If English isn’t your first language, it’s easy to wonder whether people will trust your writing or take your ideas seriously. In this solo episode of The Author’s Edge, Allison Lane tackles that fear head-on and separates what’s real from what’s holding you back.

You’ll hear why perfect English isn’t the standard for credibility, how clarity builds trust faster than polish, and why non-native English speakers often have an advantage when it comes to writing. Allison also shares a simple, repeatable process for getting your ideas out of your head and onto the page without overthinking grammar or sounding like a textbook.

This episode is for experts, founders, and professionals who know they have something valuable to say but have been hesitating because English isn’t their first language.

In this episode, Allison covers:

• Why authority doesn’t come from perfect English, it comes from clarity
• How to use speaking instead of typing to capture your ideas
• A simple speak–shape–smooth workflow that keeps your voice intact

Action step:

Pick one question people ask you all the time. Record yourself answering it on your phone. Transcribe it, read it once for clarity, and share it. You don’t need perfection. You need a path from your voice to the page.

Get Allison's 7 Shifts to Build Your Authority free guide: https://lanelit.com/authority

Timestamps

• 00:00–00:40 — The fear behind writing in a second language
• 00:40–01:30 — Separating real concerns from fear
• 01:30–02:10 — Why authority isn’t an accent
• 02:10–02:55 — The speak–shape–smooth method
• 02:55–03:40 — Turning recordings into sections
• 03:40–04:20 — Editing for clarity instead of perfection
• 04:20–05:10 — How to test if your writing works
• 05:10–05:45 — Your next step and how to start today

If you know someone who’s been sitting on an important idea because English isn’t their first language, share this episode with them.

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• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
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You don't have to start at the bottom when you pivot to your dream career.

In this episode, Allison Lane talks with business coach, author, and Second Act Success podcast host Shannon Russell about designing a “second act” (or third, or encore career) that honors who you’ve been and who you’re becoming ... and designing a next chapter that builds on your success. Learn how to pivot with confidence, use a 90‑day roadmap, and find time to grow your new business without burnout. Shannon shares practical strategies for finding time to build your business - even in 15-minute pockets of time - and emphasizes the importance of a 90-day roadmap.

If you are considering a career pivot, a corporate exit, or an encore career, this conversation breaks down how to gain visibility and authority in a new space without losing the credibility you have already earned.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED

• How to map out your career pivot using a 90-day roadmap.
• Why you should "learn before you leap" to avoid burnout and financial risk.
• How to confidently answer the question, "So, what have you been up to?"

CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro: The fear of changing careers 2:15 - Why you don't start at the bottom when you pivot 5:45 - Identifying transferable skills for your new business 9:30 - When to leave a corporate career (The "Why") 14:50 - How to build visibility in 90-day chunks 19:40 - Finding time to work on your business 24:00 - Researching your market before investing 26:30 - How to sign up for Shannon's masterclass

Get Allison's free guide 7 Shifts to Build Your Authority: https://lanelit.com/authority

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Shannon Russell's Website: https://secondactsuccess.co Podcast: Second Act Success
• Shannon’s free live masterclass: How to Turn Your Ideas Into Income → Sign up at secondactsuccess.co
• Connect with Allison: lanelit.com and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisonlanelit

Get Allison's free Author Content Calendar at https://lanelit.com/content Instant Access: Get immediate access to a year's worth of content and start boosting your online presence today.

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

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Too many book ideas and no clue which one to start with? This episode walks you through a simple, repeatable process to choose a topic that’s both meaningful to you and valuable to your readers.​

In this quick coaching-style episode of The Author’s Edge, Publishing and Visibility Advisor Allison Lane shows you how to stop overthinking and start validating your ideas in the real world - without asking random people in a Facebook group to “vote” on your book.​

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why there is no single “right” book topic - and how chasing certainty keeps you stuck instead of shipping.​
• How to mine real reader questions (and Google’s “People Also Ask”) to find the problems your audience is already asking you to solve.​
• A simple 5-step “Questions My People Ask” exercise to validate your topic with a 5-minute voice note before you commit.​

Connect with Allison

• 🌐 lanelit.com
• 💼 LinkedIn: Allison Lane
• 📺 Watch on YouTube for bonus video episodes
• 💌 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review to help others find the show!

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

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Stop trying to squeeze more hours out of the day... learn how to build authority without the burnout.

This episode explains how accomplished experts use the Clarity Triad framework to build a legacy without sacrificing their sanity. Allison Lane talks with CalPoly professor Dr. Christiane Schroeter who shares how using "petite practices" can transform a career into a global brand. You will learn when to use small, strategic steps instead of waiting for the "perfect" time to take a massive leap.

If you are ready to stop being the "best kept secret" and start building a visible platform that fits your real life, this episode provides the exact strategy to get moving today.

What you’ll learn:

• Why tiny steps beat big leaps when you want lasting change
• How to reduce decision fatigue when you already have a demanding career
• How to find your next “visibility move” by looking 5 years back

Timestamps:

• 01:00 Why big leaps make experts freeze
• 06:00 The Clarity Triad framework
• 13:00 Choose how you respond instead of reacting
• 15:00 Choose what you release and build real boundaries
• 18:00 What to let go of (yes, including perfection)
• 22:00 Legacy, focus, and the real source of overwhelm
• 23:00 Building a portfolio life beyond one job title
• 28:00 How to find your first step fast

Resources:

• Allison's free guide "7 Steps to Claim Your Authority": https://lanelit.com/authority
• Dr. Christiane’s website + Discover Your Superpower Quiz: https://doctorchristiane.com/
• The Petite Practice Journal (LinkedIn newsletter): https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-petite-practice-journal-7389417258831421440/
• Book: Petite Practice Collection by Dr. Christiane Schroeter

Get Allison's free Author Content Calendar at https://lanelit.com/content Instant Access: Get immediate access to a year's worth of content and start boosting your online presence today.

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

LinkedIn @allisonlanelit
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Do you actually need a ghostwriter, or do you need a better system?

In this quickie solo episode of The Author’s Edge, Allison Lane tackles one of the most common questions she hears from smart, accomplished people who want to write a book: Do I need a ghostwriter? The honest answer is “maybe”, but most of the time, the real issue isn’t talent or discipline. It’s extraction.

Allison breaks down why the blinking cursor is the real obstacle, how clarity matters more than hiring help, and what to do before you invest in a ghostwriter, editor, or coach. She also shares a simple three-part writing system that helps you get what’s already in your head onto the page without forcing it.

You will get:

• Why “I need a ghostwriter” is usually an extraction problem, not a talent problem
• When hiring a ghostwriter makes sense, and when it doesn’t
• How to use a simple system to turn voice notes into usable written content

Timestamps

• 00:00–01:00 — The real question behind “Do I need a ghostwriter?”
• 01:00–02:15 — Why this isn’t a talent problem, it’s an extraction problem
• 02:15–03:15 — Ghostwriter vs editor vs book coach vs collaborator
• 03:15–04:10 — The clarity test before hiring help
• 04:10–05:10 — Why obstacles aren’t a plan
• 05:10–06:10 — The 3-part system: capture, organize, refine
• 06:10–07:15 — How dictation works and why it fails
• 07:15–08:10 — When hiring a ghostwriter actually makes sense
• 08:10–09:00 — One five-minute step to get your ideas out into the world

If you want the full breakdown, including how to make dictation work without sounding stiff, listen to the episode.

If this episode helped you, send it to someone who keeps saying, “I’m not a writer, but I really want to be.”

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

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Join host Allison Lane on "The Author's Edge" as she dives into the world of personal branding and social media with expert AJ Kumar. Discover why experts often struggle with visibility despite their expertise and learn strategies for turning your knowledge into a powerful personal brand. AJ shares insights from his book "Guru Inc," discussing how to craft engaging content and navigate the evolving landscape of social media to become an unforgettable authority in your field.

Learn how to reverse engineer your author marketing, translate your expertise into simple messages, and stop relying on credentials to do the heavy lifting.

Press play to build your visibility and start showing up like the go-to expert.

Resources mentioned:

• AJ Kumar’s website: www.ajkumar.com
• Guru, Inc: Win in the Creator Economy, Build an Iconic Brand, and Become the Go-To Authority in Your Niche: https://bookshop.org/a/55773/9781637748442
• Get Descript for an easy way to start creating content: https://get.descript.com/mew7wqdktfsm
• Get Allison's free guide 7 Shifts to Build Real Authority - and get recognized for your expertise (not your follower count): https://lanelit.com/authority
• Connect with Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonlanelit/

Key Topics:

• The Imposter Syndrome trap and how experts can overcome it.
• Understanding and leveraging the "virus of limited thinking" to boost confidence.
• Why being the best doesn’t mean you will be seen: the importance of visibility and promotion.
• AJ Kumar’s tips on creating engaging, digestible content for social media platforms.
• The role of storytelling in enhancing your personal brand.
• Practical advice on using AI and tools like teleprompters to streamline content creation.

Get Allison's free Author Content Calendar at https://lanelit.com/content Instant Access: Get immediate access to a year's worth of content and start boosting your online presence today.

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

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If your expertise feels multifaceted and hard to explain, you’re not scattered.
You’re likely under-positioned.

In this quickie episode of The Author’s Edge, host Allison Lane shows you how to create a simple through line that makes your range feel intentional, credible, and easy to repeat. You’ll use her framework to build a single sentence that becomes your talk, your book, and your platform.

What you’ll learn:

• Why multiple lanes are often your advantage
• The real reason people check out when you explain your background
• How to create a through line that connects your expertise into one promise
• The Theme, Audience, Promise framework (and how to use it fast)
• The one sentence structure that makes you instantly “placeable”
• How to validate your positioning using real audience language
• A simple exercise to pick the lane with the biggest stakes

Timestamps:

00:00 You’re not scattered
00:35 The real issue is positioning
01:25 Theme, audience, promise
02:21 Why listing lanes becomes word salad
03:20 Build your one sentence
03:40 Validate it where your audience gathers
04:14 The three-problem exercise and the “big stakes” test
04:36 Don’t hide the outlier
05:00 DM Allison your one sentence

Learn how to package your expertise into one clear positioning statement so you sound focused, not scattered. Get a simple framework and a one-sentence template.

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

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In this episode of The Author’s Edge, Allison Lane sits down with Cam Beaudoin, founder of The Frequent Speaker, to talk about the one thing that gets people picked for stages faster than polish or fame. Clarity.

Cam books speakers and works with event planners every day, so he breaks down what actually matters when someone is choosing a speaker. He also shares a practical way to build credibility, even if you think you do not have enough clout yet.

Resources:

Essential Author Bio Package (free) https://www.lanelit.com/package

Cam Beaudoin on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thefrequentspeaker

The Frequent Speaker https://www.thefrequentspeaker.com/

🎧 Tune in now to land more speaking gigs with a clearer message and a simple pitch system.

Get Allison's free Author Content Calendar at https://lanelit.com/content Instant Access: Get immediate access to a year's worth of content and start boosting your online presence today.

Rate, Review, & Follow The Author’s Edge

“So incredibly helpful!” >>> If that sounds like you, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review the show! Your support helps more authors build their brands, reach their audiences, and launch their books successfully.

Here’s how:

• Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five stars.
• Select “Write a Review” and tell me what you loved most about the episode!

And don’t forget to follow the podcast if you haven’t already. I’m sharing bonus episodes packed with insider tips, and I’d hate for you to miss out. Hit that follow button now.

LinkedIn @allisonlanelit
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