Email marketing isn’t dead - in fact, it might just be your most valuable tool as an indie author. In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down why building and nurturing your email list is still one of the smartest and most effective ways to connect with readers and sell more books.

You’ll Learn:

• Why email offers a stronger ROI than social or paid ads
• The difference between “owned” and “rented” marketing channels
• What makes email more personal and reliable than other platforms
• How to get started with email marketing (and what to say in your emails)
• Tips for building a list of readers who actually want to hear from you

For more tips, tools, and strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.
The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Want to sell more books without breaking the bank? Curious which promos actually work and how to tell?

Ricci Wolman, Ferol Vernon, and Emma Boyer answer the most common (and important) questions we get from authors every day.

• How to promote with a small budget.
• How to revive a backlist that’s gone quiet.
• What to do when Amazon throws you a curveball.

You’ll walk away with clear, practical strategies for getting more eyes on your books. Whether you're just starting out or managing a full catalog, this conversation will help you take the next step.

Let’s get into it.

For more tips, tools, and strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

If you want to sell more books, reach more readers, and spend less time guessing what works, start here.

In this episode, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon break down the strategy that helped launch the careers of countless successful indie authors - email promos. They’ll explain what email promos are, when to run them, and why they’re still one of the most effective tools in your book marketing toolkit.

You’ll learn:

• Why email still outperforms social media when it comes to book marketing
• How promo sites connect your book to the right readers
• What a promo stack is and how to use it to your advantage

This is the foundation of modern book promotion.

Let’s get into it.

For more tips, tools, and strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Emma Boyer is back from London and joins Ferol and Ricci to share her key takeaways from the Self Publishing Show (SPS)—Europe’s biggest indie author conference. In this episode, the team breaks down what they saw, heard, and felt at SPS and what it means for indie authors in 2025.

You’ll Learn:

• Emerging trends in streaming vs. subscription audiobook platforms
• How Written Word Media supports authors exploring direct sales and new revenue streams
• How Subscriber Surge Giveaways (SSG) can grow your email list fast
• Tips on budgeting for book promotions that actually move the needle

Featured Guest:
Emma Boyer, VP of Digital Operations and Author Relations at Written Word Media

For more tips, tools, and strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Written Word Podcast.

This show is for people who write stories—and want them to be read. 
Authors. Indie or traditional. Aspiring or ten books deep.

Each week, we dive into the business of being an author—marketing strategies, growing your audience, and selling more books. What’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most controversial strategies out there: Giving your book away for free.

Sounds risky? It might be. But it might also be the smartest move you make as an author.

Hosts Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon unpack the emotional baggage behind “free.”
They break down the math and share what top-earning authors are doing right now.

Whether you're new to publishing or looking to level up, this episode will make you think twice about the power of zero dollars.

For more tips, tools, and strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this special live-recorded episode from Walk West’s Podcast Marathon, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon sit down with author, speaker, and executive coach Erica Rooney to talk about her journey to publishing Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors. Erica shares why she chose the hybrid publishing route, how she secured endorsements from big names like Mel Robbins, and what it really takes to market a book once it’s out in the world.

You’ll Learn:

• What “sticky floors” are and how they hold us back
• How Erica turned her podcast themes into book chapters
• The realities of hybrid publishing - costs, timelines, and trade-offs
• Why networking and self-promotion are essential to book marketing
• The importance of “doing the thing that can’t be undone” when pursuing big goals

For more strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Staying productive as an author isn’t just about writing more - it’s about creating systems that help you focus, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the process. In this episode of The Written Word Podcast, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon share their favorite productivity hacks, from planning your week with intention to using the Pomodoro technique and batching tasks.

We’ll cover:

• How to set up an environment that keeps you focused
• Why planning your day (or someone else will) is a game-changer
• Tricks for avoiding distraction and managing your energy
• The Pomodoro technique and why short breaks boost creativity
• Why celebrating your “done list” is just as important as making a to-do list

Whether you’re balancing writing with a day job, juggling deadlines, or just trying to stay consistent, this episode will give you practical, proven strategies to get more done - and feel good doing it.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Your email list is one of the most powerful marketing tools you’ll ever build as an author. However, getting from zero to thousands of subscribers can feel overwhelming. In this episode of The Written Word Podcast, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon break down practical, proven strategies to grow your list. From adding your first 15 “friendlies” to using lead magnets, giveaways, and back-of-book signups, you’ll learn step-by-step how to start small and build momentum.

We’ll cover:

• The best places to promote your signup link
• Why the back of your book is prime real estate for growing your list
• What list sizes correlate with real author income

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this episode will show you how to turn your email list into a long-term asset that keeps readers coming back.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

Copyright:
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this inspiring episode, Ferol sits down with Jonathan Graham, founder of Daily Courage, to explore how creatives can turn fear into fuel. Jonathan shares his journey from Silicon Valley to launching a mission-driven business dedicated to helping people remove fear as a barrier to their potential.

Together, they unpack practical tools like the “fear log,” the F.A.C.T.S. framework for fact-checking fear, and the “soup list” for building confidence. Jonathan’s message is clear and empowering: courage isn’t the absence of fear - it’s the willingness to act in spite of it.

You'll Learn:

• How to identify and label your fears so they lose their power
• The F.A.C.T.S. framework - a simple tool for checking what’s true vs. what’s fear
• Why consistency builds courage faster than confidence
• How to turn fear into a creative ally instead of an obstacle
• Ways to strengthen your “courage muscle” through small, daily actions

Whether you’re battling writer’s doubt, creative paralysis, or fear of publishing, this episode will help you reframe your relationship with fear and take your next bold step - scared, but moving forward.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

The indie publishing world is moving fast - and the authors who stay curious are the ones who thrive. In this live-recorded episode from the Novelist Inc. (NINC) Conference, Ferol Vernon sits down with James Blatch, co-founder of Self Publishing Formula, to talk about what's working right now for independent authors.

From AI translation tools that help you reach global readers to the surprising comeback of Facebook ads, James shares what he's seeing on the front lines. You'll also hear his take on the ethics of AI narration, voice licensing, and why the authors who embrace new tools (without losing their creative edge) are the ones who'll come out ahead.

You'll Learn:

• How AI translation tools like ScribeShadow are helping authors go global
• Why Facebook ads are making a comeback - and how to use them smarter
• The ethics of AI voice licensing and what it means for audiobook creators
• What separates authors who experiment successfully from those who get left behind
• Why AI won't replace creativity, but it will reward the authors who adapt

Whether you're scaling your author business or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is full of practical insights and real talk about the future of indie publishing.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In the newest episode of The Written Word Media Podcast, Scribd co-founder Tripp Adler joins Ricci Wolman to explore how his newest venture, Created by Humans, is helping authors navigate the rise of artificial intelligence. When you listen in, you will learn what AI rights are, how they fit into existing publishing contracts, and why this new model could open powerful revenue streams for writers while safeguarding human creativity.

You'll Learn:

• Created by Human’s mission to protect human creativity in an AI world
• What “AI publishing rights” are and how they differ from traditional publishing rights
• More about the three types of AI rights: training, reference (RAG), and transformative
• The Anthropic lawsuit and what it signals for AI licensing
• Potential earnings and business models for authors on the Created by Humans platform
• Addressing author concerns about control and consent in AI use
• Why engaging with AI — not avoiding it — may be the smartest move for creators

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ricci and Ferol break down the newest Written Word Media Author Survey, sharing what more than 1,300 authors revealed about income, catalog size, marketing tactics, and where book sales are really coming from in 2025. They discuss the continued importance of email lists, how packaging influences sales, the realities of KDP Select vs. going wide, and why more authors are exploring direct sales. The episode wraps with a look at overall author sentiment heading into the new year and the communities supporting indie writers along the way.

You'll learn:

• Income brackets and what influences author earnings
• Email list effectiveness and list size correlation
• Marketing tactics ranked by effectiveness (promo sites, Facebook ads, BookBub, lead magnets, etc.)
• Packaging: covers, editing, blurbs, and why investment matters
• Direct sales: how many authors are doing it and who sees the most benefit
• Retailer breakdown: Amazon dominance, in-person sales surprises, Kobo/Apple performance
• Overall author sentiment: hopeful, tired, motivated, overwhelmed
• Communities and resources authors rely on most

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this essential PSA-style episode, Ricci and Ferol break down the growing wave of scams targeting authors — and how to protect yourself. From “too good to be true” book club invitations to fake Amazon warnings designed to spark panic, today’s scammers are using AI to craft convincing, personalized outreach. The hosts walk through the psychology behind these tactics, why even savvy authors can get caught off guard, and a simple checklist to help you identify red flags before you click or pay. They also share reputable resources authors can use to stay safe and stay informed. Whether you’ve received a suspicious email or simply want to prepare yourself, this conversation will help you trust your gut, slow down, and safeguard your work.

You'll learn:

• Why and how author-targeted scams have become more sophisticated
• The emotional psychology scammers use — joy vs. fear and the hooks/emotional techniques to look out for 
• How AI enables scammers to reference your characters, themes, reviews, and social content convincingly
• The most important red flags to watch for and what to do if you’re not sure something is legitimate 
• Why you should never pay via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, crypto, or similar methods
• Trusted resources for checking whether something is a known scam (Writers Beware, Authors Guild, ALLi Watchdog Desk)
• How Written Word Media can help sanity-check suspicious emails 

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Your first book didn't become a bestseller overnight? You're actually right on track. 

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down one of the most important patterns we see year after year in our reader surveys: authors with bigger catalogs earn significantly more money. But it's not just about writing more books—it's about understanding how your backlist creates sustainable income. Whether you're a one-book author wondering what's next or a seasoned writer looking to understand the business better, this episode will help you think strategically about your author career and the power of your growing catalog.

What you'll learn:

• Why readers who love your work can't spend more if you only have one book
• How catalog size directly impacts your marketing effectiveness
• The real math behind lifetime customer value
• Alternative products beyond just writing more books (audiobooks, translations, merchandise, and more)
• How to decide if you're building a hobby or a business—and why both are valid choices

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this data-packed episode, Ricci and Ferol dive into the results of Written Word Media's brand-new reader survey with nearly 3,000 responses from across all five brands. This isn't recycled industry advice or third-party reports - it's fresh, empirical data straight from the voracious readers who matter most to indie authors. Together, they unpack surprising stats about reader volume, discovery channels, and what readers genuinely want from the authors they love. From the shocking percentage of readers consuming 100+ books per year to the personal details readers crave (hint: pets came up a lot!), this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you think about book marketing, reader connection, and building your author platform in 2026.

You'll Learn:

• Why 31% of readers consume over 100 books per year - and what this means for your marketing strategy
• The 80% loyalty rule that changes everything about free book promotions and first-in-series launches
• Where readers actually discover books in 2026 (Amazon and email newsletters still dominate, but there are surprises)
• Why social media advertising isn't resonating with readers - and what they're seeking instead
• The truth about AI for book discovery: readers aren't using it and don't want to
• What readers genuinely want to know about you as an author - from pets to vacations (but skip the politics!)
• How readers track their reading habits, including the surprisingly popular pen-and-paper method

Whether you're launching your first book or optimizing your author platform, these insights will help you connect more authentically with readers and make smarter marketing decisions. The data proves it: books are still magic, and millions of readers are out there actively looking for their next favorite author.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ricci and Ferol wrap up their 2026 book industry trends analysis by diving into the final two themes: discovery and sovereignty. They explore how book discovery is shifting from algorithm-driven feeds to trusted channels—think celebrity book clubs (Reese Witherspoon, Oprah), BookTok influencers, indie bookstores, and curated newsletters. The conversation highlights how word-of-mouth remains the #1 way readers find books, but the channels amplifying that word-of-mouth are evolving rapidly. Ricci and Ferol then tackle author sovereignty, celebrating the growing control authors have over their publishing journey. From innovative formats (like murder mysteries delivered as weekly letters!) to direct selling and flexible publishing paths, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of creative freedom and democratization. At its core, this episode emphasizes that while trends are predictions, the future offers authors more options and opportunities than ever before.

You'll learn:

• Trusted channels are replacing algorithms for book discovery — Readers are moving away from algorithmic feeds toward curated newsletters, indie bookstores, libraries, and brands they trust
• Celebrity book clubs are the new bestseller kingmakers — Reese Witherspoon's picks are influencing bestseller lists like Oprah's Book Club did 15 years ago, with Jenna's Book Club and BookTok influencers also driving massive discovery
• Brand partnerships and author collaborations are accelerating — Authors are cross-promoting with each other and building collaborative worlds that increase discovery and reader engagement
• Authors have unprecedented control over their publishing paths — The democratization of publishing is accelerating, giving authors more flexibility in how they publish, distribute, and connect with readers
• Innovative formats are emerging beyond traditional books — Examples include murder mysteries delivered as weekly letters in the mail, creating unique reading experiences that stand out
• There's no single "right way" to publish in 2026 — The multiplication of options allows authors to find paths and channels that align with their comfort zones and goals
• 2026 is shaping up as a year of creative freedom and optimism — The convergence of discovery channels, author sovereignty, and new formats creates an environment ripe for creative experimentation

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

It's December which means it’s also trends season – you’ve probably received your Spotify wrapped as well as a wrapped from almost every other app you have! With that spirit, Ferol and Ricci kick off their annual predictions episode by diving into the first three of five major themes that will shape the publishing landscape in 2026. Drawing from industry insights, customer feedback, and broader cultural trends, they explore how trust, reader experience, and connection will define the coming year for authors. This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering 2026 trends for indie authors and you’ll be sure to walk away with a few things to reflect on while also feeling a bit more confident about what the future holds.

You'll learn:

• Trust is the new currency — Scam complaints are up 100% since 2023, and authors need to focus on building deeper trust with readers beyond email lists and be cautious with new service providers
• New legitimate companies will launch quickly — AI makes it easy to spin up author services, but many will disappear just as fast due to limited funding or lack of staying power
• Book-themed travel and literary tourism are growing — Readers want to visit settings from their favorite books, stay in book-themed vacation rentals, and attend reading retreats
• Book clubs and reader communities are exploding — Silent Book Club grew from 180 chapters (2022) to 500+ chapters today; readers are craving connection in low-lift ways
• The bar for creating reader connection is low — Authors can host simple 30-minute Zoom chats, AMAs, or themed discussions to build deep loyalty with minimal effort
• Special editions and collectible books are booming — Sprayed edges, foil covers, and illustrated books function as art pieces that become part of readers' identities
• Author swag and collectibles deepen fan connection — Stickers, special editions, and other tangible items help readers express their fandom, similar to sports memorabilia
• Experiences are valued over things — The cultural shift toward prioritizing experiences is coming to book world in a major way in 2026

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Amazon just changed the rules — again. The A10 algorithm update is here, and if you've been running your book marketing the same way you were a year ago, it's time to take a second look.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly what changed with the Amazon A10 update — drawing on an actual academic paper about the technology powering it — and translate it into three clear, actionable things indie authors need to do differently. From how Amazon now reads your book page (literally, including your cover), to why external traffic suddenly matters way more than Amazon ads, to why spreading your marketing over several days beats a single-day spike. This episode is your practical guide to navigating the new landscape.

What you’ll learn:

• Why keyword stuffing your book description is now actively hurting you
• How Amazon's AI can literally "see" your book cover and why cover-genre alignment is now algorithmic, not just stylistic
• Why A+ content and dwell time are suddenly critical ranking factors
• How external traffic (email, social, promo sites) now outweighs Amazon ads
• Why consistent sales over multiple days beat a one-day spike
• How series authors are benefiting from the new algorithm and how standalone authors can adapt

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

KU or wide? It's the great debate of indie publishing — and it usually generates more opinions than answers.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol cut through the noise and break down exactly how both paths work, backed by real data from Written Word Media's 2025 author survey. They walk through the mechanics of KDP Select, how Kindle Unlimited page reads and payouts actually work, what the January 2026 global fund number ($62.2 million) means for exclusive authors, and what going wide really looks like in practice — from managing multiple platforms to choosing between distributors. Spoiler: 38% of authors are all-in on Amazon, 30% are fully wide, and 32% are somewhere in between. There's no universal right answer, but there is a smarter way to figure out what works for you.

What you'll learn:

• How KDP and KDP Select actually work — and why it's really just a 90-day commitment
• The real trade-offs of Kindle Unlimited, including page read payouts (KENP), countdown deals, and free promo days
• Why the KDP Select global fund has grown from $2.5M (2014) to $62.2M (January 2026)
• What "going wide" actually looks like and how to manage multiple platforms
• Draft2Digital vs. PublishDrive — which distributor model makes sense for your business
• What our 2025 author survey data says about what authors are actually choosing

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Podcasts build the kind of trust with listeners that almost no other marketing channel can match, and authors are uniquely positioned to leverage that. In this episode, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon draw on nearly a year of hosting the Written Word Media Podcast to break down how authors can use podcasting as a genuine reader-building tool, whether that means guesting on other shows or launching their own.

What you’ll learn:

• The psychology behind why podcast listeners trust hosts so deeply, and why that trust transfers directly to book sales (parasocial relationships explained)
• Why an imperfect, stumbling podcast appearance is often more powerful than a polished blog post
• How to find the right shows to pitch as a guest, and the filter every author needs to apply before reaching out
• Exactly what to include in your guest pitch email to get a "yes" from a host (hint: it's not "I'd love to talk about my book")
• How to prep for a guest appearance: questions in advance, bio tips, gear basics, and the sign-off strategy that turns listeners into readers
• How to decide whether to start your own podcast, and the commitment level that separates the 5% who stick with it from everyone else
• The frequency mistake Ricci and Ferol almost made (and what their launch producer talked them out of)
• Why podcasting, like publishing a book, is a long game, and what realistic traction timelines actually look like

Also in this episode: Ricci's woodland owl update. 🦉 She's seen it three times now (a photo may or may not appear in the show notes).

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

YouTube isn't just for cooking tutorials and gaming walkthroughs; it might be one of the most powerful book marketing tools authors aren't using. In this episode, Ferol sits down with Dale Roberts, host of Self-Publishing with Dale and one of the most-watched voices in the indie author space, to break down exactly how authors can build a YouTube presence that actually connects with readers and sells books.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The separate-profile research hack that lets YouTube train its own algorithm to show you exactly what your ideal readers are watching
• The three types of YouTube content (long form, Shorts, and live video), and why you should try all three before committing to one
• Why fiction authors don't have to talk about writing craft, and the smarter content angle most are missing
• The "seeding" strategy: how many videos to have ready before you ever go public
• The single biggest mistake Dale sees authors make on YouTube (hint: it's not gear or lighting)
• What gear actually matters, and the one purchase to prioritize if you have a limited budget
• A surprising new YouTube feature that's showing up in the Shorts shelf without recording a single video
• How pen name authors can build a YouTube presence without revealing their real identity
• What's changed on YouTube in the last year or two, and why human creators have an edge right now

Dale also shares the story of building four fully monetized YouTube channels over 10 years, starting completely by accident in 2016.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Readers are increasingly using AI to find their next book, and if your title isn't showing up in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, you're missing a growing discovery channel. In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly how the three major AI engines find and recommend books, why most indie authors are invisible to them right now, and what you can do about it.

What you’ll learn:

• The difference between SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and why it matters for book discoverability
• Why Gemini is the most actionable AI engine for authors, and the one Google Play trick that KDP Select authors can use without violating terms
• The critical 10% preview rule: how to get your KU book into the Google Books ecosystem without losing your Amazon exclusivity
• Why ChatGPT and Claude favor books that look traditionally published, and how indie authors can mimic that signal
• The FAQ strategy: one simple addition to your book page that makes it dramatically easier for AI to recommend your title
• How Reddit and YouTube factor into AI book discovery, and how to approach both without getting banned or ignored
• A difficulty-ranked to-do list: from easy wins you can do today to advanced moves worth investing in

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Most authors never consider the speaking stage, but according to Jess Ekstrom, it might be the most powerful income stream they're missing.

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Jess Ekstrom, Forbes Top Motivational Speaker, founder of Headbands of Hope, and creator of Mic Drop Workshop, to break down exactly how authors (yes, even fiction authors!) can turn their stories and expertise into paid keynote speaking careers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the "you're either a speaker OR an author" myth is dead wrong, and how doing both makes you better at each
• How fiction authors can build keynote careers even when they're not speaking to other authors
• The "transformation promise" framework, the one question that unlocks your entire speaking pitch
• How to find speaking gigs and build inbound opportunities through LinkedIn and social media
• What speaking actually pays, from beginner rates ($500–$5K) to seasoned speakers ($35K+)
• The halo effect: how speaking can drive book sales (80% of Jess's first book sales came from stages)
• Why community is the secret weapon for building a sustainable speaking career

Jess also shares details on her new book, Making It Without Losing It (out May 2026), and the upcoming Mic Drop Workshop Boot Camp starting April 20th.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Getting local press coverage can feel like shouting into a void, but what if you knew exactly what editors were looking for?

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Rory Gillis, owner of Triangle Media Partners and publisher of several regional magazines including Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Heart of NC Weddings, and The Triangle Weekender. Rory pulls back the curtain on how local publications actually decide what to cover and gives indie authors a clear, actionable roadmap for getting featured.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How local editors source stories and what makes a pitch rise to the top of a very full inbox
• Why editorial themes and calendars are your secret weapon — and how to find them on any publication's website
• What to include in your pitch package to make an editor's job as easy as possible
• Why your book launch isn't the only hook — and how to pitch a book that came out years ago
• The power of the byline: how pitching yourself as a columnist can open the door to book coverage
• Why "polite persistence" is not annoying — it's expected (and sometimes pays off two years later!)
• The no-nos that instantly tank your pitch, straight from the editors themselves
• What one author did to get featured that Rory still remembers years later
• Rory's step-by-step action item checklist for authors ready to pursue local press

Whether you're in a major metro or a small town, your local media landscape is full of opportunities. This episode will help you find them and pitch them the right way.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

What does a CEO who's run social media campaigns for Nike, IKEA, Samsung, and Crocs think authors should be doing on social right now? In this episode, Ferol sits down with Jim Tobin, CEO of Ignite Social Media, founder of influencer marketing agency Carusele, and a two-time published author, for a frank, tactical conversation about what's actually working in social media today and how indie authors can apply it.

What you’ll learn:

• Why social discovery has overtaken Google search, and what that means for how readers find books in 2026
• The three-second hook rule: how to stop the scroll before the algorithm even decides to show your content
• Why negative hooks outperform positive hooks (and how to use this without being clickbait)
• The Organish® strategy: how to put $5–$25 behind your content to reach 5–20x more people, and why this beats influencer outreach on a small budget
• The carousel comeback: why image carousels are now outperforming Reels on Instagram and LinkedIn
• How to approach BookTok influencers with zero budget, and what to say (and not say) when you do have a few hundred dollars
• Why lo-fi, behind-the-scenes content is beating polished production right now
• How to think about pre-launch vs. post-launch content, and why "mystery posts" are a waste of your audience's attention
• The 30-minutes-a-week social strategy: where to spend your time if that's all you have
• •Stampede Social: the tool that lets you DM a link to anyone who comments a keyword on your post
• The biggest mistake Jim sees on social, and it's not what you think

Jim also covers TikTok Shops, cross-platform content strategy, using trending audio, and how to connect your social presence to your email list.

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The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

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