Tim McConnehey Of Izzard Ink Publishing: 5 Things You Need to Be a Successful Author or Writer

Authors see many enticing advertisements from companies and “experts” who promise it takes just 90 days to publish a book, saying they can teach you how to (take every shortcut available). The truth is there are no shortcuts to a successful, high-quality book. Working with the best talent in publishing takes time and most authors should plan on a year or so to complete one book.

Some writers and authors have a knack for using language that can really move people. Some writers and authors have been able to influence millions with their words alone. What does it take to become an effective and successful author or writer?

In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need to Be a Successful Author or Writer” we are talking to successful authors and writers who can share lessons from their experiences.

As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim McConnehey. Tim McConnehey is the founder and CEO of Izzard Ink Publishing, one of the 2022 Inc. 5000 Regionals fastest-growing companies. Izzard Ink Publishing is a collaborative publisher knocking down barriers so all authors can work with the best processes and talent in publishing. Tim is halfway through the two-year Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

It all started back in 2010 while working at a fintech company. They started to downsize and rumors spread about retiring the product I was working on. I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about eBooks and thought, “I could publish a few eBooks.” I learned about an author who had passed away, and their family asked me to publish the eBook versions of a few of his books. We started seeing sales right away, one title was selling a few hundred a week. Then I got the call…