In this episode, Kimberly and Joelle discuss the joys, challenges, and complexities of writing a book and publishing. They met when Kimberly was pitching “The Fourth Trimester” and have connected ever since. Kimberly discusses her journey as an author in relation to her other work previous three books. They also discuss self-publishing, traditional publishing, how the publishing industry has changed because of social media, and the importance of book proposals. Joelle is currently enrolling for the Book Proposal Academy, a six month, robust course and mentorship program that supports new authors through the book proposal process. Register through the link below!

Bio

Joelle Hann is an award-winning writer whose essays and poems explore the nature of our deepest relationships, and whose articles have covered the highs and lows of yoga culture, as well as food, film, books and travel. She’s worked in-house as a Senior Development Editor at Bedford/St. Martin’s. A decade later she jumped ship to freelance as a book doctor and collaborator. Since then, she’s developed and written many acclaimed books for authors in the realm of self-transformation, activism, spirituality, health, finance and business. Joelle is also a seasoned yoga teacher and practitioner. Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times, TimeOut New York, Poets & Writers, Yoga Journal, Yoga International, and other publications. Her essays have appeared on NPR, YourTango, Geist, and others. Joelle is also an award-winning poet with an MFA (poetry) and an MA (English Literature) from New York University’s top-ranked program, and many publications in journals and anthologies including McSweeney’s, Matrix, Painted Bride Quarterly, Drunken Boat, Breathing Fire: Canada’s New Poets, Broken Land: Poems of Brooklyn and more.

What She Shares:

–Traditional versus self-publishing

–Pitching your book idea

–Tending to the voice within

–Book Proposal Academy with Joelle begins April 17th!

What You’ll Hear:

–Kimberly’s process of book writing

–Experiences with various kinds of publishers

–Self-publishing process

–Kimberly’s upcoming book deal

–Five main publishing houses and politics

–Differences between first-time proposing versus fourth

–Lack of confidence in initial stage of process

–Small advances versus large advances

–The Fourth Trimester best selling back-listed book

–Publicity and marketing during proposals

–Making the case for your book

–Author versus writer

–BookTok as powerful engine for making authors

–Power of readers to make best-sellers from BookTok

–Hybrid publishing on the rise

–Challenges of self-publishing

–University publishing

–Trauma angles need hope, tools, and resilience

–Shorter and easy to digest are book preferences

–Literary agent burnout

–Soul calling towards writing

–Tending to the voice within

–Following and engagement from audience

–Quality and marketability

–Proposal is key in not getting lost in process

–Proposal is a map for book

–Artistry and practical vision

–Joelle’s Book Proposal Academy begins April 17th!

–Runs for six months through 5 phases

–Early bird sign-up begins April 3rd

Resources

Website: https://brooklynbookdoctor.com/bpa/

IG: @@brooklynbookdoctor

Book Proposal Academy Application: https://brooklynbookdoctor.com/bpa

Summary

In this episode, friends Kimberly and Kendra share their experiences and insights around mothering and the complex webs of care in non-traditional family structures. They discuss the beauty and challenges of single parenting, parenting young children while dating, forming new care structures, and navigating professional roles while mothering children of all ages. They also discuss their co-led upcoming retreat Apprenticing the Web taking place in Booneville, California this September 2024!

Bio

Kendra Cunov has been studying, facilitating, and practicing Authentic Relating, Embodiment Practices & Deep Intimacy Work for over fifteen years. Kendra has worked with thousands of men, women & couples in the areas of embodiment, intimacy, communication & full self-expression. She co-founded “Authentic World & Fierce Grace,” as well as “The Embodied Relationship Training Salon” (with John Wineland), and pioneered some of the most cutting edge relation work on the planet. Kendra has consulted for companies such as Genentech & been on staff for 4PC, an elite mastermind for the top 4% of coaches in the world. She works with organizations & leaders, as well as men, women & couples, who know that embodied presence, truth, connection & integrity are our truest access points to success – in business & in love.

What She Shares:

–Non-traditional family structures

–Co-parenting with young children

–Love as a guiding compass

–Mothering and professions

–Upcoming retreat with Kimberly and Kendra in September

What You’ll Hear:

–Apprenticing the Web Retreat September 2024

–Blended families, partnership, and parenting non-traditionally

–Mothering and marriage traditionally and non-traditionally

–Ease as a compass in hard situations

–Kimberly’s pregnant in Brazil

–Making partnerships for co-parenting

–Feeling alone in single parenting

–Mothering alone in marriage

–Centering the child/children

–Facilitating opportunities for children to connect with fathers

–Inquiring in co-parenting

–Love as an invitation to the co-parent

–Dating while single parenting young children

–Work changes through mothering

–Love as a compass

–Managing finances while single parenting

–Wanting to be in the world sooner while parenting young children

–Older children needing more mothering than younger

–Traveling and working while mothering young children

–Creating community as single parents and living abroad

–Benefits of single parenting

–Not wanting to be a buffer while co-parenting

–Unpacking child at the center

–Mothering the culture

–Maiden-Mother-Crone transitions

–Something to “keep up” with while mothering

–Mothering through menopause

–Accepting missing out in mothering

–Responding to life in the moment

–Cultivating capacity for discomfort and the unknown

–Trusting self to respond in the moment

–Being willing to fail relationally

–Curiosity over shaming

–Upcoming retreat in September, California!

–Kendra buying land near Mt. Shasta

–Stewarding the land before building

Resources

Website: https://kendracunov.com/

IG: @kendra_cunov

Retreat Details: https://kendracunov.com/apprenticing-the-web/

With special guest host Stephen Jenkinson, Kimberly and Stephen consult with three engaged couples and an unmarried woman to wonder aloud about the institution of marriage. 

Stephen describes his experience, when he was asked to marry several couples, how he did his homework. 

• What does it mean to approach matrimony as something other than a predictable, foreseen conclusion? 
• Are weddings overly performative?
• Is it possible for a wedding to feel authentic? 

Kimberly describes what she learned from having a wedding in the working terreiros culture of Bahia, Brazil. 

Stephen describes why a ceremony has no audience - it only has witnesses and participants. Stephen and Kimberly contend with how contemporary couples, longing for ceremony in their matrimony, strive for integrity in their union.