Novel Marketing Episode Archive
Kindle Unlimited Pays Indie Authors Record-Breaking Royalties
Amazon smashes the Kindle Unlimited record, Gavin Newsom buys his way onto the NYT bestseller list, the US government kills the most powerful AI model available, MailerLite slashes free accounts, and a suppressed UK report hits 32 million views.
Zeitgeist: In a News Scene Dominated By The Heavy, Let’s Take a Look At the Fun Around the World
Foreigners are falling in love with America’s heartland, barbecue, and massive portions — and it turns out culture makes the best fiction settings.
How to Level Up Your Writing With Chris Fox
If you feel like an imposter author, discover tips on the editing process, word order rules, and why Grammarly may be quietly ruining your prose.
Men Buy Books and Women Borrow Books
Women aren’t buying new books, AI is fixing manuscript pacing, and a $10 tool builds your entire book promo schedule. Here’s what the data says.
How to Revive a Dead Book With Promo Stacking
Learn how promo stacking can rescue a dead book and reach new readers. Amazon ad specialist Bryan Canter shares the exact services, order, and budget to make it work.
Zeitgeist: Gen Z Men See the System Rigged Against Them
Uncover the challenges faced by Gen Z men feeling alienated from institutions and seeking solutions for the future, and discover how authors can help change it.
Will “Free” Libby Ebooks Bankrupt Libraries?
Publishing news for indie authors: Payhip adds free sales tax handling, libraries flag ebook checkout fraud, LGBTQ children’s book sales collapse, Audible launches a loyalty program, a $107 app challenges Vellum and Scrivener, AI brain fry hits creative workers, and what storytellers must know about Gen Z men.
Why I’m Giving Away a $249 Course This Month
Novel Marketing patron gift for June: get free lifetime access to my course when you become a patron this month.
Zeitgeist: Pope Leo XIV Gives Catholic Novelists Green Light to Use AI
Explore the pope’s encyclical on AI, a profound critique urging transparency and human oversight in artificial intelligence.
No ISBN Means No Copyright Protection for Indie Authors
KDP lowers print costs, AI pirates monetize stolen audiobooks, authors lose Meta lawsuit standing, the Enhanced Games flop, and Pope Leo XIV embraces AI.
Announcing the 2027 Novel Marketing Conference
What makes the Novel Marketing Conference different from other conferences? Get details on topics, dates, and availability for the 2027 Novel Marketing Conference.
Zeitgeist: Light, Fire, and Clarity: What the Latest Baby Name Data Tells Us About the Shifting Culture
Explore the trends in baby names in 2025. Discover how names reflect clarity, light, and strength and the changing zeitgeist.
The Publishing Echo Chamber Nobody Will Admit Exists
Explore the latest trends affecting authors: declining nonfiction sales and the impact of podcasts on traditional publishing.
Zeitgeist: Stories Made by People Who Hate Them
Stories made by people who hate them: why faithful adaptations like Epic: The Musical earn billion-stream success while Hollywood’s deconstructed reboots keep failing, and what authors can learn from the pattern.
Amazon Review Purge: The Author Survival Guide
Explore recent publishing news on imprint closures, bestseller challenges, and AI’s influence on the future of books.
The Four Loves That Drive Fiction
Discover the four types of love in fiction that make readers fall in love with your book. Learn how storge, philia, eros, and agape drive stories from cozy mysteries to epic fantasy.
Zeitgeist: Globalists vs. Nationalists: What the UK and Japanese Elections Tell Us About the Changing Culture
Reform UK, Japan’s landslide, and the AfD surge reveal a global culture war. Here’s what the nationalist realignment means for your books and marketing.
Draft2Digital Confirms: Amazon Sales Reports Are Off by 50%
KDP dashboard errors, Chrome’s secret AI install, a Harvard prompting hack, the AI book flood, and how global nationalism is changing what readers want.
15 Rules for Book Advertising with David Gaughran
Learn 15 book advertising tips to help you save money and increase your profits while attracting more readers.
Zeitgeist: First Turning Noblebright vs. Second Turning Grimbright
Thomas and Jonathan map classic films onto the Noble/Grim + Bright/Dark axis, the four-quadrant version of the Strauss-Howe generational turnings.
Audible Forces Every Title Into New Royalty Model
Audible set a hard deadline for its new royalty model. The FTC fined a self-publishing guru $1.5M for fake promises. AI screeners favor AI-polished proposals over human ones. Independent bookstores are booming with 422 new openings. And science confirmed your TikTok breaks are wrecking your writing focus.
Zeitgeist: Southern Poverty Law Center Indictment Exposes Alleged Fraud, Accelerates Vibe Shift on Racism Accusations
a federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on April 21, 2026. The 11-count indictment charges the SPLC with six counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statements to a federally insured bank, and one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.
My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes
Discover advice for authors that has stood the test of time (and always will) and what advice you can cast off like a crumpled first draft.
Price Fixing at Amazon
Amazon price-fixing emails unsealed by California’s AG, a banned-book campaign that backfired into a bestseller, proposed copyright fee hikes, the latest AI model drops from OpenAI and Chinese rivals, new cover design tools from Author Media, and surprising data on where the money and readers actually are. Here’s what it all means for your writing career.
Zeitgeist: What Do Americans Consider Immoral?
Pew Research Center Survey Exposes Deep Divides in American Views on Morality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAdsjkcq9XA Thomas: A Pew Research study just came out about what Americans view as moral and immoral. This matters for authors because every novel has a...
Amazon Kills Store Access for 2 Million Kindles
Draft2Digital levies a tax against the “poors,” Amazon kills millions of old Kindles and the Windows 10 Kindle app, and Barnes and Noble Press drops three policy bombs that could wipe your books from sale. Plus, an AI artist just hit number one on iTunes without a single human voice, Ukraine’s robots won their first solo battle with zero casualties, and fresh Pew Research data maps exactly where your readers draw their moral lines.
Stop Guessing: How to Know If Your Book Marketing Is Working
Discover how to make your book marketing profitable by tracking your online and in-person marketing and advertising in a single dashboard.
Huge Legal Wins for Authors
The Supreme Court confirms you own your AI-assisted writing, a bestselling thriller author loses his entire YouTube channel to a copyright scam but gets it back, Amazon finally ends the practice that let counterfeiters slip fakes into your book sales, and for our zeitgeist segment we’ll analyze the new movie Project Hail Mary.
Zeitgeist: Project Hail Mary Rockets Past $226 Million at Domestic Box Office
Project Hail Mary has crossed $430 million worldwide at the box office. Find out what its success reveals about what readers and want and how authors can connect.
The Cultural Zeitgeist Shift That’s Making Indie Authors Rich
Discover the cultural shift in zeitgeist that reflects the changing preferences of American readers.
The Week Romance Died? Harlequin AI Deal + NY Times Bestseller Shake-Up
Harlequin’s AI micro-drama deal ignites author boycotts, a Wharton study warns of “cognitive surrender,” and the NYT bestseller list drops mass market for new audiobook charts.
Zeitgeist: Capturing a Shifting Zeitgeist of Paranoia, Betrayal, and Disrupted Domestic Normalcy
The March 2026 K-lytics report on psychological and domestic thrillers paints a picture of a genre in explosive transition. What was once a niche reflects profound changes in consumer demand and the broader zeitgeist.
Apple’s Cheapest Laptop Ever: Should Authors Buy the MacBook Neo?
Discover which laptops give authors the best value for the money in 2026.
Scientists Prove AI Is Rewriting Your Book When You’re Not Looking
Is your freelance editor secretly using AI? This week on Author Update, we break down Mia Ballard’s lawsuit against Hachette Book Group after they canceled her horror novel Shy Girl over AI allegations—she claims her editor introduced AI without permission. We analyze the Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision that just made it harder for authors to fight book piracy, examine two groundbreaking studies proving AI tools rewrite your voice even during simple grammar checks, and explain why OpenAI shut down Sora and what Google’s TurboQuant breakthrough means for the future of AI.
Zeitgeist: One Piece Passes Superman as Best-Selling Comic with 600 Million Copies
One Piece has officially hit 600 million copies in circulation worldwide, matching and effectively surpassing Superman’s nearly 90-year sales record in under 30 years.
Your Friends Lied About Your Book Cover
Discover how to find a good book cover that attracts the right readers and drives clicks that lead to sales across all platforms.
The Anti AI Jihad Has Begun: Major Publisher Yanks Novel Over Proven AI Use
Hachette just pulled a bestselling horror novel over AI writing accusations — and it’s sending shockwaves through the publishing world. In this episode of Author Update, we break down the “Shy Girl” controversy and what it means for every indie and traditional author, the explosive 4 million books flooding Amazon in 2025 (a 39% surge in self-publishing), Scholastic’s declining revenue and what it signals about the future of traditional publishing, the Bible reading boom led by millennial men, how to protect yourself from copyright troll shakedowns, and a deep dive into the K-Lytics Mystery/Thriller/Suspense report revealing techno thrillers are up 49% while assassination thrillers are crashing. Whether you’re self-publishing on Amazon, navigating AI tools like Sudowrite and ChatGPT, pricing your ebook for maximum profit, or trying to spot the next hot genre trend, this is the publishing news, book marketing strategy, and cultural zeitgeist analysis authors need to stay ahead in 2026.
Zeitgeist: Mystery Thriller Suspense K-Lytics Report
Kindle trends show that techno thrillers are up 49%. Find out what this says about current readers and publishers.
17 Days Left: How to Claim Your $3,000+ From Anthropic’s $1.5B AI Copyright Settlement
This week’s highlights: Authors have only 17 days left to claim up to $3,000+ per book in the $1.5B Anthropic AI copyright settlement. YouTube’s revenue now surpasses Disney, confirming the creator economy’s dominance, a trajectory indie authors are mirroring. Amazon ended its Book Club and excluded authors from new AI ad tools.
Zeitgeist: Hormonal Birth Control May Quietly Change What Romance Readers Crave in Male Heroes
Prescription medications are changing women’s preferences, from who they find attractive to what kind of heroes they want to read in their fiction.
How I Fight Off Copyright Trolls Targeting My Blogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrM68ayZhSk This article walks through several real-world encounters with copyright trolls targeting my blogs, how their schemes work, and the practical defenses I used to fight them off without paying. It also shows how DMCA...
Zeitgeist: AI Could Trigger an English Language Reset Like the Norman Conquest
AI and tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly are fundamentally transforming the English language. This deep dive explores how AI writing is changing us.
Zeitgeist: White House Uses Video Game Hype to Market War to Young Men
The Trump administration is selling the war very differently from past conflicts.
Iranian Drones Destroy Amazon Data Centers, Amazon.com Goes Down
Week Ending March 6, 2026 In this week’s Author Update, we unpack how world events are impacting your author business, Audible’s aggressive response to Spotify, why Substack may be quietly hurting your Google rankings, and whether Apple’s new $600 laptop could be a...
Reader Magnets Are Dead? Why Most Reader Magnets Fail
Discover strategies to create a good reader magnet that will engage readers and boost your newsletter subscriptions.
Your Author Toolbox: Part 2
Discover the best tools for writers to streamline your author business, or turn podcasts into optimized blog content with the powerful Novel Marketing Patron Toolbox suite.
Zeitgeist: Romance Dominates Kindle But Shows Signs of Maturing
Highlights of the romance genre based on the new k-lytics report.
The Indie Whale Reader: How to Reach Readers Who Devour 100 Books a Year
Traditional publishing posts a December surge in the latest AAP StatShot, even as the broader market stays flat. We unpack new 2026 reader data, major AI-driven layoffs at Block, Spotify’s audiobook charts, Julia Quinn’s Kickstarter success, podcast growth, and key AI updates from Google and Cloudflare.
Zeitgeist: AI as Metaphor: Corporations, Pagan Gods & the Managerial State
For the past 40 years, AI villains in fiction have been metaphors for the soulless managerial state that stripped human agency throughout the 20th century.
How to Become a Professional Writer With Joanna Penn
Learn the mindset and approach to create a sustainable professional author business that appeals to readers and builds your career.
Zeitgeist: Conservative Art
Why do conservative and Christian authors struggle with creative fiction while Tolkien and C.S. Lewis created timeless classics? This video explores the critical difference between identity-based storytelling and character-driven narratives that resonate with readers.
Indies Win! Harlequin to Close Historical Romance Line
Supreme Court tariffs ruling, Harlequin exits historical romance, BookFunnel adds digital signings, and major AI shifts from ElevenLabs, Perplexity Pro, and Google’s new Web MCP reshaping audiobook production and SEO.
Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: Metadata with Dave Chesson
Discover how metadata for books can significantly improve your book sales and visibility in online stores like Amazon.
Substack Breach: Author Information Compromised
TikTok is back, but its algorithm retrain may disrupt BookTok, the author-targeted data breach, Amazon’s new DRM download option, soaring Bible sales, ChatGPT ads, Sanderson’s “we are the art” speech, and what the Super Bowl halftime shows reveal about today’s book buyers.
Zeitgeist: Two Halftime Shows, One Nation: What the Super Bowl Split Says About American Readers
The 2026 Super Bowl featured two competing halftime shows—the NFL’s official Bad Bunny performance and Turning Point USA’s alternative show with Kid Rock—and the streaming data reveals a seismic cultural shift that every author must understand about audience and platform.
How to Get a Professional Email Address
Your email address might be the first thing an agent or editor sees. Learn how to make a good first impression with your email address.
Zeitgeist: K-lytics Cozy Fantasy
Cozy Fantasy is surging with unprecedented demand that far exceeds supply, creating a massive opportunity for authors who understand this genre shift.
How to Format a Book With Vellum
Learn how Vellum can save you money, time, and headache when formatting your next book or reader magnet.
Will OpenAI Claim Ownership of Your Royalties?
AI shocks publishing and tech: Claude 4.6 vs GPT-5.3 spark a $285B selloff, layoffs hit a 2009 high, Amazon cuts 30,000 jobs, Spotify expands into ebooks and print with Bookshop.org, indie ebooks arrive, a massive Substack breach, new KDP download options, and OpenAI’s controversial IP revenue-sharing idea.
Ingram Goes to War With AI
This week’s Author Update breaks down Ingram’s AI opt-out, Tor’s new imprint, a £50k Hachette prize, Amazon AI features, and why indie publishing is outpacing trad
Zeitgeist: Vibe Shift in Hockey
NHL Pride Drama VANISHES: The Vibe Shift Authors Need to Understand
Author Taxes – A 2026 Guide to Avoiding Jail & Overpaying
Taxes for authors don’t have to trigger panic. Discover rules for bookkeeping and taxes and what common mistakes to avoid.
Zeitgeist: Fonts Get Political
U.S. government used Times New Roman. It is a traditional serif font. Under the Biden administration, the State Department switched its documents from Times New Roman to Calibri, a sans serif font.
Zeitgeist: Record Breaking Bible Sales
Bible sales have reached record highs in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Copyright Termination and the Feds: What Just Happened to Authors
OpenAI’s announcement of ads coming to ChatGPT for free users (and what authors should do about it), a landmark federal court ruling that copyright termination rights now apply globally (potentially returning your foreign rights), record-breaking Bible sales that mask a crisis in Christian publishing, Julia Quinn’s new romance subscription box strategy, and the surprising political battle over fonts that affects book design.
Zeitgeist: Radical Islam Moves to Europe
The United Arab Emirates just banned Emirates from going to university in the UK out of fears that students are getting radicalized by the Islamic Brotherhood.
AI Threats, Platform Changes & Cultural Shifts Authors Can’t Ignore
Substack’s controversial move into sponsored ads, Audible’s new in-app video discovery features, scoring 2025 publishing predictions, the growing anti-AI movement, and major cultural zeitgeist shifts.
Zeitgeist: Steak & Shake
A fast-food company poised to do very well in the new zeitgeist. I was the fastest-growing fast-food company in the country last year.
Productivity Secrets from Bestselling Author Jerry B. Jenkins
Productivity tips for writers that will help you finish your book and find a sustainable writing pace for your career.
What Authors Can Expect in 2026
Stay ahead of the author news and trends of 2026. Learn how new public-domain characters, AI in publishing, audiobooks, direct sales, and market shifts will impact your writing career.
Networking for Authors with Dale L. Roberts
12 tips for networking with other authors to create mutually beneficial, long-term relationships.
Why Most Authors Don’t Need Social Media in 2026
Social media changes so quickly. Find out which platforms and strategies work for selling books in 2022.
The Five-Year Plan to Become a Professional Author
Discover a five year plan for writing a novel and how it helps aspiring authors build their craft, finish the book, and become a professional author.
Reports Say 62% of New Paranormal Romance Titles Are AI Junk Books
Why audiobooks now outsell eBooks, how AI is reshaping publishing, Barnes & Noble’s comeback, and the genre trends and tools authors need for 2026.
Zeitgeist: Christmas Romance vs. Paranormal Romance
Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and Jonathan Shuerger cover highlights from the K-lytics report showing trends in the Christmas and Paranormal romance genres.
Amazon Quietly Changed Kindle Forever
In this episode of Author Update: Book bans, AI in your Kindle, audiobooks outselling everything, and Amazon quietly rewriting the rules.
Zeitgeist: Female Readers & The Hero’s Journey
Is the hero’s journey story arc different for male and female readers?
The Savvy Author’s Guide to Picking an LLM
Discover which LLMs and AI tools are best for your writing and marketing processes, and how the tools compare to one another.
A Nonfiction Author’s Guide to Substack
Learn how nonfiction authors are using Substack to reach audiences and convert them into paying subscribers seamlessly.
Should You Create a Premium Hardcover Edition of Your Book?
Learn whether a premium book edition is the right choice for your book and how it can set you apart from all the AI-written content.
Amazon Algorithm Secrets That Separate Bestsellers from the Slush Pile
Explore the Amazon Book Recommendation Algorithm and learn how it impacts your book sales and visibility in the market.
Christmas Book Marketing Guide
Jonathan: Listen up. We’re starting with a situation report. An outfit called Claims Hero is telling authors to opt out of the 1.5 billion dollar Anthropic settlement. They promise a shot at a bigger payday, up to 150,000 dollars per title, but it means giving up...
The Shopify Trap: Why Authors Keep Losing Money
Discover the best ecommerce platform for authors and several surprisingly good options for selling books directly to readers.
Traditional Publishing in Crisis: Sales Down 9.4%
Instead of a transcript, here are some rough notes. Let us know if you prefer this format or want to switch back to the longer fuller posts. Welcome to Author Update—your weekly dose of publishing news that actually matters to YOUR career. This week we talk...
2025 Desktop Printer Guide for Authors
Learn what kind of home printer an author needs and which one will get you the best bang for your buck.
Zeitgeist: Davy Crockett King of the First Turning
America has had two kings and neither of them were Arthur. Our kings were Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and Elvis Presley the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
How to Publish Your Audiobook Through ACX
Get guidance, tips, and recommendations for publishing your audiobook on ACX with the highest quality at the best price.
Massive Amazon Algorithm Changes
Thomas: Welcome to Author Update, your weekly dose of publishing news that actually matters to your career. This week we are breaking down Amazon’s massive algorithm changes. Some authors are panicked, some are excited. We will cover what changed, why your books...
How to Build an Email List Before You Publish Your Novel
Discover the many ways to grow your email list before you publish your book.
US Copyright Office Closes | Book Piracy Drama | Anthropic Settlement Website Goes Live
Jonathan Shuerger: We've got a packed episode that could impact your writing career in ways you may not have considered. The Anthropic settlement website is live, and authors are finally getting answers about whether they are in this class action. Here is the big...
Triple Your Writing Speed with Dictation
For authors, dictation can skyrocket writing speed. Find out which tools and strategies will help you master the skill and write faster.
Author Update: Judge Approves Anthropic $3K Author Payments, NaNoWriMo Replacement, & Scam Warning
Thomas: Welcome to Author Update. We have a massive episode packed with breaking news that could put real money in your pocket, especially if you have older books. We will also expose a dangerous book club and review scam that you may have already encountered....
How to Boost Sales With Permafree Books
Discover how giving a book away might actually boost sales. Learn to use a permafree book to drive sales, grow your list, or book events.
Amazon KU Books Allowed in Public Libraries, TikTok Deal, and Cancel Culture
Thomas: Welcome to Author Update! We have a major policy shift. Amazon KDP has confirmed that Kindle Unlimited books can be offered to public libraries. We covered this earlier, and now we have confirmation. We will also discuss what the TikTok deal from this morning...
Thomas’s Office Tour & 4th Wall Breach
Get the much anticipated tour of Thomas’s office, complete with a run-down of the books on his shelves that best absorb sound.
Christian Author Assassinated, MailerLite Limits Free Plan, & Kit Raise Prices
https://youtube.com/live/2ETZdAIgEG0 Thomas: Welcome back to Author Update, everybody. Today we’re going to talk about Charlie Kirk, a Christian author who was shot while giving a speech to his audience. We also have publishing news. MailerLite is reducing its...
How to Get More Book Reviews With Joe Walters
Find out why more book reviews matter, how ratings differ from reviews, and how to get more of both to increase visibility and sales.
Anthropic to Pay Authors $3000 Per Book, Zeitgeist, and Author Arrested for Tweets
Breaking News: Anthropic Settlement Thomas: Welcome to Author Update! We have some breaking news for you, but first, I'm Thomas Umstattd Jr. And I'm Jonathan Shuerger. And what's our breaking news? Jonathan: Today we're gonna be talking about, just came out 10 minutes...
Zeitgeist: Mary Poppins: From Grimbright to Nobledark
his conversation unpacks how stories reflect cultural “turnings” in the zeitgeist, using Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, Marines in wartime, and superhero tales as case studies.
The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn
Discover how authors use AI to gain more time for creative writing and how you can get useful output instead of bland AI slop.
New International Shipping Rules Hit Authors and Libraries Acquire KU Books?
Thomas: This is Author Update and we've got a jam packed episode for you today. We have some breaking news. The White House is changing the international shipping rules and they will go into effect today and they may affect you as an author. We'll break down exactly...
When to Ignore Your Editor
Discover 7 issues authors must beware of when getting editorial suggestions from humans or AI and when to ignore or accept the feedback.
Spotify Revolutionizes Audiobooks & George R.R. Martin Told To Step Down
Thomas: Spotify revolutionizes audiobooks, George R. R. Martin is told to step down and hand his books to somebody else, and are we in an AI bubble? Find out all of this and a lot more in today's episode of Author Update. I'm Thomas Umstattd Jr. Jonathan: And I'm...
The End of Rapid Release?
Thomas: Is rapid release coming to an end? Will authors end all of AI in an epic class action battle? Is ChatGPT really worse than ChatGPT 4? Is ChatGPT 5 really worse than ChatGPT 4? Find out all of this and more in Author Update. I'm Thomas Sumpstat Jr. Jonathan:...
Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference
Find out what makes the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference unique and find out how you can join us.
How to Get Started with Author School Visits and Make Your Book Playground Famous
Selling books for kids is a challenge. Discover how you can connect with young readers, positively impact schools, and sell more books.
Audible Reduces Author Royalties, Trad Sales Plummet While Indie Sales Soar
Audible's New Royalty Model Thomas Umstattd Jr. welcomes viewers to Author Update, joined by Jonathan Shuerger. Their lead story concerns significant changes to Audible's royalty structure. According to information from Robin Sullivan (wife of author Michael J....
Zeitgeist, Dystopian Fatigue, and the Rise of Ruthless & Noble Heroes
Explore the cultural vibe shift reshaping reader preferences and learn what sells now and where fiction is headed next.
How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month
Learn how to improve your book sales with proven strategies for selling 1,000 books a month through layered marketing, podcasts, and more.
How to Work With a PR Firm to Promote Your Book
Publicity has always been important for authors. Find out which media outlets are most useful to authors in 2025.
What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book?
Do the most popular AI tools know about your book? Do they know enough to recommend it to readers? Discover how to find out if they do.
How to Create Sales Optimized Book Pages for Your Author Website
Discover why a website book page is vital for authors and how to design an effective page that captivates and helps readers and AI alike.
TikTok, Iran, and AI: What Authors Need to Know Now
Welcome to the Summer Solstice edition of Author Update, where co-hosts Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and Jonathan Shuerger unpack the headlines that matter to authors—from global conflicts to algorithm updates. In this jam-packed episode, they dig into the TikTok ban, the war...
Amazon, AI, and Author Strategy Shifts: What You Need to Know Now
Welcome to this week’s Author Update, where we break down what’s happening in the world of publishing, AI, and tech—so you can write better, market smarter, and keep ahead of the curve. In this episode, we covered sweeping changes at Amazon, unexpected shifts in how...
Are We in an AI Bubble? Plus Audiobook Strategy, Vellum Upgrades & Loving Your Readers
The tech world was shaken recently when British AI firm Builder.ai filed for bankruptcy—after it was revealed their “AI” was really 700 Indian engineers behind the curtain. It’s the Mechanical Turk all over again. In 1770, a man named Wolfgang von Kempelen built what...
Is Your Traditional Publisher Going Bankrupt? 8 Warning Signs to Look Out For
Understand the signs and implications of a publisher going bankrupt and what authors can do if their traditional publisher closes.
Adapting a Podcast to YouTube
Discover the keys to adapting a podcast to YouTube. Understand what works best to grow your channel effectively.
How to Publish a Novel in 2025
Learn how to successfully publish a novel with my six-step roadmap. Avoid common mistakes and start at the right place for strong sales.
Author Update: Is This the END of Google (for Authors)???
Major Shifts in Search and SEO for Authors Google's Market Share Slips Below 90% For the first time since 2015, Google's search market share has fallen below 90%, marking a potentially historic shift in how people find information online. This decline signals what...
An Introduction to Author Ecosystems with Russell Nohelty
Explore the concept of author ecosystems and discover marketing strategies tailored to your unique approach and audience.
Do 45% of Authors *Already* Use AI?! | Author Update
Thomas: Welcome to Author Update. I'm Thomas Umstead, Jr. And sometimes on this show, we don't talk about AI even a little bit. And today is not one of those days. What's our first story, Jonathan? Jonathan: And I'm Jonathan Scherger. This is not one of those shows....
AI Optimization for Authors
Transform your approach to book marketing with AI optimization for authors. Find out how AI can help readers discover your book.
KDP Royalty Changes & Invasion of the AI Audiobooks
https://youtube.com/live/GysHpqdThoQ Introduction (00:01.851) Thomas: KDP royalty changes and invasion of the AI audiobooks. This is Author Update. I'm Thomas Umstatt, Jr. Jonathan: I'm Jonathan Shuerger, and we're just gonna jump right into it today. Spotify and...
Your Author Toolbox: Time-Saving Tools for Busy Authors
Discover this suite of innovative writing tools for authors designed to streamline your writing, marketing, email list, and sales efforts.
Author Update: Skype Dies, Romantasy Surges, and Mr. Beast Writes a Book
Introduction Thomas: Skype dies, Romantasy surges, and Mr. Beast starts writing the bestest, best-selling book ever. Or does he? Find out in this episode of Author Update. I'm Thomas Umstead, Jr. with Jonathan Sugar, and we have a lot of really surprisingly good news...
Genius Link: A Guide for Authors
Explore the benefits of universal book links for authors. Drive sales by linking to your book across multiple platforms worldwide.
Book Bans, Copyright Trolls Target Authors, and is Social Media Mostly Bots? | Author Update
Welcome to Author Update, your go-to source for the latest publishing industry news, marketing strategies, and author advice! In this episode, we dive into crucial developments affecting authors and their publishing journeys. Episode Highlights: 🔍 Social media AI bots...
How to PROFITABLY Advertise a Solo Book on Amazon
Learn how to profitably advertise a solo book on Amazon with expert tips on optimizing Amazon ads, targeting, and avoiding common pitfalls.
Does Facebook Think Your Book is Worthless, Author Certification & AI Gets Religion
https://youtube.com/live/IBKXbqEVvRo Introduction Thomas: Hello and welcome to Author Update. I'm Thomas Amstat Jr. In this episode we're going to talk about Meta defending its LLM training by saying novels are worthless, AIs finding religion, OpenAI's CEO claiming...
Introducing Author Update
Learn about our new podcast and YouTube show called Author Update, where you can stay up-to-date on all the latest publishing headlines.
2025 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors
Find the ideal laptop for authors and avoid overspending on unnecessary features that do not enhance your writing experience.
Tariffs Up & NaNoWiMo Closing Down | Author Update
Discover how rising tariffs and NaNoWriMo's closure impact authors in this Author Media update. Get insights and strategies to navigate these challenges and thrive as a writer. https://youtube.com/live/g2ip3Dm3vMY Thomas: Welcome to Author Update! I'm Thomas Umstattd...
How to Grow Your Email List Fast With Giveaways
Need more subscribers? Explore the Kingsumo book giveaway technique that helped one author gain thousands of new emails.
Invasion of the AI Images | Author Update
Explore the rise of AI-generated images and their impact on authors in this Author Update. Learn strategies to adapt and leverage AI tools for your writing success. https://youtube.com/live/BlyEOTCl0-I Outline Amazon Ads Expansion Amazon has recently expanded its...
Escaping the Procrastination Prison: A Guide for Tired Authors
Ten practical steps to help authors overcome procrastination, reclaim focus, and start writing and promoting books with confidence.
Did Meta Steal Your Book? | Author Update
Did Meta steal your book? This Author Media update investigates claims of content misuse, offering authors insights and steps to protect their work in the digital age. https://www.youtube.com/live/2HJYldahSqU?si=hf_NhVsMpBI-l9Kl Links: Novel Marketing Patreon How to...
How to Craft a Cancel Proof Marketing Strategy
Discover how author cancel culture has changed and learn about its impact on book sales and public perception.
Author Website Review: Christian Historical Romance
Explore strengths and weaknesses in website design and functionality for several bestselling historical Christian romance authors.
Book Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to Write
Learn how authors can use AI to generate book marketing ideas, audience descriptions, and images so they can reclaim their time for writing.
The Sci-Fi Zeitgeist Has Shifted: What Authors Need to Know
Dive into the essentials of writing a sci-fi novel amidst evolving themes like population collapse and AI advancements.
Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
Indie or traditional publishing? Hear from one author who experienced both and made a surprising decision.
Stop Writing Book Series!
Uncover the truth about writing a book series. Learn why it can be a risky endeavor for new authors.
How to Sell Books From a Table
Maximize your book sales at in-person events with these expert tips. Learn to effectively sell books and avoid common mistakes.
Read This Before Your Next Podcast Guest Interview
Learn how to sound like a pro during your podcast interview. Get tips on achieving good podcast sound without breaking the bank.
Zeitgeist: Karens Have a New Acronym A. W. F. U. L.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlBGgx85sX0 Thomas: This is a significant cultural shift, and the acronym is, frankly, awful. It stands for “Affluent White Female Urban Liberal.” It is being used in a way that feels similar to “WASP,” which stood for “White...
A Storytelling Revolution: Inside the World of Serialized Fiction
Learn how platforms like Royal Road and Ream Stories are revolutionizing serialized fiction and offering a path to building an audience.
Is Traditional Publishing Dying? Surprising Trends Authors Can’t Ignore
Explore the trends that will shape the industry and how they will impact authors.
Networking for Authors: How to Build Relationships Without Being Awkward
Many authors feel stuck. They're toiling away in obscurity, and none of their promotion efforts seem to go anywhere. Success in publishing is as much about who you know as what you know. And sometimes, the lack of knowing the right people keeps you from finding...
Project Management for Authors
Discover how project management techniques can help authors tackle the overwhelming task of writing, publishing, and marketing their books.
Cyber Monday Deals for Authors
Every Cyber Weekend (Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, Black Friday), I do my best to find the best deals for authors. Part of that means putting my own courses on sale. This post has a list of the top deals. You can find even more deals at...
How to Build a Rejection-Proof Platform in 2025
To build an author platform, you need a method that works long term. Discover one method and five steps that will give you a solid author platform to stand on.
Contact Page Dos & Don’ts for Authors
Learn how to create a successful author contact page and form that helps readers and influencers find you and makes spammers leave you alone.
How to Worldbuild Your Book into a Bestseller
Discover the power of story worldbuilding to captivate readers and boost book sales. Create immersive settings that leave a lasting impact.
How to Run a Local Book Festival
If you’ve wished for an in-person venue to sell books and connect with readers and authors, find out how starting a book festival can help.
How to Write Stories Readers Will Love by Knowing the Zeitgeist
If it takes you two years to write a book, you owe it to yourself to ask the question, "What kinds of books will be popular in two years?" Reader preferences change over time, but sometimes they change rapidly. If you don't keep up, you can get stuck writing a book...
How to Use Reverse Coupons
Discover how you can do a kindness for your readers, help them take action, and sell more books at a higher price with a reverse coupon.
How to Write Enduring Bestsellers with the Two-Act Chiastic Structure
Struggling to write your three-act story? Discover another story structure from ancient history that will satisfy your readers and help you finish your book.
101 Book Marketing Ideas That Will Change Your Life
We’ve compiled a list of book marketing ideas that will connect you to readers, build your brand, and sell your book. If you feel stuck with your book, this guide has the idea that will get you unstuck. The goal of this guide is to help get your creative juices...
The Strategy Behind Reader Super Magnets
Find out how to make your reader magnet super magnetic to attract your perfect target reader.
What to do When Book Sales Start Slipping
If you want to increase book sales after they’ve started to fall, check out this list of mistakes to avoid and strategies to try.
Marketing a Book Series with Kristina Stanley
Writing a series gives you marketing advantages if you do it right. Find out how to structure your series to maximize your marketing efforts.
Announcing the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference
Learn the details of the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference, how it will differ from last year’s conference, and what makes it unique.
How to Write Novels Men Want to Read
Explore the reasons why men may not be reading novels published by big publishers. Find out how this product-market mismatch affects male readership.
How to Deliver Your Book Baby
What to expect when you’re publishing a book and what your “book baby” needs for a healthy gestation, birth, and life.
How to Use Research to Market Your Novel
Wondering what to include in your newsletter, blog, or podcast? Find out how to repurpose your research and thrill your readers.
How to Create an Online Course
Learn how to transform your book into an engaging online course. Discover what types of content work best and how to maximize your course’s success.
How to Write Better Short Stories With Steve Diamond
Discover all the benefits of writing short stories and find out how to write a great one that will impact readers and prompt them to buy your books.
Web Hosting for Frugal Authors
To build an author website, you first need web hosting. Discover which type of web hosting is best for your author website and which to avoid.
How to Avoid Book-Marketing Overwhelm
If book marketing feels overwhelming, you may be facing these 10 stressors. Learn how to deal with each one and reduce your marketing stress.
The Savvy Author’s Guide to Passwords
Avoid four common password mistakes authors make and find out how you can never again forget or lose your passwords.
How Connor Boyack Sold Millions of Books Directly to Readers Without Using Amazon
Learn a reproducible strategy for getting to know your readers, selling to them directly, and avoiding Amazon’s ecosystem.
Are Pen Names Going Away?
There are several great reasons (and several bad ones) to use an author pen name. Find out which reasons still make sense in the age of AI authors and bots.
Why Your Book is Still Unfinished (Hint: It’s Your Phone’s Fault)
10 tips for using your smartphone to increase your productivity and limiting its ability to keep you from writing your book.
Printing the Future: Print-on-Demand with Offset-Quality by Bookvault
Learn how you can print high-quality hardbacks, outsource fulfillment, and sell directly from your author website, without using Amazon.
The Powerful Nonfiction Pitching Recipe That Works for Both Fiction and Nonfiction
Learning the formula for creating a compelling pitch that resonates with readers is key to selling your book. Learn four formats that can work for your nonfiction pitch.
From Tech Timid to Tech Savvy: How to Master Any Technology
Fear of technology keeps many authors from moving forward. Learn how to master technology and have fewer tech headaches.
The Thriving Author: How to Market Books When You Have Money to Invest
If you have a big budget for book marketing, opportunities abound. Find out which marketing expenses will yield the best return on your investment.
Speak, Engage, and Inspire: Secrets of Entertaining & Educational Webinars that Sell
Hosting a webinar can help you get to know your “Timothy” and grow your email list. Discover 12 tips for hosting a successful author webinar.
2024 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors
Authors can get overwhelmed by the process of choosing and buying a laptop computer. Find out what you need (or don’t need) and what works best.
How to Sell More Books With Amazon Ads
Learn six steps to quickly create your first ad to help you sell more books with Amazon ads, and discover how it can benefit your brand.
AI for Authors – The Good, Bad, and Ugly
Discover the evolution of writing technologies and find out how AI for authors in 2024 can increase your productivity and improve your skill.
Pros and Cons of Pre-Orders
Find out whether you should set up a preorder for your book (some authors shouldn’t), and discover tips to maximize preorder sales.
Marketing 101: Place
Selling your book in the right place is important for maximizing sales. Consider these three case studies and learn 12 online places and 24 offline places where you can sell your book.
How to use Reedsy to Independently Publish Your Book
Find out how Reedsy can help indie and traditional authors create beautiful, compelling, and marketable books.
Book Launch Secrets
Registration for the final cohort of the Book Launch Blueprint course is now open. Check out these book launch secrets and register for the course while you still can.
How to Publish on a Budget: Your First Five Years as an Author
Becoming a professional author will cost you. Find out how much and when an author should budget for their writing career.
How to Write Emails That Readers Want to Read
Discover the three elements that make readers open your emails, which element is least important, and how to write good emails readers want.
How to Build a Tribe Online And Form a Community of Readers
Find out how authors can build a community or readers, how that tribe differs from a platform, and how to keep them engaged without giving up all your free time.
The Starving Author: How to Market Books When You Have No Money
You have two options if you don’t have money to market your book. Find out how an “expensive option” can be the “budget option” and where to invest your time when you don’t have the money.
When to Quit Writing
Since few writers die at the keyboard, nearly all writers quit at some point, but how do you know when to quit writing? Answer these 5 questions to gain clarity.
From Page to Screen: How to Adapt Your Novel Into a Screenplay
Discover the important differences between writing for the page and the screen and find out how to turn your novel into a screenplay
Chrome Extensions Every Author Needs in 2024
Find out which Chrome extensions can make you more productive, improve your writing, and give you more time to write in 2024.
Publishing Industry Secrets Revealed at the Penguin Random House Trial
These secrets of the publishing industry offer important points for all authors to consider as they choose a publishing path.
How to Write for American Readers – An Author’s Guide to America’s Regional Cultures
To write for American readers, you must understand which American readers you’re targeting. Learn how American culture differs by region so you can write what resonates.
Seven Plugins Every Author Website Needs in 2024
There are 60,000 WordPress plugins available to you, but most authors only need a handful. Learn which plugins every author website needs in 2024.
How to Publish Your Book as an Audiobook With Scott Sigler
The booming audiobook market is prompting many authors to consider publishing their own audiobooks. Discover how to get your book on audio and increase your sales.
Time-Saving Tools for Authors
If you’re losing time or simply want to fine-tune your writing systems, check out these time-saving tools for authors.
How to Successfully Self Publish Your Book with James Blatch
Learn the seven critical steps to successfully self-publishing your book, and find out how to excel at each step of the process.
Black Friday Book Promotion Tips for Authors
Eight tips and three warnings to help you make the most of your Black Friday book promotion and marketing plan.
How to Protect Your Writing From Reputation Theft
Learn how to protect your writing from copyright infringement and which legal tools help you deal with AI-generated fraudulent versions of your books.
Book Marketing 101: Price
Learn how book pricing impacts sales and discover 14 strategies for finding the optimum price for your new or backlist books.
How Larry Correia Became a Mega-Bestseller by Writing for Overlooked Readers
Find out how to be an authentic author, sell more books, and expand your writing career by finding and writing for a specific group of readers.
How to Sell Books Directly to Readers with Joanna Penn
With the explosion of AI and a slew of paperbacks and ebooks for sale online, how can you make your book stand out and earn more per sale? Joanna Penn tells us how.
How to Win Friends and Pitch Your Book
Discover 6 steps to crafting a short pitch for your book and yourself before you attend your next conference or cocktail party.
The Most Important Lessons from 10 Years of Novel Marketing
Discover our list of the most important episodes we’ve recorded in the past ten years of podcasting about book marketing.
How Karyne Norton Successfully Kickstarted Her Book in 1 Hour
Find out how running a Kickstarter campaign for your book can solve one of the biggest challenge indie authors face.
Announcing the 2024 Novel Marketing Conference
Find out how the 2024 Novel Marketing Conference will help you apply your book-marketing knowledge and facilitate in-person connections.
Workshops, Retreats, and Pitches: How to pick the best writers conference for you
Learn what types of events are available and discover how to pick the best writers conference for your stage in the publishing journey.
Book Marketing 101: Product
If your book isn’t a good product, marketing gets harder. Find out whose opinion counts and learn to create a good book readers want to buy and read.
How to Run an Independent Publishing Company
Learn how running your own independent publishing company compares with publishing with a small house and how you can start your own company.
How to Get Book Clubs to Pick YOUR Book
Authors dream of having a book club pick their book to read and discuss. Find out how to make your book book-club-friendly.
From Book Blurb to Bestseller: How to Craft Compelling Amazon Pages With Dave Chesson
Learn how a free tool can help improve your book description, increase your sales, and improve the effectiveness of your Amazon sales page.
How the Hollywood Strikes Will Help (& Hurt!) Authors
Find out how the actors and screenwriters strikes will affect authors and provide some unprecedented opportunities.
Substack for Authors: An Exciting Opportunity or Just Hype?
Find out the advantages and limitations of Substack for authors with various platform-building strategies.
How to Make Money as an Author Assistant
If your publishing journey is sapping your bank account, learn how working as an author assistant will help you earn and learn simultaneously.
The Tortoise Release Method: Why Slow and Steady Beats Rapid Release
Avoid author burn out by establishing a sustainable publishing pace for the next 20 years. Learn how and when to plan your publishing tasks.
How to Extend Your Book’s Life With Effective Marketing
Find out how to market your book in the four stages of its lifecycle and how to extend book sales on older books.
Trim to Win: Why Saying ‘No’ is Crucial for Publishing Success: A Pruning Story
I have crepe myrtle trees in my front yard that have grown out of control. A neighbor noticed and gave me some tips on how to prune them to a manageable size. I took her advice and pruned the trees aggressively, but soon they were out of control again. Again, my...
Good Brands Vs. Big Brands
Find out if it’s better to create an author brand that is good or big. Discover the difference between the two and which should come first.
How to Hook Readers in the First 50 Pages
Learn how to optimize that tiny window to grab your reader within the first 50 pages and convince them to finish your book.
The Amazing Power of Reader Surveys
Find out why and how creating a reader survey can improve and transform your writing and relationship with readers.
How to Get Good Website Stats
Two important tools will help you see your website’s stats clearly. Find out which tools you need and what they tell you.
How to Turn a Podcast Episode into a Blog Post
Learn how turning your podcast content into a blog post can benefit you, your readers, and your website, and discover tools to help you get it done.
How to Thrive as an Author in Your Twilight Years
Learn how to clarify your writing goals, avoid damaging shortcuts, and write a book in retirement. You’re never too old to start writing.
How to Find Your Timothy
One person’s opinion about your book is more important than anyone else’s. Discover who it is and how to find them before you publish.
How to Create an Email Drip Marketing Campaign
Find out what to write in your first emails to new subscribers so they’re thrilled to read your emails and reluctant to unsubscribe.
How to Convince Readers to Read *Your* Book Next
Learn five steps to creating a compelling pitch that will pique the interest of publishers, agents, editors and readers.
How to Nail a Hostile Media Interview
Don’t shy away from a potentially hostile interview. Instead, follow these tips to give the journalist what you want them to publish.
The Psychological Reasons Readers Read Books
You have a major advantage over AI writing tools like GPT-4 and ChatGPT. Learn how to discover and leveraging your edge in your genre.
How to Prepare for Your First Webinar
Grow your email list, get to know your audience, and boost your income potential by learning how to host an author webinar.
The 2023 Book Launch Blueprint
Registration for our annual course is now open. Find out what you’ll learn, what’s been updated, and if it’s the right course for you.
Why Many People Are Afraid to Buy Books (Marketing Psychology)
Find out how a powerful marketing tool of loss aversion can be an ally for authors and not an enemy of sales.
How to Successfully Market a Children’s Book
Learn the innovative and old-fashioned ways successful authors market a children’s book to kids, parents, teachers, and librarians.
How a War Between China and Taiwan Would Change Reading, Writing, and Publishing
Learn how geopolitics affect supply chain issues for authors and how to continue writing amid political or economic disruptions.
AI Book Covers & ChatGPT
Find out how authors use ChatGPT, Midjourney, and other AI tools to create book covers, characters, and plot ideas for their books.
How to Look and Sound Professional on Zoom, Webinars, and Podcasts
Give yourself an edge over most authors by following these tips to look and sound professional on webinars, Zoom calls, and podcasts.
How to Get More Book Reviews With Derek Doepker
Bestselling author and marketing strategist Derek Doepker shares tips to help you get more book reviews before, during, or after your launch.
Brandon Sanderson’s Crop Rotation Method for Restful Rapid Writing
If writing seems harder than it used to or you feel burnt out, consider this four-step method of rotation to revive your writing career.
How to Build Hype for a Debut Novel
Learn which book launching techniques a debut YA author used to successfully crowdfund and launch her first novel.
Whisper and the World Whispers Back
When readers can’t hear about your book, they can’t read it, even if it’s really good. Learn three reasons your book promotion may fall flat.
Trolls, Haters, and Critics Oh My – How to Handle Negative Feedback as an Author
The cold reality of being a writer is that some people will hate you and your writing. What do you do about those people?
20 Ways to Promote Your Book During the Holiday Season
If you want to maximize your holiday book promotion, implement some or all of these 20 strategies to boost your book sales this Christmas.
How to Grow your Platform Without Social Media – with Sandy Cooper
Can you leave social media and still grow a platform from which to launch your books? Sandy Cooper has the answer in this interview.
How to Save Money as an Author
There's an old saying that the way to make a small fortune in publishing is to start with a large fortune. While the early days of publishing favored independently wealthy authors, things have changed. Publishing may be cheaper than it once was, but it’s not free....
How to Hire a Good Editor
Every successful author needs a professional editor. Learn three simple steps for finding a good editor who will improve your book.
How BookFunnel Can Help you Grow Your Email List
BookFunnel offers amazing and useful tools for authors looking to give their readers the fastest, easiest and most enjoyable e-reading experience.
Obscure No More Course Overview
Obscure No More is your one-stop shop for learning to build a platform and market your book. Find out how to access these 12 critical lessons.
Do novelists need a college writing degree?
Young novelists (and their parents) will learn how to evaluate the usefulness of a college writing degree and examine viable alternatives.
How to Use QR Codes to Boost Book Sales & Grow Your Email List
Learn six ways authors can use book QR codes to connect with readers and promote their books online and offline.
How to Find a Good Literary Agent – with Mary DeMuth
To be published by a traditional publisher, you must find a good literary agent. Mary DeMuth shares tips on finding and retaining an agent.
How to Supercharge Ebook Sales
If your ebook sales are lagging, these 7 strategies will teach you how to market your ebook effectively with tactics specific to ebooks.
How to Turn a Podcast into a Bestselling Novel – with Scott Sigler
Learn how podcasting a novel launched Scott Sigler’s books to the NYT bestseller list, and how he’s sustained his podcast for over a decade.
Marketing Lessons from Bestselling Author James Patterson
Learn how James Patterson got his start as a writer, how he maintains success, and how you can implement his methods in your writing.
How to Work with an AI Writing Assistant
Learn how this AI tool can help you overcome writer’s block by generating ideas and suggestions to spur your imagination and get you unstuck.
Affiliate Marketing for Authors
Find out how authors who take advantage of affiliate marketing opportunities can earn income even before their books are published.
How to Become an Amazon Affiliate
A step-by-step guide for setting up your Amazon Associate account so you can earn money through affiliate links on your author website.
How to Market Your Book in a Recession (Preview)
Find out what you’re missing in our patrons-only episodes and learn how to get access to tools, agents, and significant discounts.
AI Tools for Authors
When you use artificial intelligence tools for writing, you can improve your craft and create books faster. Find out which AI tools will benefit you most.
How to Find the Perfect Narrator for Your Audiobook – with James L. Rubart
Learn how to find and work with a narrator to produce your audiobook.
How to Become a Big Name Author (Marketing Psychology: Authority)
Learn three ways authors can leverage marketing psychology to develop credibility with their readers and become big-name authors.
How to Crowdfund Your Book
Learn how to solve your cash flow problem with these tips for crowdfunding your book before it’s published.
How to Diversify Your Income as an Author
Few authors make a living on book sales alone. Learn how Joanna Penn generates income from over 120 writing-related sources.
How to Get Better at Public Speaking with Jane Jenkins Herlong
Tips and advice for securing your first speaking engagement, nailing your presentation, selling books, and getting invited back.
Hybrid Publishing
Is working with a hybrid publisher the right decision for you? Learn the pros and cons of hybrid publishing and how to explore your options.
How to Promote Your Book Using AuthorsXP.com with Amy Vansant
I love introducing authors to tools that can make their writing lives easier. Some tools help you write better, publish more easily, grow your email list, and increase your readership. Different tools work for different authors, so I'm not dogmatic about which tools...
Write Bestselling Pitches by Avoiding These 10 Copywriting Mistakes
If you want to write bestselling pitches for your book, be sure to avoid these 10 copywriting mistakes!
How to Record Your Own Audiobook Using Hindenburg Narrator
According to The NPD Group, ebook sales for traditionally published books went down in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile, the most recent data for audiobooks states that sales are up by 12%. Do I need an audio version of my book? The data is clear. You...
7 Business Mistakes That Ruin Author Careers
Having an author business plan can save you time and money. Learn the most common business mistakes authors make and how you can avoid them.
How to Conduct Your Own Media Tour (without hiring a PR Firm) With Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith shares pro tips for getting booked on podcasts, radio, and TV by scheduling your own author media tour.
How to Grow Your Email List Using Delicious Reader Magnets with Tammi Labrecque
Learn how to create a reader magnet (or lead magnet), what to do with it, and how to deliver it to grow your email list.
How to Get the Most Out of Scrivener
Scrivener is a popular writing software for authors. Learn about some of its best features in our interview with David Lee Martin.
Why do good books fail to sell while poorly written books fly off the shelves?
Learn the 3 reasons some average books are perennial bestsellers while other well-written books aren’t.
Innovative Indie Marketing with S.D. Smith
Independent authors need marketing tools and skills to be successful. Learn how one indie author reduced his reliance on gatekeepers and sold books directly to his readers.
10 Reasons to Delay Your Book Launch
Find out why you should delay your book launch, how long you should wait, and what to do in the meantime to improve your book’s chances of success.
How to Use Goodreads to Promote Your Book
Goodreads is one of the most effective social networks for authors. Learn how to use Goodreads to connect with readers and sell more books.
Effective Book Cover Design
A bad book cover can ruin all your marketing efforts. Learn what makes a good book cover in this interview with a top cover designer.
Facebook Advertising for Authors
Facebook can be useful for authors if you use it in the right way. Find out how you can use Facebook to help you sell more books.
How to Launch Your Book on a Budget
Is your book launch budget filled with expenses or investments? Learn how and where to spend your time and money to get the greatest return.
How to Launch Your Book in 2022
Your book deserves a well-planned, effective book launch. Learn how to maximize sales in those all-important first 30 days after release.
How to Build an Author Brand with David Loy
Learn how to create an author brand that communicates your message and your reputation in this interview with digital marketing expert David Loy.
How to Speed Up Your Author Website
If your author website doesn’t show in Google’s search results, make sure you’ve removed these website speed bumps.
Everything Authors Need to Know About Writing in Atticus
Authors typically use different software tools for everything from plotting to typesetting. But now authors can use one efficient multitool from start to finish.
How to Write More Productively
If you need a plan and process for writing books, learn the secret to writing multiple books every year in this interview with author Angela Hunt.
How to Write Short Stories with James Scott Bell
Learn to write short stories that readers crave. One of the best authors in the world, bestselling author James Scott Bell, teaches us how.
7 Things Santa Can Teach Authors About Book Marketing
Seven book marketing lessons from Santa for Authors
What Every Author Needs to Know About Cyber Security
Every author needs cyber security. Discover which of your vectors are most vulnerable to attack and how you can protect them.
Tools To Make Publishing Easier
We are in the process of replacing the dirt and rocks in our backyard with grass for the children to play in. At first, things went well using the shovel but then when we got to the final rocks, the shovel just did not work well. Then we tried a rake, and boom!...
How to Run a Kickstarter Campaign for Your Second Book with Jonathan Shuerger
Learn how to raise money from future readers, pay for your book before you publish it, and reward your supporters for contributing.
How to Create an Author Press Kit with Susan Neal
If you want to secure media interviews about your book, learn why you need an author press kit, what you should include, and where to place it on your website.
What Every Author Needs to Know About Copyright Law with James Scott Bell
Find out who should register the copyright for a book, why it may be important, and when is the best time to do it.
How to Grow Your Podcast Audience – with David Hooper
Learn how to increase your podcast’s impact by connecting with other podcasters, authors, and audiences who are interested in your book.
Is Your Author “About Me” Page Boring Your Readers To Death?
Most author About Me pages are as fascinating as Mr. Rogers’ sweater choices. Here’s how to craft a killer About page.
How to Write Faster and Better with Chris Fox
Chris Fox shares a method authors can use to increase writing output and improve craft. Implement these habits to write faster and better.
Author Media: The Behind-the-Scenes Story
Peek behind the scenes to find out how Author Media came to serve authors like you and how we’ll serve you in the coming years.
How Jack Ellem Went from Unpublished to Bestselling Indie Author
Find out how Jack Ellem became a bestselling indie author in two foreign countries while living in Australia and learn how his strategies can work for you.
How to Use Price Pulsing to Supercharge Your Backlist Sales
Discover three ways to revive your backlist and increase sales with price pulsing.
How to Get Endorsements for Your Book
The right endorsement for your book can make a huge impact on sales. Follow these five steps to get effective endorsements.
Yes, YOU Can Make a Living as a Writer, Here’s How
There are four different ways authors can earn a living through writing. Find out which one you can leverage to make an income.
How to Sell Your Book In Person (and make way more money per copy)
Author make the most profit when they sell books in person. Take these five steps to sell more books and increase your revenue.
Everything Authors Need to Know About K-Lytics
Find out how k-lytics can help you discover what readers are currently buying so you can increase your chances of success.
How to Write Book Reviews Readers Will Want to Read
Five tips to help you write useful book reviews that will build credibility and connection with your readers.
An Author’s Guide to StoryOrigin
Learn how you can grow your author email list with the help of StoryOrigin’s author community and list-building tools.
How Author Websites Irritate Readers (and what to do about it)
Have you ever been irritated by a website? Did you know that readers may be having that exact same experience when they visit your website? Ticking off your website visitors is a bad way to get more readers. Here are seven ways author websites annoy visitors and what to do about it.
How to Spend LESS Time Marketing Your Book
Learn how to get stellar book sales while spending LESS time on marketing. If book promotion stresses you out, these steps are for you.
The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing
If you want to succeed in publishing, heed these book marketing commandments.
The Author’s Guide to LLCs
Learn when and why you should form an LLC for your author business. Discover who can help you get it done and how much it will cost.
How to Find Your Readers
Follow these five steps to find out what your readers like and want in a book. Their preferences might surprise you and lead you to success.
Niche Marketing: A Coaching Session
Writing to a small niche has its advantages. In this coaching session, an author asks how to market to a very small segment of readers.
How to Get a Reader’s Attention by Shocking Broca
Learn how natural brain function can help you get your reader’s attention so you can introduce them to your book.
7 Kinds of Indie Authors
Find out which kind of indie author you are and which sales strategies and promotional tools will work best for you.
Two Quick Announcements
While you wait for the next episode, check out these two resources for authors.
How to Pitch Your Novel
Learn how and when to craft a compelling pitch that make agents, readers, and publishers curious about your novel.
A New Social Network for Authors
Learn how to avoid social media distractions, connect with qualified authors, and write better books with our new social network for authors.
How Jason Porterfield Grew His Email List from 0 to 6,000 in One Year
Learn which Facebook ads work best for connecting with interested readers, growing your author email list, and ultimately selling books.
How to Overcome the Fear of Book Promotion
Learn how to find your readers, write the book they want, and overcome the fear of promoting your book to them.
How to Create Press Releases
Eight strategies to help you create a compelling news release.
How to Get Strangers to Want to Buy Your Book Using Reciprocity (Marketing Psychology)
Learn how three principles of reciprocity will help you show kindness to your readers and sell more books.
How to Connect with Teen Readers: A Coaching Session With a Pre-Published YA Novelist
Learn how authors writing YA books can connect with teen readers.
How to Publish Your Book Independently
A step-by-step guide to help you publish your book independently.
10 Decisions Every Indie Author Needs to Make
Expert advice for the 10 critical decisions of indie publishing.
How to Get More 5-Star Reviews With Beta Readers, Editors, and Launch Teams
Connect with three groups of people who will help you write a book that makes readers want to write raving reviews.
The 2021 Book Launch Blueprint is Here!
Develop a comprehensive strategy to maximize your book sales in the first 30 days after release with the Book Launch Blueprint Course.
How to Improve Your Author Website with Carla Hoch
Learn how to create an author website your readers want to visit. Carla Hoch shares her success story.
A Short History of Facebook Marketing for Authors
Facebook is about to change. Authors need to know what’s coming and how to survive the digital upheaval.
10 Classic Branding Blunders Authors Make (and how to avoid them)
Authors with weak brands get ignored by publishers and readers alike. Learn how to avoid the 10 most common author branding mistakes.
How to Market Books to Homeschool Families with Tricia Goyer
Tricia Goyer explains how authors can connect with an enormous market of faithful readers in the homeschool community.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Author Websites
Learn how to improve your website’s SEO so readers can easily find you and buy your books.
How to Promote Literary Fiction With Jane Friedman
Marketing literary fiction is different than marketing genre fiction. Standard marketing practices don’t always work. In this article you’ll learn what does.
Amazon Advertising
Amazon continually tests and changes their ads platform, and authors must stay up to date. Bryan Cohen reports on what’s changed this year.
How to Prevent Writing Burnout
Follow these four crucial principles to avoid author burnout and maintain a healthy writing career.
How to Pick a Strong Book Title
Your book’s title should accomplish four goals with only a few words. Learn how to create a memorable title that is easy to find and recommend.
Parler, MeWe, and How to Navigate Social Media Splintering as an Author
Should authors establish a presence on Parler and MeWe? Learn about the new social media platforms, and find out if you can connect with your readers there.
How to Find and Work With a Virtual Assistant
Learn how to make more time for writing by hiring an assistant. It may cost less than you think, and it will free you up to focus on your writing.
How to Develop an Author Tagline
You can develop a focused author tagline and build your brand by answering these questions about yourself and your message.
The 5 Baby-Step Platform Building Process
New authors can implement these important baby steps to strengthen their career development right now. Learn to walk before you run.
How to Build a Rejection-Proof Platform Q&A
15 answers to your questions about building an author platform.
How to Start Building a Rejection Proof Platform
No matter how you publish, you’ll need a sturdy platform. Learn which techniques successful authors use to build reliable platforms.
How to Advertise Your Book on Podcasts
Podcast advertising is one of the most effective advertising venues for authors with audiobooks. Heather Osgood offers seven steps to great podcast advertising.
Why Rapid Release is a Risky Book Launch Strategy
Is rapid release a shortcut to success? Or is it a trap that could destroy your author career? Learn when and why it does and doesn’t work.
How to Get Published with a Traditional Publishing House
Before you sign a book contract with a traditional publisher, you need to know these seven important steps.
How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Six steps to creating an email sequence that will help your subscribers get to know, like, and trust you.
How to Market Your Audiobook
These seven strategies will help you form a close connection with your audience, create a high-quality audio experience, and sell more audiobooks.
How to Make Money From Your Platform
You can earn money with your platform before your book releases. Dave Jackson shows us how.
How to Pick the Right Email Marketing Service for You
Find out which email service provider is right for you and your platform.
Episode 250: The Story of Thomas Umstattd Jr.
Learn how the Novel Marketing evolved and how growth has been sustained for 250 episodes.
Software Guide for Authors
Authors and writers can work smarter, not harder, with these hardware and software tools that will increase your productivity and lead you to success.
How to Survive Cancel Culture as a Writer
Learn three strategies that will protect your writing career from cancel culture.
Publishing Myths That Will Waste Your Time and Money
Don’t fall for these nine publishing myths that spread like a virus. Keep your publishing career healthy and learn what to do instead of falling for viral myths.
Lessons from Blogging a Book
For years I’ve had Thomas Umstattd’s voice in my head telling me to blog my book. “Test out your ideas,” he said. “Start building your audience,” he said. “It’ll be easy,” he said. Well, maybe he didn’t say it would be easy. Blogging my book was, in fact, one of...
How to Build an Author Website in a Day
You don’t need to hire a company to build you a website, you can do it yourself and it is easier than you think. You can learn how to build your very own professional author website.
8 Tools to Help Authors Get More Email Subscribers
Grow your author email list with these 8 powerful tools.
How to Price Your Book Using Marketing Psychology
How you price your book will impact your sales. Every price-point has a profitable strategy. Find out which one is right for your book.
Where Negative Book Reviews Come From And How to Make Them Go Away
Not all bad reviews are bad for sales. Learn how to get fewer bad reviews and how to respond to the ones you have.
Painful Book Launch Lessons You Don’t Want to Learn the Hard Way
Don’t make these four painful book launch mistakes.
COVID-19 Kindle Stats: Genre Winners and Losers
How has COVID-19 impacted the Kindle ebook market? Alex Newton answers based on the data.
How to Launch a Book in 2020
Launch your book with the help of professional coaching and a customized plan.
How to Use Metadata to Sell More Books
Joshua Tallent teaches authors how to create quality metadata to increase book sales.
Readers Are Changing What They Read (and what to do about it)
What will the future hold for authors and readers? If you pay attention, you can predict what readers will be looking for in the future.
How to Launch a Book: A Coaching Session With Krystal Proffitt
Learn how to create a plan and timeline to build your platform and successfully launch your book.
11 Places to Get Free and Legal Photos for Your Blog
If you can’t afford to buy a photo, you can’t afford the fines (or time!) that comes from stealing one. Here are 11 free & legal photo sites.
How to Start an Author Podcast
Podcasting is one of the hottest marketing techniques for authors right now and for good reason. In this episode you will learn how to start your own podcast.
How to Quiet Your Inner Editor (so you can write faster)
James L. Rubart shares ten tips to quiet your inner editor.
How to Build Your Platform During Your Social Distancing
10 ways to progress as a writer while everything else is on hold.
7 Blogs Every Author Should Follow
One of the best way to improve your writing is to learn from the best. Here are seven blogs that not only are good examples of excellent blogging but will also help you hone your craft and sell your books.
How to Get More Book Reviews with Jim Kukral
The more reviews you have, the more books you sell. And the more books you sell, the more reviews you get.
Kickstarter Tips and Tricks With Chris Fox
Learn how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign with Chris Fox.
What Indie Authors Need to Know About Kindle Unlimited with Lacy Williams
Kindle Unlimited (Affiliate Link), also called KU, is the “Netflix of ebooks.” It costs readers $9.99 per month to get unlimited access to over one million ebooks. So, is it a good idea for your book to be in Kindle Unlimited?
How to Make Your Book More Popular (Marketing Psychology: Social Proof)
The better you know what motivates readers, the better you can motivate them to read your book. This is the heart of marketing. Please use it for good.
State of the Kindle 2020
Learn about Kindle ebook trends in 2020 with Alex Newton of K-lytics.
How to Work With Fellow Authors To Sell More Books
You are not in this alone! Authors who work together sell more books than lone ranger writers.
How to Rank in Amazon Search Results with Dave Chesson
Learn Amazon SEO tips and tricks with guest Dave Chesson.
How to Use Scarcity & Ubiquity to Make Your Book Irresistible (Marketing Psychology)
Scarcity makes your book valuable, Ubiquity makes it profitable. Learn how your book can be both for maximum results.
How Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Grew Her Email List by 23k Using a Reader Quiz
Learn how Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith used an online quiz to add 23,000 new email addresses to her list in one year without spending money on advertising.
How to Create Urgency to Buy Your Book (Marketing Psychology)
The better you know what motivates readers, the better you can motivate them to read your book. This is the heart of marketing. Please use social triggers like urgency for good.
How to Optimize Your Amazon Listing with Bryan Cohen
A bad Amazon book page can hamper all your marketing efforts. Bryan Cohen tells authors how an optimized book page can drastically improve your sales.
Productivity Tips for Authors With Joanna Penn
Joanna Penn shares how to be productive in the new year.
The Enclave Files
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what a traditional publisher’s marketing director does. Find out which strategies work and which don’t.
Marketing 101: How Readers Make Buying Decisions at Physical Bookstores
The better you understand your reader’s customer journey, the more books you can sell.
Where to Find Mentorship for Your Publishing Career
Discover 10 places where you can find a writing mentor, from inexpensive avenues to more costly one-on-one options for authors.
Literary Universe Marketing
Learn how connecting your books in a shared literary universe can help boost sales.
Print On Demand vs Offset Printing for Indie Books
Find out which printing method makes the best business sense for your book’s genre and your author career.
How to Combine 2 Different Websites Without Losing Search Rankings
Learn about the advantages of combining websites. Simplify your web maintenance and improve your online visibility the right way.
Why Demographics are Mostly Useless And Why You Should Use Psychographics Instead
In this episode we talk about why demographics are mostly useless and why you should use psychographics instead.
How to Use Marketing Data To Sell More Books
You’ve collected data from your website, social media campaigns, and previous sales, but how does that data help your future book sales?
Public Speaking for the Introverted Writer with Joanna Penn
Joanna Penn gives introverted writers tips and courage for overcoming fear of public speaking.
Bookstagramming on Instagram With Nadine Brandes
Bookstagraming on Instagram With Nadine Brandes
How to Get Booked for Guest Podcast Interviews Overview
Sell more books with these tips to becoming a sought-after podcast guest.
How to Run a Podcast Tour (With Guest Mary DeMuth)
Uncover the power of a podcast tour in reaching new audiences. Learn from veteran author Mary DeMuth about effective podcast strategies.
90% of Top USA Today Bestselling Authors Have a Podcast Presence
Literary Agent Steve Laube recently released a blog post showing that 100% of ECPA Bestselling authors had a podcast presence as either hosts or guests. 60% were both hosts and guests! We were curious to see how many authors on the USA Today Bestseller List had a...
Where to Spend Your Marketing Dollars
Where to Spend Your Marketing Dollars
How to Go From 10 to 10,000 Readers in Five Years
How to Go From 10 to 10,000 Readers in Five Years
How to Pick a Social Network as an Author (Infographic)
How to Pick Which Social Network Is Best For You
Focus, Pruning and Why Novel Marketing is About to Change
Cutting activities from your life and business might be the most important move you’ll ever make to increase your growth.
Book Marketing Milestones
Book Marketing Milestones
How to Create a Landing Page
Eight tips and tools for creating effective landing pages that will build your email list and your connection to your readers.
Book Marketing 101: How to Price Your Ebook
Book Marketing 101: How to Price Your Ebook
200th Episode Celebration
Celebration
How to Create a Design Brief for Your Book Cover
Help your cover designer create the best possible book cover by providing a design brief document. Learn what to include and avoid.
How to Protect Yourself from Counterfeiting and Other Amazon Attacks
Learn how to protect yourself from counterfeiting and other attacks on Amazon.
How To Sell A Ton More Books With Public Speaking
Public speaking is a skill authors can learn and improve. Here are six tips for connecting with your readers by becoming a better speaker.
How to Add a Hyperlink in WordPress
There are two ways to add a hyperlink to a Wordpress post. I’ll teach you both.
Plagiarism, Copyright and Is Piracy Really a Problem for Authors?
Plagiarism, Copyright and Is Piracy Really a Problem for Authors? Find out what you can do if your book is pirated.
How to Work With Brick and Mortar Bookstores
Discover how indie bookstores are shaping the future of Barnes & Noble amid a changing publishing landscape.
What to Do When Your Book is Not Selling
If your book isn’t selling well, Thomas and Jim will help you discover the problem and then show you how to fix it.
How to Create Powerful Ads for Authors Who Hate Math! with Chris Fox
Before you advertise your book online, find out which parts of your ad are most important and which ad platform will work best for your book.
Marketing 101: Ten Advertising Terms You Need to Know
Your advertising will be more efficient and effective when you understand these ten advertising terms for authors.
How to Track Your Book Promotion
Learn how to measure the results of your book marketing efforts with these online tools and dashboards.
How to Navigate the Mailchimp Explosion!
How to Navigate the Mailchimp Explosion!
How to Use Bookbub to Sell More Books with David Gaughran
Learn how BookBub can help you as a reader and how BookBub ads can help any author sell more books.
How to Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch for Your Book
Learn how to talk about your book in a concise, compelling way that will interest publishing professionals and make readers want to buy.
How One Author Used Her Shelved Manuscript to Get a 3 Book Deal
How One Author Used Her Shelved Manuscript to Get a 3 Book Deal
How to Get A Publishing Board To Buy Your Book
If you want to be traditionally published, you need to know these 6 decision-makers and which part of your proposal matters to each.
The 5 Best Free WordPress Plugins for Authors
Make your author website easier for readers to find and more fun to visit by using the 5 best free plugins for WordPress websites.
How To Keep Writing When You’re Scared About What Others Will Think
How To Keep Writing When You’re Scared About What Others Will Think
How to Work with Editors: Insights from One of the Best in the Business
Discover valuable tips on how to work with an editor and build a thriving author-editor relationship for better writing.
Author Taglines With Brandilyn Collins
Author Brandilyn Collins gives tips on how to find your perfect author tagline and discusses whether you need one at all.
How to Use Your Book’s Back Matter to Sell More Books
Learn how to use your book’s back matter to sell more books and grow your email list.
How to Sell More Books Using Bookmarks and Business Cards
Learn how to make the best use of two important printed marketing tools.
How to Find and Work with Beta Readers
Find out why you need beta readers and how to assemble a team to provide feedback that will improve your book.
Marketing 101: Twelve Marketing Terms Every Author Must Understand
Get familiar with 12 key marketing terms for authors to navigate promotions and analytics, and make smarter marketing decisions.
How to Get Your First Speaking Gigs
One of the best ways to sell books is to speak in person at live events. Here are three steps to booking your first speaking gigs.
How to Grow Your Email List With Book Sweeps
Authors learn how to build an email list without breaking the bank, and how to build a relationship with their new subscribers.
How David Rawlings Broke Into the US Market Despite Living Overseas (Case Study)
Australian novelist David Rawlings secured an American agent and publisher from 7,500 miles away. In this article, he shares his best tips for new authors.
How You Can Create Massive PR for Yourself, Even If You’re A Complete Novice
Unlock the secrets of author PR and publicity. Learn effective strategies that even novices can implement without breaking the bank.
How to Create a Written Book Launch Plan
One critical element of a successful book launch is your written book launch plan. Find out what your plan should include and when to schedule your tasks.
Bonus Book Launch Q&A
In this special bonus episode of Novel Marketing, we answer YOUR book launch and book marketing questions. You can watch a video version of the Q&A below.
Marketing 101: How to Create a Value Proposition for Your Book
Discover 7 questions that will help you develop a value proposition for your book that will make all your marketing easier.
How To Split Test Your Book Title Ideas With Facebook Ads
Learn how to use reliable scientific data to help you choose the best title, cover, or blurb for your book.