Interview With Best-Selling Author & Leading Indie Book Publisher David L. Hancock

1. What has been the key to your success?

The key has been understanding that publishing is both art and business. Early on, I realized that great writing alone does not guarantee success. Authors who thrive treat their book like a business asset, not just a creative accomplishment. That insight shaped my career and ultimately shaped The Babylon Blueprint for Authors (March 17 release). Success comes from combining strong distribution, strategic marketing, and an entrepreneurial mindset. It also comes from relationships. Publishing is a long game built on trust. When authors understand that they are building a brand and not just releasing a book, everything changes.

2. How does the book publishing landscape look today?

Publishing today is more open and more crowded than ever. Technology has made it easier to publish, but harder to stand out. There are millions of titles competing for attention. That is why authors must be intentional. The old model of writing a book and hoping the publisher handles everything is outdated. In today’s environment, authors who build platforms, cultivate communities, and think strategically win. The opportunity is enormous, but it requires clarity and consistency. The publishing landscape rewards those who treat their book as the beginning of a business, not the end of a project.

3. What is The Babylon Blueprint for Authors about?

The book is a step-by-step guide for authors who want lasting impact. It blends timeless wisdom with modern marketing strategies. I walk readers through mindset shifts, platform development, pre-launch planning, publicity, distribution, and long-term brand building. It is not theoretical. It is practical and grounded in decades of real-world experience. The central idea is simple: writing the manuscript is only the first step. Authors must think like entrepreneurs if they want to grow readership and income. The book equips them with the tools and confidence to do exactly that.

4. What are the biggest publicity mistakes authors make?

The biggest mistake is starting too late. Publicity should begin long before publication. Another mistake is lacking clarity about who the book is for. If you cannot clearly define your reader, your marketing will feel scattered. Many authors also rely too heavily on friends and family instead of expanding their audience intentionally. In The Babylon Blueprint for Authors, I emphasize strategy over noise. Publicity works when it is consistent, relational, and aligned with your long-term vision. Marketing is not a one-week event. It is an ongoing discipline.

5. Do authors really need a pep talk from a therapist?

Publishing can feel emotional. There are highs and lows. But what authors truly need is confidence rooted in clarity. When you understand the process and have a plan, fear decreases. The Babylon Blueprint for Authors offers both encouragement and structure. It helps authors move from uncertainty to action. Mindset matters because belief drives behavior. But mindset alone is not enough. Authors need practical tools. When encouragement is paired with execution, momentum follows.

6. What marketing tactics should authors implement before publication?

Build your email list early. Clarify your ideal reader. Develop relationships with podcast hosts and media outlets before you need them. Secure endorsements in advance. Create a launch team. Focus on pre-orders, especially with key retailers. These actions create concentrated momentum at launch. In the book, I stress that pre-launch is where leverage is built. The authors who prepare six to twelve months ahead of release consistently outperform those who wait until the last minute.

7. What does it mean to adopt an entrepreneurial author mindset?

It means shifting from thinking like a writer to thinking like a business owner. Entrepreneurs look for systems, partnerships, and multiple revenue streams. Your book can lead to speaking, consulting, courses, or community building. It also means tracking results and making informed decisions. An entrepreneurial author understands margins, audience behavior, and long-term positioning. Most importantly, they view the book as the foundation of a larger platform. When authors take ownership of both message and market, they unlock greater opportunity.

8. What if an author is shy?

You do not need to be outgoing to be effective. Many successful authors are introverts. Marketing does not require a big personality. It requires authenticity and consistency. You can write thoughtful newsletters, appear on podcasts from home, build niche communities, or collaborate behind the scenes. The key is showing up in ways that feel natural. In the book, I emphasize that influence grows through steady engagement, not volume. Confidence develops through action.

9. Who does your book work best for?

The principles apply to any author who wants to reach readers intentionally. Non-fiction authors often see quicker momentum because their books connect easily to expertise and speaking. However, fiction, children’s authors, and poets can apply the same framework. Platform building, branding, and community development are universal strategies. The tactics may vary by genre, but the entrepreneurial mindset remains the same. If an author wants more than casual sales, the book provides a roadmap.

10. What innovative pricing models do you teach?

Pricing should reflect value and positioning. Premium trade paperbacks can justify higher pricing when paired with strong branding. Bundles, such as book plus workbook or book plus course access, increase perceived value. Limited editions and pre-order bonuses can drive urgency without discounting the core product. Authors should also consider multiple formats including audio and international editions. In the book, I encourage authors to think strategically about pricing as part of a broader business model, not just a number on the back cover.

11. Are influencers obtainable without paying?

Yes, but relationships matter. Influencer partnerships work best when there is genuine alignment. Engage with their content first. Build rapport. When you reach out, personalize your message and focus on value. Micro-influencers are often more responsive and highly engaged. Providing advance copies and clear messaging helps. In the book, I stress that influence is built on trust. Authentic connections often outperform transactional arrangements.

12. What does it take to reach a bestseller list?

It takes planning. Bestseller status typically requires concentrated sales within a short window. That means organizing pre-orders, mobilizing your network, aligning media appearances, and creating urgency. Category selection and timing matter as well. In The Babylon Blueprint for Authors, I outline how to approach this strategically. However, I also remind authors that long-term credibility and sustained sales are more valuable than a single ranking spike. Bestseller status is a milestone. Building a brand is the goal.

13. Is there a marketing strategy when partnering with charities?

Purpose strengthens positioning when it is authentic. Readers connect with authors who stand for something meaningful. Over the years, I have supported charitable efforts including Habitat for Humanity because impact matters. When authors align their message with causes that reflect their values, it deepens trust and engagement. In the book, I discuss how purpose-driven branding can elevate visibility. The key is sincerity. When mission and marketing align, both the reader and the community benefit. 

About The Author: David L. Hancock is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and the Founder of Morgan James Publishing, one of the pioneers of the hybrid publishing model. With more than two decades of experience helping thousands of authors reach bookstores worldwide, David is passionate about equipping writers to think like entrepreneurs. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Babylon Blueprint for Authors, a practical roadmap for building a sustainable and profitable author career. For more information, please see: https://DavidLHancock.com

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,600,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum