In this episode, Donald Dunn speaks with Michelle DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design, about what self-publishing really means today — and how authors can avoid expensive publishing traps.

They break down:

1. The difference between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid publishers
2. How some publishing companies charge authors thousands while still taking royalties
3. What professional book editing and cover design actually cost
4. Why authors must hire experts instead of doing everything themselves
5. How Amazon royalties really work (and what percentage you actually keep)
6. Why most authors never recoup their investment
7. How speakers and consultants can use books to build authority and generate income
8. The truth about becoming an Amazon bestseller
9. Common mistakes new authors make

If you are a veteran, entrepreneur, speaker, or aspiring author, this episode will help you understand the real costs, risks, and opportunities in modern publishing.

Before you invest thousands into editing, design, or a hybrid publishing package, listen to this conversation.

1. 1106design.com
2. barracksmedia.com

1. 1106 Design
2. Amazon
3. IngramSpark

If you want to write a book that stands the test of time, what separates a short-term release from a decades-long bestseller?

In this episode of Authors After Action, host Donald Dunn sits down with bestselling author Marita Tedder, also known to many readers as Marita Littauer, whose landmark personality book Wired That Way has remained in continuous publication for more than twenty years.

Drawing from a career that spans writing, speaking, training communicators, and leading conferences, Marita shares what truly makes a book worthwhile, how authors build lasting audiences, and why clarity of message is the foundation of long-term success.

This conversation goes far beyond writing mechanics. It explores platform building, speaking before publishing, marketing realities, and the discipline required to keep your work relevant in an increasingly crowded publishing world.

1. The first question every aspiring author must answer
2. How to know if your message is strong enough
3. Why many self-published books struggle
4. Building an audience before you publish
5. Using speaking to refine your material
6. Marketing strategies that extend a book’s lifespan
7. Authentic writing in the age of AI

Whether you are an aspiring author, entrepreneur, speaker, or creative professional, this episode delivers practical insight from someone who has built a lasting career around words and communication.

Subscribe for more conversations with impactful authors sharing the strategies, mindset, and experience behind their success.

If you want to lower your golf score, the answer might not be a new club — it might be simple math.

In this episode of Authors After Action, host Donald Dunn sits down with engineer-turned-author Bob Labbe, creator of Putting by the Numbers, to break down a physics-based approach to putting that helps golfers eliminate costly three-putts and improve consistency on the green.

Bob explains how understanding distance, friction, and repeatable mechanics can dramatically improve lag putting without changing your swing or buying new equipment. His method is designed for golfers of any skill level and focuses on simple, practical adjustments that lead to immediate results.

Whether you are a recreational golfer or a competitive amateur, this conversation explores why putting accounts for such a large portion of your score and how small changes in approach can save multiple strokes per round.

1. Why most golfers struggle with long-distance putting
2. How math and physics improve distance control
3. The mental side of consistent putting
4. Why great putting matters more than powerful drives
5. Turning decades of research into a practical golf method
6. The process of writing and publishing a niche instructional book

If improving your putting is your fastest path to better golf scores, this episode provides a smarter, more reliable way to approach the green.

Putting by the Numbers

https://puttingbythenumbers.com

https://boblabe.com

Authors After Action features in-depth conversations with authors, engineers, and subject-matter experts who share the thinking, experience, and discipline behind their work.

Subscribe for interviews focused on mastery, execution, and real-world results.