PODCAST · business
Off the Press
by Mel Torrefranca
OFF THE PRESS is my real-time story of building a publishing company from the ground up. It’s an honest look at what it takes to make art, sell it, and everything in between… It’s a lot.
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19
Should teen writers self-publish?
Today’s guest is Fiona Holland, winner of the 2025 Lost Island Writing Contest, who landed a two-book deal with her upcoming YA dystopian novel, Below.Watch Fiona's publication video: https://youtu.be/Qa_hWJf5B88Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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18
Should you keep writing when life is falling apart?
Today’s guest is Kimberly Co, winner of the 2025 Lost Island Writing Contest, who landed a two-book deal with her upcoming YA mystery novel, The Shadow of Billie Jenkins.Watch Kimberly's publication video: https://youtu.be/ZNGshwOcPO0Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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17
What I learned from my 7th published book
3 changes made, 3 lessons learned.Buy Avarium by May 9 to ask me questions during a live Q&A: lostislandpress.com/shop/avariumGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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16
Writing the book is the easy part
Let's learn how to market books together!Preorder AVARIUM to ask me questions during a live Q&A: lostislandpress.com/shop/avariumUse code MELTORREFRANCA10 for 10% off your QWERKYWRITER: qwerkywriter.comGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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15
Why don't you love your art enough to share it?
Today’s guest is Matt Diamante, a viral SEO expert with 500K+ followers, author of Get Found, and founder of the digital marketing agency HeyTony.Buy Matt's book, Get Foundhttps://amazon.com/dp/1068826401Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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14
I signed 2 new authors. Here's our plan for 2026.
Go follow our new authors on social media!Use code BVISLAND for 3 free title setups on Bookvault: bookvault.appGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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13
Writers who hate marketing need to hear this
Today's guest is Dave Chesson, the book marketing expert behind Kindlepreneur.Book Marketing 101https://kindlepreneur.com/the-truth-on-selling-books-direct-insights-from-authorsSee my previous call with Dave on direct saleshttps://lostislandpress.com/podcast/these-authors-are-making-6119-monthGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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12
I think I accidentally wrote a psychological thriller
Preorder Avarium for an invite to my private launch partyhttps://lostislandpress.com/shop/avariumGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.com
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11
Plot your book. It’ll save you months.
I learned this lesson the hard way.Get a 30-day free trial of Plottr and use code OTP15 for 15% off: https://plottr.com/free-trialGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appSong credit: classicals.deMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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10
The problem with calling books "clean"
Profanity and violence aren’t in the same category as smut.Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appSong credit: classicals.deMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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9
Stop writing likable characters
If they never let me down, they'll never impress me.Use code BVISLAND for 3 free title setups on Bookvault: bookvault.appGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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8
These authors are making $6,119/month
Today's guest is Dave Chesson, the book marketing expert behind Kindlepreneur.Read Dave's case study on direct saleshttps://kindlepreneur.com/the-truth-on-selling-books-direct-insights-from-authorsGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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7
Why most manuscripts get rejected
Avoid these 5 mistakes to give your book a better shot.Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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6
How the Hero's Journey works
Today's guest is Matthew P. Winkler, writer of the viral TED-Ed video “What Makes a Hero?”Get a free copy of Mentoring Teenage Heroes + bonus resourceshttps://sites.google.com/view/mentoringteenageheroesBuy a paperback to support Matthewhttps://amazon.com/dp/0997543736Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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5
Writing a book description that sells
Let's take 3 book descriptions from Lost Island Press and workshop them into stronger copy.Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comBOOKS FEATURED📖 My Brother's Spare by Shira Behore📖 Lone Player by Julia Rosemary Turk📖 Leaving Wishville by Mel TorrefrancaOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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4
Modern book publishing is broken
No matter what path you choose, it's going to suck. (And that's okay!)Use code BVISLAND for 3 free title setups on Bookvault: bookvault.appGet a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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3
I started a publishing company with no clue what I was doing
When I was seventeen, I started a publishing company with hardly any experience. This episode covers why I did it, and some early lessons I learned.Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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2
Why I’m starting a podcast in 2026
Turns out, my YouTube videos with less than 1K views sold more books than my videos with 1M+ views. Here's what I'm doing next.Get a free book through my private newsletterlostislandpress.comOfficial podcast pagelostislandpress.com/podcastBuy a book to support the showlostislandpress.com/category/booksThank you to Bookvault, our founding sponsor of OFF THE PRESS. Use code BVISLAND to get 3 free title setups: bookvault.appMy website and socialsmeltorrefranca.comPlot a novel with melostislandink.comTools I usemeltorrefranca.com/techShow notes may contain affiliate links
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
OFF THE PRESS is my real-time story of building a publishing company from the ground up. It’s an honest look at what it takes to make art, sell it, and everything in between… It’s a lot.
HOSTED BY
Mel Torrefranca
CATEGORIES
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