The Read Magnet® Podcast

Hosted by Cate Butler Ross

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Read Magnet ® is the podcast for message-led creators, coaches, and thought leaders who ready to write their book, and want to do it with strategy and soul. Hosted by book coach, ghostwriter, and founder of The Luminous Press, Cate Butler Ross , each episode explores what it really takes to bring a powerful message to the page, whether you’re writing it yourself or partnering with a pro. From behind-the-scenes publishing insights to soulful conversations with authors, creatives, and industry insiders, you’ll learn how to shape the book that only you can write, and how you can use it to grow your authority, create real impact, and become a siren-call to the people you’re here to help.

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60 recent

October 29, 2025Episode 8240 min

The Truth About Collaboration Books: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Make Them Worth It with Dawni Beth Baxter

The Truth About Collaboration Books: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Make Them Worth It with Dawni Beth BaxterReady to make your authority book inevitable? Find out how in this free 16 minute microclass: www.theluminous.media/microclass________Collaboration books are everywhere right now – but are they worth your investment of time, money, and energy?In this episode of The Read Magnet Podcast, I’m joined by Dawni Beth Baxter — bestselling author, founder of Certified Social Media Manager, and digital marketing agency owner — to unpack what makes a collaboration book truly valuable as a business owner… and when it isn’t.Dawni shares the strategy behind her Amazon bestselling collaboration book, The Unshakeable Entrepreneur — from identifying a real market need to handpicking contributors and marketing the book with integrity.Whether you’ve been invited to contribute to a collaboration book or you’re wondering if hosting one could help boost your authority, this conversation will help you go in with a clear idea of what you want – and what you’re going to get from taking part in this kind of project.🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Dawni uses data (not trends or inspiration) to shape her book ideaHow she chose the right contributors (and why she didn’t open it to everyone)The important difference between strategic collaboration books and “pay to play” projectsWhat contributors should ask before saying yes to a collaboration bookAND ALSO:Practical book marketing lessons from a bestselling digital marketerHow to leverage a book for visibility and authority beyond the launchThe truth about Amazon Bestseller strategies (and why integrity matters)🔗 Resources & Links: Find Dawni at Certified Social Media Manager: https://www.certifiedsocialmediamanager.co.uk Check out The Unshakeable Entrepreneur on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FD7DQCKN Check out Audience Attraction on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9S7RLQQ

October 22, 2025Episode 8129 min

Get Your Non-Fiction Book Featured on TV (and Become an Expert They Want to Invite Back) with Sarah Collins

Get Your Non-Fiction Book Featured on TV (and Become an Expert They Want to Invite Back) with Sarah Collins 👉 Grab my MicroClass, Make Your Authority Book Inevitable, at ReadMagnet.com/microclassAbout this Episode:Getting your book — and your message — featured on TV can feel like a dream reserved for the big names with big PR budgets. But is it really as out of reach as it seems?In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Collins, communication coach, media trainer, and former senior TV producer for shows like Lorraine, Good Morning Britain, and Loose Women. Sarah’s here to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes for nonfiction authors and experts to land media opportunities — and how to make sure you make the most of them when you do.We’re talking about: ✅ Why having a book boosts your credibility for media opportunities ✅ How to pitch yourself to TV producers (even without a PR agency) ✅ What makes a pitch stand out (and what gets ignored) ✅ How to prepare for your first TV appearance so you feel confident, not frozen ✅ The simple strategies that help you become the guest they want to invite backIf visibility is part of your strategy, and you want your authority book to open more doors, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Connect with Sarah Collins:https://www.sarahcollinscoaching.com Find her on Instagram: @sarahcollins_coach_consultant Grab her free Media Messaging Checklist via her website.If you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:www.theluminous.media/newsletter

October 15, 2025Episode 8038 min

How Alexia Leachman Wrote an Authority Book That Had Nothing to Do With Her Business — And Sparked a Global Following

✍️ Episode SummaryWhat if the book you're meant to write feels totally off-brand?When Alexia Leachman wrote her first book, she was a business coach working with alpha male CEOs. The book? A guide to overcoming extreme fear of childbirth. It had nothing to do with her brand — and everything to do with what she knew people needed.What happened next surprised even her.That one “off-topic” book turned into a bestselling podcast, a suite of digital products, global training programmes, and a worldwide audience who now recognise her as a thought leader in the space.In this episode, Alexia shares how writing the book she had to write — not the one that made sense — unlocked her most impactful work.🔑 In This Conversation:Why your “off-brand” book might be the most powerful thing you writeHow a flood of DMs sparked a 108,000-word manuscript written during maternity leaveThe podcast strategy that helped her test content and build a loyal audienceHow she turned one niche book into a whole new business branchWhy niche books often outperform broader ones when it comes to resonanceThe tools she used to write a book (and white paper) in under 60 daysThe balance between structure, flow, and letting ideas come through youHow AI can help authors — without compromising voice or originalityWhat happened when she claimed the title of “world expert” — and backed it up with a book💬 Standout Quotes:“I was a business coach working with men. What was I doing writing about birth? But I had to write it.”“I treated the podcast like a live draft — it helped me refine the book and build an audience.”“That one book unlocked a body of work I never could have predicted.”“The book that doesn’t fit your brand might be the one that reveals what you’re really here to do.”🔗 Explore More from Alexia:Website: head-trash.comBooks: Fearless Birthing, Clear Your Head Trash, and morePodcasts: Fear Free Childbirth & The Head Trash ShowIf you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:www.theluminous.media/newsletter

July 10, 2025Episode 798 min

Why time isn't the real reason you've not written your book yet

If you keep telling yourself you’ll write your book when you “have more time” — this episode will gently call your bluff.In this solo mini-episode, Cate Butler Ross shares why time isn’t actually the thing standing between you and your authority book. Drawing on real stories from authors inside her Read Magnet® programme, Cate explores what actually creates momentum — and how to stop pushing your book into the “someday” pile.📚 Ready to figure out which book is worth your time — and finally get it written? Join the wait list for the next round of Read Magnet® www.theluminous.media/readmagnetWatch the free Make Your Book Inevitable microclass HERE>>

July 1, 2025Episode 787 min

Why Smart Experts Still Write the Wrong Book (and how to make sure you don't)

Too many brilliant coaches, creatives, and experts finally sit down to write their book… and end up writing the wrong one.Because the success of a book has nothing to do with how well the book is written. But because it’s ever so slightly out of sync with the message they’re here to share — or the business they’re here to grow.In this solo episode, Cate breaks down why smart people with big ideas often end up writing books that don’t get them the results they hoped for — and how to make sure you don’t fall into the same trap.You’ll learn:Why even credible experts write books that don’t work for their businessThe real difference between a good book and a strategic authority bookWhy timing and positioning matter more than most people realiseThe clarity that collapses timelines on your book projectThe hidden cost of writing the wrong book (and how to avoid it)If you’ve got 17 Google Docs and a book idea you've been writing in circles, this one’s for you.Want to find out what three things make your authority book inevitable? Watch the free MicroClass here >>

June 25, 2025Episode 7730 min

How to Write a Book When the Odds Are Stacked Against You – with Pippa Stacey

-------What happens when your desire to write a book collides with real-life limitations—like chronic illness, low energy, or a life that doesn't follow the usual path?In this episode, author and blogger Pippa Stacey shares how she built a writing career while living with ME/CFS. We talk about writing through fatigue, building a platform from a 3am blog post, and how her most “niche” book ended up opening unexpected doors.Whether you're navigating your own health challenges, struggling to make consistent progress, or worried your book idea is “too specific,” this conversation is a powerful reminder that there’s more than one way to write a book—and more than one kind of success.🎧 In this episode, we explore:How Pippa turned her personal story into published booksWhat it’s really like to write while managing chronic illnessThe surprising advantages of writing a “niche” bookPippa’s experience of self-publishing vs traditional publishingWhat helped her manage brain fog, fatigue, and deadlinesWhy building an online platform made all the differenceThe importance of boundaries when writing about personal topicsHow to honour your energy and still move forward with your book🪄 You’ll also hear:Why writing can be a lifeline – especially when the world feels unaccommodatingWhat Pippa wishes she’d known before publishing her first bookA sneak peek into her new guided journal Pave Your Way With Chronic Illness🔗 Links and Resources:Pippa’s blog: www.lifeofpippa.co.ukInstagram: @lifeofpippaPippa’s books on Amazon (including How to Do Life With a Chronic Illness and Pave Your Way With Chronic Illness). Buy it HERE>>If you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:www.theluminous.media/newsletter

June 20, 20253 min

Why You Still Haven’t Written Your Authority Book — And Why It’s Not What You Think (mini episode)

🎥 Free MicroClass: Make Your Authority Book Inevitable Learn how to create a book that builds your authority, opens doors, and becomes your most powerful asset. 👉 Grab the microclass here------You don’t need more time. You need the right plan.If you’re an expert, coach or founder who knows you should be writing a book to grow your business, but it just never happens — this one’s for you.In this short episode, Cate unpacks the real reason so many smart, successful people stay stuck at square one with their book — and what finally changed everything for her.🔹 Why writing your authority book keeps falling off the list 🔹 The real reason it’s not happening (spoiler: it’s not procrastination) 🔹 What changed everything when Cate finally wrote Soul Story 🔹 The 3 missing ingredients that make your book inevitable

June 18, 2025Episode 7637 min

What I Wish I’d Known About Writing My Authority Book — with Bestselling Author Lucy Griffiths

If you want to write a book that actually builds your business — but you just can’t seem to get it started — this might help.I’ve made a free 16-minute MicroClass called Make Your Authority Book Inevitable. It walks you through the three things you really need to finally make your book happen — even if you’re short on time, clarity, or confidence. You can grab it now at HERE>>--------Lucy Griffiths is a digital entrepreneur, bestselling author of Make Money While You Sleep, and former international journalist who began her career reporting from war zones around the world. After becoming a mother, she transitioned into online business, helping people build passive income streams and get confident on camera.In this episode, Lucy gets honest about the real behind-the-scenes of writing an authority-building book on a tight publishing deadline. From how she landed her deal, to what she wishes she’d known about writing, positioning, and navigating the publishing process—this is essential listening for any expert, coach, or creative who wants to write a book that actually works for their business.You'll learn:How she landed her nonfiction book deal and what it’s really like to work with a big traditional publisherThe practical productivity hacks she used to conquer procrastination and stay focused to get her nonfiction book finished on deadlineHonest insights into traditional publishing for coaches and online entrepreneurs: what worked, what didn’t, and why Lucy plans to self-publish her next bookWhat Lucy learned about positioning your book to attract your ideal reader—and how she’d approach it differently next timeI loved this conversation with Lucy. If you're thinking about writing a book that builds authority and momentum in your business, hit play and soak it up.Connect with Lucy:**Website: lucygriffiths.comIf you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:www.theluminous.media/newsletter

May 28, 2025Episode 7551 min

Book Deal vs. Self-Publishing: Natalie Lue on Being a Bestseller, Seeking Validation & Choosing Yourself

Writer and podcaster Natalie Lue has sold over 100K books. But it wasn’t until after landing a traditional book deal that she realised that she didn’t need anyone’s permission to succeed. A powerful conversation on legitimacy, authority, and trusting your voice.This week on The Read Magnet Podcast host I'm chatting with Natalie Lue, the creator of Baggage Reclaim, host of the Baggage Reclaim Sessions podcast, and author of five books, including The Joy of Saying No (HarperCollins).Natalie’s built a platform with global reach. She’s sold over 100,000 copies of her self-published books and has cultivated a deeply loyal audience. But for years, she still felt like she needed external validation to be taken seriously as a writer.But it was only after eventually signing a traditional publishing deal, that she realised that she was already legitimate.This episode is a powerful reminder for any aspiring or established author:+You don’t have to wait for permission+ You don’t need a deal to build authority.+ And sometimes, the validation you're chasing is already here.Inside this episode: ✔️ The honest truth about traditional publishing no one talks about ✔️ How Natalie sold 100K books by speaking directly to her audience ✔️ Why creative control (and profit) often comes from self-publishing ✔️ What most writers get wrong about “being chosen” ✔️ How to build a book around the transformation your readers actually wantThis is for you if you’re: ✨ Writing a book but unsure which path is right ✨ Wondering if your blog, podcast, or content is “enough” to start ✨ Tired of feeling like you need a gatekeeper to feel credible ✨ Ready to own your voice, serve your people, and publish with prideYou can buy Natalie's book direct here: Connect with Natalie: https://www.baggagereclaim.com The Joy of Saying No Baggage Reclaim Sessions podcast Instagram: @natlue

May 14, 2025Episode 7341 min

Make Money From Your Book Before You Even Hit Publish with Ashley Shepard

Can your book start making money before it's even finished?Today’s guest says yes — and she’s got the results to prove it.In this episode of Read Magnet, Cate is joined by Ashley Shepard, a publishing strategist, indie author, and founder of Shep Publishing House who shares how smart pre-order campaigns can turn your book into a profitable asset before it even launches.Ashley shares how she’s helped authors run 4- and 5-figure pre-order campaigns and why you don't need a massive audience in order to have a successful book.If you’re writing a book to grow your business, build your platform, or serve your people more deeply, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tips.💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your book should start working for you before it's doneHow to structure a pre-order campaign that builds momentum and trustWhat makes a great pre-order bonus (and what to avoid)Why audience size is less important than strategyHow to use direct sales to fund your book launch🔗 Resources & Links: Buy Ashley’s book: Profitable Publishing with Pre-Orders HERE>>Follow Ashley on Instagram: @sheppublishingExplore Ashley’s offers: www.sheppublishinghouse.comHOW TO WORK WITH CATEIf you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:www.theluminous.media/newsletter