
If I’m Being Honest is a straight-talk podcast about self-publishing and book marketing—created for authors who want realistic expectations and practical advice.
Hosted by Joel Pitney and Sayde Walker, the show explores what it actually takes to publish, promote, and sell books in today’s crowded marketplace. Featuring interviews with successful authors and industry experts, we dig into the wins, the missteps, the numbers, and the uncomfortable truths that rarely get discussed.
If you’re a first-time author (or feeling stuck after publishing), this podcast is here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and honesty.
Recent Episodes
In-Person Sales: The Marketing Strategy You Might be Overlooking with Lauren Domagas
A literary agent tells you your book is “interesting” but they don’t know where it belongs on a shelf. Do you revise it into something safer, or do you publish the thing you actually meant to write?...
Distribution Isn’t What You Think. So What Is It?
“Global distribution” is one of the most persuasive phrases in publishing, and also one of the most misunderstood. We hear authors assume it means bookstore placement, airport shelves, and steady...
How to Use AI to Beat Writers Block and Write More with Plot Drive
The hardest part of writing a book is rarely “coming up with ideas.” It’s the thousand tiny moments that break your focus: hunting for a detail you wrote weeks ago, second-guessing whether you...
How to Lose Money on Amazon Ads and Still Win Big with Steve Sarner
How to Lose Money on Amazon Ads and Still Win Big with Steve Sarner




