Podcasts about book sales

Have you ever finished a book you loved, handed it to a friend, and heard back, "It was fine"?That disconnect has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. It has everything to do with a principle C.S. Lewis understood well enough to write classics that have endured for decades.In this week's episode, I sat down with bestselling novelist Angela Hunt to break down the four ancient loves that drive all fiction, and how mastering them can help you produce a bestseller and a classic.You'll learnThe type of love almost every genre needs more of, and why the most violent stories need it most.How the loneliness epidemic is creating a massive hunger in readers, and which type of love lonely readers are yearning for.The type of love that makes for a classic but is hardest to write and easiest to botch. Get it wrong and your climax feels cheesy. Get it right and readers won't shut up about your book.We also explore the dark side of each love and how to use that tension to propel your plot forward.If the stakes in your story aren't working or you're sick of cheap, salacious storylines, listen in or read the blog version to learn how to incorporate these four types of love into your story. This one might change how you outline your next book or build your characters.Blog link: https://www.authormedia.com/the-four-loves-that-drive-fiction/Support the show

Jeff and Rebecca note the fever-pitch buzz for Nolan's The Odyssey, before talking about the state of book sales, mention some new book announcements, discuss recent reading, and much more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Book sales flat in H1 New Leslie Jamison novel next year! The Millions Summer Book Preview The Most Read Kindle Books of 2026 So Far Booker Prize award money doubles with new funder Brandon Sanderson's theory of the 20-year dragon nostalgia cycle Hachette employees unionize This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Go to quince.com/wellread for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. It's now available for our friends in Canada too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ana Huang spent years living a double life: international relations scholar, Georgetown grad, geopolitical consultant by day, and secret romance novelist by night. She quietly uploaded chapters to Wattpad under a pen name no one in her life knew, and kept writing even as she built a conventional career that would make her immigrant parents proud. On this episode of She Pivots, Ana shares how COVID cracked her life open, how she taught herself TikTok before BookTok was even a thing, and how she built a community of millions one chapter at a time, all while still clocking in at her day job. She talks about the moment she finally told her family the truth, why she said no to major publishers when Twisted Love blew up, and what it means to bet on yourself. Her Twisted series has now sold over 25 million copies, been translated into 34 languages, and is headed to Netflix—and her new book, King of Gluttony, is out now. You can keep up with Ana Huang on her website anahuang.com, as well as on Instagram and TikTok @authoranahuang. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to She Pivots 00:28 - Double Life to Literary Sensation 01:58 - Ana's Childhood and Cultural Identity 05:55 - Early Career and Secret Writing 12:14 - Rediscovering Writing During the Pandemic 13:38 - The Romance Genre and TikTok Success 24:24 - Self-Publishing and Traditional Offers 27:22 - Navigating Fame and Fan Expectations 31:16 - King of Gluttony and Future Plans 33:03 - From Low Point to Launch 34:51 - What Does Success Look Like Now? 36:32 - Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 37:24 - Reflections on Ana's Writing Evolution 38:11 - Podcast Credits Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holiday book sales do not start when shoppers begin panic-buying gifts in December. They start months earlier, when smart authors begin positioning their books for the gift guides, media mentions, newsletters, local segments, creator roundups, and seasonal recommendation lists that influence what readers actually buy.In this episode, Penny and Amy are talking Christmas in July — and why authors who want stronger holiday book sales need to start planning long before the holiday rush. Waiting until Thanksgiving to chase seasonal visibility is one of the biggest missed opportunities in book marketing, because many magazines, websites, bloggers, newsletters, creators, and regional outlets plan their holiday content months in advance. If you want your book to be part of the holiday shopping conversation, the time to start is now.We'll walk through what “holiday book marketing” really means and how to think beyond the obvious. Gift guides are a powerful part of the strategy, but they are not the only opportunity. Your book may also fit into seasonal media angles, local holiday shopping stories, niche newsletters, podcast recommendation episodes, bookstore roundups, reader gift lists, school or library recommendations, and specialty audience features. The goal is to help your book show up where your most likely buyers are already looking for ideas.We'll also challenge the myth that holiday marketing only works for “gifty” nonfiction, cookbooks, coffee table books, or children's titles. Children's books, YA, romance, memoir, business, self-help, niche nonfiction, local interest books, and even certain fiction genres can all work beautifully when they are framed for the right reader, buyer, occasion, or seasonal need. The question is not simply, “Is my book a gift book?” The better question is, “Who would be excited to give, receive, recommend, or share this book during the holidays?”Then we get practical. You'll learn what to prepare before you pitch, including a clean book one-sheet, a targeted email, a clear audience fit, and a subject line that does not sound like every other author asking for coverage. We'll talk about why audience alignment matters more than sheer volume, how social media can extend the life of a good placement, and why bloggers, newsletters, regional publications, local morning shows, and niche creators can often be more accessible — and more effective — than chasing only national media.We'll also share places to look for active opportunities, including HARO, Source of Sources, and similar journalist request platforms, plus the quick credibility check curators often make before they consider your book: your author website, Amazon book page, reviews, description, bio, and overall retail presentation.Most importantly, this episode gives you a starting point. Holiday book marketing does not have to be overwhelming. Start with one strong-fit pitch this week. Build from there. The authors who sell more books during the holidays are usually not the ones scrambling in December — they are the ones who started earlier, pitched smarter, and gave their books time to be discovered.Subscribe, share this episode with an author friend, and leave a review wherever you listen. Have a question or want us to cover your specific genre? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940.Send us your feedback!Preorder Think Local Sell Global and claim your free Local Buzz Blueprint, a customized local visibility plan with personalized outreach ideas, pitch angles, and ready-to-use marketing tools built around your book and community! Offer ends July 31.

On today's episode of The Coffee Break, Lee Larson talks about "Acts 1:8 Ministries" and Sarah Ballinger Speaks about the Book Sale. The Coffee Break is the daily Christian talk and local events program on Hope Radio KCMI 97.1FM serving the Scottsbluff, NE area. Tune in for interviews with authors, musicians, pastors, and others in the Christian community and our local area! Visit our website: www.kcmifm.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kcmifm

There's been a lot of discourse lately about eBooks, libraries, and sales. But are libraries really hurting book sales (and authors' and publisher's bottom lines)? This week on the pod, industry analyst and friend of the 'Cosm, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, joins Joe and Elly to talk about why publishers and libraries often seem pitted against each other, licensing agreements, and how Baker and Taylor's closure factors in.************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: https://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

Special Guest: Shahd  Safarani, Founder of ResMind   Welcome to Podcast Profits Unleashed, the podcast that helps coaches, consultants, and experts grow their business through podcasting, authority, and smart marketing.   In this episode, Karen Roberts sits down with Shahd  Safarani, founder of ResMind, to explore how AI is transforming books from passive credibility assets into active client-generation systems.   Most books don't fail because they're poorly written—they fail because the conversation ends when the reader reaches the final page. Shahd  explains how giving your book an AI-powered "brain" allows readers to continue learning, ask questions, receive personalised guidance, and naturally discover your coaching or consulting offers.

What if the real secret to a lasting writing career isn't talent or luck, but learning to thrive in the mess? Why are in-person events worthwhile even if the maths doesn't add up? How do you protect your creativity when the machines never sleep and the community is at one another's throats? With Mark Leslie Lefebvre In the intro, Has AI Already Killed Non-Fiction [Tim Ferriss]; 9 ways that AI would disrupt authors and the publishing industry over the next decade; Pivoting towards The Transformation Economy; and Who do you serve? This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as non-fiction travel and books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. His latest book is Stark Realities: Stacked Up Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know About the Business of Writing and Publishing. 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. Show Notes Why print and in-person events are making a comeback for indie authors The case for (and against) licensing your voice clone through ElevenLabs Why we keep selling books in person when the numbers rarely add up Measuring success by creative satisfaction rather than money Being honest about author earnings and the fear of being truly seen Managing stress, divisiveness, and the noise around AI You can find Mark at MarkLeslie.ca. Transcript of the interview with Mark Leslie Lefebvre Jo: Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as non-fiction travel and books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. His latest book is Stark Realities: Stacked Up Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know About the Business of Writing and Publishing. Welcome back to the show, Mark. Mark: Oh, hey, Jo. It's always an awesome time chatting with you. Jo: You've been on the show lots of times over the years, but the last time was in September 2024, when we talked about selling books in person. So give us a bit of an update. What does your writing and publishing business look like at the moment? How do you manage it alongside the day job and everything else you do? Mark: Oh my God. Well, sleep is—no rest for the wicked, maybe. I'll sleep when I'm dead. It's so funny, it was just this last weekend in Waterloo. I was at Waterloo Book Fest, and somebody came up to my table—another author from one of the other tables—and said, “I heard you on the The Creative Penn Podcast. And then when you mentioned something about Waterloo, I said, ‘He can't be from Waterloo.' And then when you mentioned the skeleton, I said, ‘I know where he lives.'” Jo: That's scary. Mark: So I love the fact that there are so many of your listeners all over the world, and that's usually how people know me. No matter what else I've done, it's like, “Oh, you've been on Joanna Penn's podcast.” I'll say, “Yes, I have.” You know what's really funny? The last time I was on the podcast, we were talking about A Book in Hand, which I was supposed to release that year. Jo: Yes. Mark: I just added another 5,000 words to it this morning. Jo: Wait, it's still not published? Mark: No, and it's so funny. I actually have the first 60,000 words of it with an editor right now, and I told her I'd get her the rest of it, which I thought would be another 20,000 words, by the end of June. But I think it's going to hit 100,000. Here's the weird thing that happened with this. This is trying to accumulate my life of book selling, as well as doubling down on doing in-person events in the last several years. I thought I was going to have the book done in 2024. I ran into some issues where I didn't back it up properly. It was an old version, and I accidentally overwrote the only version I had. Jo: So, for everyone listening, Mark—how many decades have you been an author and a publisher? How come you're still missing deadlines and still not backing up your work properly? Mark: Yes, this is a lesson: no matter how long you've been doing something, you can still make boneheaded errors. So if you, dear listener, have made mistakes, just know that this old guy who's been doing this since the mid-'80s still makes mistakes like that. Don't beat yourself up. I probably did something worse. Anyway, that book I thought was going to be maybe 40, 45,000 words, it's going to be bigger than Wide for the Win—close to 100,000 words. Here's a really important lesson I learned in that, Jo. I thought the book would be something. It became something else. Through my own experiences of doing more in-person events, book signings, and library event. Also in talking to awesome folks like Johnny B. Truant, Katie Cross, Todd Fahnestock, and so many other authors I know, and seeing what Ben Wolf is up to, and a whole bunch of different people who are doing in-person events. In creating case studies for how they interact specifically with a bookstore or library, or how they do in-person selling—I really think the book wasn't ready then. It's like the recipe wasn't ready. I still needed to play with some things. I do sincerely have faith, since I got it into the editorial process, that this will be the year the book actually gets released. Jo: As you said, there are some really good lessons there around sometimes the book not being quite ready. I'd bought an early version from the StoryBundle, which is how I got this book as well, actually. Mark: Yes. Jo: That's another tip for people—storybundle.com. You can go and find some great bundles there. I was also thinking, as you were talking, that maybe one of the reasons this book about in-person events has got so big is because that's a real trend in the community. It feels like indies, we've moved… Back in the day, I said, “I'm not doing print. No way.” This was the early days of digital, because print was really hard back then. So I was like, “Oh, and we've got all the advantages doing digital, so I'm just going to focus on that.” It feels like the pendulum has swung, perhaps even more with the ease of mass production of digital with AI. The focus on print and in person is getting stronger and stronger. Do you think that's happening? Mark: Oh, yes, 100%. I did print in 2004. It was really hard back then, so that's gotten easier. I think there are a few reasons. One of the reasons is, yes, digital made it so much easier for indie authors to get out there and break into the community. But the reality is that print books still outsell e-books in general—overall—despite the fact that indie authors can make six and seven figures a year from selling e-books alone on a single platform. So print has never really gone away. It was just never something indie authors attended to. They were in a different business than traditional publishers were in. And second, obviously I've got these gorgeous books that you've created on Kickstarter, because I like the beautiful books. I've never stopped buying print books. I actually buy more print books. I read more because of audiobooks and e-books, but I buy more print books, especially when I can get a nice signed copy. Then the other reason comes back, again, to your advice—something I've been following for the longest time, and you've long been saying. I do repeat this, and I try my best to offer attribution to you every time I use it: to double down on your humanity, particularly in this age of digital generation and the ability for even non-writers to leverage tools to create content. I think it's so much more important for me, as a creative who will never be able to catch up with the machines, to exploit my humanity. I mean, we both have digital voices of ourselves, right? There's a digital Mark Leslie Lefebvre voice that people can use, and I'm making money off it because people are able to license it through ElevenLabs. But when I'm there in person, so far the holograms aren't good enough to fool people. I think I'm not just selling a book to somebody; I want to create an experience where, “Oh, I'm talking to the author, and we're signing a book together, and we're taking a selfie together.” For me, there's that tactile experience that's really enriching. And it may not be something that lines my pockets as easily, because the investment is more significant. For every $10 I make, it costs me six or seven dollars, as opposed to an e-book, where the cost is amortised in the most beautiful way over millions of copies. Jo: There are a few things there. First of all, let's talk about that ElevenLabs voice licensing, because, as you say, I also have a voice clone. Bones of the Deep, the latest book, that's my voice clone. I haven't gone with the licensing, partly because you don't have control over what someone can do with it. So, for example, someone could create Nazi content, or content that I might not agree with, in my voice. So how have you got over that? Because part of me really does want to license my voice, and the other part doesn't. Mark: This is a great question, Jo, and I'm glad you asked it. It's the same reason I don't worry about people stealing my books—adding DRM onto my e-books and things like that. I may as well make some money off it, because let's be honest: you and I, our voices are out there. Thousands of hours of our voices, right? In your podcast, my podcast, in various interviews we've done over the years. The technology exists for someone to make a copy of my voice themselves anyway. The tools exist. They can do it easily, so why not do it myself and at least make money? I'm actually getting money deposited into my account. Not a lot—maybe $30, $18, something like that every week. Again, I've taken a lot of my non-fiction books that I haven't had the time to record myself, as I like to do, and I can at least load those to ElevenLabs and make my voice the default voice. But wouldn't it be great to be able to listen to my book in your voice? It would sound so much better. Because you can do that. When you listen to a book on that platform, you can choose my voice if you'd rather hear it in my voice, or you can choose Burt Reynolds' voice, or some other folks who've licensed theirs. Again, for me, the whole concept of wide publishing has always been important. It's another small revenue stream that's adding to my numerous revenue streams. So I guess that's how I've justified just licensing the voice. If someone's going to do something with my voice that I can't control, they can do it regardless of whether or not I put it out there myself. Jo: I agree with you. That could happen, and neither of us is famous enough that it's likely to happen anyway. I do quite like the idea of people using our voices, say, for other books for authors, because that would make sense—that's where we fit in the niche. I will rethink that, because I think it's interesting. I wanted to come back to print books. You said sometimes there are easier ways to line your pockets, and I think that's funny. So, getting into the book, this leapt out at me quite near the beginning: Why do we keep doing this when the maths almost never adds up? Mark: Oh, I have a perfect example of that from an event I did a couple of weekends ago in Burlington, Ontario. I think it was a $60 table fee. It was a new event. I believe I made $90 or $95 in sales. So even after the costs of printing and all that stuff, I really didn't make money. I made my table back, which is always a good thing. There were a few encounters I had with people who were really excited to find my Canadian Werewolf series of books, and just so thrilled to get started. Among the four of them, they bought one copy, but they were going to pass it amongst each other. You know what? Okay, they bought a single copy, and I was like, “Well, the e-book is permanently free online. You don't even have to buy a copy”—which is anti-selling. I just want them to read the book and enjoy it. But if they read it and pass it along and start talking about it, they could become readers for a long time. It's an eight-book series, with the ninth book coming out later this year. There was another encounter I had that day. A woman and her teenage daughter came in, and they were looking at my traditionally published books that I buy at a reduced price from a local bookstore and resell. They were looking at these true ghost story books I had, and they were pointing: “Do you have that one?” “Yes, I have this one, I have that one.” And the mother's like, “Well, she collects all your books, and she wants to make sure she has them.” We had this conversation, and she was so excited to meet me in person and to get a signed copy of the book. That experience was such a vanity moment for me as an author. We're lonely. I'm a big loser. Nobody's buying my books. We're always down on ourselves. So that investment of time and energy, in order to get that little pat on the back or that feeling of, “Wow, I really connected with someone who likes my stuff”—those moments are really precious. They're difficult to explain if you only look at the world in a financial way. I guess I'm fortunate enough that I do have enough income from numerous streams, including the consulting I do part-time, that it's okay if not every bookish endeavour leads to more money in my pocket at the end of the day. I can still have these authentic connections with people, which I think is one of the reasons I'm a storyteller. Yes, it's the stories I have to tell, but it's also putting the story into somebody else's hands and eyes and heart and mind. Jo: You're very giving like that. You have that sense about you, whereas I'm just a curmudgeon in the corner. Mark: That is not true. Jo: It is, generally. I don't do events like you do for readers. Mark: But that's because it takes a lot out of you. Jo: Yes, but that doesn't matter. Why do I write? I write for me. Mark: Ah, very good. Jo: At the end of the day—just being entirely selfish about this—when people say, “Oh, if you won the lottery, what would you do?” I'm like, “Well, I'd do pretty much what I'm doing now.” Mark: Yes, I'd just do the same. Of course, I'd write more books. Jo: I'd write more books. So this is where I'm trying to get to for people as well: measuring success in a different way. You were talking about measuring success by how that girl loved your books, and how you feel when someone says they love your books. With Bones of the Deep, this thriller I've just done, I feel like I had the benefit of that book before anyone even read it. As soon as it was finished, I made a nice proof copy from BookVault, and I held it in my hand and said, “I made this. I'm proud of the story, I wrote the story, and it's outside my head now.” I feel like I'm creatively satisfied in that moment. Then, of course, the Kickstarter was great, and I love that the books are going out around the world, but— I think the happiest I felt was that moment of finishing—that creative satisfaction of holding the book in my hand. You know what I mean? Mark: 100%, Jo. I cannot agree with you enough. I love so many aspects of writing. Yes, the connection with people is amazing. But I often say this when I'm doing my one-on-one consulting with authors: focus on the projects that mean the most to you, those passion projects. The process of writing, and the painful rewriting and editing and all the things you go through—when you finish that book, like you said, you hold it in your hands and it is a thing of beauty. It's a huge achievement. You've won. Whether or not you sell a single copy, you've won by doing it. Everything else is gravy: the sales, the money in your pocket or not, the reviews, positive or not, the people who say, “Oh my God, Bones of the Deep, thank you for writing this book. I'm so glad you introduced this into the world and into my life.” Anything beyond the creation itself, which is a pure joy—I love it so much. It's just why I get up at 5:30 every morning and write for hours before the rest of my day begins. I try to get stuff done before the rest of the world wakes up. I want to get the writing done first, when I have the most energy to give myself to the page. Then the rest of the day is kind of gravy for me too. Jo: You talk there about giving yourself to the page, but in Stark Realities— You talk about the fear of truly being seen. What do you mean by that, and how do you manage that feeling? Mark: For anyone who has written anything—fiction, non-fiction, memoir in particular, since it's a bit more closely tied to reality—it's exposing yourself to the world. I'll never forget an interview I did with Canadian science fiction author Julie E. Czerneda, who, before being a fiction writer, was writing biology textbooks, but her real passion was science fiction and fiction. When her first novel came out, she said, “It's like standing naked on the front lawn.” When you release a book, even a novel, people look at it and they're going to judge you and rate you. I remember early on, Jo—we knew each other through Twitter, I think, where we initially met, and then interacted with and finally met in person at London Book Fair. I think you and I have a very similar reaction. When people know us as positive and upbeat and out there helping authors in the community, and then they read our fiction, they go, “Well, Jo, you burned a nun alive on page one.” Or, “Mark, what kind of… they're drinking from the skulls of dead people? What the heck is going on with you two?” We are exposing parts of ourselves in our fiction and non-fiction. That's a fear I embrace, but also never get over, if that makes any sense. I write scary stories because I'm a big chicken. So maybe the entire process is just cheap therapy for me. Or not cheap, because it's an expensive pastime, isn't it? Jo: It certainly can be, but I agree. I struggle with fear of judgment still. I think it's also because we do this in public, which comes back to the financial side of things. We do a lot of this in public, and then people judge us on our author businesses too. You could look at Bones of the Deep, which was just on Kickstarter, and compare my Kickstarter to another author's Kickstarter for a fiction book, and judge one or the other person based on numbers. I feel like this is because you and I have done so much in public—for me, almost 20 years, and for you, like 40 years or whatever. Maybe 30 years. You look that old. Mark: Listen there, dearie. Get off my lawn. Jo: Yes, get off my lawn—with those skeletons you have on your lawn. Mark: Yes. They're no longer in my closet. Jo: They're not in your closet. I wonder if that also plays a part of it—the pros and cons of doing this business in public. Mark: Yes, that is a part of it. One thing I try to be very clear about, because there's so much FOMO and so much out there about people thinking that everyone else is making a million dollars from their books and “I'm the only loser who's not”—I try to be clear that I have never made more than a mid-five figures as an author from my author earnings, ever. I haven't yet hit six figures. One of the reasons I try to be transparent in sharing that is I don't want people to think that everyone else is a six- and seven-figure success story, and they're the only one who's only made $100 last year on their books. The reality is, 90 to 99% of the people who are writing and publishing are not going to earn a significant amount of money. I realise I'm also very, very lucky that I've earned this much, and it's taken a long time. I just shared this in a Substack post I posted yesterday: it was 10 years of rejections before I got $5 for my first short story that was published in '92. It wasn't until 2001 that I finally made pro rate, six cents US a word, for a short story that, ironically, Julie Czerneda bought from me back in the day. For me, I've been lucky that it's always been a long, slow slog. It's been a marathon, and I've never instantly sprinted across any dramatic finish line. I've had some really phenomenal moments—doing a book signing in a Costco, walking into Walmart and seeing my books there. Even last night at the Burlington Public Library, going, “Wow, they have eight of my books here—four of my self-published books and four of my traditionally published books, in two different sections.” I was like, “That's kind of cool.” So I've had these amazing moments as a writer, but I've never had the blockbuster—the Brandon Sanderson, or even the Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman, kind of moments. I still think I've had a very fortunate and lucky journey. Even if I wasn't making the money I'm making, I'd still be writing, and I'm sure you would be too. Jo: Oh, yes, for sure. I actually think the thing most of us would probably let go is the marketing. If we won the lottery, we'd carry on with all the creative stuff, the writing, the community stuff, and we'd just literally do no marketing at all. Mark: Well, yes, of course. Or potentially say, “Oh, here, ad agency, here's some money. You just run it, whatever. Let me know if it works or not. I don't care.” Jo: That's a much better idea. Mark: At least I've got the extra disposable income, so I may as well, because I'm helping the world when my books are out there. I know my books will help people. I really honestly think that as storytellers—whether it's fiction or non-fiction, we're still storytellers—what we do in writing and podcasting and all the things we do, the re-sharing on social media, is really helping connect people. I think that is one of the most profound things we can do as writers. And I mean that the writing, in and of itself, is a reward. Jo: Like you said, we met on Twitter when Twitter was what it was back in the day. I do very, very little social media now. But you just mentioned your Substack, and you also have your podcast, Stark Reflections. So how are you balancing what you put on each? I only do this podcast now. I don't even blog. I write books, obviously, and then I do the podcast. So what are you doing differently on Substack to the podcast, and what part do they play in income and marketing? Mark: Great question. I realise most people have never heard of me, or read or listened to the things I put out into the world. And I've been a longtime fan of “reduce, reuse, recycle my IP.” My podcast is not as long-running as yours, but I'm in my ninth year, and I've not missed a single Friday in the full eight years, or eight and a half by now, that I've been doing this. Every week I reflect on what I learned from an interview, or I'll reflect on something you've posted and say, “This episode is not an interview, but Jo said this last week, and I'm going to talk about it.” The podcast itself takes a lot of work. I still do all of it myself, and I know I probably shouldn't, but I like doing it, so it's one of those tasks I enjoy. I also have reflections that aren't going to come out vocally but might come out in writing. Sometimes in the morning I'm not in the mood to write the novel or the non-fiction book I'm writing, but I'm writing some tangent. I just let the creative monster go. I find that re-sharing… I might have reflected on something for a couple of minutes at the end of an interview, but I really want to expand upon it, so I write the Substack article. I try to reuse some of that content. Someone's going to enjoy seeing it on a short video clip I share on YouTube, or whatever the platform is. Someone else is going to listen to it on a podcast, wherever they listen to podcasts, and someone else is going to want to read it. It could be the same information, just shared in a slightly different way, to potentially get it out to other people. So for me, it's part of that wide publishing mentality. I'm trying not to completely duplicate the work, although I am duplicating some of it. I'll give you an example. Hey, Canadian listeners—if you have not registered for Public Lending Right in Canada, please put something in your calendar for February 2027, because the deadline's over. It was May 1st of 2026. Put it in your calendar for next year. I even had somebody at this writers' event I was at this last weekend say, “You mentioned something in a presentation you did for the Canadian Authors Association about Public Lending Right, and thank you, because now I get thousands of dollars a year from this.” So just look up Public Lending Right. I've been saying stuff about Public Lending Right for at least 10 years now. Every time I get my beautiful multi-four-figure cheque from them in February every year, I post on social media and remind authors to check it out. I know it exists in the UK, and it exists in 36 countries in the world—just not the US. Jo: Not the US. Mark: They don't have a programme like this, probably because the big publishers—and probably one of the authors' associations—think that libraries are cannibalising book sales, which is not true. It's been proven time and time again, and that lobbying has prevented it from happening. Whereas here in Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Writers' Union of Canada worked hard to make this happen. Anyway, I talk about something like Public Lending Right and I feel like I must have said this so much that people are sick of it, but every single time I mention it, someone goes, “Oh my God, thanks for saying that. I never heard it.” That's a good reminder, especially for folks like you and me. We know the basics. We know what an ISBN is. We know KDP Select means you can't put the e-book on any other retailer, or even sell it on your own website. We know all these things, but it's hard for us to remember that there are folks coming to this for the very first time who've never heard it, even though we feel like, “Oh my God, I've said this till I'm blue in the face.” I think I got that from retail. When I worked in retail, I recognised that somebody's going to come in and ask for “that blue book that Reese Witherspoon was talking about,” or Oprah was talking about, or whatever. And you do your darn best to help them figure it out rather than mock them. I try to take the same approach when people ask me those questions, because I'm trying to remember what it was like when I honestly did not know the answer, and having someone take the time to help me. I've been very, very lucky that I've had a lot of people take the time to help me. I'll never forget—God rest her soul—Nancy Kilpatrick, a horror writer here from Canada who passed away a few years ago. She gave me a blurb for my very first book in 2004 because she'd acquired one of my short stories for an anthology she'd edited. I was trying to call my short story collection an anthology, and she very kindly took me aside and said, “It's not an anthology if it's a single author. An anthology is a…” Jo: I didn't know that until, like, last year. I got that wrong as well. There are lots of words like that. I want to circle back, because you didn't really answer earlier about the time management. You just mentioned YouTube, on top of Substack and all the things you do. You also have a day job at Draft2Digital—it's part-time, right? You also do part-time at the university, teaching publishing, right? You do all kinds of things. How do you manage your time with all of that? Mark: Well, I mismanage my time more than I manage it, Jo. That's the God's honest truth. Fortunately, most of the things I have that aren't scheduled—like, scheduled to do this lecture at this time, or scheduled to have this meeting at this particular time with Draft2Digital—most of my work is very flexible. I do not work a regular 9:00 to 5:00, Monday to Friday. Well, I never did. I always worked way more. But I have a very flexible schedule. Every single day is a work day, and every single day is a play day for me. So I'm very, very lucky. I do schedule in the very important things, particularly where somebody else is reliant upon me—meetings and connections and stuff like that. Then I make the time first thing in the morning to get the writing done. Everything else is not as important, and it's part of… I guess it's part of playing. You know, like the social media sharing. I don't look at social media as marketing. I just look at it as another way to connect with people, with other creatives, and with readers potentially, all six people who read my stuff. I probably could do a better job of managing my time. I've tried several times over the years to adapt processes to make it better, but I consistently default back to what I do, and so far I guess I've been getting away with it. So I was like, “Do I want to waste more time trying to come up with a process, or do I just want to roll with it?” Because so far I haven't killed myself doing it, and I've been enjoying the journey. So, if it ain't broke… Jo: I think that's the point, if it doesn't feel like it's broken. Having known you for a long time now, and we work together—obviously we co-wrote The Relaxed Author—you do work very, very differently to me. You definitely are a little bit more chaotic. I'm chaotic in some ways too. Mark: Oh, you're very generous. “A little bit chaotic.” Thanks. That was generous, Jo. Jo: You're chaotic in your work practices and scheduling and all that, which I couldn't cope with very well. Even though I feel like a part of my brain is very chaotic—the creative side, I guess, can be quite chaotic—I think I'm actually quite controlling and very scheduled in my work practices. As you say, for someone else on the outside, it might feel to me like you have too many balls in the air. But if you don't feel that, then that's the way of working that works for you. So this is another important thing, isn't it? You can't adapt to what other people say your life should look like. It's what feels good to you. Mark: Oh, for sure. One thing I know about my procrastination tendency is that panic and fear motivate me. So, a deadline—”I have to get this into a publisher by this date, I have to get this manuscript to an editor by that date”—I'm motivated by fear. And I'm afraid of everything, so I guess I'm always motivated. Jo: But I also know that when you hear the word “deadline”—and I know a lot of people who do this—the deadline means you get it in on the deadline, or the day before the deadline. To me, a deadline means I have it ready a month earlier. Mark: I love that. I've done that a few times and shocked myself. I actually had a pre-order up—with the audiobook, the print, and the e-book—a month in advance, and I didn't know what to do with myself. I was like, “Well, what am I going to do now in the next month?” Jo: Work on the next thing. Mark: But I'm so used to working on it up to the last second that I was kind of like, “What do I do?” That actually caught me by surprise, and I honestly felt weird. I was like, “I've never felt this before.” I'm really lucky. I know you have a very supportive and amazing partner, and so do I. My partner, scarily enough, is maybe a bigger procrastinator than me, so she never gives me a hard time. She supports me, and I do the same thing with her own work. I'm up all night with her at the last minute so we can get something turned in. So, fortunately, we really understand one another, and we don't give each other a hard time. We just go, “Well, got away with it again. I guess I'm not going to change my ways.” Jo: We made it. And again, that's the point. You and I could stand up in front of people, both hold up the last book we wrote, and say, “We made this,” and our processes are completely different. Our brains are completely different. We come from different countries. There are lots of things that are different, and yet we both made a book. So hopefully that encourages people. You don't have to do anything that we're telling you, or anyone else tells you. But if you want to be an author, at some point you have to produce a book. Mark: Exactly. As Brian in the classic Monty Python film gets them to say: “Yes, we are all different.” Embrace that difference. I think that's such a powerful reminder that there is no one process for getting anything done. Jo: Given that we co-wrote The Relaxed Author back in 2021—and we did that because we had another show, and we were talking, and we said, “Oh, everyone's stressed and the anxiety levels are really high, and we think there's a better path”—we co-wrote that book, which I think is still a very good book. Definitely people should get it. Interestingly, I think the stress and anxiety might actually be higher now than it was. So what do you think the main stresses are in the community now? You also see a lot with Draft2Digital, I guess, as well. Mark: Oh, for sure. Honestly, Jo, I'm so glad we wrote that book, because I actually pick it up every once in a while to remind myself of the things we tried to help others with. Again, it's therapy for me as well, so I'm so glad we did it. I think we're 10, if not 100, times more stressed. The world events and things going on, the divisiveness—not just in the world in general, in politics and everything else, but the divisiveness in the author community. The witch-hunting that happens, people trying to tear down other authors either because they're successful, or because, “Oh my God, you dared use a new technology.” All of these things are happening, and everyone's at one another's throats. I need to pick that book up and reread it. I'm a lot more stressed than I was. I'm just getting over shingles, which is… Jo: Oh. Which is actually related to stress as well, isn't it? Mark: It is, yes. I was in LA for Writers of the Future—I'm a judge for that science fiction and fantasy conference. I went right from LA, like a week in LA, which was a phenomenal experience getting to mentor the winners. And I mean, come on, it's a free trip to Hollywood, hanging out with Kevin Anderson, having beers and stuff like that. Then I came back to the Toronto Indie Author Conference, run by Tao Wong, here in Toronto. I went right from the airport—didn't even go home—straight to the hotel, because I kicked into another conference. We did a display on how to set up an in-person booth, so I ended up having to hand-bomb boxes, blocks down the street from where I was parked. My chest was really sore when I got home on the Monday, and I thought it was because I hadn't used these muscles, because I'm not in the best shape. Then I took my shirt off and went, “Oh, there's a rash there.” Liz goes, “You have shingles.” Because the pain in my chest, which I thought was the muscle, was actually underneath. I'm one of those lucky people that it's taken the full five weeks, and I'm still in pain even afterwards. So, again, public notice: if you're an older person like me, and there's a vaccine available for shingles, you may want to consider it. Jo: Yep, get it. Mark: Oh my God, it hurts. But, yes, the stress, I think, is higher—even though I didn't know I was feeling it. It was happy stress, right? I was stressed out because I'm there in Hollywood, helping people and doing some good things, and then I'm doing the same thing, interacting with some amazing authors at the Toronto Indie Author Conference. I didn't feel anxious stress. I was happy stress. Is that a thing? Jo: I think possibly… your physical body masks stress, physical stress, because you enjoy all of that stuff. Whereas someone like me, I'll feel it quicker and withdraw. Although I say that, back probably a decade ago, Jonathan would say to me, “You're going too fast, and you're going to hit the wall. And when you hit the wall, it's not going to be fun.” And I did hit the wall. Then, probably in 2021—I mean, that was when I just started going into menopause, and obviously we had the pandemic, and I wrote Pilgrimage, and I was doing all those walks, which I think really helped me. I learned a lot about maybe stopping that before it happened. Becca Syme obviously talks a lot about this too. But I find it interesting with you, because I think you're so positively happy with these events you do that it might mask your physical symptoms in a different way. That's really hard to watch out for. I'll give a tip to you and everyone else listening: schedule the calendar, and look at your calendar and go, “I can't go back-to-back-to-back. I have to put in some rest days.” Mark: Well, thank you. You know, Jo, you and Becca Syme are two of my best unpaid therapists. I appreciate that. Jo: You just don't listen, Mark. Mark: Or sometimes I do. Jo: Just coming back to the community, and the divisiveness there is primarily over AI at the moment, I think that's one of the biggest things. And the arbitrary lines as to what you're allowed to use it for and what you're not allowed to use it for, which is just kind of crazy. Obviously, you know I've opted out of that whole discussion now. How do you think we can move through this [divisiveness over AI], move on? We remember when it was trad versus indie, and then it was wide versus KU. So this will pass—it's just hard, when you're in it, to know when it might pass. Mark: Yes. I think the more generic advice—for whatever may come, whatever has come—is: why are you doing this? Why are you a writer? Heads down, focus on what gives you pleasure, and do that, because everything else is noise. All the marketing tactics and strategies, and all the people yelling at one another. Write your books. Do the things that motivate you. Do the things that give you that intrinsic reward. It's hard to ignore. I get it, it is hard to ignore. I have difficulty ignoring the haters and the yelling and the screaming that happens, but I do my best. Like this morning, when I was in the throes of my manuscript and I looked up and went, “Oh my God, I've got to shower. I'm going to be talking to Jo soon, I should comb my hair”—which I have none of. Because I was so in my book that everything else melted away. That, for me as a storyteller, as a writer, is one of the most beautiful places to be. Jo: I think you're absolutely right. I have a little thing that pops up in my calendar sometimes which says, “If you're feeling all of these things, just go create something.” The moment you refocus on creation—whatever that means to you—things change. It changes the energy. That, or go for a walk. That's my other tip. Mark: Outside. And I have to say, Jo, Pilgrimage is still one of the most profound and powerful books you've written, and you've written a lot of amazing ones. Jo: Oh, you're very sweet. Mark: That one really resonates, not just for me, but with Liz. Because one of the things we often do when we get stressed is go for a walk, ideally in nature. The vitamin N. I think there's something really profound in that, and it really helps me a lot. And again, sometimes going for a walk listening to your podcast, or an audiobook, or sometimes just attending to the environment. A tip I picked up years ago from Brooklyn author Denis Hamill was: go for a walk with your character. Listen to what they see. What do they comment on? How do they approach this environment that you've seen a million times? How do they see it? What do they notice that you don't notice? That's such an incredible experience of creativity—when you're not writing, but writing. That really helps me a lot. Jo: Oh, nice one. Okay, so your latest book is Stark Realities, but you have so many more. Where can people find you and your books and your podcast online? Mark: Jo, you can find everything you want to know about me—and stuff you don't want to know about me—over at MarkLeslie.ca. It links to all the other places from there. Jo: Brilliant. Thanks again for your time, Mark. That was great. Mark: Thanks so much, Jo. Bye-bye. The post Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Today is Thursday, June 18, 2026. The Brainerd Dispatch Minute is a product of Forum Communications Co. and is brought to you by reporters at the Brainerd Dispatch. Find more news throughout the day at BrainerdDispatch.com.

If you have an email list you've been ignoring because it feels too small to matter, or you've been sending newsletters that feel good but aren't selling books, this episode is going to change how you think about email entirely. Jenn breaks down why social media and email are not doing the same job, the three most common reasons email lists stop growing, and why a list of 340 people can outsell a social media following of 2,000 when you know what to say. Plus the simple three-email rotation that turns a relationship list into a sales channel.LinksFREE Book Marketing BlueprintThe 90-Day Book Sales SystemDone-WITH-You Services:Social Growth SessionsNext Level Marketing Sessions

You've spent months—maybe years—writing your manuscript. But publishing is only the beginning. The real challenge is reaching the right readers and turning attention into lasting connection. What if your book wasn't static, but a “living document”—an interactive extension of your brand that evolves with your audience?Today, Domingo Silvas helps us explore how AI is transforming the author journey—not as replacement, but as an augmentation tool that helps you:Turn pages into conversations with AI-driven book companionsScale marketing with automated, high-converting 30-day launch plansBuild a living document with dynamic content, CRM integration, and clear CTAsProtect your voice using specialized AI tools that reduce hallucinations and stay on-brandWhether you're building a readership or converting clients, it's time to rethink what your book can do—and how AI can amplify its impact.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://superbrandpublishing.com/podcast/

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: You are winning, and America is winning too Things are about to get real on the money front Who is fluffing Jill’s book numbers Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 227, Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the behind-the-scenes world of book sales, bestseller lists, and publishing trends. Brenna shares insight into how sales data is gathered and used across the publishing industry, from tracking pre-orders and audiobooks to measuring the impact of celebrity book clubs and award recognition. They also discuss what makes a book commercially "successful," what current reading trends are revealing about 2026 so far, and what Brenna is watching for in the second half of the year. Plus, Brenna shares her own book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Why tracking book sales is far more complicated than most readers realize — including what Circana can and can't actually measure. A behind-the-scenes look at bestseller lists and the role Circana data plays in lists like the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. The famously secretive methodology behind the New York Times Bestseller List. The impact celebrity book clubs and reading lists from Reese, Oprah, and Obama have on book sales. What current sales data is revealing about 2026 reading trends — and how the economy may be shaping book buying habits. Brenna shares the books she recommends — and the trends she's watching for the rest of the year. Brenna's Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:13] Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:00]   Other Books Mentioned The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [40:22] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [40:23]   Two NEW Books She Loves Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (November 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:07] Joyride by Susan Orlean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:01] Other Books Mentioned Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [45:12] The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) [45:14]  The Library Book by Susan Orlean (2018) [46:12]  One Book She DIDN'T Love Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:29] Other Books Mentioned The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) [47:51] These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (2021) [47:57]  Whistler by Ann Patchett (2026) [48:55]  One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:25] Other Books Mentioned The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) [49:37]  Books From the Discussion Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 6) by Sarah J. Maas (October 27, 2026) [9:38] Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 7) by Sarah J. Maas (January 12, 2027) [9:38] Strangers by Belle Burden (2026) [11:54]  Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) [15:35]  The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin (2023) [15:45] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) [15:53] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [25:52]   No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (2026) [31:38]  London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (2026) [31:53]  Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) [33:35] Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, 1) by Matt Dinniman (2024)* [33:40]  Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [36:58]  Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) [37:00]  Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (2025)* [38:39]  *Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition. These titles were originally self-published. Other Links Publishing Confidential, on Substack | "A Tale of Three Bestseller Lists" by Kathleen Schmidt

Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, analytic dreamz delivers a complete breakdown of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that reimagines the Yoshi series as a cozy, discovery-driven puzzle-platformer.analytic dreamz explores the innovative gameplay centered around Mr. E, the living encyclopedia, where players guide Yoshi through interactive storybook worlds filled with 50–60+ unique creatures. The segment covers core mechanics including creature observation, feeding, carrying, throwing, and chain reactions, alongside classic abilities like Flutter Jump and Egg Throwing, all within colorful sandbox-style levels.This episode examines the paper-craft visuals, creature-riding abilities, Star-based progression, Bowser Jr. as rival explorer, and multiple playthrough lengths — 6–10 hours for the main story and up to 40–47 hours for full completion. analytic dreamz also discusses the game's 80/100 Metacritic score, launch performance, major Bewilder Bird bug, and how it shifts focus from traditional platforming to curiosity and experimentation.Essential listening for Nintendo fans, Switch 2 owners, and anyone interested in Yoshi's evolution on Nintendo's latest hardware.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Most authors treat launch day like a verdict: the book goes live, sales come in (or don't), and suddenly it feels like the market has spoken. Quiet numbers can trigger a brutal spiral — exhaustion, disappointment, and the sinking feeling that maybe the opportunity already passed. We disagree completely.In this episode, Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell break down a four-part relaunch strategy designed to help authors stop chasing a single "big moment" and start building ongoing visibility. Because the truth is that successful books rarely explode from one launch. They gain traction through repeated opportunities, smarter timing, and consistent refinement.We walk through the first phase: the Visibility Launch — where your goal is not perfection or massive sales, but data. You'll learn why early readers, initial messaging, and small audience response become the foundation for everything that follows. Then we move into the Proof Launch, showing how reviews become more than social proof. They become market intelligence. Reader language often reveals stronger hooks, better positioning, and selling points authors miss entirely.Next comes the Opportunity Launch, one of our favorite strategies. Instead of creating attention from scratch, attach your book to moments already happening: holidays, cultural conversations, seasonal trends, awareness months, news cycles, and built-in buying behavior. Borrow momentum instead of manufacturing it.Then we get into Market Expansion, where smart authors create multiple "new release" moments by staggering formats and audience entry points. Audiobooks, hardcover editions, large print, translations, workbooks, companion guides, and special editions can each create fresh visibility and reach readers who missed you the first time.We also unpack why Amazon rewards ongoing engagement. Updated descriptions. Improved A+ content. Fresh reviews. Better positioning. Small changes made consistently often outperform giant one-time marketing pushes.If your launch felt disappointing, this episode is your reset button. Because one quiet launch day does not mean your book failed. It may simply mean you're still in chapter one of the marketing plan.Subscribe for more practical book marketing strategies, share this episode with an author who needs a second chance mindset, and leave a review so more writers can find the show.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

You're showing up. You're posting consistently. You've made sales. And your numbers haven't moved in months. In this episode, Jenn breaks down exactly why the book marketing plateau happens, how to diagnose which type you're dealing with, and the three specific shifts that break through it. This one is for the author who is already doing the work and needs the strategy underneath it to finally catch up.LINKSFREE Book Marketing BlueprintThe 90-Day Book Sales SystemDone-WITH-You Services:Social Growth SessionsNext Level Marketing Sessions

319 / What marketing strategies are working for authors right now? Ferol from Written Word Media shares the lessons he's learned helping authors succeed, the mistakes to avoid, and actionable advice for building your own writing business.Transitioning from the music industry to serving indie authorsWhat sets successful long-term indie authors apartCommon marketing mistakes authors makeTrends in AI, audio, and global book promotionThe power of connection: conferences, community, and authenticity

Are you tired of the traditional book launch model that feels more like shouting into a void than building a business? For years, authors were told to write in isolation, polish to perfection, and hit publish, only to watch their sales stall after week one. The reality is that the old "build it and they will come" strategy is broken. Today, Amazon has flipped the script, moving away from short-term sales spikes and instead rewarding authors who bring in external traffic through robust, long-term platform building.If you want to stop guessing and start executing, you need to understand the Perfect Reader Playbook. Success in the modern market isn't about luck; it's about mastering the five stages of reader awareness—moving your audience from being completely unaware to becoming your most loyal buyers. By shifting your focus from cold selling to relationship building, you can transform your book from a one-off project into a powerful engine for your coaching, consulting, or speaking business. Let's dive into how you can stop the "long tail collapse" and start building an author platform that Amazon—and your readers—will reward mightily.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://superbrandpublishing.com/podcast/

If your book sales have you questioning everything, the problem might not be your book—it might be the benchmark you're using.In this episode, we're dismantling one of the biggest misconceptions in publishing: what “normal” book sales actually look like. Because once you understand how few copies most books sell—even from traditional publishers—it completely reframes the narrative around success, failure, and what's realistically achievable.We also take a hard look at the numbers authors throw around online. Big sales claims rarely come with context, and without understanding the costs behind them—ads, discounts, royalties, and margins—you can end up chasing results that look impressive but don't actually translate into profit. Visibility is not the same as viability, and we break down why that distinction matters.From there, we get into what's really happening behind the scenes. Book sales data is often incomplete, especially when it comes to ebooks and indie platforms, which means many authors are comparing themselves against numbers that don't tell the full story. That comparison spiral? It's built on shaky data.We also tackle one of the most persistent (and damaging) myths in publishing: the idea that a publisher will handle your marketing. In reality, most authors—traditional or indie—are responsible for building their own visibility. The authors who gain traction are the ones who treat their book like a business: they think long-term, build a reader funnel, invest in their backlist, and focus on creating consistent, compounding momentum.This episode is a reset. Not a discouraging one—a clarifying one.Because when you understand how this industry actually works, you stop chasing unrealistic outcomes and start building a strategy that has a real chance of working.If you've ever felt behind, discouraged, or unsure what “good” even looks like anymore, this is the perspective shift you need.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

Books should be sold to book stores, right? That's it?Eh, not really! There are markets for books everywhere, from your local museum gift shop to the gas station around the corner. How do you find these markets, and figure out what types of books sell at what types of stores? What even IS the difference between a gift and specialty shop? This week on the pod, Joe and Elly dive in!************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

Absolute Batman write Scott Snyder said the quiet part out loud. It's hard to get a comic storyline to last past six or eight issues because readers drop the book after the first couple. He also says that there's some inflation going on with comic book numbers, but stops short of saying the industry is NOT in a good place right now. One of the reasons for the short attention span? He says streaming (i.e. Netflix) but... c'mon. We know that's not what's actually going on here. Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify. CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles. Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/ On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTV On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvg On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629 MORE CLOWNFISH TV - Official Merch Store: http://ClownfishMinus.com Facebook - https://facebook.com/ClownfishTV X - https://x.com/ClownfishTVcom Clownfish TV subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ClownfishTVOfficial/ Disclaimer: This series is produced by Clownfish Studios and WebReef Media, and is part of ClownfishTV.com. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of our guests, affiliates, sponsors, or advertisers. ClownfishTV.com is an unofficial news source and has no connection to any company that we may cover. This channel and website and the content made available through this site are for educational, entertainment and informational purposes only. These so-called “fair uses” are permitted even if the use of the work would otherwise be infringing. #comics #ComicBooks #Batman #DCComics #Podcast #Commentary #News #Reaction #Gaming #Comedy #Entertainment #Hollywood #PopCulture #Tech #Anime #FYP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever finished a book you loved, handed it to a friend, and heard back, "It was fine"?That disconnect has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. It has everything to do with a principle C.S. Lewis understood well enough to write classics that have endured for decades.In this week's episode, I sat down with bestselling novelist Angela Hunt to break down the four ancient loves that drive all fiction, and how mastering them can help you produce a bestseller and a classic.You'll learnThe type of love almost every genre needs more of, and why the most violent stories need it most.How the loneliness epidemic is creating a massive hunger in readers, and which type of love lonely readers are yearning for.The type of love that makes for a classic but is hardest to write and easiest to botch. Get it wrong and your climax feels cheesy. Get it right and readers won't shut up about your book.We also explore the dark side of each love and how to use that tension to propel your plot forward.If the stakes in your story aren't working or you're sick of cheap, salacious storylines, listen in or read the blog version to learn how to incorporate these four types of love into your story. This one might change how you outline your next book or build your characters.Blog link: https://www.authormedia.com/the-four-loves-that-drive-fiction/Support the show

In this episode, Heather interviews Marlena Hollis of Young Lions VA's about how Christian authors can use virtual assistants to scale their book sales, strengthen their backend support, and stop carrying every task alone. Marlena explains how faith-based VA support can help authors and entrepreneurs delegate with clarity, protect their time, and create more space for the message they are called to steward. Together, Heather and Marlena discuss practical tasks authors can hand off, how to know when you are ready for support, and why delegation is often a necessary step in building a sustainable author business. Listeners can also download Marlena's Young Lions VA Placement Readiness Kit, which includes a readiness quiz, task audit worksheet, and control and fear audit to help them decide what support they need next. Guest Links and Resources Download the assessment to see when it is best for you to hire your first VA Young Lions VA Placement Readiness Kit Young Lions VA Website: https://younglionsva.net/ Young Lions VA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577708446608 Book a Young Lions VA Interest Meeting: https://links.younglionsva.com/widget/bookings/ylvan-interest-meeting Marlena Hollis Ministries: https://marlenahollisministries.com Marlena Hollis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarlenaHollis.teachJesus Marlena Hollis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Marlena_Hollis Marlena Hollis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenahollis.teachjesus Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 02:57 The Overwhelm of Book Marketing 06:13 The Role of Virtual Assistants for Authors 08:54 The Fear of Delegation 12:09 Building Relationships with Virtual Assistants 15:02 The Founding of Young Lions Virtual Assistant Network 17:48 The Impact of Virtual Assistance on Lives 21:05 The Importance of Human Connection vs AI 23:58 Investing in Kingdom Relationships 27:14 The Accountability Factor 30:14 The Benefits of Hiring a VA 32:56 Networking and Community Building 36:12 Tax Benefits of Hiring a VA 39:22 Building Kingdom Businesses 40:28 The Role of AI in Business 46:07 The Power of Virtual Assistants 49:07 Common Tasks to Delegate 51:00 The Importance of Teamwork 54:02 Investing in Support for Growth 57:33 The Symbiotic Relationship of Ministry and Business 01:01:54 Effective Onboarding Processes              

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 24Episode Overview:Welcome back to Becoming Preferred. The podcast to help you level up your game and become the best version of you. Today, we are joined by a returning guest who has reached the literal summits of the corporate world.He's been a senior leader at Salesforce, PayPal, and Oracle, and he literally wrote the book on Sales Enablement. But today, we're talking about a different kind of mastery. Imagine reaching the peak of your career, only to wake up surviving a stroke with a 2% chance of survival.Roderick Jefferson is back with us to discuss his powerful new book and movement, Stroke of Success™. This isn't just a survival story; it's a strategic roadmap for every entrepreneur and executive who has ever traded their health for a headline or their peace for a paycheck. We're going to talk about how to redefine resilience, why 'wholeness' is the ultimate KPI, and how to build a life that is as successful on the inside as it looks on the outside. Join me for my conversation with Roderick Jefferson.Guest Bio: Roderick Jefferson is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in sales enablement leadership. He is also an acknowledged practitioner and a global keynote speaker. He understands how to create bridges between internal organizations to empower sales to exceed expectations.Recognized for his expertise, Roderick has earned numerous accolades, including being named among America's Best Speakers by Selling Power Magazine, receiving the Sales Enablement Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognition as a Top Black Executive Leader. He is also a founding member of the Sales Enablement Society.He frequently presents at industry events and is the author of the Amazon #1 new release and bestselling books, Sales Enablement 3.0: The Blueprint to Sales Enablement Excellence™, The Sales Enablement 3.0 Companion Workbook™, and Stroke of Success™.Roderick has served on several Advisory Boards, including Autobound, Capella University, DemandFarm, Koridor, Leadoff.ai, National Speakers Association (NorCal), Sales for the Culture, Selleration Inc., and Walli Hr.Roderick has held roles in executive leadership, sales, sales enablement, operations, and customer service at 3PAR, AT&T, BusinessObjects, Magnit, Marketo, Oracle Marketing Cloud, NetApp, Netskope, PayPal, Roderick Jefferson & Associates, Salesforce, Siebel Systems, and Siteimprove.When he's not working on consulting projects or onstage delivering a keynote, he can be found perfecting the art of barbecuing or playing bocce in his backyard with his family.Regarding my signature topic, keynote, and bestselling book, they have shifted from AI, sales, and the current state of selling to something I call “Stroke of Success™.” You can learn more here.Resource Links:Website: https://roderickjefferson.com/Stroke of Success Book: https://www.roderickjefferson.com/stroke-of-successSales 3.0 Book Link: https://roderickjefferson.com/bookSales 3.0 Companion Workbook: https://roderickjefferson.com/companion-workbookKeynote Speaker Highlight Reel: https://bit.ly/3zRVNJaSocial Media Channels: https://linktr.ee/roderickjeffersonInsight Gold Timestamps:06:52 I was at 22% heart function that gave me 2% chance to live10:22 From the American Stroke Association, that one out of every four people, not just Americans, but people over the age of 25 in the world, will incur a stroke and you many not even know it11:43 What was the first corporate habit you realized you had to permanently delete to protect your new life?14:14 Literally I'm recharging my batteries every day rather than waiting until the weekend to recharge17:30 Money just buys independence18:25 Stop thinking that you're irreplaceable at work because you're not, and start acting like you're irreplaceable at home20:17 I believe selfishness, if you do it right, it becomes self-care22:35 If it's not something that you're putting out that's going to help others, then it's just marketing26:35 I had to learn how to be present29:48 Can you look in the mirror and say you like yourself, the person that's looking back at you?34:19 Was I productive or was I just busy?35:44 In your book you talk about relationships as being critical as achievement is38:19 How well can you say you really knew the hopes, dreams, and experiences of your grandparents?40:50 That's what I want my legacy to be, how I made people feel41:27 Send folks to roderickjefferson.com because then you'll get a signed book and I can get that out to youConnect Socially:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roderickjefferson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Npxk-Ws48Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderick_j_associates/Roderick's Sales Enablement Spotify Podcast Playlist: https://tr.ee/tywJiGJxdgSales Enablement Online Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/applying-the-art-and-science-of-sales-enablement/?referralCode=6CF22D97C842CCC0E07CSocial Media Channels: https://linktr.ee/roderickjeffersonEmail: roderick@roderickjefferson.comSponsors: Rainmaker LeadGen Platform Demo: https://calendar.summit-learning.com/widget/booking/JKItVP7WErmCBjU2cCIxRainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

California utility customers will receive climate credit relief on their energy bills later this year as part of the state’s cap‑and‑trade program. The credits are meant to offset rising electricity and gas costs, offering temporary financial relief amid ongoing concerns about affordability. The U.S. and Iran are weighing a deal that could release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for limits on uranium enrichment, according to Axios. The talks aim to ease tensions and prevent escalation but face political resistance and unresolved questions over enforcement and verification. A report says a political action committee tied to Governor Gavin Newsom bought thousands of copies of his memoir, boosting its sales numbers. Critics argue the purchases artificially inflated the book’s success, while supporters say the copies were used for promotion and outreach. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California utility customers will receive climate credit relief on their energy bills later this year as part of the state’s cap‑and‑trade program. The credits are meant to offset rising electricity and gas costs, offering temporary financial relief amid ongoing concerns about affordability. The U.S. and Iran are weighing a deal that could release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for limits on uranium enrichment, according to Axios. The talks aim to ease tensions and prevent escalation but face political resistance and unresolved questions over enforcement and verification. A report says a political action committee tied to Governor Gavin Newsom bought thousands of copies of his memoir, boosting its sales numbers. Critics argue the purchases artificially inflated the book’s success, while supporters say the copies were used for promotion and outreach. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You wrote the book. You got it published. You've been putting yourself out there.So why is it still not bringing in real income?This week's guest, Robin Ayoub—founder and CEO of N49 Networks, fractional CRO, and podcast host—shares what most authors miss when they expect their book to do the heavy lifting.We get into what actually drives revenue… and where authors tend to get stuck without realizing it.Because the gap isn't effort.It's how that effort is aimed.What you'll start to question:Is your book really the thing that's supposed to make you money? Or is it playing a different role altogether?Are you doing things that feel productive… but don't lead anywhere? There's a difference. And it's not always obvious.Does visibility actually translate into sales? Or is something missing in between?Are you clear on who you're trying to reach… and where they already are? Because guessing looks a lot like “trying everything.”Is AI helping you move faster… or just creating more noise?If your book isn't doing what you expected, this conversation will help you see what's really going on.And more importantly… what to shift.Here's how to connect with Robin:30-minute complimentary sessionWebsiteLinkedInEmail*************************************************************************When Visibility Feels Hard, Podcast Guesting Changes the GameIf you know your book deserves more reach but visibility feels like a struggle, podcast guesting can open the right doors.Podcast Connections gets you in front of the audiences who need your message and your expertise.Contact them at PodcastConnections.co*************************************************************************

Welcome to a very experimental episode of Films in Black and White! We are trying some new things like polls, and a brand new game from the Marcus J. But first, Bryan had an interesting experience with Disney Plus that he wanted talk about. Doug looks at comic books, and who is leading 2025 in sales. Then Marcus leads us through his new game. We finish with a brand new segment, After Party. This is where we respond to comments from our social media posts. Join us for the fun but stay for the good vibes!Follow Us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/FilmsInBlackandWhiteRemember you can join our patty family, and help produce the show by going to Patreon.com/filmsinblackandwhitePlugs:Support the Mantra: Never Offended Always Humble - https://linktr.ee/MarcusJ.DestinThe Love Nerds - thelovenerds.com

In this episode, Jodi breaks down why focusing on sales numbers alone can mislead you, and what you should be tracking instead to measure the real ROI of your book. Book sales might be the most visible metric—but for business owners, they're rarely the most meaningful. From lead generation to visibility and client conversion, this episode will help you redefine what success actually looks like.   Time Stamps: 00:00 – Intro and recap of last week's episode 02:00 – Why book sales are the default (but flawed) metric 04:00 – What book success really looks like for business owners 05:30 – Metric #1: Client conversion & sales cycle 08:00 – Metric #2: Visibility opportunities (speaking, podcasts, partnerships) 10:15 – Metric #3: Lead generation and calls to action 12:30 – Why defining success early matters 14:30 – Understanding "invisible ROI" 17:00 – Real-world examples (speaking, bulk books, indirect revenue) 19:00 – Final takeaway: define success before publishing   Keywords: book marketing strategy, business book ROI, book sales vs ROI, author marketing metrics, lead generation from a book, book as a marketing tool, business book strategy, publishing for entrepreneurs, book sales cycle, thought leadership books, nonfiction marketing strategy, book funnel strategy, author visibility strategy, speaking opportunities from a book, book lead magnets, measuring book success, business ecosystem marketing, ROI of writing a book, book marketing for entrepreneurs, strategic book writing, business owners writing books, book writing for business owners   Resources Mentioned: Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup   LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dUQLCUrzkHo_8QA38ISvZ_8KJUoojxbMcnL7ajwzaRM/edit?usp=sharing

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a transitional moment in book sales, National Book Critics Circle Winners, National Black Bookstore Day, recent reading, and much more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: NBCC winners April 7 is the first National Black Bookstore Day PRH profits dropped 4.7% in 2025 Print sales fell 3.1% in first quarter of 2026 First Pynchon, now it turns out we've been saying Thoreau wrong Harlequin to co-produce AI-generated microdramas A24 picks up London Falling for adaptation The Corrections series starring Meryl Streep lands at Netflix Peacock picks up Dungeon Crawler Carl Use code THEBOOKS for 20% off at Cozy Earth. Go to quince.com/bookriot for free shipping and 365-day returns. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest: Cindy Monroe, Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library The Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library fund numerous projects that support literacy outreach and reading programs. You can be part of that support by attending the Spring Book Sale. >> Location:  Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. >> Dates:  ... Read more

Want to take your books beyond the U.S. and into global markets—but not sure where to start?  In this episode, Gryphon Publishing Consulting Owner Mary Jo Courchesne breaks down the entire process of selling international rights, so independent publishers can turn their books into opportunities around the world. You'll learn: how to determine whether your title is a good fit for international markets how to research genre trends in other countries how to connect with international publishers how major rights marketplaces like the Frankfurt Book Fair, London Book Fair, and more help publishers land deals and so much more! If you want to expand your book's reach—and revenue—beyond your home market, this conversation gives you a clear, practical roadmap for getting your books into readers' hands across the globe. This episode is presented by MetaComet Systems. Learn more at https://metacomet.com/?utm_source=ibpa&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2026 PARTICIPANTS Mary Jo (“MJ”) Courchesne is the founder of Gryphon Publishing Consulting, a permissions and licensing company serving independent publishers. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), is a member of the Rights Committee of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), the American Book Producers Association, and the Copyright Alliance. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors for The Big Easy in Buffalo. She resides in Buffalo, NY. 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 3,900 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/ Learn more about IBPA Publishing University here: https://www.publishinguniversity.org/ Sell more books to the international market with IBPA's Frankfurt Book Fair and DropCap book marketing programs here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ListofBenefits#sellmorebooks Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Check out Gryphon Publishing Consulting here: www.gryphonpublishing.co

Discover how indie Christian authors are breaking free from Amazon exclusivity and boosting revenue through direct sales, TikTok Shop, email newsletters, and faith-aligned platforms. Real strategies, real growth. Ink Marks the Spot LLC dba ChristShare City: Faribault Address: 2040 Hiersche Road Website: https://www.christshare.com

DC Comics once again dominated February 2026 comic book sales. Ram V and company have revealed more details about their new graphic novel, Deicidium. The manga Chainsaw Man iSUBSCRIBE ON RSS, APPLE, SPOTIFY, OR THE APP OF YOUR CHOICE. FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.

In this episode, Jodi and Erin Ollila discuss how business owners should use website copy strategically to sell and promote a book, whether that's a dedicated book website or a book sales page on your existing business site. Erin shares with listeners where to feature the book throughout your website for trust-building and SEO, and how blog posts and podcast show notes can drive long-term book visibility. Jodi and Erin also discuss email marketing as it relates to books, including direct sales strategies, customer data, and email list permissions best practices.   Time Stamps: 00:01 — Intro + welcome Erin back 02:40 — Book page on existing site vs. separate book website 05:23 — Why keeping the book on your site supports SEO + authority 07:36 — The must-have: a dedicated book page (and where to place it) 09:31 — Where to reference the book (About page, homepage, resources) 11:46 — Use blog posts + podcast show notes to promote the book naturally 13:00 — SEO strategy: long-tail keywords + "more windows on your house" 16:44 — Why direct sales matter: upsells, funnels, customer data 23:23 — Email compliance: permission-based opt-ins + receipt email strategy 28:20 — Build a book-specific nurture sequence (before general newsletter) 29:45 — What a book page needs (keep it simple) 32:52 — Media page vs. media section on book page 35:45 — Permission to take a "B-minus approach" and improve later 39:44 — Book recommendations + where to find Erin   Keywords: book sales page, book website vs sales page, author website copy, website copywriting for authors, book landing page, book page on website, how to sell a book on your website, direct book sales, selling books direct, book marketing for business owners, book funnel, book nurture sequence, email opt-in compliance, CAN-SPAM laws, customer data for authors, SEO for authors, book SEO keywords, blog posts for book marketing, podcast show notes SEO, branded keywords, author platform, about page book placement, website navigation book page, media page for authors, speaking page for authors, book page conversion rate, copywriting tips for book pages, business owners writing books, book writing for business owners   Resources Mentioned: Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup Erin's podcast: Talk Copy to Me: https://erinollila.com/podcast/   About Our Guest: onversion copywriter. Copy Coach. Lover of ice cream, especially in non-dairy forms. Erin Ollila is a conversion copywriter who believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. When she's not working with big brands and small businesses to marry strategy, storytelling, and SEO, you can find her exploring southeastern MA with her family and friends. Erin graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.    Website: http://erinollila.com Talk Copy to me (podcast): https://erinollila.com/podcast/ Links to social media accounts: Instagram  LinkedIn  Facebook  Twitter   LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12NfaADDVbezVb5EPLxs3sdmq6g8M9N-eDN3BnJT67v0/edit?usp=sharing  

Convenor of the Regent Theatre 24 Hour Book Sale in Dunedin, Kathleen Wallace joins Emile Donovan.

In this episode, Jodi explains why direct selling your book is the smartest marketing strategy for business owners and leaders. She breaks down the limitations of third-party sellers (including Amazon), explores how upsells and bundles can create increased ROI, and shows how direct sales help business owners collect data, build relationships, and guide readers through their business ecosystem.   Time Stamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Part 2 of the Business-First Book Series 01:10 – Why direct selling matters more than ever 02:15 – The limits of retail outlets and Amazon fatigue 03:45 – Why traditional book marketing advice doesn't work for business owners 05:10 – The real purpose of a business book 06:30 – Why royalties are not the primary goal 07:40 – Relationship-building vs. transactional sales 09:00 – The importance of owning customer data 10:20 – "Do the Math" – how direct sales multiply ROI 12:45 – Upsells, downsells, tripwires, and order bumps 14:20 – Example: pairing a book with a workbook or masterclass 16:30 – Using experimentation to refine your strategy 18:10 – Episode recommendations and resources 19:00 – Book Planning Intensive and final thoughts   Keywords: direct book sales, book marketing for business owners, selling books directly, Amazon fatigue, third-party booksellers, book royalties, author revenue, book sales strategy, sales multipliers, upsells and downsells, order bumps, tripwires, book bundles, customer data, business ecosystem, author marketing, publishing strategy, self-publishing marketing, book ROI, tangible ROI, intangible ROI, book funnels, relationship-based marketing, business-first books, entrepreneur authors, book promotion   Resources Mentioned: Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup Episode 207: Self-Publishing: A Business-First Approach for Business Owners Episode 204: Do the Math to Generate Tangible and Intangible ROI from Your Nonfiction Book Episode 200: Direct Sales Are the Future of Book Marketing Episode 170: Sales Multipliers + Your BVook Book Planning Intensive: jodibrandoneditorial.com/services   LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wlm9UPHknZOjtrSg843DMi4a0kfS0DCY4WIArG4px_w/edit?usp=sharing  

Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you'd like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.Books/Resources Mentioned:Mike's upcoming Monday Night Reading, where he'll read selections from The Money Habit.Connect with AJ & Mike:AJ Harper, website Write A Must-Read  Free resourcesAJ's Socials:FacebookLinkedInMike Michalowicz, websiteAll books Mike's Socials: IGFBLinkedIn

We love our book babies, but sometimes they don't sell as well as we'd hope. In this episode of the Best of Book Marketing podcast, we tackle book marketing tips for what to do when you have slow book sales. Hint: sometimes it's the book! We'll cover lots of practical ideas to help get your book sales back on track.Episode Sponsor:12 Weeks to Book Launch Success . In this group mastermind program, Lainey works one on one with a group of authors and helps you create a plan to successfully launch your book. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our⁠ Substack⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠for posts with quick tips, and a chance to pose questions to Lainey and Paulette!

In this episode, Lauren & Matt cover five different types of paid ads that can help you sell more books. We review the pros, cons, and best practices for:

Jeff and Rebecca look at some 2025 sales numbers, are astounded by the rise of Heated Rivalry, applaud a new subscription box, have some harsh words for Oreo, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Check out Zero to Well-Read and its brand new companion newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Print book sales rose slightly in 2025 There's a new Heated Rivalry book coming later this year Bridgerton author Julia Quinn has launched a romance subscription box Book Riot's best fantasy books of the century so far The Royal Shakespeare Company is bringing Hamnet to U.S. stages Give yourself the gift of this George Saunders interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Bailey is the bestselling author of The Productivity Project, Hyperfocus, How to Calm Your Mind, and his newest release, Intentional.In this episode, Chris joins Andrew Coates to explore why so many capable, driven people still feel stuck, scattered, or unfulfilled—and how the issue is often not effort, but misalignment between goals, values, and intentions.Drawing from years of research and personal experimentation, Chris explains how clarity around values changes decision-making, why many popular productivity frameworks fail long-term, and how intention-based thinking can help you finish what you start and do more of what genuinely matters.IN THIS EPISODE, CHRIS SHARES INSIGHT ON:Why many people struggle with success despite working hardHow misaligned values quietly sabotage progressThe importance of getting clear on your core valuesHow to align goals with values for sustainable momentumThe 12 evidence-based primary goals people tend to pursueWhat an intention stack is and how to use oneWhy people are better at starting than finishingWhy goals are better viewed as predictions, not promisesThe importance of continual course correctionWhy the SMART goals framework lacks strong evidenceHow rigid goal-setting can hurt long-term successThe productivity and mental health benefits of meditationWhy letting your mind wander boosts creativityChris's personal experiences as a long-term authorAnd much moreI hope you will check out Chris's brand new book: IntentionalInstagram: @chrisbaileyauthCHAPTERS00:16 Meet Chris Bailey: Author and Productivity Expert00:57 Understanding Intentionality04:02 The Role of Values in Setting Intentions10:17 The Intention Stack: Aligning Values, Priorities, and Goals17:44 The Science of Goal Attainment26:49 Personal Practices for Emotional Wellbeing27:31 The Benefits of Meditation28:54 Strategic Use of Caffeine29:39 Sponsorship Aspirations31:05 Saying No to Stay Productive31:34 The Trap of Success34:19 The Power of Scatter Focus38:14 Book Sales and Expectations47:47 The Flaws of SMART Goals52:22 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think more clearly about what you are working toward, you can support the show by:Subscribing and checking out more episodesSharing it on social media (tag me — I will respond)Sending it to someone who feels busy but misalignedFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10 percent off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirstDuring setup, answer: How did you hear about us?Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15 percent off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90 Day Trial (2 steps)Go to: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Six years in, we're starting the year by cutting through the noise and zeroing in on what truly predicts book sales. We unpack a practical framework that helps you diagnose why a launch spikes and stalls, why great reviews don't always translate to revenue, and how small, targeted changes deliver outsized gains. If you've ever felt busy but not better off, this conversation will give you focus, language, and a step-by-step path to momentum.We walk through five core signals: reader response, visibility and impressions, conversions, retention and backlist behavior, and consistent author activity. You'll learn how review language outperforms star counts, why keywords and categories must be chosen for buyer psychology rather than author preference, and how to hit a healthy 5–10% product-page conversion rate. We share practical fixes—leading with social proof, tightening hooks, clarifying payoff, aligning covers with genre codes—and explain why a 1–2% conversion lift can transform ad ROI. We also address the hidden costs of high click-through rates without purchases and how platforms penalize poor relevance.For multi-book authors, we dig into retention: series branding that reads at a glance, back-of-book letters that tell readers what to do next, and content that nurtures your list between releases. Throughout, we make the case for consistent, strategic repetition over random hustle, showing how fewer tactics executed well outperform constant, scattershot activity. The result is a calmer plan that compounds: fewer vanity metrics, more signals that correlate with real sales.If this episode helps you refocus your marketing, share it with an author friend, subscribe for the January series, and leave a quick review. Want to send us ideas or questions? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 and chat with us directly.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

What does it take to sell 60,000+ books in a year and keep the momentum going? In this final episode of Season 6, Alison Fragale returns to share the behind-the-scenes journey of writing her debut book, building a strong brand, and leveraging speaking opportunities to drive lasting impact. From navigating PR to engaging authentically on social media, Alison discusses practical, actionable strategies for author success. Stay tuned after the action steps to hear Alison answer some bonus questions from Threads! During the episode, you'll learn: About Alison, her work in the world, and how she started on her author journey. If the final idea for Likeable Badass was the same as the one Alison started with. Some of the feedback Alison has received that helped her realize the difference her book, Likeable Badass, is making in the world.What has been the biggest driver of book sales for Likeable Badass, and how Alison has sustained those sales for more than one year after launch.About the value of having a strong and supportive PR team. How Alison balances authenticity with visibility when showing up in online spaces. What advice Alison would give to any women leaders or authors who are still trying to find their unique value proposition.How Alison adjusted from writing the book to taking on the role of published author, with speaking and media engagements, public events, and many other responsibilities. Some of the best advice Alison has received from her agent.About the recent release of Likeable Badass in paperback.About Alison's experience as a speaker and her journey over the years. How Alison honed her storytelling and writing skills before writing her book.The biggest contributors to Alison's highest week in book sales.How Alison's success as an author has impacted her relationship with her author community and network. About Alison's experience running marathons and if she would ever run another one.Don't forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

Most authors stop at “bestseller.” That's cute. But if your book isn't building your brand, landing clients, or breaking open locked doors… what's the point?This week, Amber Gaige brings her experience as a third-generation entrepreneur and StoryBrand expert to show you how smart authors turn books into revenue-generating assets.She's flipping the usual marketing fluff on its head and showing you how to weaponize your book with real strategy.Inside This Episode:Books Don't Build Authority—Smart Authors Do Get blunt about what it really takes to turn pages into power and why media exposure isn't optional.Funnels Aren't Sleazy—Yours Just Sucks Learn how to build a funnel that actually converts without feeling like a spam bot.Repurpose or Be Irrelevant If your content dies in your book, you're wasting gold. Here's how to cut it up, spread it out, and stay top of mind.Marketing Before the Launch or Don't Bother Stop scrambling post-publish. Amber breaks down how to lay the groundwork before your book ever drops.Clarity Is Currency If you don't know who you're talking to or what you want, no tactic will save you. Let's fix that.This isn't another “book launch tips” episode. It's a wake-up call for authors who want real ROI.Here's how to connect with Amber:Want Amber's free gift - her special marketing planning documentWebsiteLinkedInFaceBookInstagramBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.*************************************************************************How to Turn Your Ideas into Endless Content Feeling stuck every time you try to write for your business? Lisa Bloom's free training, AI Storytelling for Business Growth, is here to change that. She'll show you how to tap into the stories you already have, build a reusable content vault, and use AI to stay creative and authentic. No more blank pages or forced ideas. Three live sessions to choose from. Grab your free seat now and make storytelling your easiest growth tool.

DC Comics dominated the November 2025 comic book sales chart. Dynamite will reprint an Ursula one-shot. Lunar Distribution is doing real well this year.SUBSCRIBE ON RSS, APPLE, SPOTIFY, OR THE APP OF YOUR CHOICE. FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if your voice could sell more books than your marketing plan?This week, audiobook pro Todd Eflin joins me to reveal what happens when authors step behind the mic. Todd is an award-winning narrator, voice actor, and DIY audiobook coach with a clear message: your voice can become a powerful sales tool when you know how to use it.Together we explore the real story behind self-narration: the nerves, the tech, the performance pressure, and the surprising freedom that comes when you take control of your own audio.Inside this episode:• Why audio builds deeper trust than the page Listeners let you into their daily life. Your voice creates loyalty that silent words cannot match.• The truth about narrating your own book Authentic? Yes. Easy? No. Todd explains how to decide if you should grab the mic or hire a pro.• The hidden hurdles no one warns authors about Voice fatigue, messy edits, tiny home studios, and the mental chatter that tells you to quit.• A simple path to voice confidence Todd's exercises help you hear your voice without cringing and build a sound that fits your message.• The marketing edge most authors ignore Audiobooks open new sales channels. Readers expect them. Skipping audio leaves money on the table.If you want your book to travel farther, your voice may be the key. Todd shows you how to tap into it and turn narration into one of your strongest assets.Here's how to connect with Todd:Download his free listener gift:3-Step Guide to Create Your Own Professional Sounding AudiobookWebstite FaceBook *************************************************************************The 90-Day Bulk Book Breakthrough Your nonfiction book deserves more than random visibility. Bulk buyers don't reward effort. They reward clarity. If your message is blurry, organizations ignore you. The 90-Day Bulk Book Breakthrough Bundle fixes that with a sharp message, proven outreach templates, and a simple plan that gets real opportunities. Plus a private 30-minute coaching session to steer your strategy. Only 25 spots. $97 (80% discount) Claim yours before they're gone.

Communication expert Chris Fenning shares how he wrote and launched Effective Meetings—from wide vs. exclusive publishing to pricing, reviews, audio, and beyond.

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel take a deep dive into the spirited discussion between Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehisi Coates centered on their disagreements about Charlie Kirk and some of his eulogists (1:27). Then they discuss the unexpected news that ESPN's Paul Finebaum is considering running as a Republican senator for Alabama, the numbers for Kamala Harris's book, WaPo's new opinion section, and more (33:21). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices