Why Publishing Your Book Is Just the Beginning — with BookThinkers CEO Nick Hutchison

Everyone thinks the book will change everything. BookThinkers CEO Nick Hutchison says the real game starts after you hit publish — and most entrepreneurs are playing it completely wrong. In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky sit down with Nick to expose the #1 author marketing mistake, the AI disclosure crisis rocking the publishing world, why physical books beat audiobooks for brain development, and the SMART reading framework that can transform how you learn and take action. Reality is negotiable. This episode shows you how.

ABOUT NICK HUTCHISON:

Nick Hutchison

CEO & Founder, BookThinkers · Author of Rise of the Reader

Nick Hutchison went from self-described non-reader in college to building one of the most respected book marketing agencies in the world. As CEO of BookThinkers — a full-service agency with a team of 12 that serves hundreds of authors annually — Nick has helped thought leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs turn their books into movements. His own book, Rise of the Reader, outlines the reading and implementation system he used to completely redesign his life throughout his 20s. Nick is also a sought-after speaker, content creator, and what he calls a "book matchmaker" — connecting people to the exact book that will solve their current problem. He is a mentor to emerging authors and a relentless advocate for the idea that physical books, read with intention, remain one of the most powerful tools for personal transformation available.

bookthinkers.com@bookthinkersBookThinkers LIVE 2026Rise of the Reader

"Reality is negotiable. With enough hard work, the right mentors, and the right books — you can build your dream life."

— Nick Hutchison, quoting Tim Ferriss

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why most book launches fail and the simple fix authors refuse to use The #1 social media mistake 90% of authors make after publishing The AI-written book crisis: disclosure, lawsuits, and what is coming next How to build your rule of 5 influence circle as an author and entrepreneur Why physical books beat audiobooks for retention and brain development The SMART goal reading method that transforms how you implement what you learn Why Gen Z is the first generation with declining IQ and reading comprehension The books that changed Nick's life and how to find the one that will change yours Jules Rules: epic book launch branding fails including the Oprah disaster How to market yourself 24/7 as an author without feeling salesy

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro — why your book is never the thing

03:30 Nick's story: from non-reader to BookThinkers CEO

8:00 The #1 author marketing mistake and what to do instead

13:00 AI books, disclosure, and the Hachette Shy Girl scandal

19:00 Why Gen Z has declining IQ and the case for physical books 2

5:30 The rule of 5: who is really in your influence circle

31:00 Jules Rules: epic book launch branding fails

8:00 The books that changed Nick's life: Rich Dad,

44:00 The SMART goal reading strategy and the 80/20 action method

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

JULIE LOKUN, JD — Media Strategist, Publicist, Author, Mom of Four

Julie Lokun is a media strategist, publicist, and attorney who has built brands from the ground up for entrepreneurs, authors, and executives. As co-host of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast and founder of The Mediacasters, she specializes in helping visionaries turn their story into influence. She is fiercely passionate about authentic branding, the power of community, and making sure entrepreneurs stop hiding behind their ideas and start owning their stage.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julielokun

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielokun

Website: https://www.cre8tivecontr.com

DOMINICK DOMASKY — Publisher, Author, Entrepreneur, Community Builder

Dominick Domasky is a publisher, author, and entrepreneur with over 25 years in sales and brand-building. As co-founder of Motivation Champs Publishing and co-host of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, he has helped hundreds of authors bring their books to life and helped them understand that the book is only the beginning. Dom brings grit, humor, and hard-won publishing wisdom to every conversation.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominickdomasky

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickdomasky

Website: https://www.motivationchamps.com

ABOUT OUR GUEST — NICK HUTCHISON

Nick Hutchison is the CEO and founder of BookThinkers, a full-service book marketing and promotion agency with a team of 12 that serves hundreds of authors annually. Nick built the agency after going from a self-described non-reader in college to becoming obsessed with personal development books and the way they could redesign a person's reality.

As the author of Rise of the Reader, Nick outlines the exact reading and implementation system he used to completely transform his life throughout his 20s. He is a sought-after speaker, content creator, and passionate book matchmaker — connecting people to the exact book that will solve their current problem.

Nick is a relentless advocate for physical book reading, authentic authorship, and the belief that reality is negotiable for anyone willing to put in the work.

Website: https://www.bookthinkers.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookthinkers BookThinkers LIVE 2026: https://www.bookthinkers.com/book-thinkers-live-2026 Rise of the Reader: Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold

Want a personal book recommendation from Nick? DM @bookthinkers on Instagram with the problem you are trying to solve right now and his team will match you with the perfect book.

BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Rise of the Reader by Nick Hutchison:

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Limitless by Jim Kwik Unlimited

Memory by Kevin Horsley

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Nick Hutchison and what is BookThinkers? Nick Hutchison is the CEO and founder of BookThinkers, a full-service book marketing agency with a team of 12 that serves hundreds of authors every year. He is also the author of Rise of the Reader. Visit bookthinkers.com or DM @bookthinkers on Instagram for a personal book recommendation.

What is the biggest mistake authors make after publishing? Not promoting consistently enough. Most authors post about their book two or three times at launch and then go silent. Nick argues that if your book genuinely helps people, not promoting it is actually selfish — you are keeping people in pain longer than necessary. Consistent value-driven content is the only sustainable book marketing strategy.

Is it okay to use AI to write a book? Nick shared that 83% of potential book buyers say they would want their money back if they discovered an author used AI without disclosure. His advice: use AI for brainstorming and refining your thinking, but never let it do the thinking for you, and always disclose. People want to buy from people.

Why does Nick prefer physical books over audiobooks? Between 60 and 80% of brain inputs are visual. When you listen to an audiobook while driving or exercising, that visual bandwidth is already occupied and you absorb far less. Physical books are an act of mono-tasking — one input, full focus, lengthened attention span.

What is the SMART goal reading method? Before reading any book, write a SMART goal on the inside cover. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Written, and Time-bound. Then do an 80/20 analysis at the end to identify the highest-leverage actions to implement. Re-read your goal at the start of each reading session so your brain knows what to filter for.

What is Cre8tive Con? Cre8tive Con is an entrepreneur event hosted by Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky in Boston on July 13, 2026. Designed for creators, authors, entrepreneurs, and brand-builders who want to connect and grow in person. Get tickets at https://www.cre8tivecontr.com

What is BookThinkers LIVE 2026? BookThinkers LIVE 2026 is Nick Hutchison's flagship live event in Boston on July 11 and 12, 2026. Speakers include Jim Kwik, John Lee Dumas, Evan Carmichael, and more. Get tickets at https://www.bookthinkers.com/book-thinkers-live-2026

What books does Nick recommend for entrepreneurs? Rich Dad Poor Dad by Kiyosaki, The 4-Hour Workweek by Ferriss, Limitless by Jim Kwik, Unlimited Memory by Kevin Horsley, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and his own Rise of the Reader. DM @bookthinkers on Instagram for a personalized recommendation.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

BookThinkers: https://www.bookthinkers.com

BookThinkers LIVE 2026 — Boston July 11 and 12, speakers include Jim Kwik, John Lee Dumas, Evan Carmichael and more: https://www.bookthinkers.com/book-thinkers-live-2026

Cre8tive Con — Boston July 13, 2026, hosted by Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky: https://www.cre8tivecontr.com

Keap — Our favorite business automation tool: https://www.keap.com/cre8tive

Nick Hutchison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookthinkers

Julie Lokun on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julielokun

Dominick Domasky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominickdomasky

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