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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.
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.
Platform
Platform
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.
A Nonfiction Author’s Guide to Substack
Learn how nonfiction authors are using Substack to reach audiences and convert them into paying subscribers seamlessly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Publishing
Publishing
Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: Metadata
Discover how metadata for books can significantly improve your book sales and visibility in online stores like Amazon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference
Find out what makes the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference unique and find out how you can join us.
Promotion
Promotion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.