Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

📝 Join the Published Creator Skool community (At the time of this recording, it's free)

In this episode, I sit down with Chelsea Bennett, Education & Community Manager from Lulu.com, to explore how authors can think beyond “just a book” and turn their content into a full-fledged brand experience.

Whether you’re a coach, course creator, or speaker, this conversation is packed with strategies for turning your book into a powerful business tool—one that supports memberships, bundles, events, and more.

We cover:

• Why spiral-bound books (not available on Amazon!) are game-changers for workbooks
• How to use Lulu Direct to sell on your own website with full control
• Tactics to bundle your book with courses, coaching, and communities
• Using QR codes to grow your list, drive engagement, and build your ecosystem
• Kickstarter & fulfillment tips using Lulu’s Order Import Tool
• When and why to use ISBNs, and how to avoid common mistakes
• How to sell internationally without managing inventory

🔥 Bonus Insight:
Your book isn’t the final product—it’s the entry point into your brand and your world.

🎁 Mentioned in this episode:

• Lulu Pricing Calculator: https://www.lulu.com/pricing
• Lulu Direct (Shopify/Wix/Woo integration)
• Free interior templates for planners, journals, and notebooks
• Order Import Tool for bulk/kickstarter fulfillment
• Book a Monetization Mapping Call (includes a free Bestseller Impact Assessment)

🎧 Listen + Watch:
→ Watch The Episode on YouTube (includes a comprehensive and detailed list of resources mentioned)

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

**Join The Published Creator Skool Community:**
https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

Take my FREE Bestseller Impact Assessment
https://publishedandthriving.com/bestseller-impact-assessment

What if you could turn your book idea into a six-figure Kickstarter campaign?

In this interview, author and marketer Josh Jenne breaks down the exact funnel that helped him raise over $202,000 to launch his fantasy book series, without relying on AI-generated art, and with a razor-sharp marketing strategy.

You’ll learn:

Why concept is king — and how to position yours

How Josh used Reddit, Facebook, and Discord to build momentum

Why he spent over $30K on Facebook ads (and how he knew it was working)

The controversial truth about using AI art for books

How to build a pre-launch email list that converts

The one mindset shift that separates authors who succeed on Kickstarter from those who don’t

📚 This is required watching for any author, artist, or creator thinking about crowdfunding their next book.

👉 Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/7xhJpwMiQAY

**🎯 Resources Mentioned:**

Josh Jenne’s latest Kickstarter:
**(Warning: NSFW - Content may be considered Not Safe For Work)** https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leopardprintpress/pinup-monster-girls-55e?ref=5ce39o

Lulu Print-on-Demand: https://www.lulu.com
Jellop: https://jellop.com/
BackerKit: https://www.backerkit.com/

Artist Rosa Mendez: https://www.instagram.com/_nubesrosas_

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Give it a 👍, subscribe for more interviews like this, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. Have questions about launching your own Kickstarter campaign? I’d love to hear them!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

Join The Published Creator Skool Community
https://www.skool.com/thepublishedcreator-2767/about

Take my FREE Bestseller Impact Assessment
https://publishedandthriving.com/bestseller-impact-assessment

In this episode of The Published Creator Podcast, I sit down with author and creative entrepreneur Josh Jenne, who successfully raised $202,000 on Kickstarter to fund his beautifully illustrated fantasy book for the Dungeons & Dragons community.

**Note: (this is part 1 of a two-part interview series)**

👉 Watch Part 2 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7DoUIh9M8Y

If you've ever wondered whether crowdfunding your book could actually work, especially without a massive audience, this conversation is for you. Josh shares the exact strategy he used to validate his idea, build momentum before launch, and structure his Kickstarter campaign for maximum conversions.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:

How Josh went from zero audience to $202K in book sales

The importance of concept validation before you launch

Why building an email list and community is critical for Kickstarter success

How to use platforms like Lulu for fulfillment and print-on-demand

The role of pricing, bundles, and “whale tiers” in campaign growth

Why your day one launch matters more than you think

The difference between publishing on Amazon vs launching with Kickstarter

Whether you’re writing a novel, creating a graphic novel, or launching a tabletop gaming guide, this is a masterclass in self-publishing and Kickstarter strategy.

🎯 Resources Mentioned:

Josh Jenne’s latest Kickstarter:
**(Warning: NSFW - Content subject may be considered Not Safe For Work)** https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leopardprintpress/pinup-monster-girls-55e?ref=5ce39o

Lulu Print-on-Demand: https://www.lulu.com
Jellop: https://jellop.com/
BackerKit: https://www.backerkit.com/

Artist Rosa Mendez: https://www.instagram.com/_nubesrosas_

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Give it a 👍, subscribe for more interviews like this, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Have questions about launching your own Kickstarter campaign? I’d love to hear them!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

I’m closing the chapter on The Coloring Book Creator and stepping into something bigger. In this kickoff episode of the Published Creator Podcast, I share the turning point that sparked this shift and how you can take your book beyond the pages to build a thriving brand, business, and legacy.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Published Creator!

I’m Rodney Washington, and I’m thrilled to share this space with you. This podcast is here for authors, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to go beyond publishing a book and instead build experiences, communities, and thriving businesses around their ideas.

Turning the Page: From Coloring Book Creator to a New Beginning

For three years, The Coloring Book Creator has been my platform to help aspiring authors bring their ideas to life. But as I’ve worked with more creators, I realized the journey doesn’t stop at the book.

The real opportunity lies in how you take that book and expand it into something bigger, coaching, courses, memberships, retreats, and even licensing opportunities.

This is the heartbeat of becoming a Published & Thriving author creator.

Why Books Are Just the Beginning

A book is powerful, but it’s not the finish line. Think of it as your business card on steroids; it opens doors, creates opportunities, and builds credibility. But if you stop at book sales, you’re leaving so much potential on the table. In this episode, I share how to reframe your book as the foundation of a much larger ecosystem.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for joining me for this first episode of the Published Creator podcast.

As I close the chapter on The Coloring Book Creator and step into this new season, I invite you to come along for the journey.

Together, we’ll explore how to turn your book into more than just pages; we’ll turn it into a thriving brand, a business, and a legacy.

Join our new Published Creator Community on Skool

Watch Episodes on YouTube

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

In Episode 60 of the Published Creator Podcast, we dive deep into common fears surrounding the creation and sales potential of your coloring books, planners, and journals.

I share 10 actionable strategies to help you release those fears and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're brainstorming your first book or trying to improve sales on existing titles, these insights will guide you toward success.

Want to continue the conversation, plus get additional action steps you can implement immediately? Join Us On Skool

Key Takeaways:
1. Conduct Thorough Research:
Understand the market demand before you create your book. Just because a subject has been covered doesn't mean there isn't room for your unique perspective.

2. Align with Your Passion:
Choose a book topic that you are genuinely interested in, as it will require a significant amount of your time and energy to bring to life.

3. Mindset Adjustment:
Prepare to learn from the process regardless of the outcome. Challenges will arise, but persistence will teach you invaluable lessons.

4. Pre-Sell Your Book:
Start marketing your book before it’s complete. This approach not only validates your idea but also generates early interest and potential sales.

5. Leverage Community and Collaboration:
Engage with communities and collaborate with others to expand your reach and credibility. Shared interests can lead to powerful partnerships and opportunities.

Episode Highlights:
- Discussion on the importance of market research and finding a niche within popular genres.

- Tips for mentally preparing for the hurdles of book creation and sales.

- Strategies for pre-selling and marketing your book early in the creation process to gauge interest and secure early buyers.

- Importance of community support and collaboration in spreading the word and enhancing your book’s success.

Listen and Engage:
Tune in to learn how to navigate the fears of book creation and sales with strategic actions that can lead to success. Engage with us through comments or on our social media to share your experiences and insights.

Additional Resources:
- Link to the full video discussion on YouTube for visual insights.

- Access to a free audio course to help validate your coloring book ideas.

038: After The Rain with Surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator Now Coloring Book Creator Lisa Dolson

019: The #1 Mistake Coloring Book Authors Are Making That's Killing Sales On Social Media

051: You’re Leaving Money On The Table If You Aren’t Doing This

047: 10 Steps to Pre-Launch Your Book (Without Ads or Being on Social Media All Day)

Bonus Episode: The Passive Income Myth (what nobody tells you about selling your book on Amazon)

We’re committed to supporting you in turning your creative vision into reality. Join us to learn, grow, and succeed together in the world of coloring book creation!

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

Looking for an idea for your first or next Coloring Book, Planner/Journal but don't know where to start?

If you answered YES, then you're in luck because in episode 59 of the Published Creator Podcast I dive into the world of AI with my new GPT Unlock Your Coloring Book or Planner Idea, now available exclusively to Skool Members

Inside, the community I'll show you how AI can be a powerful tool for creators of coloring books, planners, and journals.

This episode is all about leveraging AI, specifically ChatGPT, to assist with ideation, research, and even content creation, helping you bring your creative visions to life.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. Turn AI Into Your Creative Assistant: Discover how ChatGPT can be used not to replace traditional artists, but as a tool to enhance and support your creative process, from idea validation to content generation.

2. Validate Your Book Idea: Learn how to use AI to validate your book ideas before investing time and resources into creation, ensuring your project resonates with your target audience.

3. From Ideation to Execution: Coming up with an idea for your book can be challenging especially when you have so many to choose from. That's why I'm thrilled to announce a new tool designed to help creators brainstorm and refine ideas for books, providing suggestions on layout, content, and even cover design.

4. Join the Live Workshop: Get the chance to participate in a live workshop where Rodney will walk you through the ideation process, offering real-time feedback and support to help you bring your project to fruition.

5. Start Your Journey Today: With access to my new custom GPT and upcoming live workshops, you have all the tools and support you need to start creating and marketing your next big project.


Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

- Access the GPT Tool and Watch the Demo
Side Note: When you access the Unlock Your Coloring Book or Planner Idea with the power of AI 🤖 includes an invitation to join me for new Live Workshop TBA

- Share your ideation results inside The Published Creator Skool Community

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

In this episode, I dive into a recent conversation with one of my digital planner mentor students about the challenges and opportunities in publishing, particularly when using print-on-demand services like Lulu.

We discuss the beauty and quality of her newly created planner, but also the significant pricing differences that arise, especially with international shipping.

Using print-on-demand services often results in higher costs per unit, particularly for full-color books. These expenses can be daunting, especially when you factor in shipping, which can drastically increase the overall price.

However, there are strategic ways to position and sell these products to ensure profitability.

I share my experiences and insights on how to creatively bundle your book with other offerings, such as courses, workshops, or membership communities, to provide additional value and justify a higher price point.

The key takeaway?

In the nonfiction space, the book is rarely the sole income source. Instead, it's an entry point into a broader ecosystem of experiences and services that truly drive revenue.

Tune in to learn how to effectively position your book, create meaningful experiences around it, and build a sustainable income stream that goes beyond just book sales.

Don't forget to check the show notes for links to valuable resources:

Join the conversation in my new Skool Community, the Published Creator

052: Beyond Amazon Creating Profitable Bundles That Sell with Vervante's Cindy Tyler

Got questions, ideas, thoughts on the episode? Send us a Text

In this episode of the Published Creator Podcast, I'm diving into a topic that's close to my heart: what to do when you're just not feeling it in your business.

Join our new Published Creator Community on Skool

As someone who's been an entrepreneur for nearly two decades, I've faced my fair share of burnout and low motivation.

Today, I want to share some personal insights and practical strategies that have helped me reconnect with my passion and realign my work with where I am now.

Whether you're struggling to find your spark or simply feeling stuck, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Acknowledge When Something Feels Off: Recognizing and admitting that you're feeling disconnected or unmotivated is the first step to making necessary changes in your business or creative projects.
   
   
2. Take Time Off to Reflect: Whether it's a day, a week, or even longer, stepping back from your routine can offer fresh perspectives and help you recharge. This time off might involve unplugging from content consumption or simply changing your physical environment.
   
   
3. Experiment and Try New Things: Sometimes the solution to feeling stuck is to inject new energy into your work by exploring different approaches, projects, or technologies. Don't be afraid to play and experiment.
   
   
4. Seek Professional Support: If the pressure of entrepreneurship feels overwhelming, consider speaking with a therapist or counselor. It can provide invaluable clarity and emotional support, allowing you to navigate challenges more effectively.
   
   
5. Be Willing to Change Direction: If after deep reflection, you realize your current path no longer aligns with your goals, don’t be afraid to pivot. This might involve rebranding, targeting new clients, or even a complete career shift.

Tune in for an honest conversation about the emotional realities of being an entrepreneur and how to navigate them with grace and resilience.

Links Mentioned:

• BetterHelp Counseling Service
• Explore Rodney's New Validate Your Book Idea Before You Make It GPT Tool Available Exclusively to Skool Members - Join For Free
• Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan

Contact Rodney:

• Email: rodney@rodneywashington.com