Traditionally Self-Published with Mica Merrill Rice

Traditionally Self-Published is the podcast tailored for indie authors who want to learn how to self-publish using the strategies, tips, and tricks like traditionally published authors. Hosted by author Mica Merrill Rice, each episode features real talk with industry professionals (editors, cover artists, narrators, etc.) and actual indie authors who are flipping the script and publishing on their own terms. Whether you are plotting your first or publishing your fifth, here you will learn how to write smart, publish like a pro, and keep your readers turning those pages.

Traditionally Self-Published with Mica Merrill Rice is a education podcast hosted by Mica Merrill Rice, with 21 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Mica Merrill Rice hosts Traditionally Self-Published with Mica Merrill Rice, a education show with 21 episodes published.

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  Episode #21

  From Corporate Engineer to Debut Novelist: Laura Camacho Frias on Writing Unwritten

  Jul 7, 202645 minS2

  In this episode, Mica sits down with author Laura Camacho Frias to talk about her upcoming novel, Unwritten , launching July 14th. Laura shares her journey from a 20+ year corporate engineering career to quitting her job and writing full-time, how old childhood journals became the seed for her novel, and what she's learned navigating hybrid publishing. In this episode, you'll hear about: Laura's path from engineering and corporate management into full-time writing, and the "bullfighter-level" courage it took to quit her job The premise of Unwritten — a dual-timeline story about a teenage boy, his missing mother, and the secrets we keep from the people closest to us How Laura's own childhood journals inspired the novel, and what she noticed was missing from them Wrestling with genre labels — literary fiction, coming-of-age, and "women's fiction" — and why she had men read her early manuscript Writing without an outline, and the lesson she learned about planning from her old corporate life Why she chose hybrid publishing with Catalyst, and what that relationship actually looks like day to day Who hybrid publishing tends to be the best fit for, and how the costs of self-publishing add up The hardest lesson from the process: learning to let go, including a rough experience at a book fair Where to find Unwritten : Unwritten by Laura Camacho Frias is releasing July 14th — available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. About Laura: Laura Camacho Frias grew up in a small industrial town in the North of Spain. Despite her initial dream of becoming a translator for the United Nations, life happened; she studied engineering instead and moved to Portugal to complete her first degree. This turned out to be the beginning of a relentlessly high-paced 20+ year professional career, during which she worked in product and project management across several multinational industries, overseeing multi-million-dollar projects and managing brilliant minds. Because Laura is only human — despite other people's opinions — this way of life contributed significantly to a health scare. That's when she rediscovered her passion for storytelling and became a full-time writer, focusing on stories heavily inspired by her own personal experiences. Her partner, three kids, and two dogs ensure she still can't have either a proper relaxing day or a full writing day, but deep down, she wouldn't change it for the world. They all live together in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. How to find Laura: Personal website @ http://www.lcfrias.com Short stories @ https://reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/laura-camacho-frias/ Substack about career change & life as an ex-corporate @ https://lcfrias.substack.com LInkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-camacho-frias/ Have a publishing question? Email me at mica@micamerrillrice.com Newsletter: The Underground Website: micamerrillrice.com Instagram: @micamriceauthor Facebook: @ micamriceauthor TikTok: @ micamriceauthor "Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ

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  Episode #20

  PR Isn’t Marketing: How Authors Actually Get Seen with Allison Preston

  May 5, 202655 minS2

  Most authors think visibility means posting more content. But what if that’s not the real strategy? In this episode, PR specialist Allison Preston breaks down what public relations actually is, and why it’s one of the most overlooked tools for authors who want to get seen beyond social media. We dive into the difference between PR and marketing, how “earned media” works, and practical ways authors can start building visibility—even without a large following. If you’ve been posting consistently but not seeing results, this episode will shift how you think about audience growth and book promotion. In This Episode, We Cover: What PR really is (and what it isn’t) The key difference between PR and marketing What “earned media” means for authors Why social media alone isn’t enough for visibility How to tap into existing audiences instead of building from scratch Beginner-friendly PR strategies you can start right now Where authors should be showing up beyond social platforms Common PR mistakes (and how to avoid them) And then we end with Allison's Five Best Tips for authors and the Ink Starter Lightning round About Allison: Allison Preston has more than a decade of experience in journalism, public relations, and strategic communications. Her work has been in front of the camera as a news anchor and reporter, and behind the scenes, pitching stories and overseeing communications for international nonprofits. She has ghostwritten opinion pieces for nonprofit and biotech leaders, hosted two podcasts, and secured media hits in major outlets including CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, NPR, and more. She is also a Young Adult Fantasy writer of power girl princesses and warrior women. You can find her at: allisonprestonpr.com IG: @prestonpublicrelations or on her Author Socials: IG @authoralicesheffield TikTok @authoralicesheffield Substack @authoralicesheffield Have a publishing question? Email me at mica@micamerrillrice.com Newsletter: The Underground Website: micamerrillrice.com Instagram: @micamriceauthor Facebook: @ micamriceauthor TikTok: @ micamriceauthor "Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ

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  Episode #19

  From Corporate Social Media to Bestselling Romance: The Kandi Steiner Story

  Apr 22, 202651 minS2

  In this episode of Traditionally Self-Published , I sit down with bestselling romance powerhouse Kandi Steiner to talk about her latest release, Love Overboard , and pull back the curtain on her incredible 12-year journey in indie publishing. From her early days balancing a corporate career in social media to managing a backlist of over 40 books, Kandi shares the raw truth about what it takes to "do the hard thing" and find your voice. We gabbed about: The New Release Dirt: Kandi’s latest release, Love Overboard, featuring a reality TV trope set on a super yacht. (Out now and available everywhere) The Corporate Edge: How Kandi used seven years of corporate social media experience to build a marketing foundation for her books. The "AHA" Moment: The story behind Weightless , the breakout book that hit #26 on Amazon and gave Kandi the courage to walk away from a guaranteed paycheck. Trusting the Story over the Formula: Why Kandi ignores "external noise" and industry formulas to let her characters dictate the spice and pacing of her novels. Building a Sustainable Backlist: How Kandi manages a massive library of books to ensure there is something for every type of romance reader, from sports romance to emotional angst. The Power of Community: Why the shift from "masses" to "newsletter subscribers" is the key to surviving the ever-changing landscape of social media. And we conclude with : The Romance Author vs Thriller Author INK STARTER LIGHTNING ROUND and Kandi’s 5 Best Tips for Authors! About Kandi: Kandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal. An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell. When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life. CONNECT WITH KANDI: ➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner.com/newsletter ➜ FACEBOOK: @kandisteiner ➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook . com/groups/kandilandks ➜ INSTAGRAM: @kandisteiner ➜ TIKTOK: @authorkandisteiner ➜ WEBSITE: kandisteiner.com Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab on her website to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future. Have a publishing question? Email me at mica@micamerrillrice.com Newsletter: The Underground Website: micamerrillrice.com Instagram: @micamriceauthor Facebook: @ micamriceauthor TikTok: @ micamriceauthor "Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ

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  Episode #18

  Part Two: How to Make Your Author Website Work for You: Blogs, Press Kits & Reader Discovery

  Mar 25, 202618 minS2

  You have your author website, but how can you make it work harder? Last episode, I talked with Elina Haverinen about why writers need websites. In this episode, I’m taking it a step further and focus on what you can actually do with your website once it’s built. Your website can be more than just a landing page; it can also support your writing career, help readers discover your work, and create opportunities behind the scenes. In this episode, I cover three practical ways to elevate your website without overcomplicating it: how blogging can improve discoverability through SEO why every author should have a simple press kit how to design your site with your reader’s journey in mind I also share a few of my favorite technical tips for authors —from optimizing SEO descriptions to using alt text and linking strategies—to help your site work for you long-term. These small practical steps can help make your website stand out and get discovered over time. Websites Referenced in this Episode: Reedsy: How to Build a Rocking Author Media Kit: a 7-Step Template Kindleprenuer: How to Write a Book Press Release (the Right Way) Mica Merrill Rice’s Media Page: https://www.micamerrillrice.com/media Have a publishing question? Email me at mica@micamerrillrice.com Newsletter: The Underground Website: micamerrillrice.com Instagram: @micamriceauthor Facebook: @ micamriceauthor TikTok: @ micamriceauthor "Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ

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  Episode #17

  Part One: Do Writers Really Need a Website? Branding, SEO & Sustainable Marketing with Elina Haverinen

  Mar 10, 202627 minS2

  Do writers really need a website anymore? With social platforms constantly changing, many authors wonder whether building a site is even worth it. In this episode, website designer and brand strategist Elina Haverinen joins me to talk about why websites still matter—and how writers can approach branding and marketing in a way that feels sustainable instead of overwhelming. Elina has spent more than eight years helping creatives and small business owners build websites, brands, and marketing strategies that actually support their work. Together we unpack what writers really need online (and what they don’t), why branding is often misunderstood, and how authors can create a digital presence that grows alongside their writing career. In this episode, we discuss: Whether writers actually need a website in today’s social media landscape Why websites are still the most stable home for your writing The essential pages every author website should include The difference between SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and why it matters for discoverability What branding actually means for writers (hint: it’s not just colors and logos) How clarity can make marketing easier and more authentic Balancing writing, creative work, and real life Elina also shares her five best tips for writers building their online presence and how authors can start small without getting overwhelmed. Elina Haverinen is a writer and designer who works with creatives and small, thoughtful businesses. In her studio, she builds brands, websites, and marketing expressions that remember what they're made from – speaking in their own voice, from spirit to structure, from message to form. She lives and works between her boreal forest farm and Finland’s southwest coast, and her work sits at the meeting point of craft, story, and presence. Elina writes about creativity, identity, and the art of being human in her newsletter and Substack publication All That You Are . You can find her at: Website: elinah.studio Substack: allthatyouare.substack.com Have a publishing question? Email me at mica@micamerrillrice.com Newsletter: The Underground Website: micamerrillrice.com Instagram: @micamriceauthor Facebook: @ micamriceauthor TikTok: @ micamriceauthor "Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ

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