Novel Marketing
The longest-running book marketing podcast in the world. This is the show for writers who want to build their platform, sell more books, and change the world with writing worth talking about. Whether you self publish or are with a traditional house, this podcast will make book promotion fun and easy. Thomas Umstattd Jr. interviews publishers, indie authors, and bestselling traditional authors about how to get published and sell more books.
Episodes
SEO for Author Websites: The Only Guide You Need in 2026
If a reader Googled your name right now, what would come up? An abandoned LinkedIn profile from a career you left behind? A neglected Goodreads page? An insurance agent in Albuquerque who happens to share your name?There's only one number-one spot on Google, and if you don't claim it for your name, someone else will. The good news is that your most powerful tool for winning that spot is
The Comprehensive Guide to BookFunnel
You know you need an email list. You've heard about reader magnets and maybe you even have one, but you're stuck at a handful of subscribers, wondering how other authors build lists of tens of thousands of engaged readers who actually buy their books.Damon J. Courtney knows how. He's an author and the creator of BookFunnel, a service that helps authors grow their email lists and del
Why Your Cover, Blurb, and Hook Are All Just Guesses
Every month, traditional publishers lose more ground to indie authors.One reason it’s happening is that in trad publishing, a committee or the highest-paid person in the room makes the call on book covers, marketing copy, and even what they suppose readers might like. Both get it wrong far more often than they want to admit.Most indie authors aren't much better off. They just swap the highest
The 5 Tiers of Audiobooks: Which One Should You Publish?
For most of publishing history, creating an audiobook meant writing a check for thousands of dollars and hoping you'd earn it back in sales. Because of the expense, many authors decided it wasn't worth the risk. So, they skipped audio entirely.Here's the problem. That decision now backfires in a way nobody saw coming.The number one sign that a book was written by AI isn't bad w
Estate Planning for Authors: How to Protect Your Books (and Your Family) After You Die
You will die. It could be today, it could be 15 years from now, but no one lives forever. Your books, however, can outlive you. In fact, seventy years after you're gone, they’ll live in the public domain.That means your grandchildren's grandchildren could end up responsible for your intellectual property. Most authors have done zero planning for what happens to their books, passwords, an
Why Amazon Is Terminating Innocent Authors
What do you do if your Amazon account gets suspended but you didn’t do anything wrong? Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't care if you're innocent.That's not pessimism. It's strategy.Once you understand what Amazon cares about (hint: it's not you, the law, or fairness), you can start speaking a language they respond to.In this week’s episode, I spoke with Lesley Hensell, co-foun
Author's PR Playbook: How to Get Media Coverage Without a Publicist
Is hiring a publicist a waste of money or not?A typical book publicist charges between $3,000 and $10,000 per month, and they often require a three-month minimum. At $3 of profit per book, you'd need to sell 5,000 copies just to break even. Most PR campaigns don't come close to selling 5,000 copies.But the publicist gets paid either way, while the author takes all the risk.Here's wh
How to Level Up Your Writing With Chris Fox
Do you feel like an imposter as a writer?You probably are. Most authors who experience imposter syndrome are imposters, but they don't have to be!As the saying goes, “There are no good writers; just bad writers who didn’t quit.”Every author starts off as a bad writer. To make a living at writing you must improve through hard work, determination, and training. In this week’s episode, you’ll he
How to Revive a Dead Book With a Promo Stack
Are your book sales stuck? Maybe sales have slowed. Maybe your launch never took off. Or maybe you're spending money on ads without seeing results.This week on Novel Marketing, Amazon ad specialist Bryan Canter explains how "promo stacking" can revive a struggling book and put it in front of new readers.You'll learn:What promo stacking is and why it worksWhich promotions delive
Why I'm Giving Away a $249 Course This Month
Instead of a guest interview or a marketing deep-dive, in this week’s episode I'm inviting you to something I've spent years building for authors who want to be taken seriously.You’ll discover:How you can get lifetime access to my $249 course this month for $0How you can get your questions answered by me live on a monthly basisHow you can get my digital doppelgänger (ie. AI Thomas) to an
Announcing the 2027 Novel Marketing Conference
A writers conference with no pitch appointments, no breakout tracks, and no recordings? What’s left? A conference that sold out last year! The Novel Marketing Conference is different, and every single attendee that responded to our survey said they were glad they came in 2026. In this week's episode, I break down exactly why I removed those traditional writers conference elements and what we
The Four Loves That Drive 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 ancie
Rules for Book Advertising with David Gaughran
The difference between making thousands of dollars on your next book and losing money can come down to a few cents per click.If your ads generate even a few pennies of net profit, you can run them until you've sold tens of thousands of books. But if you're losing money, no amount of spending will fix it. In this week's episode, David Gaughran, a veteran of digital advertising, joins
My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes
We’ve arrived! It’s the 500th episode of Novel Marketing.To celebrate, I’m giving away the MacBook Neo I reviewed a few episodes ago, but I’m also revealing my worst takes and biggest mistakes over the past 500 episodes.Some of those takes were correct, but when circumstances changed, the advice was no longer good. But sometimes, I was wrong from the start. Gather ‘round and hear the tale of the e
Stop Guessing: How to Know If Your Book Marketing Is Working
Most authors can tell you their royalties but not their net profit per book. They spend money on ads, see sales come in, and assume things are fine. But are they? Sales and profit are not the same thing.How can you find out if you’re making money or just making sales?In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from Eiri Theodorou, founder of Publisher Champ, an analytics platform used by over 25,000 autho
The Cultural Zeitgeist Shift That's Making Indie Authors Rich
There’s a culture shift underway that most authors aren’t seeing. Even traditional publishers can’t figure out why their titles are resonating. If your book isn’t selling, it could be a cover or craft problem, but it might be a zeitgeist problem. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from fantasy and LitRPG author Seth Ring. We discuss the biggest cultural shift in storytelling in two decades and w
Apple's Cheapest Laptop Ever: Should Authors Buy It?
I bought and tested Apple's cheapest laptop so you don't have to.I stress-tested the MacBook Neo with a 250,000-word document, ran every major writing app, and pushed the machine to its limits. Whether the Neo is right for you depends on what you use your computer to do, because authors do more than just type words into a word processor.In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, you
Your Friends Lied About Your Book Cover
Your author friends are lying to you about your book cover.Well, not on purpose. They can’t help it.When authors are trying to pick a book cover, they often ask their friends which cover they like best. But that strategy doesn’t work because your friends look too closely. They think about your feelings. They vote based on which cover has more votes.But your cover isn’t for your friends.It’s for st
Reader Magnets Are Dead? Why Most Reader Magnets Fail
Many authors say reader magnets don’t work anymore. But when done right, a good reader magnet can grow your email list from zero to thousands of subscribers before your first book even launches.In this episode, you’ll hear from author, podcaster, and producer of the Novel Marketing podcast, Laurie Christine, who built an email list of thousands using various reader magnet strategies, all while wri
Your Author Toolbox: Part 2
Do you ever wish you had a team of writing, publishing, or marketing professionals to consult? Do you wish you had an assistant to help with the business and marketing side of writing?What if you could have both for less than the cost of a couple of lattes?In this week’s episode, you’ll hear about the newest additions to the Novel Marketing Patron Toolbox, a growing suite of practical tools design
How to Become a Professional Writer With Joanna Penn
Is your writing a hobby or a profession? The answer to that question changes everything.Many authors claim to be professionals but act like hobbyists. They write what they want instead of what readers will pay for. They try to fit a finished book into a genre instead of studying the genre first. They publish without a marketing plan or budget and are shocked by low sales and few reviews.They expec
Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: Metadata
If your book isn’t selling, it may not be your writing.It may be your metadata.In this week’s episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, you’ll hear from Dave Chesson, creator of Publisher Rocket, and learn about the hidden engine behind book sales on Amazon.Even if your book is well-written and professionally edited, Amazon doesn’t read your book. It reads your metadata. And if your metadata is uncl
How to Format a Book with Vellum
Many authors assume book formatting is complicated, expensive, or something only professionals can handle.In this week’s episode, I talk with Bryan Canter about why that assumption is outdated, and how tools like Vellum have changed what authors can do. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to pay a pro or learn to format your book’s interior yourself, this conversation will give you clarity.
How Authors Can Stay out of Tax Jail
American Taxes, pay too little and you go to jail. Pay too much and you lose the money you need to reach more readers with advertising and promotion. If your records feel like a mess of Amazon deposits, Ingram payments, Kickstarter funds, affiliate income, coaching fees and dozens of random expenses you’re not alone. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from a CPA who works specifically with autho
Productivity Secrets from Bestselling Author Jerry B. Jenkins
Do you ever feel like your book is taking forever to write?Maybe you’ve been working on the same manuscript for years, and then you look up and see other authors publishing a book a year, or more. How do they do it?In this week’s episode, I ask Jerry B. Jenkins that very question. He has sold more than 73 million books, including his mega-bestselling Left Behind series, and he breaks down the habi
Networking for Authors
Most authors begin writing as a solitary pursuit and soon realize they don’t know other writers or industry professionals who can help them grow. So how do you go from a solitary outsider to a connected insider who knows designers, editors, marketers, and more?In this week’s episode, we talk with Dale L. Roberts, an award-winning indie author and host of Self-Publishing with Dale, about how genuin
The 5 Year Plan to Become a Professional Author
If you ask a bestselling novelist how long it took to go from aspiring writer to published success, the answer is usually about ten years. One reason it takes so long is that most authors learn about writing in a haphazard way. They read a blog post here, listen to a podcast there, attend a conference where they receive a firehose of information, and then watch YouTube videos hoping to fill in the
Why Some Authors Are Ditching ChatGPT Entirely
ChatGPT used to be the go-to AI for authors, but it's no longer the best choice for every task. New models like Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok are outperforming it in specific areas, from creative writing to research to automation.In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from The Nerdy Novelist, Jason Hamilton. We discuss which AI tools work best for your writing, your budget, and your genre
A Nonfiction Author’s Guide to Substack
I am not a big fan of Substack for novelists. Most novelists are better off using the free version of Kit and WordPress. However, Substack is a completely different story for nonfiction authors.If you’re a nonfiction author who wants to grow your platform without juggling five different tech tools, this week’s Novel Marketing episode is for you.In this week’s episode, I talk with screenwriter and
Should You Create a Premium Hardcover Edition of Your Book?
Hardcover books are back. Beautiful, premium, collector-quality editions are gaining momentum with readers who want books that look and feel special. But how do you know if you should create a premium hardcover edition of your book?In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from author Paul Millerd, who created a luxury edition of his bestselling book. We dig into the strategy, psychology, risks, and rew
Amazon Algorithm Secrets That Separate Bestsellers from the Slush Pile
Authors talk about “the algorithm” the way the little aliens in Toy Story talk about “the claw.” Does the algorithm randomly choose your book, or is someone else controlling the claw?In this week’s episode, you’ll discover what we know about how Amazon decides which books to show, and how to get your book in front of the readers most likely to love it.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Amazon “deci
The Shopify Trap: Why Authors Keep Losing Money
Lately, I’ve been getting swamped with emails from authors asking about Shopify. Many are losing money and wondering what went wrong and how to fix it.Here’s the truth most authors don’t want to hear: Shopify is usually a bad deal for most authors.In this week’s episode, you’ll learn✅ Why Shopify sounds so good but often backfires✅ The math behind why most authors lose money by using it✅ Better al
Stop Wasting Money on Ink: 2025 Printer Guide for Authors
Are you wasting money, time, and paper by using the wrong printer?Before you buy your next printer, make sure it has the features every author needs. The wrong setup can cost you hundreds of dollars a year or, worse, stop working altogether when your Wi-Fi service fails.In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:The critical printer features authors needHow to cut your paper use (and clutter) in halfHow
How to publish your audiobook through ACX
Audiobooks have been the fastest-growing segment in publishing for a decade, and for many readers, an audiobook signals a real, human-written book. In fact, audiobook sales have recently outpaced ebook sales!Now is the time to get your book on audio. But where do you even begin?In this week’s episode, audiobook consultant Bryan Canter gives us an overview of the entire process of how ACX (Audioboo
How to Build an Email List before publishing your novel
Many authors make the mistake of writing a book first and then trying to find readers. This is backwards and rarely works. However, if you follow these three steps, your book will be set up for success.Step #1: Identify your target reader.Step #2: Start growing an audience of readers like that person.Step #3: Launch your book.But how do you find your Timothy? How do you grow your audience? And how
Triple Your Writing Speed with Dictation
The faster you write, the more books you can publish and the more money you can make from your writing.We all type slower than we speak, and if you’re typing and creating a story at the same time, you type even slower. But what if you could regularly produce 50 words or more per minute? You’d be able to write a 120,000-word book in a 40-hour work week!Authors who can write that fast all use dictat
How to Boost Sales With Permafree Books
Giving away your hard work for free doesn’t seem to make good business sense. So why do authors give away ebooks for free?What if “free” didn’t kill your revenue, but primed it? In this week’s episode, we’ll dig into the permafree strategy with Dale Roberts, author of Secrets of the Permafree Book.You’ll learn:Where permafree works (and where it flops)How to make Amazon price-match a free bookHow
How to Get More Book Reviews
So you wrote a good book, but you can’t seem to get reviews. Do you just throw up your hands? Why do reviews and ratings even matter?Well, the more reviews a book has, the better it will sell and the more reviews it will get. Without the social proof of reviews, readers scroll past your book listing, algorithms ignore you, and sales flatline.So, how do you get more book reviews?In this week’s epis
The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn
Most authors either avoid AI or use it badly. Let’s fix that.Authors who learn to use AI find that they have more time to write better books.In this week’s episode, Joanna Penn and I break down where to start, which tools are actually worth using, and how to get useful output instead of bland tasteless, voiceless, AI slop.You’ll learnHow to prompt ChatGPT like a coworkerThe best tools for images,
When to Ignore Your Editor
Every author needs editorial feedback. But not all feedback is good.If you accept every edit, you risk losing your voice and writing something bland. If you ignore all edits, you risk writing something sloppy that readers won’t buy. So how do you know which edits to take and which to toss?In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:7 “Bewares” to help you sort out good and bad editorial suggestionsWhethe
Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference
Most writing conferences teach you how to write a better book or how to pursue a literary agent. But what if you have already written a great book and you need help selling it? Is there a conference for you?Yes! Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference, a live, in-person event focused on helping you market and sell more books.The 2026 conference is packed with innovations you won’t find anyw
How to Get Started with Author School Visits and Make Your Book Playground Famous
If you write picture books, chapter books, or middle-grade fiction, you know the challenge: kids read your books, but adults buy them.So how can you let young readers know about your books? Where can you connect with your readers? By meeting them in person in school classrooms!In this week's episode, award-winning author Becca Wierwille shares how school visits became her best book marketing
Zeitgeist, Dystopian Fatigue, and the Rise of Ruthless & Noble Heroes
What’s up with ruthless heroes and romantasy?And what if the real reason your book isn’t selling has nothing to do with your writing and everything to do with the zeitgeist?In this week’s Novel Marketing episode, we’re featuring an episode of Author Update. We unpack the massive cultural shift that's changing what readers crave. From romantasy's domination to the hunger for noble dark
How to sell 1,000 books a month
Ever wonder how some authors consistently sell a thousand books a month?What marketing tactics are they using? How can I get those results too?In the latest episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, I talk with Susan Neal, author of nine books and CEO of the Christian Indie Publishing Association. Susan shares how she layers her marketing efforts—from podcast interviews to press releases—to drive bo
How to Work With a PR Firm to Promote Your Book
Publicity has always been important for authors. Mark Twain promoted his books by writing letters to the paper, and even Agatha Christie, who was known for being very private, still did interviews with prominent newspapers. Yet some authors think this kind of publicity is old-fashioned. In a world dominated by social media, do we even need traditional PR anymore?If you've ever wondered how to
What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book?
You’ve optimized your book for AI, updated your website, polished your metadata, maybe even watched our AI Optimization for Authors episode.But how do you know if any of it is working?In this week’s episode, you’ll discover how to measure your AI optimization success. Because the hard truth is that if ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini doesn’t know your book exists, it won’t recommend it to readers.In this
How to Create Sales Optimized Book Pages for Your Author Website
Well, this is embarrassing.After 12 years of teaching authors how to build better websites, I realized I’ve never covered the most important page on your site: your book page.Your book’s webpage isn’t just for selling your book anymore. It’s now key to showing up in Google search results and getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT.In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:The biggest mistake autho
Is Your Traditional Publisher Going Bankrupt? 8 Warning Signs to Look Out For
The publishing industry is facing significant challenges. We just went through a major zeitgeist shift, and reader preferences radically changed. AI also showed up in a big way, so it should be no surprise that several traditional publishers are struggling to adapt.What happens to you and your book if your publisher goes bankrupt? How will you know if your publisher is headed that way?In this wee
How to Adapt a Podcast to YouTube
You work hard to create content for your audience. But how do you get more mileage and reach out of each piece you create?One way is to adapt your content for another platform. I recently started adapting my podcast into a YouTube channel.But how do you do that?I learned the hard way how not to do it.To gain traction on YouTube, you have to respect YouTube as a platform. You can't just shovel
How to Publish a Novel in 2025
Have you been dreaming about publishing a book that actually sells?The hard truth is that most authors fail because they jump straight into writing. They spend months writing a book only to find out later they made a key mistake, and nobody wants to buy the book.I've helped thousands of authors go from blank page to profitable launch, and in this week's episode, I'm giving you the r
An Introduction to Author Ecosystems with Russel Nohelty
Have you ever followed popular marketing advice that worked wonders for someone else but completely fell flat for you? Or have you watched another author succeed with a strategy you were told would never work?That’s because book marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all.In this week’s episode, I talk with USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty about Author Ecosystems—a framework that helps you under
AI Optimization for Authors
Most authors are thinking about AI the wrong way. AI isn’t really a tool for writing books, but it’s quickly becoming the most powerful tool for selling them. Even if you’re not using LLMs like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, or Claude, your readers are.In fact, today, readers across the globe asked AI, “What book should I read next?”Did ChatGPT recommend your book? How can you make sure it does?If your bo
Your Author Toolbox
What if you had a toolbox filled with over 30 expert-level resources to help you sell more books and spend less time marketing?In this week’s episode, I reveal the suite of powerful tools I’ve built to simplify writing and marketing for authors like you. From crafting irresistible blurbs to designing reader magnet covers, optimizing email campaigns, and even generating book launch plans, these too
How to generate passive income with affiliate marketing
Are you leaving money on the table every time you share a link to your book?In this week’s episode, we talk with Jesse Lakes, co-founder of Geniuslink, to explore how universal book links and affiliate marketing can help you reach more readers and earn extra income.You’ll learn:Why Amazon.com links could be costing you salesThe tools that make it easy to start earning today (and keep you compliant
How to PROFITABLY Advertise a Solo Book on Amazon
Without advertising, most books only sell to the author’s friends, family, and neighbors. People across the country or across town may never hear about your book. Amazon ads can help you reach beyond your social bubble.Many authors think they need a series to make ads work, but that’s not true. You can run profitable ads even if you only have one book published.In the latest episode of Novel Marke
Announcing Author Update
Publishing is changing faster than ever before. New AI tools are dropping every time you turn around, and the way authors write, publish, and sell books is being rewritten in real-time.On Novel Marketing has been committed to sharing evergreen marketing principles that do not change, which is why it's become such a trusted resource for authors.However, this strategy has left many authors on t
2025 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors
Too many writers waste hundreds or thousands of dollars on laptop features they’ll never use. Worse yet, some struggle along with outdated, unreliable machines that sabotage their creativity and productivity.Here’s what tech companies don’t want you to know: That pricey laptop with all the bells and whistles? Most of those features are totally useless for authors.This week’s episode is my 2025 L
Email List Alchemy: How to Grow Your Email List Fast With Giveaways
Description & TimesBuilding an email list made up of more than friends and family can feel impossible, especially before you've launched your first book. Eventually, you have to attract strangers. But how?How do you convince strangers to join your email list?We've been using a surprisingly effective method for years, yet I have never dedicated an entire podcast to it.In this week&apo
Escaping the Procrastination Prison: A Guide for Tired Authors
Are you having trouble starting or finishing your writing? A subtle and sinister phenomenon may be keeping you from success. It may even be the reason your book is not finished yet. It might be why your book isn’t selling.What is it? Procrastination.You can’t beat procrastination by hustling harder; you need a plan that’s smarter.So, how do you escape the procrastination prison? One step at a time
How to Craft a Cancel Proof Marketing Strategy
Blog version: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-craft-a-cancel-proof-marketing-strategy/A few years ago, getting canceled could end your career. But author cancel culture has changed. Now, it can supercharge book sales.But how?In this week’s episode of Novel Marketing, I spoke with book marketer Christine Eriksen about how an indie author used an unplanned controversy as a powerful book marketing
Author Website Review: Christian Historical Romance
How effective is your author website? In this week’s episode of Novel Marketing, I review the websites of top Christian Historical Romance authors, analyzing what they’re doing well and where they could improve. From SEO wins to missed opportunities, you’ll discover practical ways to enhance your own website. Find out: What bestselling authors get right about website design Common mistakes that
Book Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to Write
It’s 2025, and authors are at war over AI. Some are embracing it, others are retreating to bunkers, and a few think it’s just another passing fad. But amid all the controversy, most authors are missing out on the AI advantage that everyone can agree on: AI can help you market your books, which gives you more time to write. Most of us became authors because we love writing, not because we love ma
The Sci-Fi Zeitgeist Has Shifted – What Authors Need to Know
Science fiction is changing, and so are its readers. The cultural landscape that shaped the last 40 years of sci-fi is shifting, including thoughts about wokeness, AI, WWIII, population, and more. If you're still writing about overused and cliched sci-fi themes, you're missing the mark.In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, we explore:Why climate-change narratives are losing the
Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
To indie publish or traditionally publish? That is the question.For years, indie publishing was seen as a fallback for authors who couldn’t land a traditional contract. But times have changed. Many indie authors now outsell and out-earn their traditionally published counterparts.And yet, while many traditionally published authors are switching to indie, it’s far less common to see a successful ind
Stop Writing Book Series!
If you’re thinking about writing a book series, you might want to reconsider, especially if you’re a new author. That’s not to say you should never write a series, but it can be a risky endeavor, and I can prove it with math.In this week’s episode, I break down why writing a series may limit your potential readership. You’ll learn:The four steps every reader must take for your sequel to sell wellT
How to Sell Books From a Table
Have you ever set up a book table and stacked your books neatly, only to walk away with disappointing sales? You're not alone.But there is a better way to sell books from your book table at in-person events.In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, I sit down with Sarah Hickner, an expert in book table sales, to uncover:Common mistakes authors make at book tables (and how to avoid them)
Listen to This Before Your Next Podcast Guest Interview
Congrats on getting booked for a podcast interview! Whether you’re promoting your book or lead magnet, your audio quality on the podcast can make or break your credibility.In our latest episode, we share pro tips on:How to prepare for your interview (beyond just showing up)Microphone techniques that make you sound like a proThe gear you need (that doesn’t break the bank)What to do after the interv
A Storytelling Revolution: Inside the World of Serialized Fiction
Serialized fiction has been captivating readers for centuries, from nightly bedtime stories to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations to modern writers on platforms like Royal Road and Wattpad.In this episode, I interview bestselling author Seth Ring, who shares how serialized fiction helped him write 25+ books, build a dedicated fanbase, hone his craft, and achieve financial success.Discover:Th
Is Traditional Publishing Dying? Surprising Trends Authors Can’t Ignore in 2025
Where is publishing headed in 2025? Are we witnessing the end of traditional publishing or the birth of something new?In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, we’re unpacking:The surprising trends reshaping the industry.Why successful indie authors are rejecting six-figure advances.How romantasy, premium books, and shifting political preferences are transforming bestseller lists.And of cour
Networking for Authors: How to Build Relationships Without Being Awkward
Many authors feel stuck. They're toiling away in obscurity, and none of their promotion efforts seem to go anywhere.Success in publishing is as much about who you know as what you know. And sometimes, the lack of knowing the right people keeps you from finding success.We still live in a world that's run by human people, and your connection to those humans will lead to your success. If th
Project Management for Authors
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless task of writing, publishing, and marketing your book? From deciding which software to use for writing to figuring out how to keep track of all the characters in your story, the choices can feel paralyzing, and the number of things that need to be done can be very overwhelming.Besides your writing tasks, you have the business side of things: scheduling mee
How to Build a Rejection Proof Platform in 2025
Your author platform is your ability to spread the word about your book. As an indie author, your platform is directly linked with how large your book launch can be. Bigger platforms lead to bigger launches. All else being equal, traditional publishers always prefer large-platform authors to authors with no platform.So, how do you grow your author platform?This week’s episode is a webinar I recent
Contact Page Dos & Don’ts for Authors
Is your website’s Contact page serving your readers and web visitors?In the past, authors simply shared their email addresses on their websites. But that opened the door to a flood of spam, which drowned out real messages from readers.Connecting with your readers is essential to building your readership, so you can’t simply remove your email address from your website. But how do you create an effe
How to Worldbuild Your Book into a Bestseller
Choosing the right setting can supercharge your book sales. Some people read a book just for its setting. A good setting can lead to spin-off products like board games, art books, coloring books, calendars, comic books, and even movies.Setting not only turns people on to a story, but it also turns people off.Every author must answer the question, “How can I place my story in a setting that readers
How to Run a Local Book Festival
Sometimes in marketing, it pays to zig when everyone else is zagging. In this digital age, when authors race to do everything online, it's easy to forget the magic of face-to-face interactions. Personal connections can transform your relationship with your readers and fellow authors.A book festival is a fantastic way to meet with readers and writers at the same time in real life. But what is
How to Write Stories Readers Will Love by Knowing the Zeitgeist
As Yoda says, “Difficult to see the future is.” But difficult is not impossible. Causes have effects, and the more you have a sense of the rhythms of the past, the better you can sense the future.If it takes you two years to write a book, you owe it to yourself to ask, “What kinds of books will be popular in two years?” Reader preferences change over time, but sometimes they change rapidly. If you
How to Use Reverse Coupons
Has inflation eaten away at your book profits? Perhaps you want to start advertising and need some margin. Or maybe readers are not taking you seriously with your book's current low price.You need to raise the price of your book, but how should you do it?Most authors raise prices quietly. One day, the price just goes up, and they hope no one notices. But that approach is a massive mistake and
How to Write Enduring Bestsellers with the Two-Act Chiastic Structure
The last time I visited Barnes and Noble, I marveled at the comic book section. Western comic books only filled a couple of shelves, while around the corner, there was an entire aisle of manga comic books.I wondered, “Why is Eastern manga so much more popular than Western comic books from DC and Marvel?” As I investigated, I discovered an interesting and shockingly ancient answer.Western storytell
The Strategy Behind Reader Super Magnets
Reader magnets are like real magnets. Sometimes, they aren't very magnetic, and other times, they're so magnetic that we can rapidly grow an email list of tens of thousands of readers.A reader magnet is supposed to magnetically draw readers onto your list so that when you have a book to announce, lots of folks are ready and eager to learn more or buy.But what if your reader magnet doesn&
What to do When Book Sales Start Slipping
Are your book sales starting to dip a bit? Perhaps your book sales were once great and are now starting to fall. You may see this drop in sales for several reasons, but you don’t have to stand by and watch them drop indefinitely.Most bestselling books see their highest sales during the pre-order period, followed by the launch month, and then experience a slow, steady decline. But you can extend a
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