Most books never break 300 copies. That single fact alone stops a lot of aspiring authors in their tracks. In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, Meghan Stevenson breaks down why traditionally published books consistently sell more copies and what that means if you are thinking about writing a book.

Meghan explains that traditional publishing forces authors to build an audience and prove demand before a deal is ever offered. While that hurdle can feel intimidating, it actually sets authors up for stronger sales because they already know how to reach readers. She also highlights the role of professional production, from editing to cover design, and how quality directly impacts reader trust and word of mouth.

Another major advantage is distribution. Traditionally published books are placed in physical bookstores, not just online marketplaces, which significantly increases visibility and long-term sales. Megan also shares an often-overlooked factor: traditional publishing puts an entire team behind a book, all invested in its success.

This episode helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders decide whether traditional publishing aligns with their goals, resources, and readiness, and offers clarity on why the traditional path still matters in today’s crowded market.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:26) Indie vs traditional publishing explained
(2:00) The reality of book sales statistics
(3:29) Sales data for traditional publishers
(4:01) Audience and proof of concept matter
(4:33) Professional production and quality
(5:35) Distribution and bookstore access
(6:15) Teams behind traditional publishing
(6:55) When traditional publishing is not right
(7:20) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional 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.

What if landing a book deal wasn’t about luck at all, but about learning how the publishing world really works? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan sits down with bestselling author and former teacher–turned–entrepreneur Jamie Sears to break open the truth behind traditional publishing, platform building, and writing a book that actually gets picked up.

Jamie shares how she went from creating classroom resources with nothing but scrapbook skills to building a massive online audience and securing a major deal with Penguin Random House. Her story is a reminder that success isn’t instant, it’s built through consistency, listening to your audience, and choosing your “hard.”

Listeners will learn why a strong author platform matters, how proposal-writing becomes the true test of book readiness, and why rejection from agents isn't a final verdict but part of the journey. Jamie also offers an honest look at mindset, deadlines, collaboration, and the surprising ease that comes once you finally take the first step.

This conversation is a must-listen for every entrepreneur who dreams of seeing their book on shelves someday.

This week’s guest is Jamie Sears. She is the Founder and CEO of the Not So Wimpy Teacher company, as well as the author of How to Love Teaching Again. A former third grade teacher, she now runs a multi-million dollar company creating curriculum, hosting a lesson planning platform called Lesson Genie, and delivering professional development for elementary educators in grades 2-5. She has educated over 15,000 teachers in her digital courses and her articles have been viewed more than ten million times by teachers around the world.

Find Jamie online
https://www.facebook.com/NotSoWimpyTeacher
https://www.instagram.com/notsowimpyteacher/
https://notsowimpyteacher.com/

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:20) Jamie Sears’ work and her mission
(2:46) Becoming an accidental entrepreneur
(4:55) Building a platform one step at a time
(8:00) Mindset and choosing your “hard”
(9:16) What a book proposal really requires
(15:10) Handling rejection from agents
(20:25) The mindset shift of writing a full book
(23:22) Breaking down the writing process
(29:01) The joy and pride of finishing a book
(32:20) How publishing really works behind the scenes
(44:03) Jamie’s advice for first-time authors
(50:15) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional 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.

What if the book deal you dream about isn’t actually far away, it just needs the right plan, the right timing, and the right support?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson opens the doors to traditional publishing even wider by sharing the exact framework she uses to help experts and entrepreneurs land major book deals. She breaks down her trusted Three P Framework: Potential, Platform, and Proposal; and explains why each step matters more than most aspiring authors realize. From understanding whether your idea can sell, to proving you have a real, working audience, to crafting a compelling proposal, Meghan shows you the path publishers actually want to see.

She also pulls back the curtain on her business, revealing how her team has helped clients earn over $950,000 in advances in 2025 alone and more than $7 million across her career. Plus, she announces a new, limited offer: a qualified one-on-one session to help you close the gap between where you are and the book deal you want.

Whether you're early in your author journey or ready for a proposal, this episode gives clear steps, honest insights, and direction you can trust.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Insider look into her business and client results
(2:14) The Three P Framework explained
(2:33) Understanding “Potential” for your book idea
(3:56) Why most authors fall short on “Platform”
(5:12) Lessons from past programs and what changed
(6:39) New 1:1 qualified consultation offer
(7:48) What it takes to reach proposal readiness
(8:20) Podcast updates and download milestones
(9:06) How to support the show and ask questions
(10:01) Final message and quiz link
(10:10) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional 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.