If you’re writing a book (or thinking about writing a book), then you need to know how to avoid the mistakes that will silently sabotage your success. Writing the book isn’t the hardest part, and Ally joins creator and host Susie Schaefer on the Finish the Damn Book Podcast to discuss the major pitfalls that aspiring authors often face in the road to publication. If you’re stuck in the middle of your draft, or if you’ve lost perspective on the purpose of your book, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process as a whole, then this conversation will help you to retune your methods and refine your goals. In this episode, Ally dives into a few key aspects that could help you to overcome common obstacles, including:
- The importance of defining your book’s purpose before you’re too deep into your manuscript
- The biggest mistakes authors make when it comes to the editing process
- The importance of book positioning, and why it’s so essential for marketing your new book
- How to leverage your book for business growth
- And what growth could mean for you after publication
This conversation details valuable, actionable information drawn from Ally’s years of experience in the publishing industry and years of guiding other authors towards their goals, and we highly recommend you check it out on your favorite streaming service here or via the listen links below.
Most Authors Get This WRONG Before Publishing a Book
With Ally Machate
Finish the Damn Book Podcast
Hosted by Susie Schaefer
April 14th, 2026
Check out this episode!
Ally Machate is on a mission to help authors make great books and reach more readers. A bestselling author and expert publishing consultant, Ally has served small and “Big Five” publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books on staff. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. As founder & CEO of The Writer’s Ally, Ally and her team lead serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.
