Welcome to Kind of a Big Book Deal with host Meghan Stevenson! If you’ve ever dreamed of landing a book deal but felt lost in the process, this episode is for you. Meghan, a former editor at top publishing houses, shares her hard-earned insights on what it takes to turn your book idea into a reality.

In this episode, Meghan introduces her Three P’s framework—Potential, Platform, and Proposal—the key elements every author needs to secure a traditional publishing deal. She explains why your book idea must be fresh and marketable, how to build an audience that publishers can’t ignore, and why your book proposal is the ultimate sales pitch. Meghan also emphasizes the importance of thought leadership and proof of past sales success when positioning yourself for a deal.

This episode is just the beginning—over the next three episodes, Meghan will detail each P, giving you the knowledge you need to take your book from idea to published success.

Find the 3Ps freebie here: https://meghanstevenson.kit.com/50230df9e1

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) The struggle to understand frameworks
(3:00) Introducing the Three P’s: Potential, Platform, and Proposal
(5:45) Defining each P and why they matter
(7:14) The three conditions for a strong book idea
(9:54) Why market size and reader demand matter
(12:24) What makes a strong author platform? Direct audience, reach, and conversion
(14:58) The elements of a winning book proposal

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 other 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.

In this episode of Kind of a Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson breaks down one of the most overlooked but essential parts of publishing—understanding your book’s category. If you’re an entrepreneur hoping to land a traditional book deal, knowing where your book fits is key to getting the right publisher, agent, and audience.

Meghan starts by debunking the myth of the "prescriptive memoir"—a book that tries to be both a personal story and a how-to guide. Spoiler: it doesn’t work. She explains the four main categories of nonfiction: lifestyle, reference, narrative, and prescriptive. If you're writing a book to solve a problem, chances are it falls under prescriptive nonfiction, which includes self-help, business, health, and personal development books.

Meghan also highlights why knowing your category helps you build the right publishing team, from editors to agents to marketing experts. She shares insider insights on how bookstores organize books, how publishers think about readers, and why choosing the right category from the start sets you up for success.

If you’re serious about writing a book that sells, this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:29) The importance of understanding book categories
(5:42) Why “prescriptive memoir” doesn’t work
(6:24) Fiction vs. nonfiction: A crucial distinction
(7:39) The four main types of nonfiction books
(11:05) What is prescriptive nonfiction?
(18:28) Why knowing your category helps you get a book deal
(22:18) 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 other 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.

In this episode of the Kind of a Big Book Deal Podcast, host Meghan Stevenson walks entrepreneurs through the key stages and roles in traditional publishing. She breaks down the six main steps to getting a book deal, from writing a book proposal and securing an agent to landing a deal, writing the manuscript, preparing for publication, and, finally, promoting the book once it's out. Meghan emphasizes the importance of having the right team—including a collaborator, a literary agent, and an editor—to ensure success.

She also explains the many people involved in publishing a book, from designers and marketing teams to editors and production staff. If you're serious about writing a how-to book or prescriptive nonfiction, this episode gives you a clear roadmap of what to expect. Plus, Meghan shares insider tips on getting an agent and why DIY publishing might not be the best route for most entrepreneurs.

Whether you're just starting or already in the process, this episode provides valuable guidance to help you navigate the publishing world with confidence.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:20) Why book proposals are crucial and why most author-written ones need work
(5:13) How to get a literary agent and why cold pitches often don’t work
(7:31) How book deals happen and the role of an agent
(8:03) Writing the manuscript—what happens behind the scenes
(9:05) Preparing for publication—marketing, positioning, and internal pitching
(9:40) The final stage: Promoting your book (and why you need to do it for years!)
(10:56) Understanding the different publishing roles and why they matter
(15:08) Why hiring a collaborator can give you an edge in the industry
(16:26) 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 other 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.