100 - Celebrating 100 Episodes and the Power of Storytelling with Deborah Kevin

[00:00:00] Writing a book can be the foundation for sharing your important message, but it won't work unless you are consistently marketing. This podcast is for those who have written a book to share their message with the world. I love talking all things authorpreneur and having guests

[00:00:19] join me to share their brilliance with you. Hello, authorpreneurs. It's Suzanne Tregenza Moore and I am super excited. This is a very special episode for me. It is the hundredth episode of All Things Authorpreneur and I

[00:00:40] wanted to do something special which was bring on my first All Things Authorpreneur, guest Deborah Kevan. She is my sister from another mister, my business buddy. We just love working together and I thought it would be fun to update you on things that she's

[00:01:01] done, things that we've done and some fun we're having. And I will introduce you to her now as the founder and chief inspiration officer of Highlander Press. Deborah Kevan loves helping changemakers tap into and share their stories of healing and truth. She's

[00:01:21] guided hundreds of authors to craft and publish impactful books. She's the host of the Storytell Her podcast where she's elevating women's voices one story at a time. She's trekked the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage ending in Santiago, Spain and she

[00:01:43] lives in Maryland with the love of her life, Rob, their sons and their puppy, Fergus. That is when they're not off discovering the world. And Debbie, I'm so excited to have you back for the hundredth episode. Well, first of all, thank you for having me

[00:02:01] and I want to give you a huge congratulations because hitting the number 100 is a super big deal. And I know that you've been out rocking the podcast world with all of the wisdom of all of the people that you've had as your guest. And

[00:02:15] on behalf of them and me, I just want to say thank you and congratulations. Thank you. I'm super excited to hit this milestone and mostly because I know that, you know, the people who listen reach out to me and say, Oh, that was

[00:02:30] such a good episode. Or, you know, I get lovely feedback about the value of the interviews that I'm bringing to people. And that's what means the most because it's not about me. It's about what is shared. So thank you. And thank you for

[00:02:47] taking the time to be with me again to talk about how you support authors and what work you do with them. And I, you know, we have some fun. We get to work together regularly. I've mentioned this many times, but I do

[00:03:05] the book launches for Highlander Press authors. And so we get to do that. But we've also done a couple anthologies and you interviewed me on your new podcast. So I want to touch on all these fun things as we chat.

[00:03:20] There's so much aminess. Yeah. Yeah. Let's talk first about where Highlander Press was about not quite two years ago. Yeah. And where it is now as an independent publishing company. Yeah, it's been such a great time to reflect

[00:03:40] and your timing is kind of perfect because my professor asked the very question that we talked about earlier, which is how many books have we published in the last two years? And I went back and counted yesterday and

[00:03:54] we're hitting by the end of June, we'll have published an additional 39 books. And by the end of this year, we'll have 10 more. I'm sorry. Yeah, 39 and 10 more to add to that, which gets us very close to that lovely 100 mark. Yeah. Which is no small feat in today's environment.

[00:04:15] And you have been, of course, an integral part of all of that success because I think we've had only one or two books that haven't hit that Amazon bestseller status. It's true. Yeah. And we've had worked with great authors who were committed to.

[00:04:32] I mean, I have the work that I do to help them, but ultimately they have to participate and they have to be committed as well. And we've worked with such great authors together. Yes. And so many of them have become Amazon bestsellers, the vast majority.

[00:04:48] And honestly, you know, there's one I'm thinking of that wasn't her primary focus. Absolutely. And so I love the fact that we can work together and even using kind of the system that I have for launches.

[00:05:02] We can help the author with what's most important to him or her rather than, you know, just this one singular focus. Yeah, it's not a cookie cutter, although we do have a very strong process. Yeah, that we've developed and honed and we continually improve upon.

[00:05:20] It's not a cookie cutter thing, right? It's like some people come in at a different place. They have other books or this is sometimes their first book or they have multiple books, but no websites. So we're meeting each person where they are without overwhelming them.

[00:05:36] That's the big thing because most of our authors are introverts. And they're doing, you know, they want to do the writing. They don't necessarily want to be doing the marketing. And so during our publishing cohort classes, we talk a lot about the importance of building that marketing system.

[00:05:55] The launch is a big part of that, but there's all the ongoing stuff that I know you talk about a lot with your author, Prenuer Club and on your podcast as well. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So exciting, the number of books that are now Highlander Press imprints. Right? Yeah.

[00:06:15] Let's talk a little bit about the anthologies because I've been blessed to be a part of both of them. And that is something that you've done, I think, that has helped people recognize Highlander Press as, you know, an independent publisher.

[00:06:32] But also I think I see that it's helped women aren't quite ready. Many of whom aren't quite ready to write their own book, but still have a lot to say, have an opportunity to explore what it's like to be a published author.

[00:06:49] Yeah. And I'm so glad you brought that up because your first year and heart centered marketing are the first two of a series of anthologies that we're going to put out. But for exactly that reason, some people are like,

[00:07:03] they don't have the confidence or the bandwidth to write a whole book. They're writing 1500 words with a ton of support. That's the thing that I've heard time and time again, even from authors who've been in anthologies that are outside of Highlander Press, right?

[00:07:18] They'll come back and say, wow, what a difference this experience was. I felt supported through the writing process, through the editing process. I feel so proud of my contribution. I feel so proud of the book, the way it looks, the way it feels.

[00:07:34] I get more compliments on the layout and how the paper feels and the cover. Then I mean, it shocks me actually, but it's that high quality that I think a lot of people assume would not be there. Yes. Yes.

[00:07:49] And I've worked with other publishers and I've worked with people who've done independent books, because of course I help people launch books, you know, from all different realms. And the Highlander Press books are far and away,

[00:08:03] stand out as far as I see in terms of exactly what you're talking about. When you look inside the way it's laid out, they look so clean and they're so well presented. You're really using a professional team that wants to get it right.

[00:08:21] Yes. And of course, you know, the cover design, everything, your books, your clients' books always stand out for me. Well, thank you. I appreciate that. And we, as you said, it's not me. It's a team, right? And one of the founding principles of Highlander Press is that

[00:08:39] I wanted to have a very flat organization but really build these very strong relationships with other women who specialize in certain areas of book publication. For example, book launches, that's you. I mean, you do them all. We have several graphic designers who specialize in covers.

[00:08:58] And, you know, they now know kind of my little picadillos of the way I like things to look and why. And it just makes it so easy. But as we grow, they're growing. So, you know, all those book covers are designed by a couple of,

[00:09:12] you know, probably two or three people. Yeah. Interior layouts the same way. Social media marketing, you know, really building out the other women who can be a part of this process while they have their own business and keep bringing us all together

[00:09:29] to make a really impactful publication process but also ongoing marketing and all of those yummy things. Yeah, yeah. So one of the big things that you've done in 2024 is launch your Storytel Her podcast. And I would love for you to share what your thoughts were behind that.

[00:09:50] I know it was kind of something you wanted to do long before you did it, which is true of so many of us when we, you know, when we birthed something new in our businesses. So tell the audience what was the driving force behind it

[00:10:04] and how you see it integrating with Highlander Press. All great questions. So as you said, you know, being a podcast host has long been on my kind of wish list, I would say probably for as long as five, maybe even seven

[00:10:19] years. And it started with someone saying, I could listen to you all day long talking about my voice. And I'm like, oh, really? And I'm one of those people. I mean, I call myself an extreme introvert, but I love having

[00:10:34] deep conversations with people, but I like doing it one on one. So it sort of seemed like a natural evolution. Yeah. But I didn't know exactly the avenue that I wanted to take or exactly how I wanted to approach the podcast.

[00:10:49] So I sort of left it out there. And then in 2023, at the end of 2022, when I was doing business planning for 2023, I kind of looked at where to most of our authors come from. How do they learn about me and how could I potentially expand that?

[00:11:05] And so I made a decision to do a lot of coffee dates, just meet people, right? Meet them where they are, just have conversations, not sales conversations necessarily, but just conversations to talk about whatever. And then be a guest on podcast.

[00:11:22] And so I made a goal to be on at least two podcasts every month in 2023. And I worked with a really wonderful woman who you and I both know through Poked Up Powerhouse, Noamie Perez, through her podcast connections.

[00:11:37] And she really hooked me up with some really great podcasts and just I think learning to speak, getting comfortable being on a podcast, understanding what I liked about certain podcasts as well as what I might do differently really helped solidify that in my mind.

[00:11:54] So I made the decision and I met another Poked Up Powerhouse, Cammy Layman who specializes in helping people within one month go from no podcast, no idea, no interviews. No, I mean, nothing to having a launched podcast.

[00:12:08] And she has a very intense program and it was like, you know what? I could start that in January, the new year, 2024. And by February, I'll have a podcast and I learned everything I could from her. I was really fortunate.

[00:12:22] I took her processes and made them my own and amplified them in a way that works for me. And we're, I think, booked through October with weekly interviews. And I have a huge list of women and everywhere I'm meeting people, I'm like, come and talk.

[00:12:40] And so the whole premise is it's not directly related to Highlander Press other than I'm helping women recognize their stories and get comfortable sharing them. Yes, but that is directly related, right? I mean, it's a different medium, but it is all about saying your story is important.

[00:13:03] Your experience is important and there is value in you sharing it. And I think that is so significant because I know that with different things that have happened in, you know, in my personal life or my business life, doesn't really matter, right?

[00:13:21] But different things when I share things, there are always people that come and say, I had the same experience or I'm going through the same thing or I feel you, sister, right? Whatever it is and giving people the space to share those stories

[00:13:42] is giving people the space to help other people. Absolutely. And that's the intent. Like I literally asked two questions, as you know, you've been a guest and I asked two questions and they're the same questions of every guest.

[00:13:56] And it's been astounding to me, the directions that that one in particular, the very beginning question takes us and I never know ahead of time. I mean, I know why I've invited somebody and I know why someone, you know,

[00:14:11] is on the podcast, but I never know where we're going to take it, that call. And sometimes it goes in a completely different direction than what they thought it was going to go. Interesting. But it's been fascinating to me, the breadth and depth

[00:14:25] of the conversations that we can get into something so deep, so quickly. Yes. And I love that. I just love it. Yeah. Yeah. That's one of the reasons I just love doing coffee dates with people and especially doing them over Zoom, because I think there's a comfort

[00:14:43] that we have because we're in our own space that I think you can go from, you know, zero to 80, right? On being comfortable with another person because you're already comfortable in your own space.

[00:14:57] And I find that a lot of coffee dates I have with people really get very deep, very quickly and they can be very transformative conversations, either for me or for the person I'm speaking to. Absolutely. Just because we've taken the time to really be real with each other.

[00:15:20] And I think that that's something to not be overlooked, right? And he gets the purpose of why we connect. And there can be people who are energetically not a good fit even through Zoom and I will know that and the conversation will end up

[00:15:34] being more superficial than it will be deep. But those people that we meet, we see each other, we recognize each other energetically. Yes. And then we can definitely go a lot deeper. And that's important because as of someone's publisher, who's helping them

[00:15:51] share a story, whether it's fiction, nonfiction, a children's book. I always say that I'm all up in their business and there's a got to be a trust with me or one of our other editors. There's a trust that builds up.

[00:16:05] And if we can have that trust from the very first conversation. Huge difference. I'm able to help them through the entire process. And I'll say that launch day freak out, which you are also very familiar with. I am very familiar with the launch day freak out.

[00:16:22] Yes. Yeah. My book's not ready. It's really not ready. It's not. No, I don't want to. You know, I want to change this because the letter T is not the right letter. It's like, OK, I see you. I hear you take a deep breath. This is perfectly normal.

[00:16:37] Yes, absolutely. We're going to be here to support you all the way through it. Yeah. Yes. So true. Very familiar with the launch day freak out, although my that's honestly like my favorite part of working with people on their launches is not the launch part

[00:16:53] itself because that's very at this point that's wrote for me. Right. It's the emotional experience of the client and supporting them through that because that's you know, that's my that's my jam. I love to really work with people and support them emotionally in different ways. Absolutely.

[00:17:15] It's normalizing, right? And it's also reassuring. And that's what I love having you as part of the team because whether authors have gone through it before or not, they're still there to support the members of their group so it doesn't always fall on you or me.

[00:17:32] But we can all do it collectively, which just feels like a great big hug. That is so true. And I have to say for anyone who has thought that writing a book is an independent activity, they don't understand the value of that experience as part of a cohort,

[00:17:52] which is how I wrote my book with you and of fabulous cohort of women and how I would recommend to anyone to write a book because we all have stuff going on in our head and when we are in a space with other people who are kind of

[00:18:11] experiencing the same things, it helps all of us move forward faster. Yeah. Yeah. Well, it's like being in a classroom and asking a question and hearing someone else's question be like, oh, I didn't even realize I had that question. But absolutely perfect.

[00:18:27] So I think that that's part of the value of that as well. Yes. Yes. So as you know, I have a few questions that I ask everyone when they come on. And one of the questions I have is are you going to write another book?

[00:18:43] And I know that you've written books, you've been parts of books, but I know that you were hiding during the holidays because you were working on something. Can you share a little bit about that project? Absolutely.

[00:18:58] So when I was at Stanford for my graduate program for writing novels, I wrote a novel. It's called Finding Grace. And then I went through some challenging times and grace after my graduation because it had to have a completed novel.

[00:19:15] So that was 2014, went in a box and I literally had my feet on it. And so I'm settled. I moved. I'm through all sorts of other things. And I thought, you know, it's time now to pull grace out and do these last

[00:19:29] revisions. And so I've been working my way through those revisions with an eye to publish her. I've also been working on a couple of nonfiction books and I'm also writing a mystery. So I'm I'm I like having multiple things.

[00:19:47] So during my work week, I focus on the nonfiction. So to get those out because it's in service to all of our authors and those who maybe don't want to work with a publisher, but they want to do independent publishing and they are serving them.

[00:20:02] And I work on my fiction mostly on the weekends or I'm actually booked for eight whole days in July for a writing retreat where I went and got my publishing master. So Colorado, I'm going to be in for eight whole days.

[00:20:16] And I cannot even tell you how much I'm looking forward to that. That's great. Good for you. Good for you. Coming up. Coming up. Yes, I know. Yay. So I've asked you this before, but I wonder if it's shifted or changed at all?

[00:20:33] What do you think any entrepreneur needs in order to be successful? Well, that's such a good question. I think I think a very basic thing that every entrepreneur needs is a board of directors or a mastermind group that supports them and encourages them

[00:20:54] because being an entrepreneur can be a very lonely experience. And if you have other people who believe in you sometimes more than you believe in yourself, it's priceless to have that community of support.

[00:21:07] Because as we grow and we grow and evolve, we can have people who can say, I see that or have you thought about this or make something that we have in our heads even better? So I think that is probably the thing I think every entrepreneur should do.

[00:21:24] And then, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think all women entrepreneurs especially ought to have at least a lead generation book. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be a little disappointed if he didn't encourage them.

[00:21:38] Well, and then, of course, I always ask people what is their favorite book, but you've been on before and I asked you that. So I'm going to ask you what is your favorite book that you've read in the last year? Oh, I'm reading a book right now.

[00:21:54] So I have to say this is probably one of the best books I've read in a long time. And it's called The Buddha and the Badass. And it's written by the founder of Mindvalley. And the whole premise is that we're called to be extraordinary.

[00:22:11] There are people who are very content with having ordinary lives and there's nothing wrong with that. But there are some of us who know that we're called to be extraordinary. And we are required the way he puts it is we're both badasses,

[00:22:25] meaning where we're cutting edge, we're always thinking outside the box, removing the needle forward. But we're also part Buddha, meaning that we're embracing a new level of spirituality as we grow the world so we're not necessarily just out for a buck.

[00:22:40] We're out for a buck to make a positive impact in the world. Mm hmm. Yeah. And that just totally resonates with me. And I'm still in it. He just this week challenged the readers of the book at this point in time

[00:22:52] to write a manifesto and I'm working on my manifesto for Highlander Press. Why Highlander Press? Why I structured it the way I did. Why it's important. It's not so much how you can work with me, but it's my big sort of manifesto. Yeah. Yeah. I love it.

[00:23:08] That sounds like a fabulous book. And I have to say, I always say that my favorite part about the work that I do, whether it is book launches or, you know, strategy and marketing coaching with authors or non-authors is that everyone I work with, every single one,

[00:23:29] believes that what they're doing can either help change a life or help change the world or help impact people in a positive way. And just experiencing the day to day with people who have that focus and that energy is it changes my life, right?

[00:23:52] Absolutely. It makes my life a better life to live. And so I feel exceptionally fortunate that those are the people I get to work with every day. So that really sounds like a fabulous book. Yeah, I think you would enjoy it.

[00:24:08] More people out there finding their their big reason for what is it? What's the French raison d'être reason to be? I think. Yes. Yeah. Or Simon Sinek's your big why, right? Then take it that next level and write that manifesto.

[00:24:24] Like what are we going to stand for? Yes. And I think here's the thing, Suzanne, is as we really honor who we are, we're in the world and what we will accept and what we won't accept.

[00:24:36] And what we want to be doing, then we're drawing those people to us because we're very clear and so that there's no accident that you're drawing people who bring you so much joy because you put that out in the world

[00:24:50] and you support so many people in such a lovely, lovely way. Myself included, you know, how many times am I texting you? Hey, do you have a minute or you're texting me? Hey, I need to chat about something. Yes.

[00:25:01] And that's the beauty of these deep, deep, vulnerable, authentic relationships is that we can truly show up for each other. Yes. Yes. Absolutely. So Debbie, obviously people can listen to your podcast.

[00:25:19] I know it can be found just about anywhere podcasts are found and it is called Storytel Her. So they can find you that way. But I think you also have a free gift for people who are considering publishing

[00:25:35] and want to know a little bit more about their options. Yes. So one of my big missions is to really demystify the publishing industry. There's so much misinformation and so much confusion about publication.

[00:25:52] And so I recorded a video really talking about the three main ways that people can publish, we all kind of know about the traditional model. That's what we kind of think of when we think about publishing. Self publishing is the other end of that.

[00:26:07] And then the hybrid publishing model, which is kind of the Wild West in the middle. And I created that because there's no right way period. It's really what's the best for each individual author and just giving them things to think about pros and cons of each way.

[00:26:24] Things to consider as they're moving forward, things to really think about as they talk to publishers and then questions that they can ask so that they can be new, comparing apples to apples instead of apples to oranges. And they can make confident decisions.

[00:26:39] So that's why I created that video really to get honed in on all of those things because I support every single option if there's not a wrong way to do it. Absolutely. Absolutely.

[00:26:51] I know that you have that available and we will make sure there is a link in our show notes to give people access so if they are thinking about publishing, they can get that information. Thank you for that. Of course.

[00:27:03] So thank you for being here and celebrating the 100th episode with me. I am so grateful for you, for being here, but for you every day, frankly, and for all the work that we get to do together.

[00:27:20] And really any time I get to just hang out with you in chat. Right back at you, sister. Yeah. And for all those of you listening, I thank you for being here, for being a listener of All Things Authorpreneur. And here's to another hundred episodes at least.

[00:27:41] Thank you for listening to All Things Authorpreneur. Head to All Things Authorpreneur.com and get your free guide, seven success principles to shift from author to thought leader.