We recently had the chance to connect with Tim Jacobs and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tim, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Since moving to the Smoky Mountains less than a year ago, my wife and I have enjoyed exploring the area. Especially hiking through the mountains and caves. Being in the mountains brings relaxation to our otherwise busy lives. We also enjoy writing, reading, and finding those mom & pop hidden coffeehouses.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Since my teens I’ve been writing (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenplays). I’ve written and published 17 books, 450 articles, and countless blogs and content.
From 2018-2024, my wife and I lived, worked, and traveled full time in our RV. We’d spend summers in upstate NY, northern NH and VT, then traveled down to south VA and eastern TN, and winter in FL. It was true freedom to go from place to place and make each stop your home.
In the past, I worked for various publishers and also founded a national magazine on the American Revolutionary War and have been featured on C-SPAN TV for my writing of the Civil War.
I’m the owner of JWC Publishing, co-publisher of the OUR LEGACY book series, and co-founder of the Academy of Ghostwriting. At JWC we focus on business books for business owners. Together, we create and produce a book that the business owner can leverage to scale their business.
The OUR LEGACY book series is for those who are looking to publish a short memoir without the huge expense of going through a hybrid publisher. This is where families get to share and preserve the story of how their grandparents met, the story of their great-great grandfather who served in the Civil War, or a bunch of snippets of their own life. We handle everything from ghostwriting to 50 paperback copies delivered to your door. All at an investment that is a fraction of the cost of self publishing.
The Academy of Ghostwriting is an intense 6-week program where ghostwriters learn how to build a profitable ghostwriting business. The course includes guest speakers, mock discovery calls, and an option to pay AFTER you’ve taken the course. No other coaching program offers a pay later model.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
That would be a collective bunch. I believe in “always be learning” and I try to learn something from everyone I meet. From my parents to business coaches to my spouse, there are countless lessons, some hard, some so obvious you miss them. Besides the learning aspect, it’s also about applying the lesson learned.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
What will people think of me?
That is perhaps the most dangerous thought to carry around. The answer to that question is: It doesn’t matter. As long as you believe in you, then do what you are meant to do. For a long time, I was wrapped up in my own head about what will others think if I did this or that. It’s a self-sabotage that you need to overcome sooner than later.
Now, when I have an idea, I make a list of the pros and cons of what will happen if I do this and what will happen if I don’t do this. Then, I share that idea with my trusted circle of like-minded friends and colleagues and flesh the idea out.
I’ve adopted the attitude that “What will people think of me?” is like a movie or a book: some people will like it and some won’t and it doesn’t matter if they do or don’t.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the publishing industry, I wouldn’t phrase it as a lie, but the biggest misconception is that a great story will easily sell. Truth is, it won’t. Authors, especially first time authors don’t realize that publishing has nearly nothing to do with the story. It’s about your platform, your following, and how can you sell 30K copies of your book. Publishers want what’s sellable. The story sometimes is an afterthought.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Absolutely what I was born to do. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Everything I’ve done in my life has involved books. I’m avid reader (usually 60-70 books a year), co-owned a bookstore, worked at a bookstore, worked for publishers, now I am publisher, I mentor ghostwriters, write people’s stories, and write and publish my own fiction and nonfiction. I’m also a freelance writer and former journalist.
I’ve been in the publishing industry for the past 40 years. From physical books to ebooks, to today’s debate about AI, I’ve been through all the changes and challenges, and there is still nothing I’d rather do then create awesome books.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jacobswc.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timjacobsghostwriter
