Anna David's Blog

 

An early internet writer turned entrepreneur, Daniel DiPiazza has been building audiences since the blogging days of MySpace and university-only Facebook. Long before “personal brand” was a buzzword, Daniel was clawing his way into Huffington Post, landing interviews with Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner and steadily growing a newsletter that would eventually reach 170,000+ subscribers.

His traditionally published book, Rich 20 Something, wasn’t an accident—it was the culmination of years of audience building, strategic networking and relentless follow-up. In this episode, Daniel walks through the unlikely chain of events that led to his book deal, from cold-calling publicists to pursuing his literary agent for nearly two years while building his platform in real time.

But what makes this conversation especially compelling is what came after the book.

We get into the myth of traditional publishing, why ego—not economics—is often the biggest draw, and how Daniel ultimately reframed authorship as an authority engine rather than a revenue stream. Today, as founder of New Wave Press, he helps entrepreneurs use books not to sell copies—but to consolidate expertise, build frameworks and lower their customer acquisition costs.

We also dive deep into the future of publishing: AI, digital distribution, the erosion of backlist revenue and why legacy publishers may be stuck in a model that no longer serves authors—or readers. 

Episode Highlights

How Daniel’s early blogging career, Huffington Post contributions and strategic networking led to a traditional publishing contract for Rich 20 Something
Why he spent years growing his newsletter and social following before landing a deal—and how those numbers became leverage
The realities of creative control, marketing support and why most authors feel disappointed after the deal is signed
Why being “chosen” by a publisher feels validating—and why that emotional payoff often outweighs the financial one
Why books shouldn’t be treated as profit centers but as assets that consolidate expertise, codify frameworks and increase conversion
How a book can lock you into a narrow identity if you don’t plan your next move—and what Daniel would do differently
The surprising reality that authority in one niche doesn’t automatically carry into another
Why more than half of Daniel’s company’s recent sales are audio and digital—and what that signals about reader behavior
How large language models, shifting copyright rulings and lack of first-party customer data may force legacy publishers to rethink everything
Daniel’s prediction that publishing will split in two—one camp returning to human-crafted classics and another embracing fully AI-driven content ecosystems
Why writing a book is like buying a stock—it appreciates over time if nurtured and aligned with your broader career vision

 

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I told Chris Joseph years ago that his book would lead to a coaching career. He told me absolutely not. He meant it.

It took about two years for him to tell me I was right.

Chris was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in 2016, and seventy percent of people with that diagnosis are dead within a year. He quit chemo, fired his oncologist with no Plan B and is now about to turn 70.

He wrote his memoir, Life is a Ride, because the story was in his head and he had to get it out, not because he had some grand business plan.

But the book became his business card, his credibility, his foot in every door. People found it and kept asking the same thing: tell me what you did.

He threw himself into new projects (at one point he was doing five podcasts). He did a book tour with a musician friend because he was smart enough to know not that many people show up for an author alone. And eventually, all those "tell me what you did" conversations became Terrain Navigators, the health coaching practice he now runs for people facing the diagnosis he survived.

Chris didn't plan any of this. He just published a real book, took it seriously and let the ride take him where it was going. (It's not an accident the book is called Life is a Ride.)

In this episode:

Why Chris fired his oncologist with no Plan B (and why he'd do it again)
How he used his book as a business card to introduce himself to Joe Polish at a gala
The moment he realized "tell me what you did" was a coaching business waiting to happen
Why he wrote a memoir instead of a how-to (and why the how-to he's writing now terrifies him)
What a friend's pickleball book disaster taught him about trying to do it all yourself

 

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Kelsey Chittick wrote a book about her husband dying at a trampoline park while she was on a spiritual retreat in Jamaica, and somehow it's one of the funniest books I've ever read. But what I really wanted to talk to her about is what happened after.

Because the book, Second Half, became the thing people hand to someone when the worst has happened. It led to Zibby Owens inviting Kelsey to co-host a podcast about sex that lasted five years. It led to a grief group in her basement that ran every two weeks for three and a half years and is now being pitched as a scripted TV show. It turned her into a speaker, a life coach and someone whose phone rings every time somebody in the South Bay loses the person they love most.

Kelsey didn't write this book to build a career. She wrote it so her kids would know the truth about their dad. They still haven't read it (too embarrassing, apparently). But the book did what books do when they're real: it opened every door she didn't know existed.

 
In this episode:

How a death-and-mourning memoir became the go-to gift when someone dies (and led to a five-year sex podcast)
Why the grief group in her basement is being pitched as a scripted TV show
The moment Kelsey knew she was done being "the dead-husband woman" — and what comes next
The cover design that looked like a vagina (her mother-in-law loved it)
What it means to write something so true to your voice that you can hand someone the book instead of reliving the story

 

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Alex Mandossian has built a multi-million-dollar business—and he’ll be the first to tell you it had almost nothing to do with book sales. A veteran marketer who started online before Google existed, Alex is proof that a book doesn’t need to sell thousands of copies to completely transform your career.

In this episode, Alex and I unpack the wildly counterintuitive strategy behind two books that generated over $3.5 million in revenue—despite selling fewer than 600 copies combined. He explains why he views a book as a “credentializer,” an executive summary and a leave-behind that quietly does the heavy lifting while you’re not in the room.

We talk about Alexisms—his collection of sharp, funny, deceptively simple one-liners—and how giving away signed copies on stages across six continents led to high-ticket consulting clients, sold-out speaking engagements and 100% of his clients referencing his book before hiring him.

This conversation is part masterclass, part philosophy lesson and part reality check for anyone who thinks success comes from bestseller lists instead of strategy. Alex breaks down repurposing, core offers, message-market fit and why most authors misunderstand what a book is actually for.

If you’ve ever wondered how a book can quietly precede you, sell for you and open doors you didn’t even knock on—this episode will completely rewire how you think about publishing.

Episode Highlights

How selling just 87 books led to over $2.5 million in revenue
Why a book should function as a credential, not a cash register
The “hub and spoke” model for turning one book into years of content
How signed books outperform pitches in first-class airplane conversations
Why every high-ticket client mentioned the book before saying yes

 

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Alex Mandossian has built a multi-million-dollar business—and he’ll be the first to tell you it had almost nothing to do with book sales. A veteran marketer who started online before Google existed, Alex is proof that a book doesn’t need to sell thousands of copies to completely transform your career.

In this episode, Alex and I unpack the wildly counterintuitive strategy behind two books that generated over $3.5 million in revenue—despite selling fewer than 600 copies combined. He explains why he views a book as a “credentializer,” an executive summary and a leave-behind that quietly does the heavy lifting while you’re not in the room.

We talk about Alexisms—his collection of sharp, funny, deceptively simple one-liners—and how giving away signed copies on stages across six continents led to high-ticket consulting clients, sold-out speaking engagements and 100% of his clients referencing his book before hiring him.

This conversation is part masterclass, part philosophy lesson and part reality check for anyone who thinks success comes from bestseller lists instead of strategy. Alex breaks down repurposing, core offers, message-market fit and why most authors misunderstand what a book is actually for.

If you’ve ever wondered how a book can quietly precede you, sell for you and open doors you didn’t even knock on—this episode will completely rewire how you think about publishing.

Episode Highlights

How selling just 87 books led to over $2.5 million in revenue
Why a book should function as a credential, not a cash register
The “hub and spoke” model for turning one book into years of content
How signed books outperform pitches in first-class airplane conversations
Why every high-ticket client mentioned the book before saying yes

 

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Brian Kurtz helped build Boardroom into a $1 billion business and spent decades mastering direct response marketing before ever writing a book. When he finally did, Overdeliver didn’t chase bestseller lists or short-term hype—it became a timeless asset that continues to generate millions in business years after its release.

In this episode, Brian and I talk about what it really means to launch a book—and why, in his view, a book is never done launching.

We dive into the philosophy behind the “perpetual launch,” how Brian used bonuses, podcasts and relationship capital to turn Overdeliver into a long-term client engine and why capturing a reader’s email is more valuable than chasing Amazon rankings. He shares how writing for nearly a decade before publishing gave him confidence, clarity and a voice—and how a near-fatal stroke the day before his book launch permanently reshaped his perspective on legacy.

Brian breaks down why most authors misunderstand ROI, how goodwill compounds like interest and why playing the long game consistently outperforms quick-hit marketing strategies. This is a conversation about patience, craft and the quiet power of showing up for years before asking for anything in return.

If you want to build a book that sells over time, attracts the right people and keeps working long after launch week ends, this episode is essential listening.

Episode Highlights

What the “perpetual launch” really means—and how to apply it
Why Overdeliver became a multi-million-dollar business asset
The role of relationship capital in book-driven revenue
How bonuses and email capture outperform bestseller lists
Why writing consistently for years is the real shortcut

 

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After more than five decades in Hollywood—as an actor, teacher and mentor to stars like George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer—Richard Lawson had nothing left to prove. But when he wrote The Artist’s Roadmap: Navigating Your Career in SHOW Business, he discovered there was still something left to say. The book didn’t just summarize his life’s work—it reawakened it.

In this conversation Richard and I talk about how turning his philosophy into a book became an act of renewal. He shares how a revelation during a college musical set him on his path, how surviving a plane crash taught him to trust his intuition and why writing this book became his way of passing the torch to the next generation of artists.

Episode Highlights

The revelation that changed his life in 1969 and why he still feels “led” by that same force today
The dialogue between his two inner voices—his spiritual guide “Richard” and his creative alter ego “Tricky Dick”
How surviving a plane crash reshaped his sense of purpose and intuition
Why The Artist’s Roadmap is both a guidebook for actors and a manifesto for anyone pursuing a calling
His three-part formula for success in show business: politics, personality and craft
How decades of teaching Hollywood legends shaped the lessons that fill the book
What it means to be a “dream whisperer” and how he helps others rediscover their purpose
The new wave of creativity the book inspired: a Substack, a memoir and a series of children’s books
How he’s using publishing as both a platform and protection in an age of algorithms and cancel culture
His vision for building an ecosystem that unites storytelling, entrepreneurship and service

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Justin Breen is living proof that writing a book can literally transform your entire existence. The co-founder and CEO of The Epic F.I.T. Network (named one of the top five masterminds on the planet) went from charging $500 for his PR services to commanding $30,000 a client—all thanks to the power of authorship.

His journey from journalist to bestselling author reads like a business fairy tale: after his salary was cut in half, he reached out to 5,000 people to find his first five clients, then documented the entire wild ride in his first book, Epic Life.

Breen describes the writing process as channeling divine inspiration while literally staring at the sun during his daily runs, resulting in what he calls a "complete ego death" that led to an amicable divorce and a total life overhaul.

Now he's floating between companies (including an AI music platform called Corvia.AI), unsure where he'll live next, but certain that his books have been manifesting his reality in ways he never expected—proving that sometimes the best business strategy is having no strategy at all.

Episode Highlights:

Justin shares how writing his new book, Epic Journey, led to a complete personal and professional transformation, including an amicable divorce and new business ventures.
Discussion of the themes in Epic Journey, including ego death, the merging of the divine masculine and feminine, and the impact the manuscript has had on early readers (including inspiring tattoos!).
Insights into Justin’s previous books, the origins of the word “business,” and how writing has shaped his career and personal growth.
The financial and reputational impact of publishing books: from charging $500 to $30,000 for his services, and how his books led to speaking engagements, media opportunities, and the creation of a global mastermind.
The organic, non-strategic approach Justin takes to marketing and networking, and how authenticity and connection have driven his success.
Reflections on the importance of storytelling, the challenges of writing, and why not everyone should write their own book.
Justin’s thoughts on relationships, personal evolution, and the power of being understood through writing.
A look ahead at future projects, including a potential book collaboration with Melissa Bernstein (of Melissa & Doug Toys) and his new company, CORV a.ai, focused on AI-generated music.

Key Takeaways:

Writing can be a catalyst for profound life changes, both personally and professionally.
Authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling resonate deeply with audiences.
Success often comes from organic connections and following one’s purpose, rather than rigid strategy.
Everyone has a story, but not everyone needs to write it themselves—sometimes it’s best to collaborate with skilled writers.
The journey of authorship can lead to unexpected opportunities, relationships, and self-discovery.

 
DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST ON ANY PLATFORM BELOW

 

Justin Breen is living proof that writing a book can literally transform your entire existence. The co-founder and CEO of The Epic F.I.T. Network (named one of the top five masterminds on the planet) went from charging $500 for his PR services to commanding $30,000 a client—all thanks to the power of authorship.

His journey from journalist to bestselling author reads like a business fairy tale: after his salary was cut in half, he reached out to 5,000 people to find his first five clients, then documented the entire wild ride in his first book, Epic Life.

Breen describes the writing process as channeling divine inspiration while literally staring at the sun during his daily runs, resulting in what he calls a "complete ego death" that led to an amicable divorce and a total life overhaul.

Now he's floating between companies (including an AI music platform called Corvia.AI), unsure where he'll live next, but certain that his books have been manifesting his reality in ways he never expected—proving that sometimes the best business strategy is having no strategy at all.

Episode Highlights:

Justin shares how writing his new book, Epic Journey, led to a complete personal and professional transformation, including an amicable divorce and new business ventures.
Discussion of the themes in Epic Journey, including ego death, the merging of the divine masculine and feminine, and the impact the manuscript has had on early readers (including inspiring tattoos!).
Insights into Justin’s previous books, the origins of the word “business,” and how writing has shaped his career and personal growth.
The financial and reputational impact of publishing books: from charging $500 to $30,000 for his services, and how his books led to speaking engagements, media opportunities, and the creation of a global mastermind.
The organic, non-strategic approach Justin takes to marketing and networking, and how authenticity and connection have driven his success.
Reflections on the importance of storytelling, the challenges of writing, and why not everyone should write their own book.
Justin’s thoughts on relationships, personal evolution, and the power of being understood through writing.
A look ahead at future projects, including a potential book collaboration with Melissa Bernstein (of Melissa & Doug Toys) and his new company, CORV a.ai, focused on AI-generated music.

Key Takeaways:

Writing can be a catalyst for profound life changes, both personally and professionally.
Authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling resonate deeply with audiences.
Success often comes from organic connections and following one’s purpose, rather than rigid strategy.
Everyone has a story, but not everyone needs to write it themselves—sometimes it’s best to collaborate with skilled writers.
The journey of authorship can lead to unexpected opportunities, relationships, and self-discovery.

 
DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST ON ANY PLATFORM BELOW

For most of the history of publishing, the goal of a book was simple: sell as many copies as possible.

That’s still how traditional publishing tends to think about books.

But entrepreneurs use books very differently.

For founders, the real value of a book is rarely retail sales. It’s authority.

A well-positioned book can lead to speaking opportunities, consulting clients, partnerships and media exposure. It can become the foundation for intellectual property that powers an entire business.

Because of this shift, a new category of publishing companies has emerged over the past decade to help entrepreneurs turn their expertise into books designed to build authority.

Companies like Scribe Media, Amplify Publishing Group and Greenleaf Book Group helped popularize the idea that entrepreneurs could invest in professionally produced books rather than waiting years for a traditional publishing deal.

At Legacy Launch Pad Publishing, we built our company around a similar insight — but with a different philosophy.

Books Are Authority Engines

Most entrepreneurs don’t need a book to sell thousands of copies.

They need a book that reaches the right people.

A single reader who becomes a client, partner or collaborator can create more value than thousands of casual readers who forget the book the next day.

That’s why I often tell clients, I’d rather have 100 of the right people read a book and hire the author and have their lives change than 10,000 people who forget about it the next day.

When approached this way, a book becomes something much more powerful than a marketing tool.

It becomes an authority engine.

Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Hybrid Publishing

Entrepreneurs today generally have three options when publishing a book:

Traditional publishing
Prestigious but slow and often difficult to access.

Self publishing
Fast and flexible but requires authors to manage everything themselves.

Hybrid publishing
A model where authors invest in producing a high-quality book while maintaining control over the process.

The rise of hybrid publishing reflects the reality that entrepreneurs are not writing books primarily to become bestselling authors.

They’re writing books to strengthen their businesses.

The Book as the Center of a Business Ecosystem

The entrepreneurs who benefit most from writing books rarely treat them as one-off projects.

Instead, the book becomes the foundation for:

• speaking engagements
• workshops and training programs
• consulting frameworks
• media visibility
• intellectual property

In many cases, the book becomes the clearest articulation of the author’s ideas — the place where their expertise is organized into something that can be taught, shared and scaled.

A Different Way of Thinking About Books

Traditional publishing asks one question:

How many copies will this book sell?

Entrepreneurs ask a different question:

What opportunities will this book create?

That shift in thinking has quietly created an entirely new category within publishing.

And it’s only getting started.

If you’d like a clear breakdown of how we define hybrid publishing, our standards and who our model is designed for, you can review our publishing framework here:
https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/llms-txt