50 episodes! A major milestone, I think. Maybe. I did a mini fist pump to celebrate. Full fist pump for 100.

Anyway,

Episode 50 features “publishing rebel,” Web3 enthusiast, editor and author of NextGen Author, Malene Bendtsen!

Malene has had an affinity for books and reading ever since she was a young girl, but gravitated more toward the business world for most of her career, which consisted of business model innovation, accounting, and finance. She merged those skills with ones honed in academic teaching and publishing, all the while pushing against and challenging belief systems to show others new, innovative ways of doing things.

Lately her focus has been on the crossroads of publishing, marketing, brand growth and Web3 technology.

In this podcast, Shane and Malene talk about her origins, the state of the publishing industry today, what has changed over the years and what needs to be changed, the benefit of Web3 technology and NFT books for nonfiction writers trying to strengthen their brand, Malene’s newfound professional freedom starting her own business after years in the corporate world, and more!

Enjoy!

0:00-1:30 Intro
1:30-4:05 Malene background / a love for books / NextGen Author / NFT books
4:05-14:33 Current state of publishing / ripe for disruption / consolidation / self-publishing / Web3 / tech startups / NFT utilities and benefits / invested readers
14:33-21:42 Web3 learning curve / targeting innovators / “a visionary statement” / ownership / integrating books into business / print to digital / new processes and formats
21:42-29:17 NFTs + Bored Apes / more people with wallets / Bitcoin effect / collectors / relationship with readers / emotional customer types
29:17-36:07 Marketing variables / solopreneur creative process / biz strategy / writing isn’t the hardest part / marketing is a marathon / industry frontrunners / writing the right book / who’s your customer?
36:07-42:47 Collaborations / AI authorship and illustration / right brain, left brain / getting the idea out of your head / more NFT utility
42:47-46:30 AI cont. / it’s not the words, it’s who’s saying them / everyone thinks they have a book idea / raising authority
46:30-52:05 Malene’s brand copy / freedom from corporate / words people don’t know / liberation and authenticity
52:05-56:41 Where to find Malene and her book / “publish the damn book” / Web3 is inevitable / outro