Zeitgeist
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The Cultural Zeitgeist Shift That’s Making Indie Authors Rich
Discover the cultural shift in zeitgeist that reflects the changing preferences of American readers.
Zeitgeist: Davy Crockett King of the First Turning
I’ve been pondering a lot about the return of King Arthur in the new zeitgeist. I am starting to wonder if Arthur will return, and specifically, if he will return to America. America has had two kings and neither of them were Arthur. Our kings were Davy Crockett, King...
The Mary Poppins Zeitgeist: From Grimbright to Nobledark
This 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 Thomas Umstattd Jr. and Jonathan Shuerger explore the spectrum from Grimbright to...
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...
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.
Is Traditional Publishing Dying? Surprising Trends Authors Can’t Ignore
Explore the trends that will shape the industry and how they will impact authors.
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...
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.
Turnings
Turnings
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.
Author Website Review: Christian Historical Romance
Explore strengths and weaknesses in website design and functionality for several bestselling historical Christian romance authors.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
News
News
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...
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 Add a Hyperlink in WordPress
There are two ways to add a hyperlink to a Wordpress post. I’ll teach you both.
Genre Analysis
Genre Analysis
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Movie Reviews
Movie Reviews
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.
Adapting a Podcast to YouTube
Discover the keys to adapting a podcast to YouTube. Understand what works best to grow your channel effectively.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Culture & Politics
Culture & Politics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.