The Truth About Self-Publishing: Debunking the Biggest Myths with Joel Pitney {ep. 170}
June 18, 2025
Joel Pitney, founder of Launch My Book, joins Alexa to bust common self-publishing myths, from bookstore dreams to Amazon hacks. They dive deep into what it really takes to succeed in publishing—plus, how his company helps authors publish professionally without giving up creative control. This episode is a must-listen for authors navigating the complexities of publishing and looking to make informed decisions about their books.
In this episode, Alexa Bigwarfe and Joel Pitney of Launch My Book unpack the biggest self-publishing myths. Learn what it really takes to succeed, from production costs to metadata, bookstore distribution, and pre-order strategies.
In this podcast, Alexa and Joel discuss:
In this podcast, Alexa and Joel discuss:
- How Joel went from science major to journalist to book coach and publisher
- The origin story of Launch My Book and how it differs from hybrid publishing
- The importance of author business plans, no matter the publishing path
- Why platform building matters just as much in traditional publishing
- Five big myths of self-publishing (and the reality behind them):
- Self-publishing makes you more money
- Your book will be in bookstores
- Self-publishing is easier than traditional publishing
- You can’t judge a book by its cover (spoiler: readers do!)
- Amazon metadata hacks are all you need
- Self-publishing makes you more money
- Why quality editing and design are non-negotiables
- The truth about Amazon bestseller campaigns and what actually drives discoverability
- Pre-order strategies—and why most self-published authors should skip them
- Using soft launches and slow build strategies for success
- How AI is helping his company run better ads and streamline production
- Launch My Book’s unique approach to collaborative, high-quality book production and marketing
Resources Mentioned:
- Launch My Book – Full-service publishing and promotion for self-published authors.
- Bookshop.org – Supporting local bookstores with online sales.
- Blog on Launch My Book’s website: A resource for authors to learn about self-publishing and marketing.
Important Links:
www.launchmybook.com
About Joel Pitney:
Joel Pitney is a collaborative writer, former journalist, and the founder of Launch My Book, Inc.
As a collaborative writer, Pitney has written a variety of non-fiction books on leadership, conscious business, education, and health and fitness. His books have been published by Penguin, Public Affairs, and Wiley.
As a journalist, Pitney has published articles under his own name in What Is Enlightenment? magazine and Religion Dispatches, and has ghost-written and published articles for clients on a
variety of platforms, including Fast Company, The Huffington Post, and Inc magazine. Pitney has also worked in the development of TV and film projects with his company Time Future
Films, including a TV series based on the true story of his ancestors’ journey across the Oregon Trail, sold to A&E in 2015.
In addition to his work as a writer, Pitney is also founder and president of Launch My Book, Inc, a book-production and promotion company he founded in 2013. In that role, he has run
marketing campaigns for nonfiction books spanning business, self-help, spiritual, and other genres, including multiple New York Times bestsellers. The company also runs a full-service self-publishing company and published a wide variety of educational content for writers on their website: www.launchmybook.com.
www.launchmybook.com
About Joel Pitney:
Joel Pitney is a collaborative writer, former journalist, and the founder of Launch My Book, Inc.
As a collaborative writer, Pitney has written a variety of non-fiction books on leadership, conscious business, education, and health and fitness. His books have been published by Penguin, Public Affairs, and Wiley.
As a journalist, Pitney has published articles under his own name in What Is Enlightenment? magazine and Religion Dispatches, and has ghost-written and published articles for clients on a
variety of platforms, including Fast Company, The Huffington Post, and Inc magazine. Pitney has also worked in the development of TV and film projects with his company Time Future
Films, including a TV series based on the true story of his ancestors’ journey across the Oregon Trail, sold to A&E in 2015.
In addition to his work as a writer, Pitney is also founder and president of Launch My Book, Inc, a book-production and promotion company he founded in 2013. In that role, he has run
marketing campaigns for nonfiction books spanning business, self-help, spiritual, and other genres, including multiple New York Times bestsellers. The company also runs a full-service self-publishing company and published a wide variety of educational content for writers on their website: www.launchmybook.com.