Episode description

Eric Jorgenson’s story with Scribe Media is one of the rare second chances in business. In this episode, James sits down with Eric to discuss how he saved Scribe from its dramatic downfall, brought it back to stability, and is leading it into a promising future. Eric shares the inner workings of the acquisition, the lessons learned from Scribe’s collapse, and how the company is redefining professional self-publishing.

Together, they also explore why self-publishing is a vital option for authors, the evolving publishing landscape, and how to create meaningful books in today’s digital age. This episode is packed with actionable insights for authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of business and creativity.

1. The Fall and Rise of Scribe Media: What led to Scribe’s bankruptcy and how Eric Jorgenson turned it around.
2. The Future of Publishing: Why self-publishing is more relevant than ever and how it’s empowering authors.
3. Leadership Lessons: Key takeaways from managing a company through crisis and rebuilding trust.
4. The Economics of Books: Why owning your royalties and creative control can make all the difference.
5. Resilience in Business: How to find opportunity in the ashes of a failed venture.

• [01:30] Introduction: James reflects on Scribe Media’s story and his personal connection to the company.
• [03:20] Scribe’s Collapse: What went wrong under JT McCormick’s leadership.
• [09:26] Enter Eric Jorgenson: How Eric got involved with Scribe.
• [17:10] Lessons Learned: Red flags, leadership failures, and rebuilding a company.
• [24:11] Saving Scribe: Eric’s approach to reviving the company and reconnecting with authors.
• [32:14] The Future of Self-Publishing: Why the model works and its growing importance.
• [40:53] AI and Writing: How technology is shaping the future of book creation.
• [50:49] Final Thoughts: The road ahead for Scribe Media and Eric’s vision for the company.

• Eric Jorgenson’s "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant"
• Scribe Media’s Website
• James Altucher’s "Choose Yourself"
• Tucker Max’s Blog on Scribe’s Collapse