Beyond AI: The Human Touch in Crafting Bestselling Books With Guest AJ Harper - Part 1

Thinking Big: Mindset, Habits, and Hacks

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Welcome back to another episode of the Thinking Big Podcast. In this episode, host Sean Osborn sits down with AJ Harper, an editor and publishing strategist who has been the powerhouse behind numerous bestsellers. AJ's expertise has touched millions of books, and she's here to share her insights on crafting books that genuinely change lives.

We dive deep into the world of book writing and publishing with AJ to discover the secrets behind writing foundational books that not only grow brands but also make a significant impact on readers worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

1. The power of foundational books in building readership and brand.
2. The significance of clarity in the writing process.
3. The potential and pitfalls of using AI in book writing.
4. The importance of connecting with readers on a deeper level.
5. The transformative impact of books on readers' lives.
6. The role of editing in refining and perfecting a book.
7. The enduring appeal of traditional books in the digital age.

Episode Quotes:

1. "You can't write a foundational book with AI, you have to write that book with heart." - AJ Harper
2. "It's about connecting the hearts and minds." - AJ Harper
3. "We know we just need to get our words on the page, and then it's really going to come alive in edits." - AJ Harper

Resources Mentioned:

• WRITE A MUST READ: Craft a Book That Changes Lives--Including Your Own: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Must-Read-Craft-Changes-Lives_Including/dp/1989603696. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWrite-Must-Read-Craft-Changes-Lives_Including%2Fdp%2F1989603696&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=me9h9gAZSvimzMOdpVN4jC2mL7Z1qX2ScEzLBEb3%2Bg8%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Write-Must-Read-Craft-Changes-Lives_Including/dp/1989603696
• Book website with the free chapter on publishing: https://writeamustread.com/tools/. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwriteamustread.com%2Ftools%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VeZKQ2HJvOjWA2jmsvo8zpWl3ItoHT12crkfq2UvS9Q%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://writeamustread.com/tools/
• Top Three Book Workshop: https://ajharper.com/top-three-book-workshop/. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fajharper.com%2Ftop-three-book-workshop%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736815768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4XD5OlkkAsggf2Meump6jpc%2FpjSqCIrej5OiiiZbi3Q%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://ajharper.com/top-three-book-workshop/
• Authors' Club: https://ajharper.com/top-three-authors/. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fajharper.com%2Ftop-three-authors%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736815768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Yyr7xBu2QJ6s1zgo8X2yrWvFI%2Fxbm31h84kYItACU7c%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://ajharper.com/top-three-authors/
• AJ's Website: https://ajharper.com/. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fajharper.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gbCdDl7XzzdoCMnGw%2BshYGRDfo2X393mYbmhd%2BfNnaU%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://ajharper.com/
• Jane Friendman's 2023-2024 Key Book Publishing Paths chart: https://janefriedman.com/key-book-publishing-path/. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjanefriedman.com%2Fkey-book-publishing-path%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=n4GZEWTcliRapuXvkGXE56V38V0zfZTPj95iV4eG%2Fi0%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://janefriedman.com/key-book-publishing-path/
• ALL IN: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/All-Great-Leaders-Build-Unstoppable/dp/0593544501. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAll-Great-Leaders-Build-Unstoppable%2Fdp%2F0593544501&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eArGZqSUtNHy8Gcg3UuXB%2FRxryf919vawBEi1zaqCn4%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/All-Great-Leaders-Build-Unstoppable/dp/0593544501
• STREET SMART SAFETY FOR WOMEN: Your Guide to Defensive Living by Joy Farrow and Laura Frombach: https://www.amazon.com/Street-Smart-Safety-Women-Defensive/dp/0757324932. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FStreet-Smart-Safety-Women-Defensive%2Fdp%2F0757324932&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dhN5u3J14MJq9pIBKfwk%2FGYbnKRFNTmS1IF4xgcTloU%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Street-Smart-Safety-Women-Defensive/dp/0757324932
• BIRD BY BIRD: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott: https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016. Click or tap to follow the link." href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life%2Fdp%2F0385480016&data=05%7C01%7C%7C364bdc93fa734e7bc59c08dba02dc918%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638279890736972422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=de2CGJyu1hFzioNeZ%2BCg3syxvOWDsjsCMY28CXO9yEc%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016

About AJ Harper:

AJ Harper is an editor and publishing strategist who helps authors write foundational books that enable them to build readership, grow their brand and make a significant impact on the world. As ghostwriter and as developmental editor, she has worked with newbies to New York Times bestselling authors with millions of books sold. AJ is writing partner to business author, Mike Michalowicz. Together they’ve written nine books, including Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Fix This Next, and their latest, Get Different. Through her Top Three Book Workshops and editing retreats, AJ empowers authors with insider publishing knowledge and guides them through the book development, writing, and editing process. AJ is the author of Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives—Including Your Own.

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