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Publishing
Promotion
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
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.
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...
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...
Platform
Platform
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.
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.
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 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.
Publishing
Publishing
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.