Dr. Tamara Mitchell-Davis’ Guide to Self-Publishing Success
Encouraging writers by sharing her own journey to publishing
Listen on our host site, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and elsewhere.
In this week’s episode, TW Managing Editor Neva Talladen interviews Dr. Tamara Mitchell-Davis, author of #GoalGetter: Strategies for Overcoming Life’s Challenges (self-published, 2017). Dr. Tamara Mitchell-Davis is an award-winning author who has self-published 12 books, both on her own and with the help of her team. She is the chief executive officer of TM Davis Enterprises, LLC, a coaching practice that empowers aspiring authors to bring their books and business visions to life through storytelling. Tamara has coached more than 50 women and scaled her business to earn six figures in just two years.
#GoalGetter is a self-help book with strategies to aid aspiring entrepreneurs in reaching their goals. The first book Tamara ever published, it helped her launch her coaching business and transform it into what it is today. At the core of Tamara’s business model is storytelling: guiding her clients through the process of telling their stories and collaborating through the editing process to strengthen the impact of that story. Once that fundamental base is covered, she then leads her clients through the rest of the process of getting their story out to an audience.
The growing debate on whether to publish traditionally through a publishing house or to self-publish was at the forefront of Tamara’s mind when she first wrote #GoalGetter. Some authors value the validation that traditional publishing can give them and their books. Working with an established publisher also allows authors to focus on writing and not have to worry about the burden of manufacturing. However, others acknowledge that it comes with a loss of agency and of potential revenue. Although both forms of publishing are valuable, Tamara chose to publish independently and take on all the responsibility that comes with doing so.
After sharing her experience of self-publishing with her audience, readers came to her asking for help with their own books. From there, Tamara started a successful business that has helped women worldwide sell their books and retain full ownership of their work. One of the cornerstones to this coaching practice is her yearly PEN to PROFIT retreat for authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs to build community and gain clarity about their book or business. The next retreat is happening on November 8 and 9, 2024, as a virtual offering with the theme “Elevate and Evolve.”
According to Tamara, there is a lot that aspiring authors can control during the publishing process to help their book succeed, such as identifying the needs of their audience, starting a marketing campaign, and connecting with a community who will find value in their work.
The publishing journey can be complex and overwhelming, and those on the path may find guidance as Tamara shares the perspective and options she has navigated as an author, a writing coach, and a publisher.
Keep up with Dr. Tamara:
Website: www.tamaramdavis.com
Purchase #GoalGetter: Strategies for Overcoming Life’s Challenges here at our Bookshop.