“Bestseller” has become one of the easiest words to fake in publishing, and it’s costing authors Money and readers' trust. 

I sit down with publishing expert Michele DeFilippo, who brings decades of real-world experience helping authors produce high-quality books without giving away control, rights, or royalties.

We talk about why self-publishing no longer carries the old vanity-press stigma, and why the power has shifted now that Amazon and print-on-demand make global book distribution accessible. 

Michelle breaks down the difference between needing a publisher and needing professional publishing services, plus the red flags of hybrid publishing companies that charge authors upfront and still take a cut of sales. We also get practical about what “professional” actually looks like: editing, cover design, book typesetting, ebook formatting, and the kind of investment it can take to make your book compete with traditional releases.

We also dug into author scams, including how “bestseller” schemes game Amazon’s algorithm, what a real bestseller metric looks like, and why distribution tools like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark still don’t do your marketing for you.

If you’re planning to self-publish, want to avoid costly traps, or simply want your book to look unmistakably legit, hit play, subscribe, share with a writer friend, and leave a review so more authors can find the show.

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🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book

A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about Healthy Eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds.

👉 Get your copy on Amazon

⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book.

Connect: 

• Read & Write with Natasha (Substack) 
• LinkedIn
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• Book coaching

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Natasha Tynes Author

I’m a Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC. I run my own digital media agency, Suburban Media Group, where I advise clients on the best digital media practices for their brand. I have over twenty years of experience working as a journalist, writer, and social media manager.

I’m a regular contributor to a number of publications inside and outside the United States. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Nature Magazine, Elle Magazine, The Post, Esquire magazine, and Aljazeera, among others.

I have appeared on several TV programs, including Larry King Live, PBS’s Foreign Exchange, Paula Zahn show, CBS’s Morning Show, Scarborough Country, BBC’s Up all night, among others.

I host the podcast, Read and Write with Natasha, where I chat with authors, publishers, and book marketers around the world.

I’m the author of the speculative literary novel They Called Me Wyatt. My short stories have appeared in Geometry, The Timerbline Review, The Markez Review, and Fjords. Here is a link to some of my published work. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, and other questions, send an Email to: [email protected]