The Published Creator Podcast

Stop Writing Books That Don’t Sell (Do This Instead)

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a TextIf you’re writing a book right now… you might want to pause.Because the reason most books don’t sell has nothing to do with the writing—and everything to do with what you’re building around it.In this episode, Rodney Washington breaks down why your book isn’t the business… and what you need to build before you publish if you actually want influence, income, and opportunities.🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy publishing your book is NOT the finish lineThe biggest mistake most self-published authors makeWhy Amazon is a fulfillment platform—not your marketing strategyHow to stop writing in isolation and start building demandThe Published Creator Flywheel (visibility → audience → offers → book → opportunities)How to validate your ideas before your book is finishedWhy authority, not your manuscript, is what drives sales⚙️ THE CORE SHIFTMost people follow this path:Write the book → Publish → Hope people buyAuthorpreneurs do this instead:Build visibility → Attract audience → Create offers → Then publish👉 The book becomes a result—not the starting point🔥 READY TO APPLY THIS?If this episode clicked for you, don’t stop at understanding it.*Join my next Authorpreneur Decision Live Masterclass*I’ll help you map your idea into an authority platform and show you how to turn your content into a book and a business.👉 Register here: https://publishedandthriving.com/authorpreneurmasterclass👥 CONNECT & GO DEEPER👉 Join the Published Creator Skool Community🔗 https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about👉 Subscribe on YouTube for more episodes🔗  @thepublishedcreator  🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYIf you don’t have authority…You don’t have a book problem.You have a visibility, audience, and positioning problem.📌 FINAL INVITATIONDon’t just write a book.Build something that makes the book inevitable… valuable… and profitable.

Online Courses Are Failing… Here’s What Smart Experts Are Building Instead

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a TextIf you’re an author, coach, speaker, or expert, you’ve probably been told your next step is to “build an online course.”We're often told:👉 “Build an online course.”👉 “Create passive income.”👉 “Record modules and scale.”But what happens when people buy… and never finish?In this conversation, I sit down with Executive Learning Producer Parchelle Osumaré to unpack why traditional online courses are struggling — and what smart experts are building instead.This isn’t about information anymore.It’s about transformation.Parchelle has helped hundreds of authors, coaches, and organizations turn their intellectual property into immersive learning experiences that actually move people — and generate real impact and income.If you have expertise, a book, or a message you want to monetize, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about packaging what you know.🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:✔ Why course completion rates are collapsing✔ The real reason people buy educational products✔ Why more content does NOT equal more results✔ How to design learning experiences people actually finish✔ The role of community, cohorts, and facilitation✔ How to build an ecosystem around your expertise✔ What to create instead of another self-paced course👤 About Parchelle OsumaréParchelle is an Executive Learning Producer and Founder of The Author’s Leverage. They specialize in helping experts transform their knowledge into premium learning assets, including private podcasts, interactive frameworks, facilitated cohorts, and strategic educational experiences.Connect with Parchelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parchelle/🚀 Ready to Turn Your Expertise Into Real Income & Impact?Take the FREE Authorpreneur Readiness Assessment👉 https://forms.gle/aPVR5cV7RzG4KNnAADiscover your next best step to build a book, offer, or experience that actually sells.🔔 Subscribe for MoreIf you’re an author, coach, speaker, or content creator who wants to build a business around your ideas — not just sell information — subscribe for weekly insights on publishing, positioning, and monetization.🎧 Listen on Podcast Platforms(Search “Published Creator Podcast” on your favorite platform)

Why Most Authors Never Make Real Money From Their Book

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a TextUncover where you are and what your next step should be as an Authorpreneur by taking the 👉 Authorpreneur Readiness AssessmentMost authors believe the path to making money from their book is selling more copies.It’s not.The authors who build thriving businesses from their books focus on something deeper. They get clear on their WHY.Your WHY determines who buys from you, what opportunities find you, and whether your book becomes a one-time project… or a lifelong asset that fuels your brand, income, and impact.In this video, I break down why clarity on your WHY is the real foundation of building a book that attracts clients, collaborators, and opportunities beyond book sales.If you're writing a book, or thinking about writing one, this may be the most important decision you make.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why selling more book copies is not the real goal• The hidden reason most authors never monetize their book• How your WHY determines your income potential as an author• Why clarity attracts clients, collaborators, and opportunities• How to position your book as the foundation of a thriving ecosystemThis is for you if:• You’re writing your first book• You’ve published a book but aren’t seeing meaningful income• You’re a coach, creator, or expert with a message• You want to build a business around your book• You want to become an Authorpreneur, not just an authorLearn how to turn your book into clients, income, and opportunities.New videos weekly: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos on building a thriving book-based business:Connect with Rodney Washington👉 On Instagram👉Join my free Published Creators Skool Community https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/aboutAuthorpreneur Strategist | Founder of Published & ThrivingHelping creators turn books into thriving brands and ecosystems

How One Educator Turned Her Passion for Trees 🌿 Into a Self-Published Children’s Book

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a TextWhat if a single leaf could open the door to a lifetime of curiosity?In this episode, longtime educator and author Rosetta Wood shares the story behind her beautifully illustrated science storybook, The Miracle of Changing Leaves: A Journey Through Seasons.After more than 25 years in the classroom, Rosetta witnessed firsthand how children light up when they connect with the natural world. A simple moment during a fall field trip, watching a woodpecker tap into a tree, sparked questions from her students that would eventually grow into a book designed to help children understand why leaves change color, how trees grow, and what happens during each season of the year.Her mission is to nurture curiosity, environmental awareness, and a lifelong love of learning in children.This conversation explores how storytelling can make science accessible, memorable, and meaningful for young readers.Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschool educator, this episode will inspire you to see nature as a classroom—and help your child do the same.📘 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why children are naturally drawn to trees, leaves, and seasonal changeHow Rosetta turned classroom moments into a science storybookSimple ways to help children understand photosynthesis and plant growthWhy emotional connection make learning science more effectiveHow parents and educators can nurture curiosity through observationThe deeper mission behind The Miracle of Changing Leaves🌱 About the BookThe Miracle of Changing Leaves: A Journey Through Seasons is a beautifully illustrated science storybook that helps children ages 7–11 understand:Why leaves change colorHow trees grow and transformWhat happens inside a leaf during each seasonHow to observe and appreciate the natural worldWritten by educator Rosetta Wood, this book blends STEM education with gentle storytelling to help young readers fall in love with nature.🍁 Order the book on AmazonDownload the free coloring pages: 👉 The Miracle of Changing Leaves: A Journey Through Seasons⭐ If You Enjoyed This EpisodePlease follow, rate, and share this episode with a parent, teacher, or educator who would love helping children discover the miracle happening in every leaf.

Publishing a Book Won’t Make You an Authority

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a TextRodney and Chela are hosting a live virtual experience called The Authorpreneur Decision, designed to help you clarify your authority, map your monetization ecosystem, and turn your book into a credibility engine.💸 Join Us For The Live Cohort 💸https://publishedandthriving.com/decisionPublishing a book doesn’t make you an authority.In this conversation, Rodney Washington is joined by publishing project manager and author support specialist Chela Hardy to break down a truth most professionals discover too late: the book is not the business, it’s the engine.They unpack why so many smart, experienced creators publish a book, put it on Amazon, and then wonder why nothing changes… and what actually needs to be in place before and during the publishing process for a book to create credibility, clients, and momentum.This episode reframes the entire idea of “writing a book” into something far more powerful: building an ecosystem.You’ll hear:Why Amazon is a fulfillment tool, not an authority strategyHow existing content (podcasts, blogs, talks, YouTube) is already your bookThe mindset shift from “writing” to building a bookWhy most authors get stuck after publishing — and how to avoid itWhat it really means to make the Authorpreneur DecisionHow books become entry points into communities, programs, and experiencesWhy authority is built through intention, mapping, and experience — not sales aloneThis isn’t about writing faster, selling more copies, or chasing bestseller lists.It’s about deciding how you want to show up in the world — and designing your book to support that decision.If you’re a coach, consultant, speaker, content creator, or professional with a message — and you want your book to do more than sit on a shelf, this conversation will change how you think about publishing.✅ Follow Rodney:https://instagram.com/thepublishedcreatorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneylwashington/🚀 Join The Published Creator Skool Community 🚀https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about✅ Follow Chela:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelahardy/https://www.reggiebrownreads.com/ https://www.askchela.com/