What if the real measure of success is not the numbers, the lists, or the applause, but the moment your work truly helps one person?

In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with sex and relationship coach Caitlin V to explore what it really takes to turn years of lived experience, research, and repetition into a powerful book. Caitlin shares her journey from academia to coaching to YouTube fame, and why writing a book was never about money, influence, or status. It was about access.

Together, they unpack why books still matter in a world of short-form content, how traditional publishing creates credibility and longevity, and why timeless ideas always outlast trends. Caitlin also opens up about rejection, imposter syndrome, and the quiet faith required to keep going when doors keep closing. A major theme throughout the conversation is the power of reps. Real expertise is built slowly, through mistakes, testing ideas in the real world, and showing up again and again.

For entrepreneurs, creators, and experts dreaming of a book, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a grounded reminder: meaningful work compounds over time, and impact starts with serving one person well.

Caitlin V. is a renowned sex and relationship coach specializing in helping men overcome erectile dysfunction, performance anxiety, and premature ejaculation. A former sexual health researcher and policy analyst, she skyrocketed to internet fame after a viral video on female pleasure. Today, she works with clients worldwide to resolve mismatched libidos, enhance sexual confidence, and create more satisfying intimate experiences.

Blending personal experience with evidence-based science, Caitlin is on a mission to foster a sex-positive world where pleasure is prioritized. With millions of views on YouTube and nearly a million subscribers, she has become a leading voice in the field. Her expertise is now reaching an even wider audience with her upcoming TV show, Good Sex, premiering on Discovery+ and Max.

Learn more at caitlinvneal.com or youtube.com/caitlinv.

Find Caitlin V on social
youtube.com/caitlinv
instagram.com/caitlinvneal

Order Caitlin V’s new book, Harder Better Longer Stronger at https://caitlinvneal.com/hbls.

Episode Highlights:
(1:21) Caitlin’s path from researcher to global coach
(3:47) How YouTube success turned into a book idea
(7:27) Why books allow deeper, more lasting ideas
(10:02) Accessibility, education, & mission over money
(15:54) Paying with time or paying with leverage
(29:24) Rejection, resilience, and finding one true “yes”
(42:59) Timeless content vs chasing trends
(50:15) Why reps, mistakes, and patience build real authority
(56:20) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

Most books never break 300 copies. That single fact alone stops a lot of aspiring authors in their tracks. In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, Meghan Stevenson breaks down why traditionally published books consistently sell more copies and what that means if you are thinking about writing a book.

Meghan explains that traditional publishing forces authors to build an audience and prove demand before a deal is ever offered. While that hurdle can feel intimidating, it actually sets authors up for stronger sales because they already know how to reach readers. She also highlights the role of professional production, from editing to cover design, and how quality directly impacts reader trust and word of mouth.

Another major advantage is distribution. Traditionally published books are placed in physical bookstores, not just online marketplaces, which significantly increases visibility and long-term sales. Megan also shares an often-overlooked factor: traditional publishing puts an entire team behind a book, all invested in its success.

This episode helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders decide whether traditional publishing aligns with their goals, resources, and readiness, and offers clarity on why the traditional path still matters in today’s crowded market.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:26) Indie vs traditional publishing explained
(2:00) The reality of book sales statistics
(3:29) Sales data for traditional publishers
(4:01) Audience and proof of concept matter
(4:33) Professional production and quality
(5:35) Distribution and bookstore access
(6:15) Teams behind traditional publishing
(6:55) When traditional publishing is not right
(7:20) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if landing a book deal wasn’t about luck at all, but about learning how the publishing world really works? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, Meghan sits down with bestselling author and former teacher–turned–entrepreneur Jamie Sears to break open the truth behind traditional publishing, platform building, and writing a book that actually gets picked up.

Jamie shares how she went from creating classroom resources with nothing but scrapbook skills to building a massive online audience and securing a major deal with Penguin Random House. Her story is a reminder that success isn’t instant, it’s built through consistency, listening to your audience, and choosing your “hard.”

Listeners will learn why a strong author platform matters, how proposal-writing becomes the true test of book readiness, and why rejection from agents isn't a final verdict but part of the journey. Jamie also offers an honest look at mindset, deadlines, collaboration, and the surprising ease that comes once you finally take the first step.

This conversation is a must-listen for every entrepreneur who dreams of seeing their book on shelves someday.

This week’s guest is Jamie Sears. She is the Founder and CEO of the Not So Wimpy Teacher company, as well as the author of How to Love Teaching Again. A former third grade teacher, she now runs a multi-million dollar company creating curriculum, hosting a lesson planning platform called Lesson Genie, and delivering professional development for elementary educators in grades 2-5. She has educated over 15,000 teachers in her digital courses and her articles have been viewed more than ten million times by teachers around the world.

Find Jamie online
https://www.facebook.com/NotSoWimpyTeacher
https://www.instagram.com/notsowimpyteacher/
https://notsowimpyteacher.com/

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:20) Jamie Sears’ work and her mission
(2:46) Becoming an accidental entrepreneur
(4:55) Building a platform one step at a time
(8:00) Mindset and choosing your “hard”
(9:16) What a book proposal really requires
(15:10) Handling rejection from agents
(20:25) The mindset shift of writing a full book
(23:22) Breaking down the writing process
(29:01) The joy and pride of finishing a book
(32:20) How publishing really works behind the scenes
(44:03) Jamie’s advice for first-time authors
(50:15) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if the book deal you dream about isn’t actually far away, it just needs the right plan, the right timing, and the right support?

In this episode, Meghan Stevenson opens the doors to traditional publishing even wider by sharing the exact framework she uses to help experts and entrepreneurs land major book deals. She breaks down her trusted Three P Framework: Potential, Platform, and Proposal; and explains why each step matters more than most aspiring authors realize. From understanding whether your idea can sell, to proving you have a real, working audience, to crafting a compelling proposal, Meghan shows you the path publishers actually want to see.

She also pulls back the curtain on her business, revealing how her team has helped clients earn over $950,000 in advances in 2025 alone and more than $7 million across her career. Plus, she announces a new, limited offer: a qualified one-on-one session to help you close the gap between where you are and the book deal you want.

Whether you're early in your author journey or ready for a proposal, this episode gives clear steps, honest insights, and direction you can trust.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Insider look into her business and client results
(2:14) The Three P Framework explained
(2:33) Understanding “Potential” for your book idea
(3:56) Why most authors fall short on “Platform”
(5:12) Lessons from past programs and what changed
(6:39) New 1:1 qualified consultation offer
(7:48) What it takes to reach proposal readiness
(8:20) Podcast updates and download milestones
(9:06) How to support the show and ask questions
(10:01) Final message and quiz link
(10:10) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if the guidance you’re trusting for your book dream is actually slowing you down? In this episode, Meghan pulls back the curtain on the publishing world, and the people profiting from it, to help you avoid the traps so many first-time authors fall into. After 20+ years in traditional publishing, she’s seen how crowded the “get published” space has become, and how much of it is built on shaky advice, recycled teachings, and experts with no real experience.

Megan breaks down the two filters every author must use before hiring anyone:
(1) What is the actual deliverable? Many workshops sell inspiration, not outcomes.
(2) What are their real results? Because a great proposal means nothing if the expert can’t help you build the platform needed to sell books.

She shares stories from her own business evolution, hard-won insights from working with major publishers, and the real numbers behind her team’s success, like an 88% proposal-to-book-deal rate and dozens of six-figure deals.

This episode is your roadmap for choosing the right support, protecting your time and money, and putting your book in the hands of people who know exactly how to bring it to life.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(0:33) Why so many publishing programs fall short
(1:23) The truth about scammers, grifters, and bad advice
(2:44) The #1 filter: Always check the deliverable
(3:35) Why writing the book too early leads to disappointment
(4:05) The #2 filter: Who are you learning from?
(5:30) Why Meghan avoids workshops + her integrity stance
(7:10) Meghan breaks down her three clear deliverables
(8:20) Real receipts: Meghan’s shocking success stats
(9:00) Helping authors avoid wasted time, money, and stress
(9:25) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if your story could open doors and reshape who gets to be seen? In this episode, Meghan talks with PR expert Caitlin Copple, co-founder of Full Swing PR, about the kind of visibility that actually drives results for entrepreneurs who want book deals and real impact.

Caitlin shares why PR only works when your business is ready for it, what founders must have in place before hiring a publicist, and how “publicity that fills your pipeline” differs from the vanity wins most people chase. She explains the value of consistent visibility habits, why many entrepreneurs aren’t prepared for the audiences they dream about, and how alignment, not hustle, creates lasting momentum.

You’ll walk away with practical guidance on growing an audience, knowing when to invest in PR, understanding what publishers care about, and identifying the energetic blocks that keep you stuck.

If you’re aiming for a book deal or a bigger platform, this conversation will help you get clear on your next move.

This week’s guest is Caitlin Copple. She is the Founding Partner at Full Swing Public Relations. Caitlin’s work teaching clients to “be the news” has elevated the stories of diverse founders, sold books, won elections, passed legislation in multiple states, and even ousted a lawmaker accused of sexual assault. She has placed clients in a wide array of outlets such as CNN, Forbes, Fast Company, TIME, and many more. Caitlin and her business partner, Holly Conti, scaled the agency to seven figures in less than four years.

Full Swing PR is the nation’s leading agency for underrecognized founders and leaders of professional services companies scaling $2M+. Our agency has helped hundreds of clients earn millions of dollars through smart, effective PR campaigns. In 2024 and 2025, Full Swing PR was named among Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing privately held companies in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Full Swing PR is a women- and LGBTQ-owned agency.

Find Caitlin and Full Swing on social

• https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_copple/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlincopple/
• https://www.instagram.com/fullswingpr/

Find the Full Swing PR podcast here: https://fullswingpr.com/how-to-hire-pr-podcast/.

Take Full Swing PR’s Visibility Scorecard quiz here: https://fullswingpr.typeform.com/visibilityscore

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:10) Introducing Caitlin Copple & Full Swing PR
(3:10) Why representation matters in PR
(5:03) What makes the Rocket

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if your book idea isn’t the problem, it’s your platform? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, publishing expert Meghan Stevenson breaks down why building your author platform matters more than obsessing over comps, subcategories, or bookstore placement. Using listener Mike C.’s question about his music and wellness book, Meghan reveals the truth behind prescriptive nonfiction (a.k.a. how-to or self-help books), why comparing yourself to bestselling authors can backfire, and how understanding your audience makes category and positioning decisions effortless.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes agents and publishers say yes, or how to stop wasting time on what doesn’t move the needle, this episode gives you the roadmap. Meghan’s no-fluff advice will help you focus on what really sells a book: proof of concept and a loyal audience.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:17) Listener question: What is prescriptive nonfiction?
(2:10) Defining prescriptive vs. narrative books
(3:35) Understanding genre, category, and positioning
(4:46) How to choose your comparative titles wisely
(6:15) Why huge author comps can hurt your pitch
(7:15) How tone and audience affect book positioning
(8:00) What publishers and agents really look for
(9:21) The #1 focus before writing your book
(11:19) Final advice: Build proof, not perfection
(12:01) Outro

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.

What if success wasn’t about competition but collaboration? In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson sits down with bestselling author Ruchika Tulshyan, whose new book Uncompete flips the script on what it means to win. Ruchika shares how the myth of “doing it all yourself” keeps entrepreneurs and authors burnt out and isolated and how equity, generosity, and radical collaboration can build true, sustainable success.

Listeners will learn why letting go of scarcity thinking opens doors to creativity, opportunity, and community. Ruchika and Meghan talk candidly about navigating publishing gatekeepers, building authentic professional relationships, and finding courage to redefine success on your own terms. Whether you’re dreaming of your first book deal or just want to stop competing with everyone, including yourself, this conversation will change how you think about success.

This week’s guest is Ruchika Tulshyan. Ruchika is the author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success. She is also the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm. A former business journalist, her writing appears regularly in publications such as Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, and more. She has previously held adjunct faculty positions at Seattle University and the University of Washington, where she now advises the Communication Leadership graduate program.

Ruchika is the author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, MIT Press’s top-selling book of 2022.

Find Ruchika on social

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchikatm/
• https://www.instagram.com/rtulshyan

Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success, will be released on Nov. 4. Preorder the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753092/uncompete-by-ruchika-t-malhotra/

Find upcoming events with Ruchika at https://www.ruchika.co/speaking.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:32) Meghan introduces author and inclusion strategist Ruchika Tulshyan
(3:17) The harmful myth of competition and burnout
(5:47) Why doing it alone doesn’t work
(10:46) How patriarchy and scarcity shape women’s success
(17:28) Gatekeeping and breaking barriers in publishing
(25:07) Building audiences through generosity and collaboration
(28:27) The power of amplifying others online
(31:19) Creating long-

Follow Meghan:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstevenson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstevenson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start? MeghanStevenson.com/quiz


Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5”—Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan—to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.

In episodes released every Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out—this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.