Podcasts about book publishing

In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author and sponsorship expert Roberta Vigilance to join her for an hour of show and tell … an hour to grow your support network. Roberta is the author of How to Secure Sponsors Successfully and other sponsorship guides. Her website is www.RobertaVigilance.com Your take aways include: -What is sponsorship, and how is it different from donations? -What do sponsors actually look for before they say yes? -What is the biggest mistake people make when reaching out to sponsors? -How early should someone start approaching sponsors for an event? -Why most sponsorship outreach fails (and how to fix it). -How to approach sponsors with clarity and confidence. -The difference between donations and sponsorship. -How to build long-term sponsor relationships. -What is one simple step someone can take today to be more attractive to sponsors? And of course, much more. You'll come away with tips for expanding your “author support” chops. Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 22 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I'm joined by Emma Grey, whose newest novel, Start at the End, publishes on April 7, 2026. We talk about writing brave stories and building a creative life that can withstand rejection.Emma shares how vulnerability fuels her fiction. Not for shock value, but how honest emotions earn their place on the page. We talk about how she approaches structure, how she stays grounded in character, and why the process of storytelling keeps evolving right alongside the writer.We also get into rejection. The real kind, the kind that stings. Emma's take? It's part of the path, and it's not a verdict on your talent.And then there's what's next for Emma—TV adaptation plans and the shift from prose to screen. What changes? What stays? And how do you protect the emotional core of a story when new collaborators step in?If you're writing something that feels personal—or wondering whether you're resilient enough to keep going—this conversation is a must-listen. *****This episode is sponsored by Atticus, the all-in-one writing and book formatting software for self-publishing authors. From drafting to professional ebook and print layout, Atticus makes it easy to format your manuscript for KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond. Learn more at Atticus.io. WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 

Award-winning illustrator Raissa Figeuroa joins Sam Cotterill and Lee White to share her path from making art part-time to becoming the illustrator of over 25 books in 5 years.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

After 130 episodes, it's time for an evolution. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why we are shifting the format of the show and how these changes are designed to help you—the nonfiction author—navigate the "team sport" of publishing with more clarity and real-world insight.In This Episode, You'll Discover:The Power of the "Team Sport": Why going it alone is the hardest way to publish and how a team of experts elevates your brand.Why Failure is a Teacher: Why I'm committed to sharing the "real-time" struggles and setbacks of the authors I work with, not just the highlights.The New 4-Part Monthly Format: A breakdown of how each month will now be structured to provide a 360-degree view of the publishing process.The New Monthly RoadmapStarting March 16th, every four episodes will follow a specific theme (e.g., Marketing, Ghostwriting, Editing) using this flow:Episode 1: The Foundation – A solo deep dive where I share my personal insights and what you need to consider regarding the month's theme.Episode 2: The Author's Journey – An interview with an author I have personally worked with. No fluff—just real stories of their current struggles and successes.Episode 3: The Expert's Lens – I'll bring in the pros (editors, ghostwriters, marketers) to fill the gaps and share technical expertise I don't provide alone.Episode 4: The Recap & Listener Q&A – We'll pull the insights together and answer your specific questions about the topic.Key Quotes from the Episode"A book is a team sport. No matter how hard or how smart you are, you need the expertise of others to produce a book people actually want to read.What's Next?Mark Your Calendars: We are taking a brief break next week (look out for a possible preview!), and our first official themed series kicks off on March 16th.Get Involved: We are bringing back the Q&A segment! If you have questions about writing, publishing, or building your brand, I want to hear them for our Episode 4 recaps.Share the Love: Know a fellow speaker, consultant, or coach who is ready to write their book? Share this episode with them and help us spread the word about the new format!Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensenLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Publishing likes to imagine itself as a marketplace of ideas with a strong immune system: good arguments win, bad ones fade, and editors act as principled gatekeepers. In practice, it's also an industry with thin margins, status anxiety, and a constant fear of reputational damage. Adam Szetela argues that a lot of what gets called "cancel culture" in books is better understood as risk management under social media conditions. Outrage compresses timelines, collapses context, and turns interpretation into a moral referendum. A handful of motivated actors can create the impression of a mass consensus—and once that perception takes hold, institutions often move first and ask questions later. We talk about how "sensitivity reading" functions in this environment: sometimes as thoughtful critique, sometimes as a liability shield, and sometimes as a tool that quietly shifts a book's meaning toward whatever ideology currently feels safest. The result is a distributed system of incentives that nudges publishers toward caution, self-censorship, and blandness … while occasionally rewarding controversy because conflict drives attention. This conversation doesn't treat every public criticism as illegitimate, or every publisher decision as cowardice. The point is to map the machinery: how reputations get threatened, how moral language expands, why apologies can backfire, and why the incentives often select for the loudest framing over the most accurate one. Adam Szetela earned his PhD in English from the Department of Literatures at Cornell University. Before Cornell, he was a visiting fellow in the Program on the Study of Capitalism at Harvard University. He writes for The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek, and other publications. Among other places, his writing has been honored by the Society for Features Journalism. His new book is That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing.

In a crowded marketplace, a well-executed in-person event can do more than sell books—it can elevate a publisher's brand, build lasting reader relationships, and open doors to new opportunities.  In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” W. Brand Publishing Founder JuLee Brand will dive into practical, real-world advice for independent publishers who want to turn live events into powerful marketing and sales engines.  Topics Include:   what materials you need to bring   smart logistical planning that keeps your event running smoothly  proven strategies for promoting your appearance and drawing a crowd  and more!  If you're ready to boost book sales and expand your publishing company's visibility, this conversation is for you. PARTICIPANTS JuLee Brand is a graphic designer, art director, publisher, and storyteller with over 30 years of experience across music, television, and publishing. Founder of W. Brand Publishing and StorySessions™, she specializes in helping authors uncover clarity, meaning, and connection through guided conversation. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: words—and how they're presented—matter. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Check out JuLee Brand's books at https://www.wbrandpub.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association Follow W. Brand Publishing on: Facebook & Instagram: @wbrandpub Today's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way.  Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I'm joined by U.K.-based bestselling author Alexandra Potter, known for Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up and her newest release, So, I Met This Guy... We talk about her writing journey, the freedom (and risk) of genre versatility, and why she refuses to be boxed in (as should you!).Alexandra shares how she develops characters with depth and momentum. A friend calls her the “cork board queen,” and once you hear her plotting process, you'll understand why. We also dive into the heartbeat of her current books: female friendships. The kind that carry you through heartbreak, reinvention, and the messy middle of midlife. She makes a strong case for why we need a female equivalent of the word “bromance.” (I've been contemplating an appropriate term ever since!)We touch on the role of timing, the importance of community, and the ever-unpredictable path to bestseller status. ***************************************************************

Should you choose a niche and settle in, or follow the winds of inspiration? Jake Parker, Sam Cotterill, and Lee White teach how to pick the path that aligns with your values in this live-recorded Q&A.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Almost every nonfiction author says it at some point:“I want to be a New York Times bestselling author.”It sounds ambitious. It sounds impressive. It sounds like the gold medal of publishing.But in this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the conversation goes deeper than the badge.Because bestseller status isn't a trophy. It's a tool.And tools only matter if they serve the right purpose.This episode explores what bestseller status can actually change — and what it doesn't automatically fix. It breaks down the difference between major lists like the New York Times and USA Today, category-based Amazon rankings, and what those signals truly mean in the marketplace.More importantly, it reframes the core question nonfiction authors should be asking:Not “How do I hit a list?” But “What is bestseller status supposed to unlock for me?”Listeners will discover:Why bestseller status functions as a credibility signalWhat it can realistically influence (speaking, positioning, authority)What it does not guarantee (business clarity, revenue systems, long-term sales)Why some bestselling authors still struggle after launchThe strategic question every coach, consultant, and thought leader should answer before pursuing a listIf you're considering a bestseller strategy — or simply wondering whether it's worth it — this episode offers a clear, strategic perspective rooted in long-term thinking.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabookpress Connect with the Host on LinkedIn: @ZachKristensenLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

How to Thrive in Writing, Authoring, and Publishing THRIVE is one of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast host's favorite words. When “thriving” is in your mix … it is way beyond surviving. Think being healthy, striving for personal growth, being able to manage challenges that land in your lap, having a positive mindset, and enveloping the strength and power of resilience. Author and leadership coach and expert Laura Belsten shares her insights about writing, authoring and getting published. Her website is CenterForThrivingLeaders.com. Your takeaways include: -Putting into practice GLAD: gratefulness, learning, accomplishing, and deleting -What “Positive Psychology” is why you should embrace it. -Incorporating wellbeing into your thought patterns and practice. -What “toxic positivity” is … -Why authors need to create a“-10” (where what is being done is limp to not working) to “0” (not neutral) to “+10 “ (all is good). -The twelve pillars for author and writing success. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Can you write a memoir without putting your name on it?In this episode, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear from aspiring memoirists: Can I stay anonymous? and What makes a book successful? I break down why selling a memoir without a personal identity attached is tough. Readers connect to people, not just stories. And when the story is personal, anonymity adds a level of friction you can't ignore.I also share why the best memoirs often read like fiction. Strong scenes. Real tension. Clean narrative arc. Which is why, if anonymity feels non-negotiable, writing the story as fiction might actually be the smarter move.Then there's the success question.Is it bestseller lists? Revenue? Or simply finishing a draft you once thought you couldn't write?If you've been circling your story but stuck on fear, privacy, or what “counts” as success, this conversation will help you ground your next step.

Are you marketing your art all wrong? Jake Parker, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler discuss how to turn followers into customers (without cheap gimmicks). 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Many nonfiction authors believe the first milestone of writing a book is finishing a draft.It's not.In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we explore the often-overlooked stage that determines whether your writing flows, your publishing decisions make sense, and your marketing actually connects.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many book ideas…If you've rewritten the same chapter multiple times…If you're unsure who your book is really for…This episode addresses the real issue underneath those frustrations.Because most authors don't have a productivity problem.They have a positioning problem.And without solving that first, the rest of the author journey — from book development to publishing to marketing — becomes harder than it needs to be.Inside this episode, you'll discover:Why “having too many ideas” is often a warning signThe hidden phase of the author journey most writers skipHow lack of clarity quietly slows down writing and decision-makingA simple way to test whether your book concept is strong enough to move forwardIf you want to write faster, publish smarter, and build a nonfiction book that actually lands with readers, this episode will help you rethink where the journey truly begins.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ouch … You've been stung. There is nothing subtle when it comes to someone or a group of “someones” who go after you and your credit card and bank account. The book thieves, the pirates, and those who penetrate your accounts via lures with their ever-flowing emails and texts that bombard you … that attempt to seduce you and your ego. In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author and cyber theft guru Charles Breakfield to join her for an hour of show and tell … an hour to protect you and your intellectual property. Your takeaways include: -The most common scams focused on authors. -Exposing the resurfacing of the literary Nigerian scam. -How AI is a major culprit in the scammers tool kit. -Our book club loves your book scam. -Very bad players to be on alert for. And of course, much more.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!It's critical to understand the dynamics of book distribution, the advantages of ebooks, and strategies for increasing sales, especially as an indie author. So in this conversation, I discuss recent updates in the self-publishing world, focusing on distribution platforms for authors, particularly the new option for ebook distribution through Bookshop.org. The conversation also touches on the challenges indie authors face in getting their books into physical bookstores and how I suggest indie authors best utilize various distribution platforms for maximum effectiveness.RESOURCES MENTIONEDVideo: How to Update Your Fonts if KDP Rejects Your ManuscriptEpisode 98: Going Wide Vs. Amazon Exclusivity (KDP Select) Getting Your Self-Published Book Into Bookstores Author Email Toolkit: 30+ Templates for Building Buzz, Selling More Books, and Growing Your Reader ListREADY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

This episode highlights our top moments discussing productivity for illustrators. Tune in for advice about designing your daily routine, deep work, accountability, and more. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Feeling stuck at the starting line of book publishing is more common than most authors realize.In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the focus is on the real reason aspiring nonfiction authors feel overwhelmed before they even begin — and why trying to jump straight into writing, publishing options, or marketing is often what keeps them stuck.Instead of rushing into tactics, this episode reframes the starting point of the author journey around orientation before execution. It walks through the two foundational questions every author must answer before choosing a publishing path, building a platform, or writing a single chapter.Listeners will learn:Why “where do I start?” isn't a motivation problem — it's a context problemHow skipping clarity leads to overwhelm, comparison, and stalled progressThe difference between movement and meaningful progressThe two questions that quietly guide every successful author journeyThis episode is especially helpful for coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders who know they want to write a book — but feel unsure how to begin without wasting time or making costly mistakes.

Yale professor Elli Stern talks with us about figuring out what kind of writing we want to do after tenure—and the importance of building a team of friends and colleagues who can read drafts and provide valuable feedback. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Sarah Vacchiano's journey from querying 100 agents to publishing with one of the industry's top houses is a story of patience, "luck," and the power of building genuine relationships.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes details of her publishing journey, including how a chance reconnection with an editor led to her debut novel's acquisition and publication. You'll discover how her strategic persistence, timing, and a bit of serendipity turned a decade-long work into a real-life success story that defies typical timelines.We break down:The unconventional path from manuscript to publication, including querying, rejection, and a six-year pauseHow the universe conspired through a friend's recommendation to seal her deal with Little A (an imprint of Amazon)The magic of editorial collaboration, with insights into the intensive editing processThe importance of vulnerability and personal growth reflected in her characters and storyWhy embracing failure and loss as part of growth unlocks opportunities we never imaginedThis episode is perfect for aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating the unpredictable road to success. Sarah's story proves that sometimes, the biggest wins happen when you least expect them.READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

Jennie Nash started Author Accelerator when she realized there was a need for more personalized, ongoing coaching to assist through the often isolating writing process. In this episode, get answers to common queries: What do writers need to excel? Is my story idea good enough? How can I better position my book in the market? Can AI help me write a book? Learn her keys to effective book coaching, giving and getting writing feedback, and the benefit of catering to your creative impulses.Jennie NashWebsite: https://jennienash.com/Social: @jennienashbookcoachGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4noFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Back from the SCBWI conference in New York, Sam Cotterill and Lee White recap the trip, from funny stories to biggest takeaways (plus tips on how to make the most of conferences like these).  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

What Really Happens on Book Launch Day (A Real Hybrid Publishing Case Study)Book launch day doesn't always go the way authors expect.In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we share a real-world case study from the January launch of Connected Deeper by Richard L. Godfrey and Christine Lavulo—a launch that hit unexpected issues the moment the book was supposed to go live on Amazon.Instead of celebrating launch day, the book was still in preorder, shipping dates were wildly off, and buyers were already asking questions.This episode breaks down what happened behind the scenes, how the issue was handled, and what nonfiction authors need to understand about launch-day realities.In this episode, you'll learn:Why something going wrong on launch day is more common than authors expectHow a hybrid publishing setup can protect your book launchWhat to do when Amazon rankings don't update right awayWhy launch day isn't the time to troubleshoot publishing techThe difference between a publication date and a launch date—and why separating them gives you more controlIf you're planning to publish a nonfiction book—or have a launch coming up—this episode will help you approach book publishing and book launch strategy with clearer expectations and less stress.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Two publishing pros reveal the power for newbie authors … for authors-to-be … for any resident of Colorado over 20 on how to get help … money … guidance via the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Aspiring Authors Scholarships. Joining host Judith Briles is Mara Purl. Both are founding members of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame and are the guiding lights for the creation and the implementation of the Asping Authors Scholarships valued at $17,000. In 2026, five will be awarded to Colorado residents who want to write … want to publish at a special luncheon event honoring them on September 11, 2026, at the Inverness Denver hotel. There is no cost to submit … do not wait until the last minute. Here's the criteria: -You are unpublished in either your name or a pen name in a traditional, independent, or a self-published venue. -You are over 20. -You are a legal resident of Colorado.  You have a desire to be a successful author. -You will submit an essay of less than 1,000 words as to WHY you want to publish and what you will do with the money you will receive. -You will submit a sampling of your writing of up to 20 pages. -You will commit to at least 75% of all coaching/mentoring sessions that are held once a month in 2027. If that is you, you have until March 31, 2026, to submit your application at: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/scholarships Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Running an independent press on a tight budget? You're not alone — and you're not out of options. This episode of Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA) explores funding opportunities many indie publishers miss.Shero Comics founder Shequeta Smith shares practical advice on finding and securing grants, fellowships, paid creative opportunities, and other nontraditional funding sources to help sustain and grow your publishing program. She also discusses how Substack can boost visibility and become an additional revenue stream for your brand.If you're looking for smarter ways to fund your publishing goals, this episode is full of actionable ideas you can start using now.PARTICIPANTSShequeta L. Smith is an award-winning writer, director, and the founder of Shero Comics, a Los Angeles–based multimedia company creating empowering comics, films, and games centered on women and girls of color. Since launching the company in 2016, she has independently sold more than 8,500 books worldwide and expanded the Shero universe into dolls, apparel, and branded merchandise. Smith is also the creator of SheroCon, a women-centered comic and creative tech convention, and recently made history as the first African-American comic creator featured at the Korea Manhwa Museum. In recognition of her work in comics and her impact on Los Angeles youth, she was named the 2025 Los Angeles Lakers & Comerica Bank Woman of Diversity.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Check out Shequeta Smith's books at www.shequeta.comFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-associationFollow Shero Comics on:www.instagram.com/sherocomicswww.tiktok.com/@sherocomicswww.youtube.com/@sherocomicsToday's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way. Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

Jake Parker and Samantha Cotterill interview Claudia Rueda, a Colombian author and illustrator whose Smushkin characters connect with young readers in unexpected ways. Learn about Claudia's path to illustration, the role of luck in an illustrator's journey, how to appreciate the small child's world, and more. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Terry shares insights about the current state of book publishing, essential dos and don'ts for authors, and discusses myths surrounding the industry! Terry also talks about his new book, '10 Publishing Myths'. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers including '10 Publishing Myths', 'Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams', and 'Book Proposals That $ell'. Several of Terry's books have sold over 100,000 copies.

Why does book publishing almost always take longer than expected?For nonfiction authors — especially coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders — delays in the writing and publishing process are extremely common. Most of the time, these delays aren't caused by mistakes or lack of discipline. They happen because the real-world timelines between writing, editing, and publishing are often underestimated.In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, the focus is on where those hidden delays typically occur, based on consistent patterns seen while working with authors throughout every phase of the author journey. From drafting and editing to print-on-demand proofs and platform approvals, small timing gaps add up quickly.The episode also includes a real-world example involving print-on-demand proofs from multiple platforms, where subtle design differences forced a pause in a client's timeline — not because of errors, but because different printers processed the same files differently.In this episode, listeners will learn:Why writing a book takes longer in practice than most authors expectWhere the editing process is commonly underestimatedWhy “print on demand” still includes real production and approval timelinesHow proof copies, platform reviews, and distribution delays compoundHow to build more realistic publishing timelines without unnecessary stressThis episode helps authors reframe publishing delays as part of the normal process — not a sign of failure — and provides clarity on how to plan timelines with greater confidence and flexibility.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

In this week's AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, Dr. Judith Briles invites Social Media Marketing Specialist Jules Marie to join her. You will learn the latest changes on Instagram and how to implement for your social media and influence building on Instagram. Embracing them will enhance your 2026 marketing and publishing success. Your takeaways include: -Use CanvaPro to resize quickly for social media platform. -Hey authors—discover the updated power of Instagram. -How to turn non-followers into followers on Instagram. -Discover the power of the “sticky feature” on Instagrams. -How to link to buy book within Stories on Instagram. -Post at odd times on Instagram. -Use Trial Reels on Instagram. -Tips for engaging followers on Instagram. And lots more. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!An elementary school librarian by day. A writer by night (and other spare moments). Somewhere in between, a whole book got written.In episode 154, I'm joined by Cassie Miller, author of the upcoming young adult contemporary sports romance Meet Me Under the Lights (Viking, March 2026). We talk about how she balanced teaching, writing, and real life long enough to finish a novel—and then had the courage to send it into the traditional publishing world.Cassie walks through her querying experience with refreshing honesty. The waiting. The no's. The small wins that kept her going. And the moment it shifted from “maybe someday” to seeing her story become a real book.We also dig into what helped her stay grounded while juggling deadlines and expectations, and why writing while working full-time didn't disqualify her from success. Instead, it helped shape it.This conversation isn't about overnight breakthroughs or perfectly optimized writing schedules. It's about showing up consistently, trusting the work, and letting progress count even when it feels slow.*****READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

Jake, Sam, and Lee discuss Lee's untimely death, Jake's rules for 2026, and how to find work when you're in between jobs. Reflect, laugh, and gain inspiration for the new year with us. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

If you're a nonfiction author—especially a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader—there's a moment you eventually reach in the publishing process:How much of selling my book is really on me… and how much depends on the publishing path I choose?In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we unpack a mindset that shows up consistently across self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing—and why understanding this early can change how you approach book marketing, momentum, and long-term visibility.Rather than focusing on tactics or launch hacks, this conversation reframes what ownership actually looks like for authors—and why being invested in your book's success isn't a burden, but an advantage.In this episode, you'll explore:Why publishing infrastructure supports momentum—but doesn't create itHow book sales tend to work across different publishing pathsThe role authors play in early traction and long-term visibilityWhy effective book marketing is about intention, not volumeHow to integrate your book naturally into the work you're already doingThis episode is especially helpful if you've ever felt unsure about where your responsibility begins—or if you've been waiting for the “system” to take over after publication.

Have you ever thought, “Someday I want to write a book”? The idea is exciting, but figuring out how to actually publish it can feel like a maze. With so many routes to choose from, it's easy to get stuck wondering which one makes the most sense for you. This episode is here to clear things up.Omar walks you through the three main publishing options: self publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid publishing. He lays out the pros and cons of each, shares the common mistakes new authors make, and explains why matching your publishing path to your goals is so important. Whether you want total control, the credibility of a traditional deal, or something in between, you'll get the insights you need to make a smart choice.This lesson could save you months of frustration and a lot of money, so press play up top and take the next step toward becoming an author.Resources:MBA674 Guest Teacher: Chandler Bolt- How To Write Your First Book In One WeekMBA968 Must Read: The 1-Page Marketing Plan By Allan DibMBA978 Must Read: Exactly What To Say by Phil M JonesWatch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHiSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week's AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, Dr. Judith Briles, host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, has invited book marketing guru John Kremer back to deep dive further into the massive changes that Google is pushing forward. Embracing them will enhance your 2026 publishing success. Your goal: You want to create what others want to read. To buy. Smart 2026 publishing strategies should include: -Understanding the power of the Google Monster. -Ways to work within the Google Monster. -How to rise above the metadata cloud. -Using the power of Substack. -Sites for podcasting contacts and becoming visible. -Why podcasting guesting matters. -Making your book a bestseller and shouting it out. -Tagging key authors. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Fear of failure shows up early for most authors. And despite what you may think, it doesn't magically disappear once you're published.In this episode, I get honest about how fear, rejection, and unmet expectations quietly shape the writing process, especially in nonfiction and memoir. Drawing from years of editing experience (and my own hard-earned lessons), I break down why failure so often feels personal—and why that belief keeps writers stuck.This conversation reframes failure as one thing: information. I'll challenge the myth of overnight success, name the role imposter syndrome plays for authors at every stage, and offer a more realistic definition of success—one that actually supports long-term creative work.If you've ever questioned your talent, taken rejection personally, or wondered whether you're “doing this wrong,” this episode will feel familiar in the best way.READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

If you're a nonfiction author — especially a coach, consultant, speaker, or thought leader — you've probably wrestled with the question:"Should you focus on building your author brand first, or writing the book first?"In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we slow this question down and look at what actually keeps capable authors stuck — and why the answer isn't as simple as choosing one over the other.You'll learn why waiting for clarity often creates more friction than progress, how author voice and positioning are shaped through action, and why the most successful nonfiction authors allow their book and brand to develop together over time.This episode reframes the question entirely and offers a practical way to move forward without feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in planning mode.In this episode, you'll discover:Why “brand vs. book” is often the wrong question to askWhat truly prevents authors from getting startedHow author voice and positioning are developed through use, not theoryWhy focusing on one platform early can accelerate clarityA simple way to build momentum in both your book and your brand at the same timeIf you've been waiting to feel ready before starting your book or building your platform, this episode will help you rethink what readiness actually looks like.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

In this week's AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, Dr. Judith Briles, host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, has invited book marketing guru John Kremer to step up and reveal his key tips for 2026 success for authors. Your goal: You want to create what others want to read. Smart 2026 strategies include: -Revisiting your website and updating each page's metadata. -Why you need to visually post the price of your books and other “products for sale” on your website. -Hooking onto existing bestseller titles and authors in your genre with ongoing posts. - Hooking onto names of authors and their titles that are bestsellers in bookstores you want to work with. -Commit to "knocking on doors" 20 times a week. Pitching you and your book--speaking, podcast guesting. -80% of book sales come from "word of mouth." Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Richard Spegal|author of Eternal Nights and the Wolves & Ravens trilogyIntroIs a storyteller who weaves together magic, mystery, and the darker shades of imagination. His worlds—such as those in Eternal Nights and the Wolves & Ravens trilogy—challenge what we believe, force hard decisions, and explore how much of truth can survive in shadows.Richard serves as an officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard and has a long history with the 82nd Airborne Division. Choosing to build a family, he left active combat service and now balances life with a wife, four daughters, and his writing.His entry into writing started from a simple frustration: he saw adult readers being underserved in paranormal and fantasy genres—vampires, magic, supernatural beings—but more often in formats that relied on youth-driven tropes. So he set out to write the books he wanted to read—ones with dark corners, moral risk, real emotions, and stories that don't sugarcoat the consequences.When he's not penning a new chapter or plotting the next twist, Richard draws strength from the ordinary moments: family dinners, quiet nights, research into myth and folklore. Each fragment of life becomes an echo in his stories. He believes that every hidden truth, every choice, every transformation matters—and that fiction has the power to ask what we dare not say aloud.Link:https://richardspegal.com/Tags:Army,Author,Book Publishing,Books,Fantasy BooksOccult,Paranormal,Personal JourneyRomance Novels,Young Adult Fiction,Live Video Podcast Interview,Podcast,Phantom Electric Ghost PodcastSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I discuss the significance of context in the author space, emphasizing the need for transparency in marketing. I also talk about that dreaded task: building an author email list. EPISODE CHAPTERS01:37 - The Power of Quiet Reflection04:09 - When Navigating the Author Space: Context Matters10:02 - Building Your Email List: A Key to Success15:04 - Commitment to Growth: Choosing Your PlatformREADY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

What does 2026 hold for indie authors and the publishing industry? I give my thoughts on trends and predictions for the year ahead. In the intro, Quitting the right stuff; how to edit your author business in 2026; Is SubStack Good for Indie Authors?; Business for Authors webinars. If you'd like to join my community and support the show every month, you'll get access to my growing list of Patron videos and audio on all aspects of the author business — for the price of a black coffee (or two) a month. Join us at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. (1) More indie authors will sell direct through Shopify, Kickstarter, and local in-person events (2) AI-powered search will start to shift elements of book discoverability (3) The start of Agentic Commerce (4) AI-assisted audiobook narration will go mainstream (5) AI-assisted translation will start to take off beyond the early adopters (6) AI video becomes ubiquitous. ‘Live selling' becomes the next trend in social sales. (7) AI will create, run, and optimise ads without the need for human intervention (8) 1000 True Fans becomes more important than ever You can find all my books as J.F. Penn and Joanna Penn on your favourite online store in all the usual formats, or order from your local library or bookstore. You can also buy direct from me at CreativePennBooks.com and JFPennBooks.com. I'm not really active on social media, but you can always see my photos at Instagram @jfpennauthor. 2026 Trends and Predictions for Indie Authors and Book Publishing (1) More indie authors will sell direct through Shopify, Kickstarter, and local in-person events — and more companies like BookVault will offer even more beautiful physical books and products to support this. This trend will not be a surprise to most of you! Selling direct has been a trend for the last few years, but in 2026, it will continue to grow as a way that independent authors become even more independent. The recent Written Word Media survey from Dec 2025 noted that 30% of authors surveyed are selling direct already and 30% say they plan to start in 2026. Among authors earning over $10,000 per month, roughly half sell direct. In my opinion, selling direct is an advanced author strategy, meaning that you have multiple books and you understand book marketing and have an email list already or some guaranteed way to reach readers. In fact, Kindlepreneur reports that 66% of authors selling direct have more than 5 books, and 46% have more than 10 books. Of course, you can start with the something small, like a table at a local event with a limited number of books for sale, but if you want to consistently sell direct for years to come, you need to consider all the business aspects. Selling direct is not a silver bullet. It's much harder work to sell direct than it is to just upload an ebook to Amazon, whether you choose a Kickstarter campaign, or Shopify/Payhip or other online stores, or regular in-person sales at events/conferences/fairs. You need a business mindset and business practices, for example, you need to pay upfront for setup as well as ongoing management, and bulk printing in some cases. You need to manage taxes and cashflow. You need to be a lot more proactive about marketing, as you won't sell anything if you don't bring readers to your books/products. But selling direct also brings advantages. It sets you apart from the bulk of digital only authors who still only upload ebooks to Amazon, or maybe add a print on demand book, and in an era of AI rapid creation, that number is growing all the time. If you sell direct, you get your customer data and you can reach those customers next time, through your email list. If you don't know who bought your books and don't have a guaranteed way to reach them, you will more easily be disrupted when things change — and they always change eventually. Kindlepreneur notes that “45% of the successful direct selling authors had over 1,000 subscribers on their email lists,” with “a clear, positive correlation between email list size and monthly direct sales income — with authors having an email list of over 15,000 subscribers earning 20X more than authors with email lists under 100 subscribers.” Selling direct means faster money, sometimes the same day or the same week in many cases, or a few weeks after a campaign finishes, as with Kickstarter. And remember, you don't have to sell all your formats directly. You can keep your ebooks in KU, do whatever you like with audiobooks, and just have premium print products direct, or start with a very basic Kickstarter campaign, or a table at a local fair. Lots more tips for Shopify and Kickstarter at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/selldirectresources/ I also recommend the Novel Marketing Podcast on The Shopify Trap: Why authors keep losing money as it is a great counterpoint to my positive endorsement of selling direct on Shopify! Among other things, Thomas notes that a fixed monthly fee for a store doesn't match how most authors make money from books which is more in spikes, the complexity and hassle eats time and can cost more money if you pay for help, and it can reduce sales on Amazon and weaken your ranking. Basically, if you haven't figured out marketing direct to your store, it can hurt you.All true for some authors, for some genres, and for some people's lifestyle. But for authors who don't want to be on the hamster wheel of the Amazon algorithm and who want more diversity and control in income, as well as the incredible creative benefits of what you can do selling direct, then I would say, consider your options in 2025, even if that is trying out a low-financial-goal Kickstarter campaign, or selling some print books at a local fair. Interestingly, traditional publishers are also experimenting with direct sales. Kate Elton, the new CEO of Harper Collins notes in The Bookseller's 2026 trend article, “we are seeing global success with responsive, reader-driven publishing, subscription boxes and TikTok Shop and – crucially – developing strategies that are founded on a comprehensive understanding of the reader.” She also notes, “AI enables us to dramatically change the way we interact with and grow audiences. The opportunities are genuinely exciting – finding new ways to help readers discover books they will love, innovating in the ways we market and reach audiences, building new channels and adapting to new methods of consuming content.” (2) AI-powered search will start to shift elements of book discoverability From LinkedIn's 2026 Big Ideas: “Generative engine optimization (GEO) is set to replace search engine optimization (SEO) as the way brands get discovered in the year ahead. As consumers turn to AI chatbots, agentic workflows and answer engines, appearing prominently in generative outputs will matter more than ranking in search engines.” Google has been rolling out AI Mode with its AI Overviews and is beginning to push it within Google.com itself in some countries, which means the start of a fundamental change in how people discover content online. I first posted about GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) in 2023, and it's going to change how readers find books. For years, we've talked about the long tail of search. Now, with AI-powered search, that tail is getting even longer and more nuanced. AI can understand complex, conversational queries that traditional search engines struggled with. Someone might ask, “What's a good thriller set in a small town with a female protagonist who's a journalist investigating a cold case?” and get highly specific recommendations. This means your book metadata, your website content, and your online presence need to be more detailed and conversational. AI search engines understand context in ways that go far beyond simple keywords. The authors who win in this new landscape will be those who create rich, authentic content about their books and themselves, not just promotional copy. As economist Tyler Cowen has said, “Consider the AIs as part of your audience. Because they are already reading your words and listening to your voice.” We're in the ‘organic' traffic phase right now, where these AI engines are surfacing content for ‘free,' but paid ads are inevitably on the way, and even rumoured to be coming this year to ChatGPT. By the end of 2026, I expect some authors and publishers to be paying for AI traffic, rather than blocking and protesting them. For now, I recommend checking that your author name/s and your books are surfaced when you search on ChatGPT.com as well as Google.com AI Mode (powered by Gemini). You want to make sure your work comes up in some way. I found that Joanna Penn and J.F. Penn searches brought up my Shopify stores, my website, podcast, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even my Patreon page, but did not bring up links to Amazon. If you only have an author presence on Amazon, does it appear in AI search at all? Do you need to improve anything about what the AI search brings up? Traditional publishers are also looking at this, with PublishersWeekly doing webinars on various aspects of AI in early 2026, including sessions on GEO and how book sales are changing, AI agents, and book marketing. In a 2026 predictions article on The Bookseller, the CEO of Bloomsbury Publishing noted, “The boundaries of artificial intelligence will become clearer, enabling publishers to harness its benefits while seeking to safeguard the intellectual property rights of authors, illustrators and publishers.” “AI will be deeply embedded in our workflows, automating tasks such as metadata tagging, freeing teams to focus on creativity and strategy. Challenges will persist. Generative AI threatens traditional web traffic and ad revenue models, making metadata optimisation and SEO critical for visibility as we adjust to this new reality online.” (3) The start of Agentic Commerce AI researches what you want to buy and may even buy on your behalf. Plus, I predict that Amazon does a commerce deal with OpenAI for shopping within ChatGPT by the end of 2026. In September 2025, ChatGPT launched Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol, which will enable bots to buy on websites in the background if authorised by the human with the credit card. VISA is getting on board with this, so is PayPal, with no doubt more payment options to come. In the USA, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Free users can now buy directly from US Etsy sellers inside the chat interface, with over a million Shopify merchants coming soon. Shopify and OpenAI have also announced a partnership to bring commerce to ChatGPT. I am insanely excited about this as it could represent the first time we have been able to more easily find and surface books in a much more nuanced way than the 7 keywords and 3 categories we have relied on for so long! I've been using ChatGPT for at least the last year to find fiction and non-fiction books as I find the Amazon interface is ‘polluted' by ads. I've discovered fascinating books from authors I've never heard of, most in very long tail areas. For example, Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby, recommended by ChatGPT as I am interested in medical anatomy and anatomical Venuses, and The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson, recommended as I like art history and the supernatural. I don't think I would have found either of these within a nuanced discussion with ChatGPT. Even without these direct purchase integrations, ChatGPT now has Shopping Research, which I have found links directly to my Shopify store when I search for my books specifically. Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to create AI-first shopping experiences, and you have to wonder what Amazon might be doing? In Nov 2025, Amazon signed a “strategic partnership” with OpenAI, and even though it's focused on the technical side of AI, those two companies in a room together might also be working on other plans … I'm calling it for 2026. I think Amazon will sign a commerce agreement with OpenAI sometime before the end of the year. This will enable at least recommendation and shopping links into Amazon stores (presumably using an OpenAI affiliate link), or perhaps even Instant Checkout with ChatGPT for Amazon. It will also enable a new marketing angle, especially if paid ads arrive in ChatGPT, perhaps even integrating with Amazon Ads in some way as part of any possible agreement, since ads are such a good revenue stream for Amazon anyway. The line between discovery, engagement, and purchase is collapsing. Someone could be having a conversation with an AI about what to read next, and within that same conversation, purchase a bookwithout ever leaving the chat interface. This already happens within TikTok and social commerce clearly works for many authors. It's possible that the next development for book discoverability and sales might be within AI chats. This will likely stratify the already fragmented book eco-system even more. Some readers will continue to live only within the Amazon ecosystem and (maybe) use their Rufus chatbot to buy, and others will be much wider in their exploration of how to find and discover books (and other products and services). If you haven't tried it yet, try ChatGPT.com Shopping Research for a book. You can do this on the free tier. Use the drop down in the main chat box and select Shopping Research. It doesn't have to be for your book. It can be any book or product, for example, our microwave died just before Christmas so I used it to find a new one. But do a really nuanced search with multiple requirements. Go far beyond what you would search for on Amazon. In the results, notice that (at the time of writing) it does not generally link to Amazon, but to independent sites and stores. As above, I think this will change by the end of 2026, as some kind of commerce deal with Amazon seems inevitable. (4) AI-assisted audiobook narration will go mainstream I've been talking about AI narration of audiobooks since 2019, and over the years, I've tried various different options. In 2025, the technology reached a level of emotional nuance that made it much easier to create satisfying fiction audio as well as non-fiction. It also super-charges accessibility, making audio available in more languages and more accents than ever before. Of course, human narration remains the gold standard, but the cost makes it prohibitive for many authors, and indeed many small traditional publishers, for all books. If it costs $2000 – $10,000 to create an audiobook, you have to sell a lot to make a profit, and the dominance of subscription models have made it harder to recoup the costs. Famous narrators and voice artists who have an audience may still be worth investing in, as well as premium production, but require an even higher upfront cost and therefore higher sales and streams in return. AI voice/audio models are continuing to improve, and even as this goes out, there are rumours on TechCrunch that OpenAI's new device, designed by Jony Ive who designed the iPhone, will be audio first and OpenAI are improving their voice models even more in preparation for that launch. In 2026, I think AI-narrated audio will go mainstream with far-reaching adoption across publishing and the indie author world in many different languages and accents. This will mean a further stratification of audiobooks, with high quality, high production, high cost human narrated audio for a small percentage of books, and then mass market, affordable AI-narrated audio for the rest. AI-narrated audiobooks will make audio ubiquitous, and just as (almost) every print book has an ebook format, in 2026, they will also have an audio format. I straddle both these worlds, as I am still a human audiobook narrator for my own work. I human-narrated Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition (free audiobook) and The Buried and the Drowned, my short story collection. I also use AI narration for some books. ElevenLabs remains my preferred service and in 2025, I used my J.F. Penn voice clone for Death Valley and also Blood Vintage, while using a male voice for Catacomb. I clearly label my AI-narration in the sales description and also on the cover, which I think is important, although it is not always required by the various services. You can distribute ElevenLabs narrated audiobooks on Spotify, Kobo Writing Life, YouTube, ElevenReader, and of course your own store if you use Shopify with Bookfunnel. There are many other services springing up all the time, so make sure you check the rights you have over the finished audio, as well as where you can sell and distribute the final files. If they are just using ElevenLabs models in the back-end, then why not just do that directly? (Most services will be using someone's model in the back-end, since most companies do not train their own models.) Of course, you can use Amazon's own narration. While Amazon originally launched Audible audiobooks with Virtual Voice (AVV) in November 2023, it was rolled out to more authors and territories in 2025. If your book is eligible, the option to create an audiobook will appear on your KDP dashboard. With just a few clicks, you can create an audiobook from a range of voices and accents, and publish it on Amazon and Audible. However, the files are not yours. They are exclusive to Amazon and you cannot use them on other platforms or sell them direct yourself. But they are also free, so of course, many authors, especially those in KU, will use this option. I have done some for my mum's sweet romance books as Penny Appleton and I will likely use them for my books in translation when the option becomes available. Traditional publishers are experimenting with AI-assisted audiobook narration as well. MacMillan is selling digital audiobooks read by AI directly on their store. PublishersWeekly reports that PRH Audio “has experimented with artificial voice in specific instances, such as entrepreneur Ely Callaway's posthumous memoir The Unconquerable Game,” when an “authorized voice replica” was created for the audiobook. The article also notes that PRH Audio “embrace artificial intelligence across business operations—my entire department [PRH Audio] is using AI for business applications.” And while indie authors can't use AI voices on ACX right now, Audible have over 100 voices available to selected publishing partnerships, as reported by The Guardian with “two options for publishers wishing to make use of the technology: “Audible-managed” production, or “self-service” whereby publishers produce their own audiobooks with the help of Audible's AI technology.” In 2026, it's likely that more traditional publishers — as well as indie authors — will get their backlist into audio with AI narration. (5) AI-assisted translation will start to take off beyond the early adopters Over the years, I've done translation deals with traditional publishers in different languages (German, French, Spanish, Korean, Italian) for some fiction and non-fiction books. But of course, to get these kinds of deals, you have to be proactive about pitching, or work with an agent for foreign rights only, and those are few and far between! There are also lots of languages and territories worldwide, and most deals are for the bigger markets, leaving a LOT of blue water for books in translation, even if you have licensed some of the bigger markets. I did my first partially AI-translated books in 2019 when I used Deepl.com for the first draft and then worked with a German editor to do 3 non-fiction books in German. While the first draft was cheap, the editing was pretty expensive, so I stopped after only doing a couple. I have made the money back now, but it took years. In 2025, AI Translation began to take off with ScribeShadow, GlobeScribe.ai, and more recently, in November 2025, Kindle Translate boosting the number of translated books available. Kindle Translate is (currently) only available to US authors for English into Spanish and also German into English, but in 2026, this will likely roll out to more languages and more authors, making it easier than ever to produce translations for free. Of course, once again, the gold standard is human translation, or at least human-edited translations, but the cost is prohibitive even just for proof-reading, and if there is a cheap or even free option, like Kindle Translate, then of course, authors are going to try it. If the translation gets bad reviews, they can just un-publish. There are many anecdotal stories of indie success in 2025 with AI-translated genre fiction sales (in series) in under-served markets like Italian, French, and Spanish, as well as more mainstream adoption in German. I was around in the Kindle gold-rush days of 2009-2012 and the AI-translation energy right now feels like that. There are hardly any Kindle ebooks in many of these languages compared to how many there are in English, so inevitably, the rush is on to fill the void, especially in genres that are under-served by traditional publishers in those markets. Yes, some of these AI translated books will be ‘AI-slop,' but readers are not stupid. Those books will get bad reviews and thus will sink to the bottom of the store, never to be seen again. The AI translation models are also improving rapidly, and Amazon's Kindle Translate may improve faster than most, for books specifically, since they will be able to get feedback in terms of page reads. Amazon is also a major investor in Anthropic, which makes Claude.ai, widely considered the best quality for creative writing and translation, so it's likely that is used somewhere in the mix. Some traditional publishers are also experimenting with AI-assisted translation, with Harlequin France reportedly using AI translation and human proofreaders, as reported by the European Council of Literary Translators' Associations in December 2025. Academic publisher Taylor and Francis is also using AI for book translation, noting: “Following a program of rigorous testing, Taylor & Francis has announced plans to use AI translation tools to publish books that would otherwise be unavailable to English-language readers, bringing the latest knowledge to a vastly expanded readership.” “Until now, the time and resources required to translate books has meant that the majority remained accessible only to those who could read them in the original language. Books that were translated often only became available after a significant delay. Today, with the development of sophisticated AI translation tools, it has become possible to make these important texts available to a broad readership at speed, without compromising on accuracy.” (6) AI video becomes ubiquitous. ‘Live selling' becomes the next trend in social sales. In 2025, short form AI-generated video became very high quality. OpenAI released Sora 2, and YouTube announced new Shorts creation tools with Veo 3, which you can also use directly within Gemini. There are tons of different AI video apps now, including those within the social media sites themselves. There is more video than ever and it's much easier to create. I am not a fan of short form video! I don't make it and I don't consume it, but I do love making book trailers for my Kickstarter campaigns and for adding to my book pages and using on social media. I made a trailer for The Buried and the Drowned using Midjourney for images and then animation of those images, and Canva to put them together along with ElevenLabs to generate the music. But despite the AI tools getting so much easier to use, you still have to prompt them with exactly what you want. I can't just upload my book and say, “Make a book trailer,” or “Make a short film.” This may change with generative video ads, which are likely to become more common in 2026, as video turns specifically commercial. Video ads may even be generated specifically for the user, with an audience of one, maybe even holding your book in their hands (using something like Cameos on Sora), in the same way that some AI-powered clothing stores do virtual try-ons. This might also up-end the way we discover and buy things, as the AI for eCommerce and Amazon Sellers newsletter says about OpenAI's Sora app, “OpenAI isn't just trying to build a TikTok competitor. They're building a complete reimagining of how we discover and buy things …” “The combination of ChatGPT's research capabilities and Sora's potential for emotional manipulation—I mean, “engagement”—could create something we've never seen before: an AI ecosystem that might eventually guide you through every type of purchase, from the most considered to the most impulsive.” In 2026, there will be A LOT more AI-generated video, but that also leads to the human trend of more live video. While you can use an AI avatar that looks and sounds like you using tools like HeyGen or Synthesia, live video has all the imperfect human elements that make it stand-out, plus the scarcity element which leads to the purchase decision within a countdown period. Live video is nothing new in terms of brand building and content in general, but it seems that live events primarily for direct sales might be a thing in 2026. Kim Kardashian hosted Kimsmas Live in December 2025 with a 45 minute live shopping event with special guests, described as entertainment but designed to be a sales extravaganza. Indie authors are doing a similar thing on TikTok with their books, so this is a trend to watch in 2026, especially if you feel that live selling might fit with your personality and author business goals. It's certainly not for everyone, but I suspect it will suit a different kind of creator to those who prefer ‘no face' video, or no video at all! On other aspects of the human side of social media, Adam Mosseri the CEO of Instagram put a post on Threads called Authenticity after Abundance. He said, “Everything that made creators matter—the ability to be real, to connect, to have a voice that couldn't be faked—is now suddenly accessible to anyone with the right tools.” “Deepfakes are getting better and better. AI is generating photographs and videos indistinguishable from captured media. The feeds are starting to fill up with synthetic everything. And in that world, here's what I think happens.Creators matter more.” It's a long article so just to pick a few things from it: “We like to talk about “AI slop,” but there is a lot of amazing AI content … we are going to start to see more and more realistic AI content.” I've talked to my Patreon Community about this ‘tsunami of excellence' as these tools are just getting better and better and the word ‘slop' can also be applied to purely human output, too. If you think that AI content is ‘worse' than wholly human content, in 2026, you are wrong. It is now very very good, especially in the hands of people who can drive the AI tools. Back to Adam's post: “Authenticity is fast becoming a scarce resource, …The creators who succeed will be those who figure out how to maintain their authenticity [even when it can be simulated] …” “The bar is going to shift from “can you create?” to “can you make something that only you could create?” He talks about how the personal content on Instagram now is: “unpolished; it's blurry photos and shaky videos of people's daily experiences … flattering imagery is cheap to produce and boring to consume. People want content that feels real… Savvy creators are going to lean into explicitly unproduced and unflattering images of themselves. In a world where everything can be perfected, imperfection becomes a signal. Rawness isn't just aesthetic preference anymore—it's proof. It's defensive. A way of saying: this is real because it's imperfect.” While I partially love this, and I really hope it's true, as in I hope we don't need to look good for the camera anymore I would also challenge Adam on this, because pretty much every woman I know on social media has been sent sexual messages, and/or told they are ugly and/or fat when posting anything unflattering. I've certainly had both even for the same content, but I don't expect Adam has been the target for such posting! But I get his point. He goes on:“Labeling content as authentic or AI-generated is only part of the solution though. We, as an industry, are going to need to surface much more context about not only the media on our platforms, but the accounts that are sharing it in order for people to be able to make informed decisions about what to believe. Where is the account? When was it created? What else have they posted?” This is exactly what I've been saying for a while under my double down on being human focus. I use my Instagram @jfpennauthor as evidence of humanity, not as a sales channel. You can do both of course, but increasingly, you need to make sure your accounts at places have longevity and trust, even by the platforms themselves. Adam finishes: “In a world of infinite abundance and infinite doubt, the creators who can maintain trust and signal authenticity—by being real, transparent, and consistent—will stand out.” For other marketing trends for 2026, I recommend publicist Kathleen Schmidt's SubStack which is mostly focused on traditional publishing but still interesting for indies. In her 2026 article, she notes: “We have reached a social media saturation point where going viral can be meaningless and should not be the goal; authenticity and creativity should. She also says, “In-person events are important again,” and, “Social media marketing takes a nosedive… we have reached a saturation point … What publishers must figure out is how to make their social media campaigns stand out. If they remain somewhat uninspired, the money spent on social ads won't convert into book sales.” I think this is part of the rise of live selling as above, which can stand out above more ‘produced' videos. Kathleen also talks about AI usage. “AI can help lighten the burden of publicity and marketing.” “A lot of AI tools are coming to market to lessen the load: they can write pitches, create media lists for you, send pitches for you, and more. I know the industry is grappling with all things AI, but some of these tools are huge time savers and may help a book more than hurt it.” On that note … (7) AI will create, run, and optimise ads without the need for human intervention Many authors will be very happy about this as marketing is often the bane of our author business lives! As I noted in my 2026 goals, I would love to outsource more marketing tasks to AI. I want an “AI book marketing assistant” where I can upload a book and specify a budget and say, ‘Go market this,' then the AI will action the marketing, without me having to cobble together workflows between systems. Of course, it will present plans for me to approve but it will do the work itself on the various platforms and monitor and optimize things for me. I really hope 2026 is the year this becomes possible, because we are on the edge of it already in some areas. Amazon Ads launched a new agentic AI tool in September 2025 that creates professional-quality ads. I've also been working with Claude in Chrome browser to help me analyse my Amazon Ad data and suggest which keywords/products to turn off and what to put more budget into. I'll do a Patreon video on that soon. Meta announced it will enable AI ad creation by the end of 2026 for Facebook and Instagram. For authors who find ad creation overwhelming or time-consuming, this could be a game-changer. Of course, you will still need a budget! (8) 1000 True Fans becomes more important than ever Lots of authors and publishers are moaning about the difficulty of reaching readers in an era of ‘AI slop' but there is no shortage of excellent content created by humans, or humans using AI tools. As ever, our competition is less about other authors, or even authors using AI-assisted creation, we're competing against everything else that jostles for people's attention, and the volume of that is also growing exponentially. I've never been a fan of rapid release, and have said for years that you can't keep up with the pace of the machines. So play a different game. As Kevin Kelly wrote in 2008, If you have 1000 true fans, (also known as super fans), “you can make a living — if you are content to make a living but not a fortune.” [Kevin Kelly was on this show in 2023 talking about Excellent Advice for Living.] Many authors and the publishing industry are stuck in the old model of aiming to sell huge volumes of books at a low profit margin to a massive number of readers, many of them releasing ever faster to try and keep the algorithms moving. But the maths can work for the smaller audience of more invested readers and fans. If you only make $2 profit on an ebook, you need to sell 500 ebooks to make $1000, and then do it again next month. Or you can have a small community like my patreon.com/thecreativepenn where people pay $2 (or more) a month, so even a small revenue per person results in a better outcome over the year, as it is consistent monthly income with no advertising. But what if you could make $20 profit per book? That is entirely possible if you're producing high quality hardbacks on Kickstarter, or bundle deals of audiobooks, or whole series of ebooks. You would only need to sell to 50 people to make $1000. What about $100 profit per sale, which you can do with a small course or live event? You only need 10 people to make $1000, and this in-person focus also amplifies trust and fosters human connection. I've found the intimacy of my live Patreon Office Hours and also my webinars have been rewarding personally, but also financially, and are far more memorable — and potentially transformative — than a pre-recorded video or even another book. From the LinkedIn 2026 Big Ideas article: “In an AI-optimized world, intentional human connection will become the ultimate luxury.” The 1000 True Fans model is about serving a smaller, more personal audience with higher value products (and maybe services if that's your thing). As ever, its about niche and where you fit in the long long long long long tail. It's also about trust. Because there is definitely a shortage of that in so many areas, and as Adam Mosseri of Instagram has said, trust will be increasingly important. Trust takes time to build, but if you focus on serving your audience consistently, and delivering a high quality, and being authentic, this emerges as part of being human. In an echo of what happened when online commerce first took off, we are back to talking about trust. Back in 2010, I read Trust Agents: by Julien Smith and Chris Brogan, which clearly needs a comeback. There was a 10th anniversary edition published in 2020, so that's worth a read/listen. Chris Brogan was also on this show in 2017 when we talked about finding and serving your niche for the long term. That interview is still relevant, here's a quick excerpt, where I have (lightly edited) his response to my question on this topic back in 2017: Jo: The principle of know, like, and trust, why is that still important or perhaps even more important these days? Chris: There are a few things that at play there, Joanna. One is that the same tools that make it so easy for any of us to start and run a business also allow certain elements to decide whether or not they want to do something dubious. And with all new technologies that come, you know, there's nothing unique about these new technologies. In the 1800s, anyone could put anything in a bottle and sell it to you and say, this is gonna cure everything. Cancer — gone. And the bottle could have nothing in. You know, it could be Kool-Aid. And so, the idea of trying to understand what's behind the business though, one beautiful thing that's come is that we can see in much more dimensions who we're dealing with. We can understand better who's the face behind the brand. I really want people to try their best to be a lot clearer on what they stand for or what they say. And I don't really mean a tagline. I mean, humans don't really talk like that. They don't throw some sentence out as often as they can that you remember them for that phrase. But I would say that, we have so many media available to us — the plural of mediums — where we can be more of ourselves. And I think that there's a great opportunity to share the ‘you' behind the scenes, and some people get immediately terrified about this, ‘Ah, the last thing I want is for people to know more about me,' but I think we have such an opportunity. We have such an opportunity to voice our thoughts on something, to talk about the story that goes behind the product. We were all raised on overly produced material, but I think we don't want that anymore. We really want clarity, brevity, simplicity. We want the ability for what we feel is connection and then access. And so I think it's vital that we connect and show people our accessibility, not so that they can pester us with strange questions, but more so that you can say, this person stands with their product and their service and this person believes these things, and I feel something when I hear them and I wanna be part of that.” That's from Chris Brogan's interview here in 2017, and he is still blogging and speaking at writing at ChrisBrogan.com and I'm going to re-listen to the audiobook of Trust Agents again myself as I think it's more relevant than ever. The original quote comes from Bob Burg in his 1994 book, Endless Referrals, “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.” That still applies, and absolutely fits with the 1000 True Fans model of aiming to serve a smaller audience. As Kevin Kelly says in 1000 True Fans, “Instead of trying to reach the narrow and unlikely peaks of platinum bestseller hits, blockbusters, and celebrity status, you can aim for direct connection with a thousand true fans.” “On your way, no matter how many fans you actually succeed in gaining, you'll be surrounded not by faddish infatuation, but by genuine and true appreciation. It's a much saner destiny to hope for. And you are much more likely to actually arrive there.” In 2026, I hope that more authors (including me!) let go of ego goals and vanity metrics like ranking, gross sales (income before you take away costs), subscribers, followers, and likes, and consider important business numbers like profit (which is the money you have after costs like marketing are taken out), as well as number of true fans — and also lifestyle elements like number of weekends off, or days spent enjoying life and not just working! OK, that's my list of trends and predictions for 2026. Let me know what you think in the comments. Do you agree? Am I wrong? What have I missed? The post 2026 Trends And Predictions For Indie Authors And The Book Publishing Industry with Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Dr. Judith Briles takes you along on her walk to become a writer … after she became an author … harnessing her sheer grit to achieve publishing success. Every walk has a first step. For Aspiring Authors, it starts here ... • Why your words matter. • Embrace your steps, not others, to claim your author's walk. • Tips for dealing with the nosedives that will lead to a soar. • Engage the power of self-care and setting boundaries with others. • Welcome the wisdom, the chaos and the truthiness of your words. Judith shares the transformational work she did to grow her confidence and create her own publishing voice. You will learn the strategic, practical steps that optimized her writing and marketing, enabled her to activate profits, and become a successful author with intentions. Your words matter. You can write your book. It's The Author's Walk you will take, step-by-step. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

Every single day, there are news stories about artificial intelligence (AI)—most notably, controversies about unethical practices by companies that offer AI services—so independent publishers are trying to determine if using AI is the right fit for their businesses.Author and Indie Author Magazine Co-Founder and Publisher Chelle Honiker joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share her expertise on the subject, including the ethical concerns about using AI, what the most effective AI platforms are for publishers, how AI can be used to help publishers run their businesses more efficiently, and much more.PARTICIPANTSChelle Honiker is the co-founder and publisher of Indie Author Magazine, IndieAuthorTraining, Indie Author Tools, and Direct2Readers.com. Her team of more than 80 writers, editors, trainers, and support staff provides resources and insights that help authors navigate the complexities of self-publishing. Her role as the programming director for Author Nation, an annual conference in Las Vegas, further exemplifies her commitment to fostering a community where authors can grow and succeed.With a career spanning over two decades in executive operations and leadership, Chelle has honed her skills in managing complex projects and delivering impactful training programs. Her experience as a speaker and TEDx Organizer has taken her to many countries, where she has shared her insights with diverse audiences.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Check out Chelle Honiker's books at https://chellehoniker.com/Also, learn more about Indie Author Magazine at https://indieauthormagazine.com/Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/Today's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way. Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

Want to avoid burnout, increase productivity, and have more fun in 2026? Jake Parker shares how seasonal living feeds the soul and how you can implement it into your creative practice. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing is a reflection on what has been learned after working with more than 30 nonfiction authors this year across writing, publishing, launching, and book marketing.If you're a nonfiction author, coach, consultant, or thought leader navigating how to publish a book — and how to do it with intention — this episode will help you reset, refocus, and think more strategically about your path forward.In this episode, I reflect on:What successful authors tend to get right early in the processWhere many authors get stuck — and whyHow the book publishing and book marketing landscape is shiftingWhat opportunities are opening up for authors heading into 2026Why clarity matters more than ever at every stage of publishingThis episode isn't about tactics or step-by-step strategies. It's about perspective — and making sure you're building the right book, the right platform, and the right publishing path for your goals.

Overwhelmed with ideas? Join Jake Parker, Samantha Cotterill, and Lee White to learn how to evaluate potential projects and make the best selection. Plus, get an insider preview at the projects our pros are working on in 2026. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

If you've ever said, “I want to write a book… I just don't have time,” this episode was made for you.In this week's episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we break down the real reason time gets in the way for nonfiction authors — and the practical strategies that allow you to start (and even draft) your book without adding hours to your week.You'll learn:Why your book actually begins long before you “start writing”How to make progress using the time you already have — even without typing a single wordThe creative process behind shaping ideas into a strong, marketable book conceptHow to capture, organize, and refine your thinking using tools you already use dailyThe pros and cons of speech-to-text writing, dictation, and idea-capture workflowsWhy a fast first draft matters more than a perfect oneHow ghostwriters and AI-assisted outlining can speed up your timeline dramaticallyThe mindset shift busy coaches, consultants, and executives need in order to finish a bookIf you're a nonfiction author with a full calendar — client work, leadership roles, family, and everything in between — this episode walks you through how to finally start your book without waiting for “more time.”Make your mark as an author.Learn more about The Author's Mark — Juxtabook's 12-month professional publishing experience that helps nonfiction authors go from idea to published platform in 12 months or less.Juxtabook.com/authorsmarkLearn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. It's time to make your mark and connect with like-minded authors to publish your book, build your author brand, and book marketing. Join TodayLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Can you build an art career without social media? How helpful is AI, actually? Jake Parker, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler discuss why human connections still outweigh algorithms and how you can use them to your advantage. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Discover how a teacher built a thriving ghostwriting business by writing and editing over 200+ books for clients while maintaining authenticity in an AI-saturated market. Danielle Hutchinson reveals the real strategies behind scaling from side hustle to Chief Creative Officer (CCO), including her unique client process, how she humanizes AI-generated content, and why most authors fail at marketing their books. This episode cuts through the typical success guru nonsense to show you practical steps for building a sustainable writing business that generates consistent income.

Are celebrities worthy authors for our children? Is there still a place for highly detailed illustrations? Anthony Wheeler, Lee White, and Jake Parker discuss recent trends in indie kidlit, the evolution of the illustration industry, and more in this episode. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Can you succeed in illustration with a chronic illness? Samantha Cotterill shares her experience as an artist with rheumatoid arthritis with Jake Parker and Lee White. Discover how to rest without guilt and pace yourself for a long, vibrant career. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.