I read this interesting Substack take on nonfiction and publishing today. While many are crying out that nonfiction publishing is failing, this veteran publisher has a different take. https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/nonfiction-isnt-the-problem Some of my favorite gems: “I think nonfiction's future then is niche. Most independent publishers have known this for a long time, and they are better for it.” “the most challenging categories right now are diet/fitness, business, thought leadership, parenting, and self-help (I covered memoir above). There is so much free content in relation to these categories that the barrier to entry is high.” “The question is no longer, “Is this an article or a book?” Rather, it is, “Is this an article, social media post, Reddit thread, YouTube vlog, or a book?” She also makes an interesting case for mini docuseries style content, which has worked wildly well for fiction. What are your thoughts??

Dropping these TEDx opportunities here. I get these from a great contact and want to pass them along to you. 4 TEDx events currently accepting speaker applications: TEDxNormal (USA) Application Deadline: 10/31/26 Event Date: 4/10/27 TEDxJerseyCity (USA) Application Deadline: 10/23/26 Event Date: 1/16/27 TEDxSlacks Creek (Australia) Application Deadline: 11/23/26

Hey authors! Our friend Karlyn Ankrom from Oh Snap! Social had a webinar this week on all things social media. And she is allowing me to include the link here in case anyone wants to check it out! Check it out if you want to: - Turn one page of your book into different pieces of content, in about ten minutes - Stop wondering whether you're "posting too much about the book" (you're not) - Have a weekly rhythm that doesn't depend on feeling inspired - Keep your message reaching new readers long after launch week As a bonus, you'll actually finish the hour with at least 2-4 pieces of content written, not just notes. Very cool webinar and we love Karlyn. Check it out here: https://expertexcellenceengine.com/ppp-replay It's only available until Tuesday the 6th so view while you can. :)

Just wanted to share a really rough couple of weeks… My mom being hospitalized two weeks ago, my book launching on Thursday, my mom passing yesterday and my birthday today. I was built with strength, provided by God and cured by my mom. So I can handle pressure. Especially under stress. I wrote the tribute below from the hospital room while watching her… 💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝 The clock ticked slower there. In that wing of a medical center in São Paulo, time stopped being in a hurry. You heard every tick. You felt the space between them. And you would have given anything to fill that gap with something other than what was coming. My mom (Mamis to us) spent her last fourteen days in that hospital. Tough as nails to the very end. Eighty years old, on the 21st floor, fighting until her last breath. Giving out a little more each morning, her breathing heavier and heavier, her strength fading like a tide going out and not coming back. That fight came from somewhere deeper. She had a rough life. Unfortunately, her last weeks followed suit. On the flip side, you don't raise two kids who turn out better than okay without being tough as nails yourself. On that wing, nobody talked about it out loud, but everybody knew. No patient walks out of that floor alive. It's not a hospital ward. It's a waiting room for the inevitable. A death sentence with soft sheets and the kindest nurses and doctors you will ever meet in your life. They are not there to perform miracles. They are there to provide abundant love to the patients and their families. I know death. I've been close to it four times myself. But here's the thing: facing your own death and watching someone you love face theirs are not the same thing. Not even close. In those four instances, I was the main actor. I had my own will to throw at it. My own body to fight with. There was something to do. With my mom, I was the spectator. And that's a completely different weight. You can't fight it. You can't fix it. You can't trade places, nor can you buy more time or hope.

Pleased to announce Book Launchers is a sponsor for this year's Reader Views Non-Fiction Awards! The Reader Views Non-Fiction Awards recognize outstanding independently published works across a wide range of categories and subjects. The program is designed to highlight quality nonfiction through professional evaluation and review coverage. The nonfiction awards opened on September 1st. You can enter here: https://readerviews.com/literaryawards/non-fiction/ And JUST for our Nonfiction Author Lab community: we have a discount code to enter! When entering, use the code BOOKLAUNCHERS79 in the authorization code field and get $10 off your entry fee! We love the team at Reader Views and happy to support their nonfiction awards. Good luck to all!