We recently connected with Lissette Carter and have shared our conversation below.

Lissette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Having been in the self-publishing industry for almost a decade, I have seen how publishers give new authors limited creative ability and do not teach how to market books. Personally, this was a frustration of mine as a new author. The average new author makes $1,000. And it’s simply because they are not guided on how to write their work, how to launch, and how to continue marketing post-launch. They are also not taught how to build a business around their work or utilize it as a marketing tool to drive more leads to their existing businesses.

What separates Rookie Publishing from the rest is that we not only publish, but we also advise authors how to structure their work, how to market 90 days pre-launch, and provide media training. We also give unlimited creative rein on custom book cover design and provide landing pages to sell their books to prevent third-party companies from taking 50% of their profits.

In 2023, a fellow business owner in the beauty industry revealed how a publishing company refused to prorate her $14,000 when halfway through her publishing process, the publisher refused to accept her input on her cover. Thankfully, we were able to take over the project, and the client walked away fully satisfied that her aesthetic was able to shine through on her hard work.

“Rookie” is a brand that I have developed to attract new authors in hopes that they do not encounter other publishers who take advantage of them and their investments. Being a new author is scary. It is important to me to not only help publish their vision but also establish a relationship and connection that AI could never create or sustain.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In 2023, I was married with a daughter and 3 bonus daughters in Massachusetts. I had 3 books that I had published since 2015, and a 6-season podcast that had been picked up by a broadcasting company. My “Rookie” theme throughout my non-fiction self-help series was a nod to my college softball days, where my father taught me about discipline, respect, and hard work. It was also created to appeal to people who were new to different seasons in their lives. My main message was to teach people their authority in Christ, and that according to John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The problem with American Christianity today is that the reason why people are so casual about their faith walks is because the devil has managed to deceive many Christians into believing that when they get punched in the mouth by life, it is God’s doing. But this scripture proves otherwise. Where could we all be if we understood that through Christ, the devil is under our feet. We wouldn’t accept defeating thoughts or accept that the traumatic things in our lives were done by God. This has made many angry towards Him. When in fact, he is a God of love. If I love my daughter, I wouldn’t intentionally do things to harm her.

My goal is to tell people that God has a purpose for their lives, but so does the devil. When they can identify where these fights are coming from and they utilize the Word of God to combat them, then we can have an abundant life.

I know, this is heavy for our first date, you being the reader. I say all of this to say that that year, 2023, after 11 years of marriage, my husband decided he no longer wanted to be married. He recommended that I go back to Puerto Rico, where I grew up, with our 6-year-old. Because we had nowhere else to turn, we went to live with my family. In a time when I could’ve held onto bitterness and resentment, I realized Jesus died for him, too, and he needed to figure out his own purpose for his life. This was a season where I learned to forgive and start my life over from scratch.

During this time, friends and colleagues had asked me to help publish their work, and I was contracted to help with content. I love Puerto Rico, and it was a blessing to be there for the time I needed to be there. However, when I went into prayer, the Lord told me to move to Pittsburgh to sit under a ministry that I trusted. The second day I visited Pittsburgh, someone gave my full tuition for my daughter to go to school there. And from then on, it was green lights all the way. The easiest move I had made in my entire life.

At the time, I had been working remotely for a company in Massachusetts, and they let me know that my position was being moved in-house. I had a decision to make: go find a job and miss out on time with my daughter, or figure out a way to go full-time into business for myself. As I was contemplating what to do, I heard a business expert say, “Whatever you can do that you enjoy, without taking count of the time, is what you are supposed to do.” One night, I was creating content and helping publish a book, and when I looked up, it was 3:00 am. The kicker was that I wasn’t tired. That was the day I decided to start a publishing

As I was preparing, I asked the Lord for divine connections for a team. He had brought me a phenomenal editor and formatter. My first month in business, I made more with one client than I did in one month at my job. As a single mom, this was a Godsend. It has also been fulfilling since I get to work with people who have amazing transformational stories that have impacted people not only in the United States but all over the world.

Today, I am expanding my business and working on my fourth book, “Solid”, where I write about my personal story and how to remain solid throughout the trials of life and breakthrough impostor syndrome to walk into purpose and authority. I am also launching a new podcast this fall, called The Solid Woman Podcast: Built to Lead.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Word of mouth has been the most effective strategy. Referrals have been the bulk of my business.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Always read full manuscripts before signing contracts. We read a partial manuscript and realized they weren’t our ideal client.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rookiepublishing.com
• Instagram: @rookiepublishing