Rodney Miles – What First-Time Authors Need to Know Before Self-Publishing

Rodney Miles is the author of the Book Dude's Guide to Self-Publishing series and a self-publishing consultant who has worked on over 300 book projects. With a lifelong love of books that started with his mother reading at red lights, Rodney transitioned from business ownership to professional writing after the Florida real estate market collapsed. Starting at just a penny per word on platforms like Elance (now Upwork), he quickly progressed to ghostwriting, editing, and managing writing departments. Over 14-15 years, he has mastered every aspect of self-publishing, from ebooks and paperbacks to hardcovers. Now specializing in custom publishing projects, Rodney believes that everyone has a story worth telling and should contribute to what he calls "the great library" of human knowledge.

In this episode:

• The evolution of publishing from traditional gatekeepers to self-publishing
• Understanding the "ignorance gap" that first-time authors face
• Different types of publishers: traditional, hybrid, service, and self-publishing
• Warning signs when evaluating publishing deals
• The reality of book marketing and platform building
• Why distribution alone doesn't guarantee sales
• The "slow boat" vs. "lightning strike" paths to author success
• How demand for reading is increasing faster than book supply
• Strategies to increase your chances of publicity breakthroughs
• The difference between marketing (reliable) and publicity (unpredictable)
• Custom project approaches tailored to author goals, budgets, and timelines
• Why everyone should write their story for future generations

Resources mentioned:

• The Modern Author (Book 1 in The Book Dude's Guide series)
• Publishizer.com - Platform for crowdfunding and publisher connections
• Short-form book proposals as an alternative to traditional 50-page proposals

Connect with Rodney Miles:

• Website: www.rodneymiles.com

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction & Welcome to Rodney Miles
• 2:23 From Freelance Writing to Running a Publishing Business
• 4:21 The "Great Library" Philosophy on Book Writing
• 4:59 Introduction to The Book Dude's Guide Series
• 6:57 The "Ignorance Gap" in Publishing
• 9:15 Book Proposals: Traditional vs Modern Approach
• 12:20 The Three Stages of Self-Publishing
• 14:35 Breaking Down the 10 Stages of Book Creation
• 17:37 The Importance of the Pre-Launch Phase
• 18:45 Key Activities During the Pre-Launch Period
• 20:13 How Pre-Launch Builds Author Confidence
• 23:48 Essential Pre-Launch Activities: Beta Readers & Reviews
• 27:09 How Publishing Has Changed in 15 Years
• 29:07 The Book Dude Series Structure & Future Books
• 30:41 Who Should Read "The Modern Author"
• 32:18 Book Marketing: The Drop in the Ocean Analogy