Don't Write That Book

Hosted by Mike Michalowicz, AJ Harper

Arts Books Education

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Episodes

135

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

June 11, 202636 min

Why Your Book Probably Needs a Test Drive

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss all about validating your book’s content before and during writing. They call this “test driving” your content, to see if your content really resonates with readers. Identifying where your readers get confused, overwhelmed, or bored helps to improve your book to better serve your audience. Mike and AJ give actionable steps on how to execute these “test drives.” 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: Test Drive Your Content video program 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

June 4, 202639 min

Creating Special Editions for Your Book

In this episode, AJ and Mike talk about all things special editions and why they might just increase your audience engagement. Special editions are dominated by fiction books, but why not non-fiction? AJ and Mike weigh the pros and cons and why polling your fanbase first is always the best strategy. 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: Rise of the You-prenuer, by Chris Ducker Different is Better than Better, Sally Hogshead 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

May 28, 202659 min

AI is the Kiss of Death for Authors

In this episode, AJ and Mike debate whether AI causes intellectual atrophy or is a potential augmentation tool for authors. AJ brings up both the loss of creativity and the ethical issues of AI’s training data. Mike argues that can be helpful with tools such as transcription and summarization. This is an episode you do not want to miss. 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: AJ's Summer Camp 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

May 21, 202656 min

Grifters

In this episode, Mike and AJ address the stinky 800-pound gorilla rummaging through your pockets: the grifter authors. In this audience-inspired episode, they’ll share how authors can come across with authenticity and deliver on their book’s promise and not be the type of author who’s just looking to make a buck? In this world of easy money grabs, learn how to be an author who delivers. This is one you won’t want to miss! 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: High Agency Human, by Vickie Lanthier 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

May 14, 202643 min

Two Ways to Make Progress This Summer

In this episode, AJ and Mike lay the groundwork for summer progress on your must-reads. Bonus, they don’t require you to actually open your manuscript and type! This hour, listeners will learn how to gather and bank information from their ideal readers at a time when many of us are taking vacations or otherwise struggling to stay super-focused on our manuscripts. 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: AJ’s (free!) Summer Camp sign-up People Can’t Drive You Crazy if You Don’t Give Them the Keys, by Dr. Mike Bechtle 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

May 7, 202642 min

How to Get Over Big Nerves

In this episode, Mike and AJ address feeling nervous about the book, either nervous that they don’t have the authority to write on it, to worries it could flop. (And all the other elements to book writing that can stymie an author!) Our duo shares the things that give them pause or outright nail-biting worry because surprise! Even successful authors have worries. But for this hour, Mike and AJ will calm those fears with tips and tricks they use 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: “A Writer’s Worst Fear,” by Jane Friedman Fearless Writing, by William Kenower 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

April 30, 202658 min

ROI on Writing a Book

In this episode, AJ and Mike discuss a question they hear from new authors often: What’s the ROI (return on investment) in writing a book? They each define what they believe the key point is with different points of view on how to achieve that result. Should authors treat their book like a business proposition or a bonus to their business? Tune in to hear it from our dynamic duo to find out! 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: World Famous, by David Tyreman 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

April 23, 202657 min

Twelve Hour Launch Day

In this episode, Mike walks AJ through THE MONEY HABIT’s launch day, a whopping twelve hours of special guests, marketing ideas, and more. Not even technical glitches could stop the show! Well, they did, but they got everything back on track quickly, due to Mike’s intrepid team behind the scenes. Listeners will learn the tech used, how the parade of authors and guests was managed, and ultimately if Mike thought it was worthwhile. 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

April 16, 202643 min

Bulk Buys Debrief

In this episode, it’s all the data! Mike breaks down the numbers so far with respect to bulk buys for his new book, The Money Habit. Large and small orders, how the logistics of shipping played out, and more – nothing is left out. Did AJ manage to convince Mike that bulk buys are as important as individual sales, or did Mike finally win a debate? You’ll have to listen to find out! 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: Path to the Main Stage, with Li Hayes 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

April 9, 202659 min

Influencers: How to Ask Other Authors to Support Your Book

In this episode, AJ and Mike answer one of the most common questions they get from first-time authors. How the heck are you supposed to get an endorsement for your book? How do you ask a Big Name someone for a shout-out? This week our duo not only tells you the dos, they give you the absolutely do nots so authors can ask the Big Ask in a way that feels good. They’ll even cover how to follow up on a “no” and why it’s not always a closed door. 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 Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier Scale Solo, Pia Silva Rich Relationships, Selena Soo Before the Bestseller, Alex Strathdee The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson Running with Lions, Julian Winters 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

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Don&apos;t Write That Book