Episode 490: Beyond the Book: How One Author Built a Quiz, Podcast Series, and Facebook Community Around Her Message

You've finally finished your book—congratulations! But here's the truth many authors discover too late: the finish line of writing is really just the starting line of getting your message into readers' hands and hearts.

When Your Book Needs More Than Pages

In this encouraging episode, Kathi sits down with Lori G Melton, author of Journey with a Giant and member of the Writing at the Red House Collective, to explore what happens after you type "The End." If you've ever wondered how to extend your book's reach without feeling overwhelmed by endless marketing tasks, this conversation is for you.

Lori shares her journey of creating an entire ecosystem around her spiritual growth book—not because she had to do everything, but because she strategically chose what excited her most. From a 12-episode podcast series to a quiz built with ChatGPT, her story proves that thoughtful, passion-driven marketing can multiply your book's impact.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

• Why treating your book as "the center of a larger experience" changes everything
• How to decide which companion resources to create without the pressure to do it all
• The power of starting with what excites you (like cleaning out one drawer instead of the whole closet)
• Practical tips for creating a discussion guide, podcast series, Bible study, and interactive quiz
• How to use a Facebook group to support readers who don't have an in-person community
• The surprising way ChatGPT can help you build tools for your readers
• Why your author website should be the central hub for all your resources

Key Takeaways for Your Writing Journey

Whether you're pre-publication and dreaming about launch day, or post-publication wondering what comes next, this episode offers a roadmap for building community around your message. Lori's approach reminds us that we don't have to do everything—we just need to start with what we're most passionate about and let the rest unfold.

The goal isn't to exhaust yourself with marketing tactics. It's to create meaningful touchpoints that help readers engage deeply with your message and find the community they need to apply what they've learned.