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**Don’t Write That Book**

The “Don’t Write That Book” podcast serves as your guide to crafting your bestseller and embracing your role as an author. Your hosts, Mike Michalowicz and AJ Harper, act as your personal experts, steering you through the intricacies of writing and publishing. Mike and AJ demystify all aspects of creating and releasing your book, offering insights drawn from their own journeys. This podcast will be your safeguard against writing THAT book.

Latest Episodes:

Don’t Sleep on Panel Discussions as a Marketing Tool Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Mike and AJ discuss panel discussions and why too many authors are not utilizing them. Panels are easier than solo talks and are often easier to get, but have been overlooked lately. They both share their experiences with them and why the invitation to discuss benefited their books more than simply talking about them.

Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast app.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Simplified

Big Freakin' Change, by Cara Poppett

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

Get Pre-orders Way Before Your Pub Date Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

This week’s episode covers all about pre-orders and when you can start getting orders in. Well, turns out you don’t need to wait for a pre-order link. Mike and AJ discuss their own experiences with taking orders before their books were even linked and other methods to start orders as early as possible.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Simplified

AJ's writing sprint community

Check, Please!

The Disregulated Kid, by Roseann Copanna-Hodge

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

How to Write on an Airplane Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ discuss adapting your writing to the environment you are in. Mike has extensive experience with writing on planes and even found that he sometimes writes best on planes. Mike and AJ all discuss their creative differences and how finding yours is extraordinarily important for becoming a bestselling author.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Page Two Simplified

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

When Your Publisher Bullies You Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when you get your dream traditional publisher, an offer of a lifetime, and then everything goes sour? Your publisher begins to bully you, completely bulldozes your story, and you… Well, sadly, this happens from time to time. But AJ and Mike know exactly how to handle this!

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Simplified

AJ's Writing Sprint Community

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

Should You Put Your Book on Pause? Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes writing just stops- not writer’s block, but simply stuck. Life is busy, more urgent matters take precedence, and your body is exhausted. So what do you do? You pause on your book. But how do you decide when life is too much to do that? AJ and Mike cover just that in this latest episode and their own experiences, sharing their best strategies to get through the muck.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Simplified

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

How to Choose Between Publishers Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

When your publishing offers come in all at once, it can be hard to decide. Even the difference between two traditional publishing houses can be starkly different. In today’s episode, we tell you how to notice all of those little differences and what can be a make or break for your book’s life.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Simplified

In Search of You, by Kasey Compton

Beyond Compassion Fatigue, by Jen Blough

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

Should You De-list Your Book on Amazon? Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes authors rewrite their books or create expanded versions of their books, so what do you do with your old book? This week, Mike and AJ answer that question and lay out all of the pros and cons of delisting your book. Mike has pondered the same question himself and shares his personal experience.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Page Two Simplified

Take Breaks Work Better, by John Briggs

Profit First for E-Commerce Sellers, by Cindy Thomason

Traction, by Gino Wickman

Not Your Sidekick, by CB Lee

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

The After the Book Launch Blues Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Mike and AJ cover a listener’s (shoutout Kathy) question: How to know when to move on after the book is complete? They share their own personal experiences with moving on when their launch is over and how to keep it alive after the fact. They also discuss how to not move on too quickly to your next project.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Page Two Simplified

Joyspan, by Dr. Kerry Burnight

Sustainable Ambition, Kathy Oneto

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

When Your Book Needs to Change in Big Ways Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Today’s episode is inspired by a request from listener Mara: “Finding the legs when the original book you envision hits a stumbling point.” Almost every author has experienced a hard stop like this while working on their book. Mike and AJ bring up how many authors may immediately bulldoze their work, but counter how that may do more harm than good and how to save your book.

Books/Resources Mentioned:

Page Two Simplified

Connect with AJ & Mike:

AJ Harper, website

Write A Must-Read

Free resources

AJ’s Socials:

Facebook

Mike Michalowicz, website

All books

Mike’s Socials:

New Ideas and Developments for Audiobooks Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

You would never believe this, but the last time we made an episode about audiobooks was 122 episodes ago! Today’s episode covers piracy in audiobooks and new ways to protect your books. Audiobook sales are on the fast rise and it’s time that the industry grows with it. Mike and AJ talk about their new ideas and some insider scoops on the changes occurring in publishing.