Podcast guest
Publishing strategist, former Simon & Schuster editor and founder of The Writer's Ally · Episode 131 with Kathi Burns, December 24, 2025
Ally Machate is publishing strategist, former Simon & Schuster editor and founder of The Writer's Ally.
On episode 131 of Organized and Energized! The Podcast, Ally and Kathi Burns talked about publishing a book grows your business only when it's strategically aligned with your goals. Ex-Simon & Schuster editor Ally Machate explains how.
She says a well-written book can still fail to sell or bring results if it isn't strategically designed and aligned with what the author wants it to do.
Who is Ally Machate?
Ally Machate is the founder of The Writer's Ally, which helps nonfiction authors write, edit, publish and market books that support their business. She started as an acquiring book editor at Simon & Schuster in 1999, landing the job she had wanted since childhood right after college. One of her proudest projects there was Aaron Karo's first book, Ruminations on College Life, built from his 15,000-subscriber email newsletter. After layoffs left little room to advance, she left to finish her master's degree and freelance, and never went back. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and is writing her own book, The Author Advantage Playbook, for experts with a business-related nonfiction book.
Where can I find Ally online?
- Website
- YouTube
- Ruminations on College Life by Aaron Karo
- How to Master Your Muck by Kathi Burns
Which episodes feature Ally?
PublishingEpisode 131How to Publish a Book That Grows Your Business with Ally Machate
Ally Machate, founder of The Writer's Ally and a former Simon & Schuster editor, helps experts publish nonfiction books that support their business goals.
Browse the How do I become known as an expert? collection, the full episode archive or the guest directory. Want to be a guest yourself? Apply here.
What other guests have been featured on this show?
- Anne Bartolucci: How to Get Out of Your Way and Write Your Book with Anne Bartolucci
- Carly Church: How To Build a Village That Supports Your Business and Your Life with Carly Church
- Borja Cuan: How To Scale Performance Marketing Without Wasting Ad Spend with Borja Cuan
- Lia Dunlap: How to Scale Your Business Without Burnout with Lia Dunlap
- Ellen Finkelstein: How to find a business model that's simple AND effective with Ellen Finkelstein
- Magdalena Grace: How to break ancestral cycles of health and wealth intergenerational issues with Magdalena Grace
- Cat Griffin: How to always be growing your audience
- Shonna Jordan: So Many Plates… So Little Time? Is it too late to start something new with Shonna Jordan
- Andrew Thorp King: How to Make Failures Rule with Andrew Thorp King
- Sue Kirchner: How to Differentiate Your Brand & Attract More Customers with Sue Kirchner
- Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson: How to Grow Your Confidence Through Storytelling & Podcasting with Julie Marty-Pearson
- Yvonne McCoy: How to Fix a "Junk Drawer" Business and Scale Faster with Yvonne McCoy
- Louise McDonnell: How To Use Social Media More Strategically In 2026 To Find New Customers with Louise McDonnell
- Stephanie Wall Morrow: How To Get Clear When Everything Feels Chaotic with Stephanie Wall Morrow
- Allan Ngo: How to Build a Customer Base AI Can't Steal with Allan Ngo
- Ginny Priem: How to Say No Without Losing Momentum with Ginny Priem
- Christine Campbell Rapin: Fragmented to Focused – Find Your Client in the Next 90 Days with Christine Campbell
- Helene Rennervik: How To Say No Without Guilt And Create Space For Success with Helene Rennervik
- Jim Shulman: How to Turn Your Company into a Bonsai Business with Jim Shulman
- Vince Warnock: How to stand out in your market as a thought leader with Vince Warnock
- Lynn Whitbeck: How Client Thinking Unlocks Your Sales Strategy Super Power with Lynn Whitbeck
- Daniela Wolfe: How to Set Yourself Up for Success and Prevent Burnout with Daniela Wolfe
- Donna Zalter: Why Your Luxury Closet Needs Professional Hangers with Donna Zalter
Candid Answers to Create Better Business Strategies
- How do I grow my business without burning out?
- How do I get more clients?
- How do I become known as an expert?
- How do I organize my home and closet?
Frequently asked questions about Ally Machate
Who is Ally Machate?
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Ally Machate is publishing strategist, former Simon & Schuster editor and founder of The Writer's Ally. Former Simon & Schuster editor helping experts publish strategic books
What is Ally's main advice from the episode?
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Ally Machate says a book's value to a business is not limited to its cover price, but authors need a plan for using it after publication.
Where can I find Ally online?
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Ally's website is thewritersally.com, and the other links are in the Important Links section of the episode page.
How do I become a guest like Ally?
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Kathi Burns takes guest applications from founders who are willing to share candid stories about the strategies they use to eliminate logjams in their business. Apply to be a guest here and the team will review your application and reply with your next step.
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