a…
April 6, 2016
Post
Interview with Amelia Forczak: So you want to write a book?
I was fortunate to be a recent guest on David Hill’s One More Sale podcast. I’ve been working with David for the past several months to help him create his first book titled The Sales Playbook. In this podcast, we talk about what the ghostwriting process is like and what authors can gain from additional…
March 19, 2016
Post
Holiday Giving – Where Does Your Money Go?
The holidays are a time to count your blessings. It’s also a time of year when there is a heightened consideration for those who are less fortunate. But if you’re thinking about charitable giving, it can be difficult to decide what to support. This is especially true when you’re asked to donate around every corner.…
December 24, 2015
Post
This Is How You Do Marketing
I got a handwritten holiday card in the mail last week. From a company. No, it wasn’t a local insurance agent or car salesperson. It was from a national company I order from online. I’ve never even met anyone from this company and they sent me a handwritten holiday card. And they wrote more than…
December 11, 2015
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The Thanksgiving Dinner Crasher
Living far away from my family for several years, I’ve learned that Thanksgiving is a holiday where people feel bad for you if you don’t have any specific plans. Like a stray puppy, friends come out of the woodwork ready to scoop you up, take you in, and feed you. And honestly, it’s pretty easy…
November 25, 2015
Books
Book Release: The Agility Shift by Pamela Meyer, PhD
We are proud to announce the release of Pamela Meyer’s new book, The Agility Shift: Creating Agile and Effective Leaders, Teams, and Organizations, published by Bibliomotion. About the Book As contrary as it sounds, “planning”—as we traditionally understand the term—can be the worst thing a company can do. Stable or predictable business environments are…
October 3, 2015
Post
Why I Eat Scrambled Eggs On Fine China (And Why You Should Too)
My mom got cancer when I was in college. Stage 3 ovarian, which happens to be a pretty bad kind of cancer, if it’s even possible to comparatively classify some types of cancer as less-bad. When my dad sat me down to share the news it was one of the worst moments of my life.…
August 3, 2015
Books
Book Release: The Poetry of Small Business by Timothy Askew
If you’re looking for a startlingly honest take on entrepreneurship, look no further than The Poetry of Small Business: An Accidental Entrepreneur’s Search for Meaning by Timothy Askew. A long-time blogger for Inc.com, Tim writes from his heart with a passion and personality that are rarely seen in business writing. He takes on topics often ignored in business,…
July 9, 2015
Post
Ideas Are Scary – Best Commercial on TV
“Ideas are the natural born enemy of the way things are.” With all of the crap on TV today, a commercial that actually makes you think differently about something is undeniably refreshing. GE’s commercial that personifies ideas (or rather, “creature-fies” them), does an excellent job of showing the evolution of creating something new, whether it’s…
February 28, 2015
Books
Sneak Preview of Ana Dutra’s New Book: Leadershit
Chapter 4 – The Manipulator The Netflix TV drama House of Cards has gained a passionate following recently, shocking viewers in every episode by the lengths main character Frank Underwood will go to for gaining power. On his journey up the political ladder, we’ve seen him lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get what…
January 21, 2015
Video
Crowdfunding a For-Profit Business: Corner Brewery
I heard an interesting story this past weekend when I was visiting my hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a wild success story or a shameful scandal. I’m leaning toward the latter. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the good ol’ city of Ypsilanti, it’s been through some tough times…
November 22, 2014
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Blog Post for Wee Nurture – Move Over Fall Fashion, it’s Time for Baby Fever!
Along with my own blog, I frequently write posts for my clients. Here is a post I wrote for Wee Nurture, a company that makes an innovative nursing cover. “As summer fades away and the air gets crisp, nature provides a natural turning point where anything seems possible. Since the change in season requires a…
September 19, 2014
Post
Blog Post for Wee Nurture – It’s Just a Boob
Along with my own blog, I frequently write posts for my clients. Here is a post I wrote for Wee Nurture, a company that makes an innovative nursing cover. “We recently challenged our Facebook followers to let us know why they think women should feel comfortable nursing in public (NIP). So far, we’ve received hundreds…
August 23, 2014
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The Power of Good Storytelling
Since starting my own business, I’ve only had one moment when I questioned whether I made the right decision. Actually, it was a moment when I wanted to jump up and down, scream, and cry my eyes out. I was working with an author to help write a book that got picked up by a…
July 20, 2014
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Why You Should Give Away Information For Free
One of the biggest shifts in marketing over the years has been the new standard of giving away information for free. Companies used to save the good stuff for after making sales—their expertise was part of the package they sold to customers. Not anymore. Today’s customers decide who to buy from based on the value…
June 27, 2014
Books
So You Want to Write a Book?
Countless people want to write a book, but only a small percent actually do it. Many would-be authors get stuck in a holding pattern wondering if writing a book would be a smart career move. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding whether to embark on the publishing journey. Can you make…
June 18, 2014
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Welcome to my Blog!
Welcome to my Blog! After learning and teaching blogging strategy, and writing many blog posts under my own name or someone else’s, I decided to start a blog for Pithy Wordsmithery. I had always considered having a blog, but didn’t want to start one just for the sake of doing it. Blogs should be a…
June 8, 2014