From Idea to Deal: Elaine Lin Hering's Publishing Journey

Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan Stevenson talks with author and leadership expert Elaine Lin Hering about her nine-year journey to publishing her debut book Unlearning Silence with Penguin Random House. Elaine shares how the idea sparked from her work at the Harvard Negotiation Project, what held her back, and how she finally took action. From doomscrolling on LinkedIn to securing a six-figure book deal, Elaine offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the emotional highs and lows of traditional publishing.Listeners will learn how to trust their gut, why finding the right team is essential, and how silence—personally, professionally, and culturally—can shape our lives more than we realize. If you’ve got a book idea and don’t know where to start, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and powerful lessons that will give you clarity and courage.This week’s guest is Elaine Lin Hering. She is a speaker, facilitator, and former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. She works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She has worked on six continents and facilitated executive education at Harvard, Dartmouth, Tufts, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. She has served as the Advanced Training Director for the Harvard Mediation Program and a Managing Partner for a global leadership development firm. She has worked with coal miners at BHP Billiton, micro-finance organizers in East Africa, mental health professionals in China, and senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Her clients include American Express, Chevron, Google, Nike, Novartis, PayPal, Pixar, and the Red Cross. She is the author of the USA Today bestselling book Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully (Penguin, 2024).Find Elaine on social LinkedInInstagramSign up for Elaine’s newsletter and buy a copy of her bestselling book.Episode Highlights:(0:00) Intro(2:01) How the book idea was born, and how silence shows up in our lives(5:15) Realizing the world needed this book and taking the leap(9:50) Creating the book proposal and why it’s worth investing in help(14:56) Choosing a literary agent and building trust(18:48) Publisher meetings, auction drama, and landing a major deal(25:05) The emotional rollercoaster behind the scenes(30:58) Discovering she can write and structuring the book(36:53) Promoting the book without feeling annoying(41:37) Advice for aspiring authors: Take the next step(43:53) Favorite moments and working with the right team(49:17) OutroHave a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quizTraditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal. In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you. Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.