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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.
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...
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...
Platform
Platform
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...
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.
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...
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.
Why Most Authors Don’t Need Social Media in 2025
Social media changes so quickly. Find out which platforms and strategies work for selling books in 2022.
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.
Publishing
Publishing
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.
Is Traditional Publishing Dying? Surprising Trends Authors Can’t Ignore in 2025
Explore the trends that will shape the industry and how they will impact authors.
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.
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.
Promotion
Promotion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.