Write Better Books
AJ Harper is an editor and publishing strategist who helps authors write foundational books that enable them to build readership, grow their brand and make a significant impact on the world.
AJ is a writing partner to business author, Mike Michalowicz. Together they’ve written six books, including Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, and their latest, Fix This Next. Through her Top Three Book Workshops and Retreats, AJ empowers authors with insider publishing knowledge and guides them through the book development, writing, and editing process. Along with Mike Michalowicz (Profit First) and book launch expert, Amber Vilhauer, AJ is the co-founder of AuthorUpLive, a one-of-a-kind book launch workshop.
As a ghostwriter and developmental editor, AJ has worked with newbies to New York Times bestselling authors with millions of books sold. Her author’s books have received national and international recognition, including multiple awards each year, starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and inclusion in “Best of” lists in Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.
AJ is the Head Writing Coach for Heroic Public Speaking, the premier public speaking training program founded by Michael and Amy Port, and developed their online speech development curriculum. She is part of the coaching team for TEDx Cambridge, one of the longest-running and largest independently organized TED events in the world.
AJ lives with her wife and son in New York’s Lower Hudson Valley.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
AJ Harper’s formative Gen X years in libraries
How her son inspired her to turn away from theater into freelance writing
The particular skill set that a good ghostwriter needs
Why fast publishing is a discredit to authors
Why a learning disability won’t stand in the way of someone writing a good book
The different editors at each stage of the editing process and what they do
Why a good nonfiction book really needs to consider the reader and what they need
How to tell a really good book recommendation from a perfunctory one
What trade review publications to trust
AJ’s seventeen-item checklist that walks you through up-leveling your manuscript
All the books AJ would recommend in a specific situation and why
In this episode…
AJ Harper is a current editor and publishing strategist who teaches workshops to help authors write transformational books and is the head writing coach for Heroic Public Speaking. AJ understands writing and books so the title of this episode, Write Better Books, is exactly on point and she leaves Martin and listeners with a lot to ponder.
Inspired to write by the character of Jo March in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”, AJ eventually went freelance in the world of ghostwriting where she says her theater background helped her find author’s voices. What she also learned about the nonfiction genre is that people want to be moved to make a change. To that end, she considers a book’s promise to a reader as a sacred contract.
In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunter receives amazing writing encouragement from guest AJ Harper. AJ assures Martin that his dyslexia would not prevent him from writing a great book and explains the various editors and what they give to a book’s journey to print. AJ advises on how to find connection with your reader, why editors are there to discuss your motivations with you, and what book recommendations to trust. Dive into this episode and prepare to be inspired.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Contact email: info@urgeo.com
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