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 expect professional results from a hobbyist approach.

If that sounds familiar, there’s good news. You can choose the professional path.

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from author and podcaster Joanna Penn, who hosts the longest-running indie publishing podcast.

You’ll discover:

• How to build a sustainable author career in an era of AI
• Which marketing activities you should choose and which to ignore
• Business principles that apply to your writing career
• How to use AI to do the business tasks you dislike so you have more time for creativity and storytelling

To learn how to build a sustainable author business in an era of rapid change, listen in or read the blog version.

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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 unclear, inconsistent, or confusing, Amazon won’t show your book to readers, even if it’s amazing.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What your book’s metadata is
• Where you can manage it (and make it most effective!)
• How to include the most effective elements and language in your metadata
• And common metadata mistakes to avoid

If you want your book to show up in search results, convert better when readers click, and avoid the dark recesses of the “miscellaneous shelf,” listen in or read the blog version.

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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 “decides” which book recommendations to give shoppers
• Which readers you should persuade to click Amazon’s “buy now” button, and which you should sell to yourself
• How Amazon’s algorithm is changing and tips to help you adapt your strategy

If your book is on Amazon, this episode is not optional listening. Poor optimization can quietly poison the recommendation engine against you. Listen in or read the blog version to keep your book in front of your Timothy.

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How much should your book cost? Your answer is critical to your book's success and your career as an author.

Authors have a wide range of pricing options, from free ebooks to $200 collector's editions. You might be wondering, "What is the best price for my book?" but that is actually the wrong question.

Instead, you should ask, "What are the best prices for my book?"

In https://www.authormedia.com/book-marketing-101-price/, you'll learn how your book's price impacts sales and discover 14 strategies for finding the optimum price for your book.

You'll learn:
- How pricing affects your reader's perception of your book's value
- When to price your book higher and lower
- Why free works for some authors

 discover how to price your book throughout its life cycle and determine which strategies work best for your genre and book. 

https://www.authormedia.com/book-marketing-101-price/. 

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New York City is home to the Big Five publishers and the newspaper that publishes the New York Times bestseller list. Publishing culture is concentrated in New York City.
But since most of the gatekeepers, publishers, and agents live in New York City, many authors ask, "Don't I need to comply with New York values in order to succeed in publishing?"
In this week's episode, we'll hear from Larry Correia, who ran into that conundrum and has modeled a solution for everyone asking that same question. He's now a New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 novels, 50 short works, and two collections.
Larry tells us

• How and why he started writing for a niche audience.
• How he handled feedback from traditional publishers
• Whose feedback helped him thrill his readers most
• How authenticity and passion have fueled his creativity and career

Listen in this week to find out how to be an authentic author, sell more books, and expand your writing career by finding and writing for a specific group of readers. Read the blog version here.

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"Most authors sell most of their books on Amazon, and while Amazon has helped indie authors become publishers, they take a large bite of your profits.
But there is a way to earn more money on each book sale and connect with your readers via email. You can sell direct from your website.
If you’ve listened to Novel Marketing for a long time, you know I haven’t been a fan of authors selling direct from their websites because it was expensive, required technical sophistication, and tended to be a time-suck.
But in the last decade, the cost of selling directly online has decreased. Selling direct now makes sense for many authors, and in this week’s episode, we talk about it with Joanna Penn.
Joanna tells us:

• how buyer behavior has changed
• which web store tools work best for certain authors
• how all book formats can be easily delivered to readers
• how to create beautiful editions

With the explosion of AI and a slew of paperbacks and ebooks for sale online, this episode will teach you how to make your book stand out and earn more money per sale at the same time."

Click here to read the blog version.

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Success in publishing requires more than just writing a great book. It requires people. People to publish your book, talk about it, buy it, and recommend it.

People. People. People. 

Some authors struggle in their careers simply because they are isolated. 

How do you connect with people who can help make your book successful? 

My grandparents’ generation called this “winning friends and influencing people.” My generation calls it “networking,” which strikes fear in the hearts of many writers.

One essential tool to help you get comfortable introducing yourself as a writer and talking about your work is your pitch. 

In ​this week’s episode​, Thomas Umstattd interviews Lindsey Hughes, who is a pitch master, having worked with Disney and major animation franchises.

You can find the blog version along with links to everything we talk about here.

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Novel Marketing turns 10 years old on September 30th, 2024! In this episode, Thomas Umstattd Jr. and James L. Rubart share highlights and lessons learned from 10 years of Novel Marketing.

You can find the blog post version of this episode, along with links to everything we talk about here. 

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Find out how running a Kickstarter campaign for your book can solve one of indie authors' biggest challenges.

You can find the blog version of this episode here.

The post How Karyne Norton Successfully Kickstarted Her Book in 1 Hour appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out how the 2024 Novel Marketing Conference will help you apply your book-marketing knowledge and facilitate in-person connections.

You can find the blog version of this episode here.

The post Announcing the 2024 Novel Marketing Conference appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn what types of events are available and discover how to pick the best writers conference for your stage in the publishing journey.

You can find the blog version of this post here. 

The post Workshops, Retreats, and Pitches: How to pick the best writers conference for you appeared first on Author Media.

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If your book isn't a good product, marketing gets harder. Find out whose opinion counts and learn to create a good book readers want to buy and read.

You can find the blog version of this post HERE.

The post Book Marketing 101: Product appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how running your own independent publishing company compares with publishing with a small house and how you can start your own company.

You can find the blog version of this episode HERE.

The post From Passion to Print: How to Run an Independent Publishing Company appeared first on Author Media.

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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 alternatives that save time, stress, and money

Shopify is lauded as an attractive option for authors, but for most, it becomes a drain for your time and money. Before you decide on an ecommerce platform, listen in or read the blog version and find out what actually works better for authors.

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Authors dream of having a book club pick their book to read and discuss. Find out how to make your book book-club-friendly.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Get Book Clubs to Pick YOUR Book appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how a free tool can help improve your book description, increase your sales, and improve the effectiveness of your Amazon sales page.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post From Book Blurb to Bestseller: How to Craft Compelling Amazon Pages With Dave Chesson appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out how the actors and screenwriters strikes will affect authors and provide some unprecedented opportunities.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How the Hollywood Strikes Will Help (& Hurt!) Authors appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out the advantages and limitations of Substack for authors with various platform-building strategies.

You can find the blogpost HERE.

The post Substack for Authors: An Exciting Opportunity or Just Hype? appeared first on Author Media.

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If your publishing journey is sapping your bank account, learn how working as an author assistant will help you earn and learn simultaneously.

You can find the blogpost for this episode HERE.

The post How to Make Money as an Author Assistant appeared first on Author Media.

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Avoid author burn out by establishing a sustainable publishing pace for the next 20 years. Learn how and when to plan your publishing tasks.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post The Tortoise Release Method: Why Slow and Steady Beats Rapid Release appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out how to market your book in the four stages of its lifecycle and how to extend book sales on older books.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post The Lifecycle of a Book: How to Extend Your Book’s Life With Effective Marketing appeared first on Author Media.

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I have crepe myrtle trees in my front yard that have grown out of control. A neighbor noticed and gave me some tips on how to prune them to a manageable size. I took her advice and pruned the trees aggressively, but soon they were out of control again. Again, my neighbor came by and […]

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Trim to Win: Why Saying ‘No’ is Crucial for Publishing Success: A Pruning Story appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out if it's better to create an author brand that is good or big. Discover the difference between the two and which should come first.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Good Brands Vs. Big Brands appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how to optimize that tiny window to grab your reader within the first 50 pages and convince them to finish your book.

You can listen to the blog post version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Hook Readers in the First 50 Pages appeared first on Author Media.

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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 need
• How to cut your paper use (and clutter) in half
• How to make your printer more reliable and easier to use
• The subtle trap you must avoid when purchasing a home printer

Save money, space, and sanity by getting the right printer. Read the blog version to get links to my recommendations, or listen to the podcast to make your next printer purchase a smart one.

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Find out why and how creating a reader survey can improve and transform your writing and relationship with readers.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post The Amazing Power of Reader Surveys appeared first on Author Media.

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Two important tools will help you see your website's stats clearly. Find out which tools you need and what they tell you.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Get Good Website Stats appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how turning your podcast content into a blog post can benefit you, your readers, and your website, and discover tools to help you get it done.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Turn a Podcast Episode into a Blog Post appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how to clarify your writing goals, avoid damaging shortcuts, and write a book in retirement. You're never too old to start writing.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Thrive as an Author in Your Twilight Years appeared first on Author Media.

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One person's opinion about your book is more important than anyone else's. Discover who it is and how to find them before you publish.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Find Your Timothy  appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out what to write in your first emails to new subscribers so they're thrilled to read your emails and reluctant to unsubscribe.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Take Advantage of Email Drip Marketing as an Author appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn five steps to creating a compelling pitch that will pique the interest of publishers, agents, editors and readers.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Convince Readers to Read *Your* Book Next appeared first on Author Media.

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Don't shy away from a potentially hostile interview. Instead, follow these tips to give the journalist what you want them to publish.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Nail a Hostile Media Interview  appeared first on Author Media.

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You have a major advantage over AI writing tools like GPT-4 and ChatGPT. Learn how to discover and leveraging your edge in your genre.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Always Write Better Than Chat GPT appeared first on Author Media.

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Grow your email list, get to know your audience, and boost your income potential by learning how to host an author webinar.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Prepare for Your First Webinar  appeared first on Author Media.

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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 (Audiobook Creative Exchange) works and how to publish your book on audio without blowing your budget.

You’ll learn

• Who should (or shouldn’t) narrate your book
• How much it’s likely to cost (it might be less than you think!)
• How to get started (and who can help you!)

If you know you need an audiobook, listen in or read the blog version to learn the ACX basics, pick the right narrator, and avoid costly mistakes. Your future listeners are waiting. 🎧

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Registration for our annual course is now open. Find out what you'll learn, what's been updated, and if it's the right course for you.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post The 2023 Book Launch Blueprint appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out how a powerful marketing tool of loss aversion can be an ally for authors and not an enemy of sales. 

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Why Many People Are Afraid to Buy Books (Marketing Psychology) appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn the innovative and old-fashioned ways successful authors market a children's book to kids, parents, teachers, and librarians.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Successfully Market a Children’s Book appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn how geopolitics affect supply chain issues for authors and how to continue writing amid political or economic disruptions.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How a War Between China and Taiwan Would Change Reading, Writing, and Publishing  appeared first on Author Media.

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Find out how authors use ChatGPT, Midjourney, and other AI tools to create book covers, characters, and plot ideas for their books.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post AI Book Covers & ChatGPT appeared first on Author Media.

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Give yourself an edge over most authors by following these tips to look and sound professional on webinars, Zoom calls, and podcasts.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Look and Sound Professional on Zoom, Webinars, and Podcasts appeared first on Author Media.

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Bestselling author and marketing strategist Derek Doepker shares tips to help you get more book reviews before, during, or after your launch.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Get More Book Reviews With Derek Doepker appeared first on Author Media.

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If writing seems harder than it used to or you feel burnt out, consider this four-step method of rotation to revive your writing career.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Brandon Sanderson’s Crop Rotation Method for Restful Rapid Writing appeared first on Author Media.

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Learn which book launching techniques a debut YA author used to successfully crowdfund and launch her first novel.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Build Hype for a Debut Novel appeared first on Author Media.

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When readers can't hear about your book, they can't read it, even if it's really good. Learn three reasons your book promotion may fall flat.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Whisper and the World Whispers Back appeared first on Author Media.

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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 do you write the kind of book they'll love?

In this week's episode, you'll hear from Josiah DeGraaf, a fantasy author and program director of the Young Writers Workshop, who did exactly that. He found his Timothy, added thousands of subscribers to his mailing list before publishing his first novel, and wrote the book his readers wanted. That strategy set him up for a wildly successful Kickstarter launch and a strong Amazon release.

In this interview, you'll discover

• How to determine who your target reader is
• Strategies to get you from 0 subscribers to 1,000+
• How to write a book that your readers feel was written just for them.

If you want to launch your book to an eager audience instead of crickets, listen in or read the blog version.

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The cold reality of being a writer is that some people will hate you and your writing. What do you do about those people?

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post Trolls, Haters, and Critics Oh My – How to Handle Negative Feedback as an Author appeared first on Author Media.

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If you want to maximize your holiday book promotion, implement some or all of these 20 strategies to boost your book sales this Christmas.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post 20 Ways to Promote Your Book During the Holiday Season  appeared first on Author Media.

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Can you leave social media and still grow a platform from which to launch your books? Sandy Cooper has the answer in this interview.

You can find the blogpost version of this episode HERE.

The post How to Grow your Platform Without Social Media – with Sandy Cooper appeared first on Author Media.

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