Don't Write That Book

Hosted by Mike Michalowicz, AJ Harper

Arts Books Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

153

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 202637 min

When to Give Away Free Copies of Your Book

Most authors have had this experience: someone approaches you and asks for a free copy of your book. And that request can hurt, since the best way to support an author is by buying a copy. But sometimes giving away copies is in your best interest. Mike and AJ dive into this week's topic and break down when to give away copies and when not to. 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: Simplified AJ's writing sprint community Buoyant , by Susie deVille 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

October 8, 202647 min

What to Do When You (or Someone Else) Blows Up Your Book

AJ and Mike discuss how to handle your book blowing up in your face this week. In this episode, your favorite author co-hosts break down the devastating but necessary process of realizing a part of, or your whole book, simply isn’t working. Mike and AJ share their personal experiences and stories behind their own books and concepts “blowing up” and how they survived 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: Simplified AJ’s Writing Sprints AJ's all-day Writing Sprint Marathon (registration) Uncertain, TX on Substack (special for DWTB listeners!) Scar Tissue , by Melissa Dugolecki 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

October 1, 202640 min

Is Prescriptive Nonfiction Dead

In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ discuss the controversy sparked by Tim Ferriss's article, "Has AI Already Killed How-To Nonfiction? " The two debate whether AI summaries have made prescriptive nonfiction obsolete or whether the use of AI everywhere has made humans more desperate for human-made content. 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: Simplified Tim Ferriss Article AJ's Rebuttal to Tim Take Breaks, Work Better by John Briggs AJ's all-day Writing Sprint Marathon (registration) 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

September 24, 202646 min

Don’t Sleep on Panel Discussions as a Marketing Tool

In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss panel discussions and why too many authors are not utilizing them. Panels are easier than solo talks and are often easier to get, but have been overlooked lately. They both share their experiences with them and why the invitation to discuss benefited their books more than simply talking about them. 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: Simplified Big Freakin' Change , by Cara Poppett 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

September 17, 202648 min

Get Pre-orders Way Before Your Pub Date

This week’s episode covers all about pre-orders and when you can start getting orders in. Well, turns out you don’t need to wait for a pre-order link. Mike and AJ discuss their own experiences with taking orders before their books were even linked and other methods to start orders as early as possible. 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: Simplified AJ's writing sprint community Check, Please! The Disregulated Kid , by Roseann Copanna-Hodge 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

September 10, 202642 min

How to Write on an Airplane

In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ discuss adapting your writing to the environment you are in. Mike has extensive experience with writing on planes and even found that he sometimes writes best on planes. Mike and AJ all discuss their creative differences and how finding yours is extraordinarily important for becoming a bestselling author. 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: Page Two Simplified 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

September 3, 202633 min

When Your Publisher Bullies You

What do you do when you get your dream traditional publisher, an offer of a lifetime, and then everything goes sour? Your publisher begins to bully you, completely bulldozes your story, and you… Well, sadly, this happens from time to time. But AJ and Mike know exactly how to handle this! 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: Simplified AJ's Writing Sprint Community 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

August 27, 202634 min

Should You Put Your Book on Pause?

Sometimes writing just stops- not writer’s block, but simply stuck. Life is busy, more urgent matters take precedence, and your body is exhausted. So what do you do? You pause on your book. But how do you decide when life is too much to do that? AJ and Mike cover just that in this latest episode and their own experiences, sharing their best strategies to get through the muck. 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: Simplified 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

August 20, 202646 min

How to Choose Between Publishers

When your publishing offers come in all at once, it can be hard to decide. Even the difference between two traditional publishing houses can be starkly different. In today’s episode, we tell you how to notice all of those little differences and what can be a make or break for your book’s life. 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: Simplified In Search of You , by Kasey Compton Beyond Compassion Fatigue , by Jen Blough 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

August 14, 202628 min

Should You De-list Your Book on Amazon?

Sometimes authors rewrite their books or create expanded versions of their books, so what do you do with your old book? This week, Mike and AJ answer that question and lay out all of the pros and cons of delisting your book. Mike has pondered the same question himself and shares his personal experience. 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: Page Two Simplified Take Breaks Work Better , by John Briggs Profit First for E-Commerce Sellers , by Cindy Thomason Traction , by Gino Wickman Not Your Sidekick , by CB Lee 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

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing