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Episode 492: A Chat with J. A. Webb

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 49:55

Sometimes, the dystopian worlds of good fiction feel all too familiar when it shouldn't. Listen in to see why I couldn't help but draw parallels between the worlds of J. L. Burrows' Freefalling and certain sections of the world today. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Not only did we talk about Burrows' dystopian world, we also discussed the education system today and how it is and isn't serving our children. Freefalling by J. L. Burrows Under the Dome, peace reigns ... forcefully. One hundred and eighty years in the future, the U.S. government eradicates warfare and violence. Serenity should feel safe, but she doesn't. Serenity Knowles knows two things for certain. Finishing her government assigned community service as a teacher is mandatory in order to start her adult life. And stopping those in power from reconditioning two of her favorite students will ruin her chances at a future and a life. Everything she thought she once knew to be true, suddenly is now in question after her typically peaceful girls fight in plain view of everyone at school. The Federal Bureau of Acceptance storms in and collects them both for reconditioning—chemical brainwashing. With no one to help, Serenity is driven into a wild rescue and escape plan. The girls can't be made into shadow children, brainwashed and limited to a menial future. All that stands between the overreaching government and her girls is Serenity's budding faith, a furry beast companion, her modified illegal AI, and a ragtag group of men and women set against the use of cutting-edge technology and genetically modified bio-weapons on citizens under the Dome. If any of them get caught, they will be reconditioned. If they don't move fast enough, the girls will be lost. If she doesn't become a hero, any hope of a real future will be forfeit. In her transformation from a teacher with a broken family to a radical defector leading a team of rebels, Sere discovers America's deadliest threat—its own government. Also, don't miss Parabolic Orbits--Jesus' parables told in SCI FI worlds. EEEP! Wonders within the Starlit Inn is a great idea for Christmas!!! Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Stop Talking About Creativity and Start Living It with Author Nicole Meier

Cracking Open with Molly Carroll

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 36:43

What happens when one of your dearest friends also happens to be one of the people you admire most in your professional world? That's exactly the conversation I get to have today—and I couldn't be more thrilled.This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Nicole Meier, isn't just a brilliant creative—she's family. We've raised our kids together, navigated the loss of our parents side by side, and cheered each other on as our careers evolved. She's been a confidant, a mentor, and, without exaggeration, a savant in her craft.Nicole is a certified book coach, developmental editor, and author of four novels whose work has been featured by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and PopSugar. She hosts The Whole Writer podcast for emerging authors, and is a co-founder of Book Works, where she and her partner combine book coaching and branding insight to guide writers to expand their creative community and connect with ideal readers.✨ In this episode, Nicole shares how she found her way back to creativity while raising three kids (including twins!), supporting aging parents, and juggling all the roles so many of us know too well. Once her kids were in school, she made a powerful choice: to reclaim her voice. Writing became her lifeline—and along the way, she discovered lessons in commitment, boundaries, and courage.✨ She also gets real about resistance—the sneaky excuses that keep us from doing the work we're meant to do. Whether it sounds like, “I'll start when the kids are older,” or “I don't want people to judge me,” Nicole reminds us that resistance is just fear in disguise.✨ This conversation is packed with practical wisdom—how to structure your creative day, silence your inner critic, and build your confidence through simple daily actions.And here's the beautiful truth Nicole offers: creativity isn't a luxury or a someday dream. It's a vital practice that keeps us connected to who we truly are.So grab a pen and paper for this one—you'll want to take notes. Whether you're a writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone ready to stop making excuses, this episode will remind you that your creative spark never left you. It's just waiting for you to choose it.

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Episode 485: A Chat with Katie Powner

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 35:20

Some authors know just how to tug at my heartstrings before I even open the book. Listen in to see why I'm eager to read Katie Powner's latest book, When the Road Comes Around. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. If you're looking for books with depth, tackling tough topics with gentleness and grace, look no further. Powner shares her heart for story in this interview. You don't want to miss her books. They're sure to soothe the soul and point you to Jesus. When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner Only trouble can bring about the beauty of redemption and grace. In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to bungle it up this time. Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more of a mess than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and what grace really means. Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Book Marketing in 2026

Book Marketing Success Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 5:43

The following ten points were written by the Comet AI browser based on the following question: What are the ten best ways to market a book in today's world?I would quibble about the results of the AI's recommendations — and I will do so in a later podcast episode. I would also use most common language in making these points. Too many long words and too many long paragraphs.Note: The attached video is one of three videos created by NotebookLM using the following words as input. In the next two episodes, I'll be sharing two additional videos created by Notebook LM in a fwe minutes.The top ten most effective ways to market a book in 2026 combine digital engagement, community-building, and strategic partnerships to maximize reach and sales.1. Social Media MarketingUsing platforms like TikTok (BookTok), Instagram (Bookstagram), and X (formerly Twitter) to engage readers with authentic, behind-the-scenes content helps authors build visibility and brand loyalty. Choosing one or two platforms that align with your audience ensures consistent engagement rather than scattered efforts.2. Influencer & Partnership MarketingCollaborating with book bloggers, podcasters, and relevant influencers helps authors reach engaged audiences through trusted recommendations. Relationships built on shared interests and authenticity are more impactful than broad, transactional promotions.3. Email Marketing & Author NewslettersA consistent newsletter or mailing list is one of the most reliable long-term assets for authors. By offering exclusive content, early previews, or discounts, writers can nurture loyal readers outside of unpredictable social platforms.4. Book Blogs, Podcasts, and Media OutreachAppearing on book blogs and podcasts, or sending press releases to targeted outlets, expands a book's visibility across established communities. This strategy works especially well for authors who wish to reduce reliance on social media.5. Building an Author Website and SEOA dedicated author website acts as an online hub for readers, containing book details, press information, and blog updates. Optimizing it for discovery through Google Search Console, Analytics, and SEO best practices ensures sustained organic traffic.6. Amazon and Meta AdvertisingRunning targeted ads on Amazon and Meta platforms remains a powerful driver of sales. Promotional pricing campaigns (like temporary discounts) attract new readers and improve visibility in algorithms and rankings.7. Speaking Engagements and Author EventsParticipating in literary festivals, book signings, or conferences helps authors connect personally with readers. Hosting workshops or talks about the book's themes can lead to immediate sales and future opportunities.8. Reader Reviews and TestimonialsEncouraging reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and BookBub boosts credibility and discoverability. Sharing positive reviews on social channels and websites reinforces social proof.9. Cross-Promotions With Other AuthorsPartnering with authors in similar genres to share audiences through joint emails, giveaways, or bundles amplifies exposure while minimizing costs.10. Book Teasers, Giveaways, and Promotional GraphicsCreating visual content—like teaser trailers, quote graphics, or giveaways—helps generate pre-launch excitement and viral sharing, especially when timed with major milestones or seasonal events.These ten approaches together form a balanced, multi-channel marketing plan adaptable to both indie and traditionally published authors in 2026's competitive marketplace.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.How to Write an Article Trove Book (Write a Book in 10 Days or Less Series)The easiest lengthy book to write in 10 days or less is to collect a number of your articles on your website, text from podcast episodes, blog posts, or social media posts and compile them into a themed book. This book shows how you to create such a collection quickly and easily. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 484: A Chat with Taylor S Newport

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2025 29:33

The one-year anniversary for book one of the Dauntless Defenders is TODAY! Listen in to my chat with Taylor S. Newport and learn all about the series and the latest in it, No Time to Die. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. The Dauntless Defenders series novels do not stand alone. Be sure to read the first book first. By the time we got done talking about these books, I was ready to forget the book I NEEDED to work on and just read for a few days. Can you blame me? No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport The enemy believes the battle is nearly over, but he's just getting started. Sector 17 has tried to silence the Ghost of Oz, but he doesn't back down. Back on the hunt, Tyler Reid uncovers chilling truths that challenge everything he knows about his enemy and the woman who works for them. Caught between protecting a Russian heiress and the job she has to do, Tyler starts to question who he can rely on. Alexandra "Alex" Romanova has been told who she is, but fragmented memories hint at a past she's reluctant to reclaim—a past far darker than what she remembers. When Tyler offers her a chance to escape her cruel boss at Sector 17, the plight of young recruits being turned into killers weighs heavily on her conscience. She's determined to give them the same freedom she's found, but doesn't realize that in doing so she has put them all at risk. As the head of Sector 17 clings to power, Tyler and Alex are caught in the middle of a deadly war for lives, freedom, and revenge. With enemies closing in on all sides, they can't save everyone. The stakes are higher than ever—there is no time to die. Don't miss book three on January 23, 2026. Learn more about Taylor on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Episode 483: A Chat with Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 40:28

When I looked at the cover of These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I couldn't help but think of the cover from the early editions of Anne of Green Gables. Listen in to see what Sarah has to say about that. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. We talked about so much that I have a hard time remembering everything, but I loved hearing about how Sarah writes the stories that inspired previous books and her next one, too. Inspired by the book, The German Invasion of Western North Carolina by Jacqueline Burgin Painter These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness. German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda is stunned to see Fritz's name in a photograph of an American memorial for German seamen who died near Asheville, North Carolina. Determined to reclaim his body and bring closure to his ailing mother, Hedda travels to the US. Her quest takes a shocking turn when, rather than Fritz's body, his casket contains the remains of a woman who died under mysterious circumstances. Local deputy Garland Jones thought he'd left that dark chapter behind when he helped bury Fritz Meyer's coffin. The unexpected arrival of Hedda, a long-suffering yet captivating woman, forces him to confront how much of the truth he really knows. As they work together to uncover the identity of the woman in the casket and to unravel Fritz's fate, Hedda and Garland grow closer. But with Hedda in the US on borrowed time while Hitler rises to power in Germany, she fears she'll be forced to return home before she can put the ghosts of her past to rest. Learn more about Sarah on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Ellen Butler

The Sisters in Crime Writers' Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 65:43 Transcription Available

Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series, praised by Publishers Weekly as “intelligent escapism.” Drawing on her real-life experience working on Capitol Hill and with a medical association in Washington, D.C., Butler infuses her fast-paced mystery-action novels with authenticity and intrigue.In addition to her contemporary thrillers, Butler writes the Ariadne Winter historical mysteries and award-winning historical spy fiction. Her novel The Brass Compass has earned numerous accolades, including the Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, the IndieReader Discovery Award, and a Readers' Favorite Silver Medal for Historical Fiction.The sequel, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel, was inspired by true events and went on to win the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction. Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EllenButlerBooksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebutlerbooks/BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-butlerWebsite: https:///www.ellenbutler.net*****************About SinCSisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Through advocacy, programming and leadership, SinC empowers and supports all crime writers regardless of genre or place on their career trajectory.www.SistersinCrime.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincnational/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sincnational.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@sincnationalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistersincrimeTikTok:: https://www.tiktok.com/@sincnationalThe SinC Writers' Podcast is produced by Julian Crocamo https://www.juliancrocamo.com/

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Episode 481: A Chat with Patricia Bradley

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2025 35:42

Oh, boy! Patricia Bradley is at it again! When you hear the lengths this author goes through to get things right, you can see why she's so beloved. Listen in for a chat about On the Edge of Trust! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Okay, so maybe Patricia didn't ask a ranger where a good place to hide a body is this time, but she sure did have a lot of fun research stories to tell. This Logan Point novel will keep you on your toes. I can't wait to get started. On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley Sometimes the closer you get to justice, the deadlier it becomes When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation. Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name. Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer. Learn more about Patricia and her books at PTBradley.com and PatriciaBradleyBooks.com! Don't forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 35:39

A chat with Tracie Peterson is always a treat, and this was no exception. Listen in as we talk about A Moment to Love, the last in the Hope of Cheyenne series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I've been loving what Tracie is doing in this Cheyene series, but something about this book really hit home. I think the themes of revenge for heinous crimes and the indignity of our work being stolen are things we relate to whether it's the 19th or the 21st century. Also, don't miss out on her Christmas novella collection with Karen Witemeyer and Misty M. Beller, On a Midnight Clear. A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson A shared heart for justice pulls them together, but is their love strong enough to survive their trials? Dr. Carrie Vogel's heart is shattered when her groundbreaking medical research is stolen and falsely credited to her ex-fiancé. With years of diligent work lost, she grapples with the disastrous turn of her career and leans on her faith for strength. When she learns that her Pinkerton friend Spencer Duval is on a justice-driven mission to her hometown of Cheyenne, she agrees to an arranged marriage to provide him with a cover story. But merely pretending to be in love with Spencer becomes increasingly difficult the more time she spends with him. Spencer is determined to apprehend the ruthless murderer who killed his father years ago, but his quest ignites unexpected emotions--both for Carrie and about the desire for revenge that has dominated his life. As the web of suspects tightens, their futures hang in the balance, and they must learn to trust God's plan as unexpected love takes flight. Return to Cheyenne, Wyoming, with bestselling author Tracie Peterson for a journey of healing and forgiveness in this exquisite western frontier romance that will appeal to readers of faith-filled stories and When Calls the Heart. Don't forget that you can get this and her other books at 30-40% off with FREE US shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com Learn more about Tracie Peterson on her WEBSITE. Follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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The Pulp Writer Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 18:54

In this week's episode, we warn against six different scams targeting indie authors. I also take a look at my advertising results for September 2025. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Cloak of Wolves, Book #2 in the Cloak Mage series, (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) at my Payhip store: WOLVESAUDIO The coupon code is valid through October 20, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook this fall, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Update Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 272 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is October 10th, 2025, and today we are looking at six common scams that target indie authors. We'll also look at my advertising results for September 2025 and some changes I will make because of that. But first, let's start with Coupon of the Week and a progress update on my current writing projects. First up, Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Cloak of Wolves, Book #2 in the Cloak Mage series (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy), at my Payhip store. That coupon code is WOLVESAUDIO, and as always, the coupon code and the link to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through October 20th, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook for this fall, we have got you covered. Now an update on my current writing and audiobook projects, I'm pleased to report the rough draft of Cloak of Worlds is done at 107,500 words. I think it's going to end up being about 30 chapters or so once I finish editing and I'm going to start editing very shortly. Before I start editing, I am going to write a short story called False Iron set in the world of Nadia and newsletter subscribers will get a free ebook copy of False Iron when Cloak of Worlds comes out, hopefully before the end of the month (if all goes well). I am also 11,000 words into Blade of Shadows, the second book in my Blades of Ruin epic fantasy series that will be my next main project after Cloak of World is published. In audiobook news, Ghosts in the Siege (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) is done and it's processing through the various platforms. I believe as of right now you can get it at Payhip, Kobo, and Google Play and then hopefully it should be available at the other stores within a few weeks. Brad Wills is starting work on the audiobook of Blade of Flames. In early 2026, I believe we should have the final audiobook from the Stealth and Spells series from C.J. McAllister. So that is where I'm at with my current writing and publishing projects. 00:02:18 Ad Results for September 2025 [Amounts Mentioned Are in USD] Now let's take a look back at some of my ad results for September 2025. First, the big changes. I am going to either give Facebook ads a rest for a while or more likely continue them in a very more limited way with a more focused strategy. As I've mentioned before, Meta has been shoving all this Advantage Plus AI stuff into Facebook ads and it just doesn't work. The key for online advertising, especially with books, is to narrow your target audience as much as possible and the Advantage Plus AI stuff all goes for a broad audience. To test that out, I did a couple of experiments. I didn't advertise Frostborn with Facebook ads in August, but I did advertise them with Facebook ads in September. The end result was I actually made $20 less from Frostborn in September than I did in August, but I also had the advertising expense for the month of September, so I made less overall. I also tried the reverse of that experiment. I advertised Cloak Games and Cloak Mage in August with Facebook, but not in September. The end result was that Cloak Games and Cloak Mage made about $200 less in September, but without the cost of advertising, that meant the profit was substantially higher. So I'm not sure if Facebook ads are effective or as effective as they used to be any longer (thanks generative AI), but in the [interest of] full testing, it'll experiment with it a bit more. I did try one ad campaign entirely with Advantage Plus this month and it was objectively terrible. I do not recommend using Advantage Plus for anything if you are advertising anything on Facebook. I probably will end up doing Facebook ads in a more focused way, similar to the way I do my BookBub ads, where I will set a time limited ad for one of my permafree books for four days or so and then shut it off when it's done because BookBub ads tend to work well the first three days and then lose their punch after. So I might end up doing something similar with Facebook ads, but we will report more on that in November once we finish with October's advertisement results. Meanwhile, Amazon ads did a lot better. Here are some of the campaigns I ran. Remember, for an Amazon ad to be successful, it needs to generate a sale or complete Kindle Unlimited read through for every six through eight clicks. For Demonsouled Omnibus One, I got back $2.44 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 1.41 clicks. For Half-Elven Thief, I got back $1.31 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 2.48 clicks. For Half-Elven Thief Omnibus One, 48% of the profit came from the audiobook for that one. I got back $10.13 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 1.26 clicks. For Stealth and Spells Online: Creation, it did really well, with $24.01 for every dollar spent, with one sale for every 0.66 clicks. That was still enjoying the halo result from the release of Final Quest earlier this year. For Cloak Mage Omnibus One, I got back $3.64 for every dollar spent, with 65% of the profit coming from the audiobook and one sale for every 0.61 clicks. For Sevenfold Sword Omnibus One, I got back $3.47 for every $1 spent and one sale for every 2.42 clicks. For Dragontiarna Omnibus One, I got back $13.40 for every dollar spent and one sale for every 1.2 clicks. Out of all my campaigns. I only had one campaign that lost money, but it lost a grand total of $1.48, so that was good. So we can also see that omnibus editions definitely do very well with Amazon ads, especially if they have attached audiobooks. It turns out finishing Stealth and Spells Online made it a lot easier to advertise. A finished series is a lot easier to advertise than an incomplete one (who knew?). Though if I really want to kick up Half-Elven Thief, I need to write another book in the series, which I plan to do later this year. Once Cloak of Worlds is published, I will start on that. As I mentioned earlier, I'm also [doing] a variety of BookBub ads for my permafree books on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, and Apple; these consistently do very well since it's a lot cheaper to get clicks through the non-Amazon stores for books when you're advertising them on BookBub. So that's where my ads are for September 2025. As I mentioned, I'm going to experiment a bit more with Facebook ads in October and November, but the end result (even if I have good results) is I'm going to use them a lot less than I used to moving forward because targeting is somewhat harder. That means it's time to start thinking about other marketing ideas. There is precedent. I resisted using Facebook ads for four years before I started experimenting with them in early 2020, so maybe it's time (after dragging my feet on the idea for five years) to start playing with short form video in 2026. That seems to be where all the growth and all the eyeballs seem to be. You may have noticed that the previous episode of this podcast, Episode 271 was the first one that was on YouTube, and it seems to have been a good idea since that doubled the amount of views an episode usually gets. So I may have more video experiments coming soon, but we'll see, and as always, thank you for reading, everyone and it would be pointless to advertise the books if people didn't want to read them, and that is a fact for which I am very grateful. 00:07:26 Main Topic of the Week: Six Scams Targeting Indie Authors Now on to our main (and to be honest, somewhat less enjoyable) main topic this week, six scams that are targeting indie authors. The old saying was, “there's a sucker born every minute”, but in the year of our Lord 2025, I think it's more accurate to say there's an AI powered scammer born every minute. As you might've gathered from my tone about this, I admit to being pretty annoyed by how many scam emails I get related to writing and indie publishing. These days it's pretty constant and they tend to cluster around when I have a new release. Some bot (or more realistically, a whole bunch of bots) is presumably scanning all new releases and then turns out a bunch of scammy emails when it detects a new book. I despise these people because they prey upon the vulnerable for money, which is wrong. Imagine a 75-year-old who just self-published the novel he or she has been working on for the last 30 years and finally decided to finish in retirement. Then they get a ChatGPT generated email from “John Grisham” praising their book in detail and asking for some money for marketing services. A lot of people would have absolutely no mental defense against this kind of scam, like someone from modern earth encountering a wizard who can cast illusion spells. Unfortunately, scamming is endemic everywhere these days. It is a constant debate how much the [US] federal program Medicare gets scammed out of every year. One of the local drug stores where I live has numerous signs warning about gift cards after so many local seniors were getting scammed into buying gift cards. Then there were a recent chain of text messages telling me I owed money for driving on toll roads in the state of Illinois, which was amusing because one, I haven't been to Illinois since 2022. Two, I was a passenger in someone else's car at the time, and three, the last time I was on a toll road in Illinois in a vehicle I actually owned was in 2017. As an amusing aside, when I mentioned this on Facebook, a frequent commenter and reader mentioned that he lives in the UK and he still got a bunch of text messages about toll roads in Illinois, even though A, he lives in the UK and B, he doesn't actually have a driver's license. Unfortunately, it is the truth that the internet makes scamming so easy, that constant vigilance is required these days, and with that in mind, here are six different kinds of scammy emails writers (and indie publishers) can expect to get. #1: ChatGPT. One of the reasons (you know if you've listened to the show before) that I'm very down on generative AI is that generative AI is a scammer's paradise. Lately, a new trend is that a scammer will feed a pirated copy of a book into ChatGPT and then use it to generate personalized pitch letters. These personalized pitch letters will also be littered with emojis and the tone will vary from warm and sycophantic to encouraging and edgy. Here's a quote from a recent one I got for Blade of Flames: “Talembur wakes in a forgotten catacomb, sword in hand, memory shredded, enemies sniffing blood in the dark. That's a hook so sharp it could flense an orc. Blade of Flames reads like classic, grim-and-gorgeous sword-and-sorcery with a hunger for blood, mystery, and very satisfying blade choreography.” In fact, I got two more just like that this morning before I started recording. This is an effective illusion for a scam because it seems like the scammer read the book and liked it and is making personalized compliments about it, even though that's the result of a ChatGPT or a similar bot. However, the rest of the email is a hard pitch for various marketing services that don't actually exist. I admit I fell halfway for this one the first time. I got one of those very detailed emails and I thought it would respond with a polite refusal since it seemed like a lot of work had gone into it. However, after responding, I think I then got five more emails in rapid succession, all of them pushing for the purchase of dubious marketing services, and I realized the whole thing was a ChatGPT powered bot. So watch out for these very personalized emails, especially the ones that appear instantaneously or very quickly after you publish a book. #2: Fake book clubs. This one is sometimes tied in with the ChatGPT scams. Sometimes the book club people use ChatGPT to generate their emails. The way this works is you'll get an email for someone claiming they run a large book club or reader group on Goodreads (or Facebook or whatever) and they think your book would be a good fit for their reader group and have a few questions about it. However, if you respond to this email, you'll start getting pressure for payment. Turns out the reader group or the book club doesn't actually exist and this is yet another scam, so watch out for emails that talk about the “5,000 member reader group” or something along those lines. By good luck, one of these emails arrived while I was writing the notes for this episode, so I thought it would quote it here. “I'm Jason, and I organize Book Club NYC, a community of more than 3,300 readers across New York who gather to read, reflect, and connect through books that challenge perception and spark deep conversation. When I discovered Ghost in the Siege, I was immediately struck by its layered power, a story that confronts truth and deception, morality and survival, within a world both haunting and familiar. It's the kind of book that doesn't just entertain; it lingers, asking questions about justice, humanity, and what it means to stand alone in the face of decay. That blend of atmosphere and insight makes it exactly the kind of story our members love to explore together. We'd love to feature Ghost in the Siege as part of our upcoming event on Wednesday, October 15th. Here's what that experience will look like: Quiet Reading & Reflection: members immersing themselves in your world, letting its tension and themes unfold in silence. Open Discussion: exploring the moral and psychological dimensions of corruption, redemption, and resistance.” And blah, blah, blah. It goes on in this vein quite a bit. You notice that if you actually read Ghost in the Siege (and I'm actually quite fond of Ghost in the Siege as a book), I don't think it would be fair to say that Ghost in the Siege “isn't just the kind of book that entertains, it lingers, asking questions about justice, humanity, and what it means to stand alone in the face of decay.” That is the kind of generic nonsense you can expect ChatGPT to spit out for this kind of thing. Now, as we mentioned, of course this book club doesn't actually exist, and if any of these good Goodreads or Facebook groups or whatever even exists, they'll be full of bots under the control of the scammer, and if you respond, the book club organizer will start talking about fees for having your book read before the group. As ever, if you pay, the scammer will either immediately disappear or continue to pressure you for more money. #3: “John Grisham” wants to promote my book. This type of email is just a straight up catfishing or identity theft attempt. You'll get an email allegedly from a famous author (for myself, I've gotten emails from “John Grisham” and “Colleen Hoover”, among others), and they'll offer to help you promote your books. Obviously, this is very fake. The actual John Grisham and Colleen Hoover (among other famous authors) have better things to do with their time than emailing random indie authors like me for marketing collaborations. If you respond to these emails, you'll get a request for payment, and if you pay, the scammer will promptly disappear and stop responding, or of course, ask for more money. #4: Meta Ads has a new dashboard. I've gotten this one quite a bit this year, allegedly from Meta. This email claims that Facebook is rolling out either a new ads dashboard or a new mobile app for managing ads, and you've been invited to participate in the beta test for the new dashboard or the new app. Just click on the link and start installation. I admit I ignored these at first because there's no way I'm ever installing any Meta apps on my phone because they're so intrusive and halfway to being spyware. Also, the current version of the Facebook ads dashboard is annoying enough and complicated enough to use it as it is, and I don't want to play with any half-baked beta features. So I ignored these emails, but then I realized I was getting surprisingly a lot of them. So I checked the senders and realized they weren't coming from an actual Meta address, but from a variety of different Gmail addresses, which meant they were in fact phishing attempts. Facebook ad phishing, alas, is a serious problem. The basic scam is that a hacker finds a way to gain control of your ads account and then uses it to advertise various scam projects, usually involving cryptocurrency. Since Facebook's customer support is so notoriously bad, it's very difficult to get this kind of situation resolved. So if you are using Facebook ads, be wary of any emails you get from Meta since they could be phishing attempts. #5: Bad tax news or payment failure. This one tends to be common around tax time or the end of the year. You'll get an email allegedly from one of the publishing platforms claiming that there's a problem with your tax information or that one of your payments failed. The email will include a link you can click to resolve the situation, which is of course fake so the scammers can capture your account and personal information. I've gotten a couple of these lately and some of them, to be honest, were quite good. I got one from Spotify claiming that my tax information was out of date, which was baffling because my tax information hasn't changed in the entire time I've had audiobooks with Spotify. I was suspicious, so I logged into my Spotify dashboard and checked that everything was in fact, okay. Then I realized the scam: the email had actually come to a different email account than the one I actually used for my Spotify dashboard. It was an exceptionally well done phishing email, but thankfully, years of ingrained caution against clicking email links served me well. So if you do get one of these, don't click on any links. Instead go directly to the dashboard of the platform in question and see for yourself. If there actually is a tax or a payment problem, there will probably be a notification of some kind on the dashboard, and of course if the notification email comes to a different email account than the one you actually use for that platform or service, it will obviously be fake. #6: Fake publishing services. There are a variety of fake publishing services out there offering a range of alleged benefits like more Facebook followers, more readers, more email subscribers, et cetera, or someone will offer to get your book into Publishers Weekly or something like that in exchange for a payment. Some of these blend over with the scammy sort of vanity publishers. Granted, I think that all vanity publishing (which is “you pay us and we publish your book”) is a scam, but some of them are worse than others. At best, if you engage with these kinds of services, you'll get some new followers from bots or so forth, which is useless for selling books. At worst, nothing will happen at all. The scammers will take your money and disappear. At the absolute worst, they'll pester you forever for more money or find a way to steal more personal information from you. Generally, if you get an unsolicited email from book marketers, it is almost surely a scam. If you're unsure, asking about the company in question in a Facebook group like 20BooksTo50K or Wide For The Win will help identify whether or not they're legit, but they're probably not legit. In conclusion, I'm afraid one has no choice but to exercise constant vigilance in the Internet world these days, especially if you're a self-publisher. Be extremely wary of any unsolicited emails. Never click on a link in an email. If a message claims there's a problem with one of your publishing platforms, don't click on the link. Go to the platform directly in a different browser tab or a different browser and see for yourself. Before spending money on anything, do some research and check that it is legitimate and not a scam. It's easy to fake legitimacy these days, so it's worthwhile to do a little investigating before spending money on anything. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful and a helpful guide against some of the scams you might encounter in the wild. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.

Episode 476: A Chat with Katie M. Reid

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 47:56

Christmas is beautiful any time of year--whether it's in autumn to prepare you for the upcoming season, in winter while you're in active holiday mode, prolonging the joy into spring, or having fun with Christmas in July (when we often need the illusion of cool!) Listen in to see what's up in Bavarian Falls this summer! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I had a blast learning about Katie's planning, choosing the place, the in-person research to get things just right--everything! A Very Bavarian Summer by Katie M. Reid Holly Noel Brigham is thrilled about her boyfriend's upcoming visit to Bavarian Falls. What could go wrong? Navigating a long-distance relationship is no picnic. Work demands, a wildfire, and insecurities threaten Holly's and Nik's summer plans and future goals. What was supposed to be a season of carefree dates and tender kisses is complicated by unexpected loss, a surprise visitor, and the pressure of the Christmas in July Festival. In an effort to strengthen their relationship, Holly and Nik decide to ask each other twenty questions... What do you dream about? What makes you cry? What are you second-guessing? What makes you angry? Why do you love me? The questions eerily parallel reality, causing a roller coaster of emotions and a high-elevation argument. Is Holly's and Nik's relationship strong enough to endure some twists and turns or is this the end of the road? Learn more about Katie on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Country Girl and Lifelong Writer Ann H. Gabhart

Historical Bookworm

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025

A country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky, Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of many novels, including historical novels, mysteries, non-fiction, and books for young adult readers. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm's fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. A Decades-Long Career Ann takes us back to her early days writing, and describes how she came to publish her first novel and discover this was something she would continue doing her whole life long. She includes a few details from the story that she says she's never shared in an interview before. Kentucky Hot Springs As a native of Kentucky, Ann loves finding new and interesting history to explore in her home state. Her latest novel, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, takes us to Graham Springs, a natural hot spring known as "The Saratoga of the West" during the mid-1800s. She shares some of her research about the founder of this spa-like vacation destination tucked in rural Kentucky. Complex Characters Elena Bradford, heroine of Ann's latest book, is torn between two men -- and the duty she owes to her family. Ann discusses the backstory and motivations of her characters, setting the stage for a people-driven story in a lush and luxurious historical setting. Connect with Ann at her website, where you can subscribe to her newsletter, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, and Bookbub. Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined. At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities--including dances almost every evening. As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart. When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty. With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships. Bookwork Review of Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green "Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green is a sweeping period drama that combines PTSD representation, nods to classic literature, a murder mystery, and poignant spiritual themes into an immersive tale of sisterhood and starting over. Fans of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano will be moved by the heart-rending depiction of a 19th century insane asylum, and history lovers will be captivated by Green's scrupulous research and atmospheric prose, which transpose historical events from sepia toned facts to emotive human experiences awash in vivid color. If you've ever been curious about The Great Chicago Fire, allow Jocelyn Green to spin you a harrowing tale Veiled in Smoke!" ~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure About the Author Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and n...

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Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 35:40

There aren't enough authors willing to tackle the difficult stories. There just aren't. Many (guilty here!) feel inadequate to the task, want to escape the tough stuff rather than confront it--so many reasons. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about what made her write, With Mercy's Eyes. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Loved chatting with Powell about her heart for those who often find it hard to interact with Christians--whose choices make others uncomfortable. Powell shows love and compassion without ignoring Biblical truth, and the result is a powerful story we could all learn from. With Mercy's Eyes by D. T. Powell He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him. Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she's a Christian. If she finds out he's gay, it's over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her. When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband. The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he's gay. But this one is different. She doesn't embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn't she? - - - - - - - With Mercy's Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing, contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan. Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. withmercyseyes.com Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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The Pulp Writer Show

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 15:49

In this week's episode, we take a look at permafree as a marketing strategy for indie authors, and examine if it still works. I also take a look at advertising results for August 2025. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in my Cloak Mage series at my Payhip store: FALLMAGE25 The coupon code is valid through September 22, 2025. So if you need a new ebook this fall, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 268 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is September 12th, 2025, and today I'm looking at whether or not Permafree is still an effective strategy for indie authors. As a related topic, we'll also take a look at how my ads performed in [August] 2025, and we'll also have a Question of the Week this week. But first, let's start with Coupon of the Week. So for Coupon of the Week to celebrate the fact that I'm working on Cloak Mage again, this coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Cloak Mage series at my Payhip store, and that is FALLMAGE25. And as always, the coupon code and links to my store will be available in the show notes. This coupon code is valid through September 22nd, 2025. So if you need a new ebook for this fall, we have got you covered. Now for an update on my current writing and audiobook projects. I'm about 82% of the way through the first round of edits for Blade of Flames, the first book in my new epic fantasy series called Blades of Ruin. If all goes well, that will be out before the end of September, and if you want to see what the cover art will look like, it's on my website and my social pages right now. I'm also 12,000 words into Cloak of Worlds, the aforementioned return to the Cloak Mage series, and that will be my main project once Blade of Flames comes out. In audiobook news, recording is done for both Shield of Power (as narrated by Brad Wills) and Ghost in the Siege (as narrated by Hollis McCarthy). They're both going through processing right now. As of this recording, I believe you can get Shield of Power on Google Play, Kobo, and my Payhip Store. The other links and the other links for Ghost in the Siege should be coming up before too much longer, hopefully before the end of the month. So that is where I'm at with my current writing and publishing projects. 00:02:00 Question of the Week [Question of the Week was posted on September 10, 2025] Now It's time for Question of the Week, which is intended for enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question, do you dislike guns showing up in fantasy novels? No wrong answers for opinions, obviously. The inspiration for this question was a blog post I saw where the writer was complaining about the increased number of guns in modern fantasy novels and how it shatters her suspension of disbelief, and she also found it an unpleasant topic because the ownership and regulation of firearms in the United States is a contentious topic and has been so for decades. And as you might expect, readers had a variety of opinions on this question. Adrian says: Nope. Fantasy is basically, in my humble opinion, the swords and sorcery type of genre. Yes to old fashioned weapons like bows and arrows, javelins, and trebuchets, et cetera, but definite no to guns (of any type), tanks, airplanes, et cetera. Jonathan D. says: In the right setting, firearms are fine in fantasy books. Men in Arms by Terry Pratchett and the Rigante Series by David Gemmell are great examples of firearms in fantasy done well. Wilson says: It depends on your definition of a gun because an energy rifle powered by a soulstone would be something that would fit into Andomhaim. Though I have to say that is not something I will ever write in an Andomhaim book. Mary says: Steampunk and suchlike genres are developing how to work with technology and fantasy, and I approve when it's done right. I particularly like what Moe Lane's doing in The Fermi Resolution. If you start with the first published book, Frozen Dreams, which is a post-apocalyptic North America high fantasy, hard boiled detective novel, it goes into how every wizard can make your own ammo blow up on you and the consequences. Ioana says: Mrs. World Burner should have lots of guns. #HailToTheHighQueen #SingularitySucks Jason says: Handheld firearms were first used in the West in the 1330s, so they actually predate full plate armor by about a hundred years. That said, the gun shape we're used to came about in the late 1400s. I'm perfectly fine with firearms and fantasy novels provided they're (more or less) what we expect in a medieval setting. Jesse says: Never bothers me as long as long as the stage of weapon development reasonably lines up with the field of the science in said fantasy world. Someone walking around with laser sights in a medieval hamlet would break it for me a bit. Michael says: I remember much of video games (and at least one famous Dungeons and Dragons scenario, possibly two) back in the ‘80s had the “players stumble across a crashed starship trope” where you could end up with power armor and ray guns in a fantasy settings, which would be perceived as magic. I like that kind of cross genre gun introduction more than gunpowder becoming commonplace, I think. The video games he's referring to are Heroes of Might and Magic 6 and 7, both of which I played back in the day and are quite good. Juana says: My suspension of disbelief gets knocked out more by dialogue than guns. Jenny says: Guns aren't as bad as cell phones, in my opinion, or the magical equivalent of a cell phone that is not even trying to be anything but a cell phone. What's interesting is if you read a book that is determinedly set in the 1980s, like the Kinsey Millhone Mysteries by Sue Grafton are all determinedly set in Los Angeles in the 1980s, which is way pre-cellphone and how much extra work the protagonist has to do in investigating since Google doesn't immediately bring everything to her fingertips. Jimmy says: Fantasy doesn't require medieval setting, nor does it require swords. If you study medieval warfare, then you'll notice two things. One, only the rich have swords. Two, it is a secondary or tertiary weapon. Swords are notoriously weak. They break often. The use of guns really depends more on the story's background than it does on the genre. Bonnie says: I agree, they're okay, depending on the time period/environment involved. There's no way that they would be okay with Caina or Ridmark! Cheryl says: Nadia needs guns. I guess it depends on the fantasy topic being written. John says, I'm kind of into Flintlock fantasy, e.g. Powdermage series, et cetera. Urban fantasy also requires firearms. My favorite historical European period is really the “Knights and Guns” era, which would be the early modern period. Todd says: A deeper question is how do guns fit into the culture? In the Cloak Games/Cloak Mage universe, there are ongoing wars, so gun use and safety is taught in schools and veterans are expected to maintain proficiency against the Shadowlands incursion. There's a balance there, and the punishment for criminal misuse includes slogging and loss of freedom, if not execution. So while I think the amount of firearms in Nadia's world is a bit over the top, I can see it making sense culturally and contextually. In a different culture, it may or may not make sense. In a classic medieval setting, it wouldn't make sense. Conversely, in early 1800s Western America, a limited amount of firearms were to be expected. Every little house on the prairie would be expected to have a few rifles and perhaps a pistol or two. Setting, culture, and context all determine what the reader will find appropriate. And finally, Randy says: Depends on how they get there. Guardians of the Flame series had college kids reinvent them, which made sense, and their opponents figured out their own version. When one side has them and the other is too dumb to steal/capture some and figure them out, then yes, it doesn't work. So as you can see, we had quite a range of opinions there. For myself, I really have no strong feelings about it one way or the other. I do think guns are best suited to urban fantasy environments. In Cloak Games and Cloak Mage, as several commentaries mentioned, Nadia goes through a lot of guns. Granted, my favorite type of fantasy is what it's called basic fantasy or generic fantasy where a barbarian, a dwarf, an elf, and a wizard go to a dungeon and kill orcs and monsters. Firearms would definitely be out of place in that sort of setting. That said, I think guns and fantasy is like any other story trope and just needs to be done well to be enjoyable. I suppose it's a matter of properly setting the table for reader expectations. Like if you have a medieval style of fantasy world like Half-Elven Thief, it'd be weird to have guns suddenly show up. But if you create a setting that's an analog for 1880s America, but with wizards, then guns wouldn't be out of place. So that is it for Question of the Week. Thanks to everyone who commented and left insightful and interesting comments. 00:07:40 Advertising Results for August 2025 [Prices mentioned are USD] Now let's go on to the first of our interrelated main topics, my advertising results for last month, which would be August 2025. I haven't done an ad results roundup for a couple months, partly because it's been a really busy summer and partly because I've been adjusting some things and waiting to see the results. I'll explain more later, but the short version is that I'm losing confidence in the effectiveness of Facebook ads for selling books. But first, let's see some advertising results for August 2025. Let's start with Facebook ads where I advertise the Ghosts, Cloak Games/Cloak Mage, and the Frostborn series. The Ghosts, I got back $8.40 for every dollar spent, with 6% of the profit coming from the audiobooks, which was really nice. This one was a bit of anomaly because Ghost in the Siege did a lot of heavy lifting for this. For Cloak Games/Cloak Mage, I got back $2.70 for every dollar spent, with 12% of the revenue coming from the audiobooks. And for Frostborn, I got back $2.83 for every dollar spent, with 30% of the revenue coming from the audiobooks. Now on to Amazon ads. Remember, for an Amazon ad to be profitable, it needs to generate at least one sale/complete KU readthrough every six to eight clicks. So for Demonsouled Omnibus One, I got $5 back for every $1 spent, with a sale for every 0.82 clicks, which was really good. For Half-Elven Thief, I got back $1.22 for every dollar spent, with a sale for every 2.47 clicks. And for Dragonskull Omnibus One, I got back $28.75 for every dollar spent, with 65% of the profit coming from the audiobook, with a sale for every 0.11 clicks. Now, obviously these numbers require some explanation. The profit margin on Half-Elven Thief was narrow, but the entire series made up for it, so that's okay and it will improve when I start writing more books in the series later this year. In fact, I think I'm going to start writing the fifth one in October, if all goes well. The numbers for Dragonskull Omnibus One were so high because the ebook is $0.99, but the audiobook brings in a lot more than the ebook, something like 10 times, no, 20 times more than the ebook. BookBub ads do quite well with Google Play and Barnes and Noble. The numbers are too long to quote here, but they did quite well. All that said, the reason I'm losing confidence in Facebook ads is a combination of the loss of granular targeting and over-reliance on AI targeting. One of the paradoxes of online advertising is that the smaller and more granular your audience, the more likely your ad is to convert to sales. Narrow, targeted advertising is so much better than broad targeting. Unfortunately, Facebook has been slowly removing the more granular targeting options in favor of broader categories that don't work as well. Like you used to be able to target dozens of fantasy authors as interests for Facebook users. Now, you can only target epic fantasy and maybe J.R.R. Tolkien. In fact, I confirmed this just this morning, but you can't even target Brandon Sanderson as an interest, and he's probably the most popular epic fantasy author publishing today. To take the place of more granular targeting, Facebook has introduced AI assisted targeting, which they call Advantage Plus. Now, there's no beating around the bush. Advantage Plus isn't very good. It can garner a reasonable number of clicks on an ad, but those clicks don't convert to sales. Even with ads that don't use Advantage, Facebook still sneaks it in. So the effectiveness of Facebook ads has been in decline. Like I turned off the Facebook ads for the Demonsouled series entirely in August, and my results actually improved a good bit. So I'm going to test another series with no Facebook ads for September, and we'll see how much the results vary. Specifically, I think I'll turn off Facebook ads for Cloak Games/Cloak Mage, leave them on for Frostborn, and see if it makes any difference, and if it does make a difference, it will be time to reevaluate some advertising strategies. On the plus side, I didn't lose any money at any of my ads this month and they all turned a profit, and as always, thank you to everyone who was reading and listening to ebooks and audiobooks. 00:11:41 Does Permafree Still Work For Indie Authors? Now on to the other half of our main topic: Does Permafree still work for indie authors? One of the perennial debates in Indie Author Land is whether or not making the first book in your series free still works as a marketing tactic or not. Now, at this point, I've been doing this for over 14 years, and I have a lot of different series and quite a few different ones with free first books in the series. I thought it might be interesting to dig into the sales data and see what percentage of people who downloaded the first book went onto the second book and then the final book in the series. A few caveats and conditions: first, this is only for 2024 and the first half of 2025, since I wanted a set time sample for the data. Additionally, this is also useful for showing the conversion rate on a finished series that hasn't had a new book in years, since the final book in the Frostborn series came out in 2017, which was eight years ago at this point. Second, it will only apply to a series whose first books were free for that entire time period. Third, when I talk about conversion rates, I mean what percentage of free downloads translated into sales. For example, if Book One had a hundred free downloads and then 12 sales of Book Two and nine sales of the final book, that means 12% of people went onto the second book and then 9% on to the final book. So we had a conversion rate of 12% from the first free book to the paid second book, and then a conversion rate of 9% from the free first book to the final book in the series. So with all that in mind, let's take a look at permafree conversion rates for some of my series in 2024 and 2025. For The Ghosts, 13.47% went to the second book, and 12.72% went on to the final book. For Frostborn, 13% went to the second book and 12.93% to the final book. For Sevenfold Sword, 22.93% went to the second book and 22.81% on to the final book. For Cloak Games, 11.85% went on to the second book, and 11.67% to the final book. Silent Order, 14.64% went on to the second book, and 14.54% went to the final book. For The Tower of Endless Worlds, 17.46% went to the second book, and 17.46% went onto the final book. So I think there are a couple of conclusions we can draw from this. First, making the first book in a series permafree remains a viable marketing strategy. It doesn't usually result in dramatic spikes of sales, but instead it is good at generating more of a steady trickle. Second, anything you can do to increase the number of downloads of your free books will likely increase the sales of the paid books later in the series. That said, there are caveats. You want methods to increase the free downloads to people that might conceivably be interested in buying the books. Targeted advertising can be an effective way to do this. What's not effective is using bot farms or help from a bunch of scammers to generate a big download in free books. At best, you'll generate a bunch of downloads that won't convert, and at worst ebook platforms will detect suspicious activity and either delist your free ebook or suspend your account. Third, this strategy works even with books you don't promote very often. For example, I don't bash on the Tower of Endless Worlds because for some people it's their favorite book of mine. But in all candor, I do think it's one of my weaker books. I was trying to do something with urban fantasy I don't think I had the skills to do until Cloak Games, which was like 12 years later. So I don't really promote it, save that I made the first book in the series free a long time ago and kept it that way. It's still 17% of the people who downloaded the first book continued onto the final one. Fourth, this strategy does require some patience. It can take a while for people to read through a series. It can also take a while for a free book to get traction. Fifth, I at times hesitate to recommend this because saying write five books and make the first one free is easy to say, but it's a lot of work to do. For many new writers, getting the first book done and out into the world is a monumental challenge, then telling them to do it three or four more times and then to make the first book free does seem like a big ask, but it does work (sometimes slowly), but it does work. So that's it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe, stay healthy, and see you all next week.

Episode 466: A Chat with Jennifer L. Wright

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2025 36:38

With the 125-year anniversary of the Galveston flood this year, a book about the events surrounding it? Sounds great to me. Listen in to see why I think Jennifer L. Wright is a perfect choice to do it. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Loved this chat with Jennifer (always do!). It was great to catch up, see what she's been working on, and learn all about her research into the Galveston flood. Oh, and don't miss the book she recommended, Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson. Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York's Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary's Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston's office of the US Weather Bureau. Then in one fateful day, Kathleen's fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can't run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline's belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive. Learn more about Jennifer L. Wright on her WEBSITE. and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Episode 465: A Chat with DiAnn Mills

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 51:33

Don't know about you, but I LOVE a good suspense novel, and DiAnn Mills? She writes some of the best. Listen in to hear why I'm excited about Canyon of Deceit. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. DiAnn shared about how the park rangers are volunteers because it's so remote and DESERTY. I loved learning that I'm not alone. DiAnn also gets so immersed that she forgets the world around her as she writes. After listening to her rave about the Master Class survival course by Jessie Kriebs, I knew I'd have to take it, too. Pro Tip: The National Parks system has books about the tourist area--has local lore and information you don't find anywhere else. She's a total seat-of-the-pants writer. Just goes in with a character worksheet. Don't miss her website with information about the book--with trailers and book club stuff... and information about this area. Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy. When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese's help finding her. She's sure Rurik hasn't given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child's life hanging in the balance, Therese can't turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can't do this alone. Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane's specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik's terms to keep Alina's disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won't distract from their mission to save Alina. Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina's last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they're receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives. Learn more about DiAnn on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Episode 464: A Chat with Amy R. Anguish

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2025 41:19

Everyone loves a good Cinderella retelling, and I think Amy R. Anguish has a super cool one for us. Listen in and see why it's sure to be a new favorite! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I just love the idea that instead of missing shoes and a mysterious dance partner, we're looking for who really painted a potentially prize-winning piece of art! EEEP! Rendersella by Amy R. Anguish Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she's lost her chance. Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family's gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella's piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist. At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up? Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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Episode 463: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 41:48

I don't know about you, but I always think of archaeology as being in the Victorian period, instead of Regency! So, it shouldn't be any wonder that I was thrilled to find out about Jenelle Hovde's recent release and see that world from a Regency perspective. Listen in to learn more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. This book is more than a stunning cover and a story about an equally stunning mosaic. Overcoming pasts, trying to forge new futures--everything you can imagine. No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground. Miss Bridget Littleton's passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle. Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey's once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget's potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion. Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined. Sweet Regency romance filled with hope, faith, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic Historical fiction that's perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, or Abigail Wilson Includes discussion questions for book clubs Learn more about Jenelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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The Journey of the Soul: Insights from Brownell Landrum

News Worthy??

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 71:55

In this engaging conversation, Brownell Landrum, a multifaceted author and explorer of metaphysical mysteries, shares her insights on reincarnation, the nature of the soul, and the impact of personal experiences on beliefs. The discussion delves into the role of AI in creativity, the significance of soulmates, and the importance of open-mindedness in navigating life's challenges. Brownell emphasizes that life's struggles often lead to valuable lessons and personal growth, encouraging listeners to explore their own beliefs and experiences.Brownell's Social Links and more:Email: Brownell@BrownellLandrum.comBrownell's We Meet Again trilogy on Amazon (first book only 99 cents!)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCL2NR6W/Life is a Trip! Reincarnation stories Podcast: https://www.lifeisatrippodcast.com/Life is a Trip! Facebook grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeisatripstoriesBrownell's website:https://brownelllandrum.com/Brownell on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/brownell.landrum.authorBrownell on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brownelllandrum/Brownell on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@brownelllandrumBrownell on Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brownell-landrumBrownell's YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@brownell.landrumBrownell on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/brownell_landrumBrownell's Author Page on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brownell-Landrum/author/B00JFHZSGA Brownell's IMDb Page:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6398914/?ref_=tt_cl_wr_1Brownell on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brownelllandrum/Website for Brownell's book: Five Reasons Why Bad Things Happen:https://reasonswhy.com/Website for Brownell's DUET stories series:https://duetstories.com/Link to download “A Love Story to the Universe” by Brownell Landrum for FREEhttps://dl.bookfunnel.com/a4s6x8lwk5

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Episode 462: A Chat with Mary Pat Johns

The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 34:43

Romance is blooming in Valiant once again, and on this page of the tale, we have... Paige! Listen in while Mary Pat Johns and I chat about this second chance romance and learn all the fun details! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Waitin' on Paige by Mary Pat Johns Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Muñoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won't let anything stand in her way. But the path she's on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness? Learn more about Mary on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2025 49:31

If you love beautiful, nature-filled stories that dig deep into the heart of lives so real you are certain you're invading someone's privacy, Cheryl Grey Bostrom may be the perfect author for you. Listen in and learn why. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Talking with Cheryl Grey Bostrom a few weeks ago changed my upcoming book plans. Because guys, I NEED her books. Her deep love of nature and life in her corner of the world shows in every word she speaks. What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, a young woman's discovery of her hidden past illuminates her present in this new novel from the award-winning author of Sugar Birds, “an engrossing tale” (Kirkus Reviews), and Leaning on Air, “an exquisitely nuanced love story” (BookTrib). Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwest's wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildy's reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her father's love and her mother's sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes. Then her mother's health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her family's rustic resort—a place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she can't fully explain. When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbor. But then Miranda's carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildy's attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildy's built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her river's course to freedom. A compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world A poignant and emotive contemporary novel perfect for fans of Delia Owens and William Kent Krueger Includes discussion questions for book clubs Learn more about Cheryl on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

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