Ep 31: Interview with Laura Belgray

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Sometimes, you're sure you'll love someone well before meeting them. That's the way I felt when I learned of Laura Belgray's forthcoming book, "Tough Titties." At once a collection of essays, a memoir, and a hilariously honest look at navigating various stages of life and business ownership, this book made me feel like I'd known Laura for many lifetimes by the end of page 5 (because she's so wholly relatable).  In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we chatted about why she wrote the book, why she wrote it this way, and her experience (thus far) navigating the publishing world.It's safe to say I had to back away from the mic a few times during this interview because I was laughing so hard I would have blown out the speakers (and your eardrums).I know you're going to enjoy it as much as I did!  INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS- How Laura wrote the exact opposite of a “should book”- The belief she had about her ability to tell stories that held her back a bit.- What made her book “hard” to sell, and what she ultimately found in an agent that made all the difference (this is the kind of agent we ALL would want, were we to go that route)- Laura's (very honest) goal when it came to working with a traditional publishing house- How she found her agent (aka, An Exercise in Ethical Stalking) - How she navigated moments when she was struggling to organize her book’s content and feeling overwhelmed by all the stories she wanted to tell - How Laura’s self-worth relates to and is impacted by “being busy” (if you relate more to being a sloth than a cheetah, you will LOVE this snippet!)- Audiobook plans (and my audiobook recording tips!), plus the hidden benefits of recording an audiobook. CONNECT WITH LAURA  Laura's Website Story Goldmine: 63 Surprising Places to Mine Your Everyday Life for Stories that Sell33 Non-Sucky Subject Lines for Emails that People Actually Open & ReadOrder the Tough Tittles book! Laura on Instagram  ***Are you ready to make some bold moves as an author (or aspiring author)?This FREE challenge will help you stop overthinking and over-planning so you can get out of your own way and show yourself exactly what kind of magic your story or message is capable of creating.Join the 25 Days of Bold Moves challenge! 🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINTGet back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers. 🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.*episode sponsor WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 👉  PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility ✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMPYou've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time). 👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebookSupport the show******Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.  Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth