From telemarketing to shaping New York Times bestsellers — Tom Freiling’s publishing journey is a lesson in curiosity, grit and human storytelling.
In this episode Tom pulls back the curtain on 30+ years in publishing, the shift from bookstore gatekeepers to Amazon-era discoverability struggles, and why the rise of AI makes the uniquely human elements of a book more valuable than ever.
Tom shares hard-won operational lessons (how a bootstrap mindset scales), the mistakes that make self-published books “dead on arrival,” and practical frameworks for coaches, founders and creators who want to turn lived experience into a book that actually sells.
Five key takeaways
- The bookstore era vs. the Amazon era: discoverability changed — best‑seller lists and reviews now act as gatekeepers.
- Bootstrapping shapes smarter decisions: founders without outside capital often make fewer costly mistakes.
- Common rookie error: one small oversight in writing, packaging or distribution can make a book DOA.
- AI is accelerating book production, but readers detect the lack of genuine human voice — inject your story, imperfections and point of view.
- Break a book into bite-sized chunks and always write with the reader’s problem/solution in mind, not just your life story.
Timestamps
0:00 — Intro: How Tom’s accidental telemarketing job became a 30‑year publishing career
3:30 — The Viktor Frankl lesson: why concise, meaningful books win readers’ hearts
8:00 — Then vs. now: bookstores as gatekeepers and the Amazon discovery problem
12:35 — Building to acquisition: first‑mover advantage + bootstrap discipline
17:00 — Common first‑time author mistakes that kill book launches (DOA books)
22:45 — Print on demand vs. large runs: logistics when a book unexpectedly sells out
23:50 — AI and authorship: spotting AI manuscripts, why human stories still matter
31:25 — Practical starter steps: breaking the book into chunks and focusing on reader outcomes
Guest links
- Website: https://freilingagency.com
Recommended reading mentioned
- Viktor Frankl — Man’s Search for Meaning
SEO & diary-style pitch (one-liner for socials) A raw, curiosity-driven conversation with Tom Freiling — from selling books by phone to shepherding bestseller authors — about why AI will flood the market, and why the human story is now the competitive advantage every author needs.
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Junaid Ahmed is a multi-passionate creator, storyteller, and home studio architect who believes your voice can change your world. As the host of Hacks and Hobbies, he dives deep into the journeys of people turning passion into purpose — from garage inventors to global entrepreneurs.
The podcast began as a simple idea: record honest conversations about side projects, creativity, and the hustle behind the scenes. Years later, it’s become a movement — showcasing the real, raw, and inspiring stories of everyday innovators.
Whether he’s building pro-level studios or geeking out over podcast gear, Junaid’s mission is clear: help people show up with confidence, clarity, and character.
🎧 New episodes weekdays. New perspectives in every story.
