How Guy Olivieri Reinvented His Acting Career Through Book Publishing

Every actor dreams of their big break, but for Guy Olivieri, that breakthrough came from an unexpected global event. In 2020, after 18 years of performing on New York stages, the pandemic brought the curtain down on his career and countless others in the entertainment industry. In this article, Guy tells how he is now leading a thriving publishing business with 49 books, proving that sometimes the most compelling roles are the ones we write ourselves.

Thinking back to his early days in action, Guy reflects: "I was always hustling, auditioning is essentially asking people to include you in their dreams… I realize now that I should have been creating my own. Publishing feels like that."

The parallel between his past and present speaks to a deeper truth about transformation—sometimes our greatest strengths emerge when circumstances force us to pivot.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the entertainment industry, like so many others, closed its doors for an indefinite period of time. Countless performers found themselves facing an uncertain future. For Guy, this moment of crisis became a catalyst for change. Rather than waiting for the industry to recover, he began exploring entrepreneurial opportunities online, looking for ways to transform his creative energy into something more sustainable.

What he didn't realize at the time was that his diverse entertainment career had equipped him with a unique set of skills perfectly suited for his next venture. His experience writing his first book had given him insights into narrative structure. Years of voiceover work had familiarized him with the audiobook market. Even his time working with an Amazon store had provided valuable knowledge about digital marketplace dynamics. These seemingly disparate experiences were about to converge into something unexpected—a new career in self-publishing.

The road from stage to publishing success wasn't without its dramatic moments. Guy faced a devastating setback when his top 4 books on Audible were suddenly hit with 50 one-star reviews overnight, causing a 20% drop in his business. The impact was severe, threatening the foundation of success he had worked so hard to build. When Guy reflects on this pivotal moment now, he realizes just how profound this moment was. "This is something that rarely happens, but it made me realize I had to diversify."

Just as an actor learns to handle unexpected moments on stage, Guy made the conscious decision to transform this crisis into an opportunity for growth. The experience, though painful, became a pivotal learning moment that would reshape his entire approach to publishing.

Like many facing career uncertainty during the pandemic, Guy's first steps into publishing were tentative and exploratory. "I'll be very frank. I only started publishing because the world blew up in 2020." His initial approach was to throw himself into publishing with the same intensity he'd brought to his acting career, "furiously publishing" as he describes it. But self-publishing, he soon discovered, required more than creative energy and determination.

The turning point came through conversations with friends who had found success through comprehensive training. "I had several friends who had joined the Nespola community. They had described the program, which really seemed to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. It was clearly a level-up." Through PublishingOS, Nespola's innovative program, and community-driven organization, he gained access to something far more valuable than simple publishing instruction, finding a definitive pathway to transform his creative talents into business success.

What started as a survival strategy during the pandemic has blossomed into something far more expansive. Today, Guy's portfolio stands at an impressive 49 books, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Each tile represents a strategic decision, a calculated step in building a sustainable publishing enterprise that serves multiple audiences while satisfying his creative drive.

His portfolio demonstrates remarkable versatility, reflecting market insight and personal passion. In the Religion and Spirituality category, he found readers hungry for spiritual guidance and personal development. His fiction works allowed him to channel his storytelling abilities honed through years of performance, while the Language Learning segment taps into a growing global market of people seeking educational content. Each genre choice creates new channels to connect with audiences, much like he had done on stage.

The rewards of this diversified approach became clear when he hit a significant milestone. "The first time I reached 10K sales in a month... I couldn't believe it!" This crucial moment validated Guy’s transformation from pure performer to strategic entrepreneur.

Guy has developed a sophisticated approach to publishing that transformed data-driven instinct into business success. Among his 49 books, 25% of his titles generate 80% of his income. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, he has used this insight to refine his publishing strategy further.

Drawing from the skills developed as a PublishingOS member, Guy has learned to analyze what makes certain books resonate more strongly with readers. Each new project benefits from accumulated wisdom about topic selection, market positioning, and audience engagement. This methodical approach to portfolio management reflects how far he's come from his early days of self-publishing.

"The scaling lessons blew my mind," he shares. "It makes perfect sense, but I never would have been able to figure it out on my own. Worth the price of the program." This sophisticated understanding of marketing and business strategy has helped him build a sustainable business that continues to grow and evolve.

Perhaps most rewarding is the tangible evidence of his success. "I have a full portfolio of books that I created. When I show people, their jaws drop." It's a different kind of applause from what he received on stage, but equally satisfying.

Understanding that success in publishing depends on strong partnerships and mutual respect, Guy discovered the importance of building lasting professional relationships. Just as a theater production relies on the collaborative efforts of many, his publishing success grew through nurturing connections with the other Nespola members.

Through the PublishingOS community, he found more than business strategies: he discovered a support network that understood his journey. "It's really all about keeping those relationships strong, and making a big impact," he explains.

This investment in professional relationships has paid dividends, enabling him to maintain consistent quality across his expanding portfolio while building a reputation as a publisher who values his dedication. The sense of community he's found in publishing has only fueled his passion for self-publishing and expanding his publishing empire. "Amazon is incredible. It's where the WORLD goes to shop, and you can upload digital products that BILLIONS of people can see. That's a giant opportunity!"

The transformation in Guy’s professional life has brought financial success but has also brought about a personal transformational shift. "With a publishing business, I can see my retirement for the first time." This newfound security represents a dramatic shift from the uncertainty of acting life and the crisis of the pandemic. He's discovered that success in publishing comes from consistent performance rather than pursuing perfection, and the support of a positive community.

For those considering their own publishing journey, Guy offers characteristically direct advice: "Finish. Don't be precious about each book. Do a great job, and then move on to the next project." This mindset reflects exactly how far Guy has come in his publishing business.

Looking back at his transformation from actor to publisher, Guy sees parallels between his past and present careers that others might miss. Both require understanding your audience, perfecting your craft, and delivering constant value. The main difference? Now, he's writing his own script, creating his own opportunities, and building a sustainable future on his own terms.

Today, Guy continues to grow alongside the PublishingOS community, where his own transformation serves as inspiration for others facing similar career crossroads. His story exemplifies how the right system, combined with determination and community support, can transform not just a business model but an entire life trajectory. While the pandemic may have forced his hand, his success demonstrates how embracing change and investing in the right education can lead to extraordinary outcomes. The actor who once asked to be part of others' dreams now creates his own, building a publishing enterprise that continues to grow and evolve.