Podcast: AI and the Art of Publishing Business Books & Building a Thought Leadership Ecosystem

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Meeting at the Crossroads of Book Publishing

Marissa Eigenbrood, president at Smith Publicity, hosts the All Things Book Marketing Podcast and speaks with Allison Jones, founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing. Marissa describes her initial meeting with Alison at the Frankfurt Book Fair. This pivotal encounter reflects the importance of networking within the publishing industry, showcasing how face-to-face meetings can foster meaningful collaborations.

Alison’s Journey: From Traditional to Innovative Publishing

Alison Jones shared her transformative journey from a conventional publishing career to founding Practical Inspiration Publishing. This leap was not the product of a premeditated plan but rather a mix of personal circumstances and professional insight. Alison highlights how her dissatisfaction with the traditional publishing models and a personal aversion to relocating to London catalyzed her decision to carve out a new path.

Exploring Hybrid Models in Publishing

Alison discussed the hybrid publishing model embraced by her company, where the author plays a pivotal role. This model allows for collaboration that prioritizes both the publisher’s expertise and the author’s vision. It’s an approach that transforms publishing into a partnership, enabling authors to incorporate their branding and vision into their work.

The Continuous Journey of Writing

The podcast illuminated the perennial journey that is writing, particularly for business authors. Writing isn’t solely about the book and its contents; it’s part of an ongoing dialogue. Alison emphasized the value of exploratory writing, which enables authors to evolve their ideas and deepen their intellectual property by consistently engaging with their audience.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Publishing

Another significant theme of the podcast was the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on publishing. Alison advocates for using AI as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity. While AI can optimize processes and assist in technical tasks, the essence of writing—the human thought process and unique voice—remains irreplaceable.

Tapping Into the Essence of Publishing: Personal and Professional Insights

Marissa and Alison unfolded the need for authors to think beyond the book despite the everchanging landscape of AI tools. A book on its own isn’t enough; it’s about creating an ecosystem of content that supports wider engagement with the author’s audience.

Upcoming Trends and Opportunities

Looking forward, Alison expresses optimism about publishing’s resilient nature. From leveraging the tangible value of books to pioneering innovative formats like the “Six Minute Smarts” series, Practical Inspiration Publishing continues to cater to varied reader preferences.

Conclusion: Forward Momentum in Publishing

In wrapping up, Marissa and Alison touch on the tools and mindset essential for authors to thrive in today’s market, stressing the importance of authenticity and personalization. Alison emphasizes initiatives like the 10-day business book proposal challenge, which supports authors in refining their ideas into tangible manuscripts.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Alison Jones, MA, MBA has been a pioneer of publishing since 1992, from her days as an editor with Chambers Harrap and Oxford University Press to Director of Innovation Strategy at Macmillan, before setting up Practical Inspiration Publishing in 2014. Today she helps businesses leaders write and publish exceptional business and self-development books, and also champions the value of both reading and writing in business. She is the host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast, Judge with the Business Book Awards, and author of the #1 Amazon bestsellers, This Book Means Business: Clever ways to plan and write a book that works harder for your business (2018) and Exploratory Writing: Everyday magic for life and work (2022). Alison on LinkedIn. 

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