As You Wish Publishing Podcast

Many people believe writing a book requires perfect writing, endless time, or approval from a traditional publisher. None of that is actually true.In this episode, we break down three simple mindset shifts that help new authors move from thinking about a book to actually creating one. You’ll learn why a clear idea matters more than perfect writing, why books are built piece by piece instead of in one heroic writing streak, and why modern publishing is about ownership rather than permission.If you’ve ever had a book idea but felt overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this episode will help you see the process in a much more approachable way.We also talk about the role authors play in sharing their work with the world and how simple actions—like outlining ideas, writing small sections, and connecting with the right audience—can move a book forward.Sometimes the biggest step is simply realizing you’re allowed to begin.Publishing using our Complete Self-Publishing System: https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/publishingmadeeasyDone-For-You Publishing Services with As You Wish Publishing https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Subscribe to As You Wish Publishing for more Self-Publishing Insights Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

Most memoirs, business books, and personal development manuscripts don’t struggle because of writing skill.They struggle because of positioning.In this episode, Kyra and Todd unpack the three stages of emotional authorship:• Writing for catharsis• Writing from clarity• Writing from synthesisThey explore how emotional integration affects reader experience, why many first-time authors get stuck in stage one, and how to recognize whether your story is ready to be shared — or still needs time.This conversation is especially important for:– Memoirists– Collaboration authors– Entrepreneurs using books as authority assets– Business owners positioning themselves as expertsYou’ll learn:• Why “raw” doesn’t automatically mean publishable• How reader experience changes at each stage• The difference between processing and offering• What makes a book move from personal to universal• The gentle risks at every stage• How to assess whether your manuscript is ready for professional publishingThis is not writing coaching. This is perspective.If you’re preparing a manuscript — or revisiting one — this framework will help you decide what version of your story is most generous to the reader.And if your manuscript is near finished, you can explore publishing fit at asyouwishpublishing.com.https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

Most publishing delays don’t come from editing, design, or logistics.They happen earlier — before publishing even begins.In this episode of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, Kyra and Todd break down the three key decisions that allow professional self-publishing to move forward cleanly and predictably:• Bringing a nearly finished manuscript into publishing• Defining what “ready” means for you• Choosing your publishing path intentionallyThey also reveal the single decision that slows publishing down the most: trying to use publishing to figure out what your book should be.If you’re finishing a manuscript, refining your expertise into a book, or deciding when to make the leap, this episode clarifies the line between writing and publishing — and why separating those phases changes everything.Publishing is execution. Writing is discovery.Knowing the difference protects your momentum.Read the blog here:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 5 of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, we break down the done-for-you professional self-publishing model — what it is, how it works, and why structure matters more than marketing promises.If you want a professionally produced book that looks like it came from a major publisher — but without giving up rights, royalties, or control — this episode clarifies exactly how that works.We cover:• Service-based vs rights-based publishing• Full copyright ownership and non-exclusive rights• Global distribution through Ingram (not just KDP)• Why revenue flows directly to the author• 90-day production timelines• The real role of the author in generating demand• How business owners can treat a book as a long-term assetNo hype. No guarantees of bestseller status. Just structural clarity so you can choose the publishing lane that aligns with how you want to operate long term.If ownership, transparency, and defined structure matter to you, this episode is for you.Read the blog here:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 4 of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, Kyra and Todd break down the third major publishing model: fully independent, do-it-yourself publishing.If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just publish it myself,” this episode walks through what that actually means.From platform compliance and metadata to design standards, account risk, evolving AI restrictions, and technical coordination, DIY publishing gives authors full authority—but also full responsibility.You’ll learn:• Where the real overwhelm happens (hint: it’s not uploading the file)• Why compliance has tightened dramatically in 2025–2026• The risks around metadata, revised editions, and account shutdowns• The financial upside of owning your distribution accounts• How to decide if DIY is the right lane for youThis is not a sales pitch. It’s a 30,000-foot structural breakdown so you can make an informed decision before committing to a path.Read everything. Know your lane. Choose wisely.Read the blog here:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

Hybrid publishing is often marketed as “the best of both worlds.” But is it?In this episode of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, Kyra and Todd break down hybrid publishing at a structural level — not emotionally, not rhetorically, but contractually.You’ll learn:* Who really holds decision-making power* Where financial risk actually sits* How royalties are structured* Why distribution accounts matter* What “subsidiary of” really means* And why reading the fine print is not optionalThey also explain how some hybrid models blend traditional prestige language with self-publishing mechanics — and why that distinction matters for your long-term ownership and authority.This is not a takedown episode. It’s a clarity episode.Before you sign anything, listen to this.Author-first. Eyes wide open.Read the blog here: https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing: https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 2 of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, Kyra and Todd take a clear-eyed look at traditional publishing — without fantasy, without bitterness, and without hype.They break down:• How the acquisitions process really works• Why great writing alone is not enough• Who actually holds decision-making power• What “advance” money really means• How contracts affect rights, timelines, and control• Why books often change before publication• What 18–24 month timelines actually involveIf you’ve ever dreamed of traditional publishing, this episode will help you understand the structural realities behind the curtain — including market positioning, platform expectations, delayed timelines, and the very real trade-offs between visibility and ownership.This is not anti-traditional publishing. It’s structural clarity.Because when you understand power, risk, control, upside, and timeline, you can make a decision based on design — not mythology.Read the blog here:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe

In the very first episode of the As You Wish Publishing Podcast, Kyra and Todd Schaefer break down what most authors never get clearly explained: how publishing actually works.Before you make an emotional decision about your book, you need to understand structure.Traditional publishing. Hybrid publishing. DIY self-publishing. Done-for-you professional self-publishing.Each model distributes power, risk, control, financial upside, and timeline differently — and those structural differences matter far more than branding, promises, or status.If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, memoirist, or legacy author trying to decide your next step, this episode will give you a calm, straightforward foundation so you can evaluate publishing options with clarity — not mythology.This is the starting point.Read the blog here: https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/post/publishing-models-comparisonLearn about book publishing with As You Wish Publishing: https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/Is you Manuscript Ready? Apply to publish with As You Wish Publishing:https://www.asyouwishpublishing.com/iwriteBest and Worst Self-Publishing Service Watchdog Site:https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Get full access to As You Wish Publishing at asyouwishpublishing.substack.com/subscribe