Episode 31: Sharing Your Story in a Book with Melanie Deziel
Today on the show Jodi interviews Melanie Deziel, author of The Content Fuel Framework (2020). Here are some highlights from their conversation:
Jodi and Melanie discussed the origin of her book. Melanie wanted to be able to share what she teaches on stage in a one-to-one format that’s accessible to anyone (i.e., not just those whose boss hires her to deliver a training or sends them to a conference).
Melanie described the writing and publishing process as a fun one with a big learning curve. The scale of a book is so different from what she (and most author-entrepreneurs) is used to writing, that when she was able to break it down into what felt familiar, it made a big difference. Thinking of chapters as articles made the word count seem less daunting. That long time line, coupled with no one seeing the manuscript for so long, was challenging for Melanie.
Melanie noted that she had actually started another book before The Content Fuel Framework, but that during the writing process she realized that The Content Fuel Framework is the book her audience needs now/first.
Because Melanie’s book release coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, most of her scheduled speaking and training engagements were canceled/moved to virtual events. Her plan is to package the book with workshops, allowing for bulk buying.
Melanie encouraged aspiring author-entrepreneurs to consider their approach when starting the process. If you don’t break “I want to write a book” into steps, it can get overwhelming quickly. She also noted the importance of having people you trust to talk to about the process.
Melanie shared that she recently read Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez and Giftology:The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Client Retention by John Ruhlin and is currently reading fiction, which is unusual for her: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Listen here or on your favorite podcast player, and let me know what you think!
Find Melanie here:
Website | Storyfuel.co | Instagram | Twitter
Content Fuel Framework (the book)