Podcast Summary: The Amazing Authorities Podcast

Episode: From Book to Big Stages: How Adam Kingl Turns Ideas into Global Revenue

Host: Mitch Carson
Guest: Adam Kingl
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Mitch Carson speaks with Adam Kingl, an accomplished UK-based academic, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. The discussion centers on Adam’s journey from authoring books to leveraging those works for global influence, increased authority, and multiple revenue streams—particularly through keynote speaking and corporate training. Adam shares candid stories about book publishing, marketing struggles, the shifting media landscape, and practical strategies for turning intellectual property into broad commercial success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adam’s Path to Authorship and Authority

• Curiosity as a Catalyst: Adam describes how deep curiosity drove him to write each book, notably after finding unanswered questions in his field.
  • “It really is a product of supreme curiosity, you know, beyond our daily research or teaching.” — Adam Kingl [01:54]
• Book 1: Next Generation Leadership:
  Explores generational dynamics in the workplace and what drives young employees.
  • Main lesson: Understanding the environmental context to manage emerging talent better.
  • Publishing challenges: Released in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, significantly slowing media and public attention.

2. The Reality of Book Promotion

• Unexpected Hurdles:
  • Adam and Mitch commiserate on the difficulties of launching a book during disruptive times.
  • “Promoting the book was an act of persistence really. It load slow drip drip until...people would finally kind of get managed to get their head up and, and think about other things.” — Adam Kingl [04:18]
• DIY Marketing:
  • Publishers built a book website but left promotion almost entirely to Adam.
  • PR strategies included:
    • Contacting journalists directly.
    • Posting excerpts and videos on LinkedIn and YouTube.
    • Leveraging academic business press connections.
    • Consistent, patient effort, especially as podcasts and digital media grew post-pandemic.

3. Media Coverage & Platform Growth

• Media Successes:
  • Secured features in UK and European business press (e.g., European Business Review, Forbes, Fortune).
  • Corporate and industry events provided vital exposure—often with the added tactic of negotiating bulk purchases of the book for event attendees.
    • “The other big area of publicity...are just doing keynote speeches at conferences...convince the conference organizers...to buy a copy of the book for everyone.” — Adam Kingl [10:55]

4. Keynote Speaking: Revenue and Positioning

• Books as Gateways to Big Stages:
  • He underscores that being a published author legitimized his expertise and unlocked higher-fee speaking engagements.
    • “For me, I always knew that the speeches would actually probably earn me more money than the book. But you wouldn't necessarily get the speeches without the book.” — Adam Kingl [11:56]
• Typical Speaking Fees:
  • UK range (first-time to established speaker): £1,500–£5,000 per talk.
  • Host notes that U.S. rates are higher but similarly require significant author or celebrity status.
  • Author royalties are typically modest: “On average authors might achieve literally that their royalties are about a buck.” — Adam Kingl [16:13]

5. Publishing Choices: Traditional vs. Indie

• Why Adam Chose Traditional Publishing:
  • Lack of familiarity and time to self-publish; valued external help for editing, distribution, and access to translation rights.
  • Notable difference between large publishers (HarperCollins) and more boutique, business-focused publishers (Kogan Page), with the latter providing hands-on PR support and global reach.

6. Globalization & Foreign Rights

• Extended Reach:
  • Book translation rights sold for Spanish and Portuguese markets, directly leading to speaking invitations.
    • “Almost immediately after they sold the Portuguese rights, I got a speaking gig in Porto...” — Adam Kingl [18:19]

7. Book 2: Sparking Success

• Focus:
  • Cultivating creativity for leaders and within organizations.
    • “Every company, I've never met a company that says we don't need more innovation and creativity around here.” — Adam Kingl [21:52]
  • Field research with creative industry leaders led to actionable strategies and habits transferable to any sector.
• Practical Value:
  • Includes tactical “Monday morning” tips at each chapter’s end.
• Corporate gap in creativity:
  • “McKinsey does a study...how good is your organization at creativity? And 94% essentially said, we're crap at it.” — Adam Kingl [23:43]

8. Upcoming Book & Diversifying Expertise

• Book 3 Preview: Executive Eats: The Cookbook for a Better Working Life (June 9, 2026)
  • Business-focused cookbook co-authored with a chemistry professor.
  • 100 science-backed recipes supporting executive wellness, focus, and performance.
    • “...specifically geared to a business audience...recipes that will help me with improving my concentration throughout the day, sustained energy, controlling and boosting my mood...” — Adam Kingl [25:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Never, never have a book published in March of 2020.” — Adam Kingl on the ill-fated launch timing [03:11]
• “You really do become a little one man band of PR, marketing, etc. And there's no secret behind it, as you said, other than, than perspiration.” — Adam Kingl on post-publication reality [06:47]
• “I still to this day do not believe there's a bigger gap between a reality and an aspiration in corporate life today than when you look at innovation.” — Adam Kingl [22:56]
• “For me, it would be worthwhile to work with a publisher versus trying to self publish once you add all those additional opportunities that you'd be seeking.” — Adam Kingl [19:05]
• On bookstores:
  “I really can't go to a new city and not try to frequent as many bookstores as I can.” — Adam Kingl [28:37]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:54 — Adam’s motivation for writing his first book.
• 03:11 — The impact of picking an unlucky launch date.
• 04:18 — Persevering with book promotion during the pandemic.
• 05:57 — Harsh realities of book marketing for first-time authors.
• 10:55 — Using keynote speeches to promote and sell books.
• 11:56 — The “commercial argument” for writing a book.
• 13:52 — Typical UK keynote speaking fees and commercial outcomes.
• 16:13 — Author royalties with traditional publishers.
• 18:19 — Translation rights directly enabling new international speaking gigs.
• 21:52 — Corporate demand for innovation and Adam’s methods for cultivating creativity.
• 22:56 — The “creativity gap” in businesses.
• 25:05 — Preview and concept for the upcoming executive cookbook.

Where to Find Adam Kingl

• Website: AdamKingl.com
• Books Available:
  • Amazon (all regions)
  • Other major book retailers and select independent bookstores

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

This episode demystifies what it truly takes to become a recognized authority through publishing. Adam Kingl’s candid stories illustrate:

• The grit required for book marketing
• How being a published author is a lever for media appearances, keynote speaking, and global consulting income
• The difference in publisher types and why traditional publishing still matters for global reach and credibility, especially in niche and business contexts
• The importance of continually capitalizing on your expertise—and why curiosity and persistence are your greatest assets.

For aspiring authorities and authors, the path is not instant—but with Adam’s blueprint of curiosity, relentless promotion, and leveraging your work into broader platforms, you can build true influence and income.