You’ve poured your heart into the pages. You’ve spent late nights and early mornings with your laptop, or maybe your journal, whispering your ideas into being. Now the book is done—or nearly there—and you’re staring at the next mountain:

Marketing.

If that word alone makes you want to crawl back into your writing closet, you are not alone. As my guest on this week’s episode of The Found Podcast, Jenn Hanson-DePaula, said so perfectly:

“My sweet authors just wanna kind of hide in their closets, write the book… and just, you know, have it magically appear.”

And we get it. You didn’t sign up to be a content creator or a salesperson when you started your book or your business! You wanted to share your words. Your products. Your services. Your message. Your story.

But here’s what Jenn, a marketing consultant who’s helped hundreds of authors (including self-published writers and New York Times bestsellers), wants you to know:

You can market your book in a way that feels aligned with who you are.
And more than that: it can actually feel good.

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Marketing Isn’t Magic—It’s Messaging

Jenn broke it down so beautifully in our conversation: Whether you’re an author, a business owner, or a creative of any kind, the key to effective marketing isn’t flashy tactics or viral videos. It’s about clear messaging that resonates.

“When you can nail your messaging—what it is about your book, your product, your service that your ideal client or ideal reader is looking for—and you match that message to their desire? That is where the bloom really comes on the rose.”

Marketing, at its best, isn’t about forcing yourself into uncomfortable trends or shouting into the void. It’s about intentionally connecting with the people your words were meant for. That’s the whole heart of Jenn’s work: helping authors build long-term strategies that grow with them, not just promote a launch.

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The Stats Are Staggering—But So Is Your Potential

Jenn also shared a powerful reminder from a Forbes study:

81% of people say they want to write a book. But only 3% of people actually complete it.

So if you’ve written or are writing a book, you’re already in rare and remarkable company. And that book deserves to reach the people it was meant for.

That’s why Jenn encourages many authors to start with self-publishing. It gives you more control, more flexibility, and more opportunity to build a meaningful platform from day one. It’s not about waiting to be chosen by a big publisher. It’s about choosing yourself and choosing your readers.

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The Takeaway: Connection Over Perfection

You don’t need to be on every platform. You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to spend thousands on publicity for a “maybe.”

What you do need is clarity:

• Who is your ideal reader?
• What are they craving?
• How does your book serve that desire?

When you build your book marketing around those answers, not only does it become more effective—it becomes more doable.

So whether you’re prepping for your first launch or trying to breathe life into your fifth book, this episode will inspire you to ditch the overwhelm and focus on what matters most: connection.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.

Links & Resources:

• Listen to her podcast: Book Marketing Simplified
• Learn more about Jenn & her services here.
• Take the free Author Platform Quiz and other amazing free resources at this link.
• Follow Jenn on Instagram.

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An Invitation to Come Together in Real-Life Community: Hey Sister!

If this conversation stirred something in you, Molly wants you to know there’s a place for you to experience this kind of connection and community in real life. Hey Sister!, a one-day event for rural women, is happening on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington, Iowa — and it’s all about building meaningful relationships, finding your people, and creating a fulfilling life right where you are.

It’s not a stuffy conference or networking luncheon. It’s a gathering for women who are juggling big dreams alongside small-town life, and who want to learn, laugh, and leave with practical tools for both their business and personal lives.

Speakers include Katrina Klooster on creating the culture you crave, Crystal Blin on embracing growth and evolution, Malia Gudenkauf of Little Miss Finance on financial empowerment, and event founder Lexie Marek Beeler on time management for the rural woman. Plus — there’s a flower arranging workshop, incredible conversation, and the kind of fresh inspiration we all need this time of year.

I’ll be there too, and I’d love for you to join in. Grab your ticket at heysisterevent.com and let them know Molly sent you.