355: Building Author Platforms and Handling Critique | Scott Miller

From Feedback to Platform with Scott Miller

Many aspiring authors feel a pull to share their wisdom—especially about something as universal yet challenging as parenting. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Scott Jeffrey Miller offers a refreshingly candid perspective. Miller, an eight-time Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author, recently co-authored “Parenting: Wrong Turns, Right Lessons” with his teenage son, Thatcher. For Miller, writing a parenting book wasn’t just inevitable because of his professional background—it was a way to invite his children into “the family business” of authorship. As Miller puts it, “It’s kind of what I know how to do.”

More than a business proposition, this collaboration became a forum for genuine conversation between father and son. Thatcher, who contributed thousands of words and offered his own unfiltered perspective, was anything but a “sycophant”—he challenged his father, disagreed, and made the book a true dialogue. This embrace of honesty, sometimes even awkward honesty, is what sets their book apart.

The Power of Co-Authoring Across Generations

One of the most innovative aspects of Miller’s book is its dual perspective—not just the wisdom of an experienced parent but the lived reality of a teenager. Thatcher’s voice is woven throughout, at times contradicting, questioning, and expanding on his father’s viewpoint. As Miller recounts, half the book is “him disagreeing with me, saying, well, Dad, is this fiction or nonfiction? Because that story is not true.” This rawness gives readers a window into real family dynamics and reminds us that every child—not just every parent—has a story worth telling.

For the Miller family, the process of co-authoring provided Thatcher with invaluable lessons, not only in personal development but also in the business of books, including drafting, editing, working with publicists, and building a platform. As the younger Miller now “could give a master class on writing and monetizing a book,” the experience demonstrates how modern authorship can be a transformative educational tool for the next generation.

Vulnerability and Authenticity: Writing for the Reluctant Parent

Perhaps the most striking element of Miller’s approach is his vulnerability. He boldly admits, “I do not enjoy parenting. And this whole book is written for parents who love their children, but don’t like parenting.” Instead of romanticizing the subject or pretending to have all the answers, Miller leans into the discomfort and exhaustion many parents feel but rarely voice. He wants his message to resonate with those who find parenting “fatiguing and unrewarding”—and is open about how his book might polarize.

This brand of bravery serves as a challenge to other authors: The most resonant books are the ones that express an unapologetic truth. Miller’s candor about the ups and downs—including seeing a therapist to prepare for potential backlash—underscores the importance of writing from the gut, not just for applause.

The Real Work: Marketing, Longevity, and the Author’s Platform

For all the focus on writing, Miller and Terronez dedicate significant discussion to what comes after the book is finished—the real, often underappreciated work of marketing. As Miller explains, “writing a book is 10% of the process. Launching a book is 90%.” He debunks the myth that publishers will market your book for you: unless you’re a superstar, it’s on your shoulders.

The secret to long-term success, Miller insists, isn’t selling a few hundred books on launch—it’s about growing a loyal audience, repurposing your message, showing up relentlessly, and seeing the book as a vehicle for larger opportunities: speaking engagements, courses, and thought leadership. “You have to care so much about your book that you carry them around, and you find someone to go, oh, you know what? I have a book for you.”

Advice for Aspiring Authors: Start Small, Get Real

Miller’s closing advice is clear: Be pragmatic, focus on your “smallest viable market,” and don’t write for everyone. Narrow, specific audiences often build the strongest connection and yield the greatest results. Above all, know your “why” and be prepared for marathon-level marketing, not just a sprint to publication.

For anyone considering diving into writing—especially those tackling parenting or personal growth—Parenting: Wrong Turns, Right Lessons and Miller’s approach offer a blueprint: Be honest, be brave, and start building your platform now. The world doesn’t need another perfect book. It needs your true story.

Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.

That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start. Don’t delay—take action.