logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
1h 8m

Book Deal Veteran: The Long Game—Secrets...

Alice Draper
About this episode

Courtney Maum is an accomplished author, writing coach, and publishing industry insider who’s been through it all—devastating rejections, canceled book deals, and the highs and lows of a 15-year career. She’s the author of Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book and a champion for writers navigating the tricky waters of the publishing world.

For anyone listening, you can order a copy of "Before And After The Book Deal" here:  https://books.catapult.co/books/before-and-after-the-book-deal/

Subscribe to Courtney’s Substack: Get Published, Stay Published

https://courtneymaum.substack.com/

To find out more about Courtney Maum, her book, coaching, writing retreats and classes, visit: https://www.courtneymaum.com/ 


Follow Courtney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbmaum


Chapters

00:00 The Early Memories of Rejection

05:53 Navigating the Publishing World

11:51 The Long Game in Writing

17:53 The Impact of Current Events on Publishing

23:57 The Importance of Patience in Writing

36:16 Creative Promotion Strategies for Authors

44:29 Maintaining a Positive Attitude in Adversity

53:27 Understanding Rejection: The Rejection Hierarchy

58:32 Transforming Hardships into Strengths

Up next
Yesterday
Jesse J. Anderson: "I Would Blow Up" — RSD & ADHD in Life, Marriage, & Friendships
What if every tiny criticism (real or imagined) felt like a full-body betrayal?In this validating and deeply personal episode, ADHD educator and author Jesse J. Anderson joins Alice to unpack what rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD) really feels like, and how it’s shaped his rela ... Show More
54m 49s
Jul 2
Alice Draper: I Am Still Terrified Of Friendship Rejection. Here's How I Cope.
Why do we still fear being left out, even in safe, loving friendships?In this solo episode, Alice opens up about a vivid dream that left her in tears and the deeper fears it uncovered. Despite being a grown adult with supportive relationships, her subconscious still clings to the ... Show More
20m 53s
Jun 25
Marina Iakovleva: "Buzzfeed Stole My Idea And Went Viral", Growing To 675K+ Subscribers, Dating Abroad, + More
What would you do if a media giant stole your idea—and then went viral with it?In this deeply personal and surprisingly funny episode, Alice sits down with Marina Iakovleva, the creator of Dating Beyond Borders, a wildly popular YouTube channel with over 675,000 subscribers. Mari ... Show More
1h 7m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Ep. 166: Andrew Boryga (Author of Victim) + Book Recommendations
In episode 166, author Andrew Boryga joins me to discuss his debut novel, Victim, a funny and gripping satire about success and identity. Through the adventures of Javier, Victim explores what “diversity” means, why society loves a victim narrative, and the pitfalls of chasing fa ... Show More
48m 29s
Aug 2024
How Bestselling Author Natalie Goldberg Writes
Bestselling author and teacher, Natalie Goldberg, spoke to me about igniting a revolution with Writing Down the Bones, meeting creative block in a cemetery, and her latest, WRITING ON EMPTY: A Guide to Finding Your Voice. Natalie Goldberg is a poet, teacher, author, painter, and ... Show More
35m 19s
Dec 2024
Behind the Pages: The Journey of Anna-Maria Athanasiou
Anna-Maria Athanasiou, a Greek Cypriot author from Leeds, began her writing journey in secret, jotting down her first stories on napkins. Her debut novel, Waiting for Summer, grew from these humble beginnings into a 900-page best-seller, eventually becoming the first book in a tw ... Show More
40m 34s
Aug 2024
21st Century Books Special Edition: Jennifer Egan on 'A Visit from the Goon Squad'
As part of its recent 100 Best Books of the 21st Century project, The New York Times Book Review is interviewing some of the authors whose books appeared on the list. This week, Jennifer Egan joins host Gilbert Cruz to discuss her Pulitzer-winning novel about the music industry, ... Show More
41m 8s
Dec 2024
#209 Charlie Hoehn: Write Something People Want to Read
In this episode, Charlie Hoehn explains the secrets behind why some books are unforgettable, and others no one seems to remember. He shares his journey of helping authors transform their ideas into best-selling books and provides actionable advice on structuring, writing, and mar ... Show More
1h 46m
Jun 4
Episode 56: Abstinence & Horny Nuns with Melissa Febos
Melissa Febos joins Laura and Adrian to discuss her new book, The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex. Together, the trio dives deep into histories of horny nuns and Melissa’s experience of self discovery and feminist transformation during her period of abstine ... Show More
56m 55s
Jan 2025
How Award-Winning TV Writer & Novelist Georgia Jeffries Writes
Award-winning TV writer/producer turned novelist Georgia Jeffries spoke with me about why Cagney and Lacey was her film school, teaching screenwriting at USC, and the ghosts, grief, and grievance in her debut novel THE YOUNGER GIRL. Georgia Jeffries is the Emmy-nominated TV write ... Show More
49m 48s
May 26
Readers Can’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In.
We're off for Memorial Day but with summer reading season just beginning, we wanted to share this episode.BookTok, the corner of TikTok that’s all about books, has shaken up the publishing world. Over the last few years, the platform has pulled in new readers, especially in the r ... Show More
30m 13s
Mar 2024
How Effective Is Your Writing? Tips for Lawyers to Excel as Authors with Nick Hutchison
In this episode, Nick Hutchison, founder of BookThinkers, a company dedicated to helping authors promote and market their books, shares his journey and insights on the importance of reading and applying knowledge from books for personal development. Nick, who has recently publish ... Show More
51m 15s