Authors, are you struggling to get the word out about your books? Discover the latest book marketing and publishing news, tools and strategies. This is the Sell More Books Show with Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen. Every week you'll get helpful tips and ideas to make your book sales soar. Visit SellMoreBooksShow.com for detailed show notes and more info.
Episode 515: Findaway Backlash & Beating Burnout with Ella Barnard
Today’s top story is Find Another Way. Question of the week is what would be a part of your future burnout recovery plan? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
2/21/2024 • 35 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 514: Spotify on the Rise with Naomi Nakashima
Today’s top story is Audio’s Up & Spotify Helped? Question of the week is what ‘refills your well’ these days? What books, movies, music, tv? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
2/14/2024 • 25 minutes, 33 seconds
Episode 513: Reading with Kids & Ghostwriting Superpowers with Naomi Nakashima
Today’s top story is Who’s Helping Who. Question of the week is how did you get your first book edited, and how has your editing process changed over time? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
2/7/2024 • 35 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 512: Hard Lessons & Author Growth with Jeffrey Mason
Today’s top story is Hard (but valuable) Lessons of 2023. Question of the week is what are you doing to set your priorities? What are you doing to enforce your priorities in your daily, weekly, and yearly writing and marketing schedules? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
1/31/2024 • 29 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 511: Publishing Trends & Author Ad School with Jeffrey Mason
Today’s top story is Top 10 Publishing Trends for 2024. Question of the week is what is one thing you could stop doing in 2024? How do you plan to build your group of raving, true fans in 2024? What tactics and techniques will you use? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
1/24/2024 • 30 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 510: Getting Out of a Rut with Children’s Book Author Kim Ann
Today’s top story is Rut Buster. Question of the week is what is one thing you could stop doing in 2024? And what is one thing you could hand off to someone else? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
1/17/2024 • 24 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode 509: Smash Your Goals with Children’s Book Author Kim Ann
Today’s top story is Smashing Your Goals. Question of the week is have you ever self-published a Children’s book, or do you have interest in self-publishing a Children’s book? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
1/10/2024 • 27 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 508: Author Predictions for 2024 with Becca Syme
Today’s top story is The Questions of 2024. Question of the week is how do you plan to change your author business going into 2024? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
1/3/2024 • 38 minutes
Episode 507: Self-Publishing 2023: The Year in Review with Becca Syme
Today’s top story is The Year in Review. Question of the week is what are you the most excited for in 2024? What makes you psyched to think about in 2024? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
12/27/2023 • 42 minutes, 16 seconds
Episode 506: Writing for Money & Holiday Planning
Today’s top story is Minimum Wage Publishing. Question of the week is do you think you have any minimum wage tasks in your regular schedule? What would things look like if you only worked on things that fairly compensated you? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
12/20/2023 • 27 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 505: Jane’s Bestseller List & Findaway AI with Courtney Kenney
Today’s top story is Jane’s List. Question of the week is based on the success authors have had with Kickstarter in 2022 and 2023, do you think you’ll plan one for 2024? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
12/13/2023 • 31 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 504: Tropes and Trends with Jennifer Hilt
Today’s top story is Tropity Tropes. Question of the week is Which trope do you find the most confusing or that you’re the most hesitant to use and why? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
12/6/2023 • 30 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 503: Lessons from 20Books Vegas with Jennifer Hilt
Today’s top story is Lessons from Vegas. Question of the week is When you have gone to a conference for a first time, has it been a better or different experience than when you went a second or third? And would you turn this feature on if it became available? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
11/29/2023 • 29 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode 502: Buying Amazon Products from Facebook (with Ines Johnson)
Today’s top story is Buying Books from Facebook? Question of the week is would this Facebook feature with Amazon products make you consider running ads? And would you turn this feature on if it became available? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
11/22/2023 • 33 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 501: AI Audio on Parade (with Ines Johnson)
Today’s top story is AI Narrators on KDP? Question of the week is with the lists shutting down, what is going to be your new focus in your book marketing? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
11/15/2023 • 29 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 500: Special Lightning Round with Claire
Celebrate episode 500 with us as we do a special Lightning Round with Claire for her last episode! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
11/8/2023 • 55 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode 499: Bestseller Lists, Pen Names, and Having Fun
Today’s top story is USA Tomorrow? Question of the week is have you tried to get onto a list before, and now that it may be more difficult for Indies, how might you adjust your plans? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
11/1/2023 • 32 minutes, 42 seconds
Episode 498: Spotify Payments, Vellum Upgrades, and Media Appearances
Today’s top story is Answers From Spotify. Question of the week is what are your thoughts about Spotify’s payment structure for streaming audiobooks now that you have this new information? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
10/25/2023 • 29 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 497: Publishing Limits, New Features, and Outsourcing
Today’s top story is The Limit Does Exist. Question of the week is what tasks do you outsource, and which do you keep for yourself? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
10/18/2023 • 25 minutes, 29 seconds
Episode 496: Print Copy Changes, Ghost Writing, and Hitting the Niche
Today’s top story is Ship Your Pants-ed Novel. Question of the week is what other changes should Amazon make to KDP print? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
10/11/2023 • 28 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 495: Streaming Audiobooks, Money Myths, and Non-Fiction Series
Today’s top story is Audiobook Exposure. Question of the week is what do you think will be Spotify’s next move in its attempt to compete with Audible? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
10/4/2023 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode 494: Category Nightmares, Faulty Beliefs, and Print-on- Demand
Today’s top story is Spooky Online Shelves. Question of the week is when’s the last time you changed your categories and do you think you’ll check on a more regular basis now? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
9/27/2023 • 27 minutes, 11 seconds
Episode 493: Edition Additions, Layout Considerations, and Writing Rituals
Today’s top story is Updating Art. Question of the week is should books remain unchanged after they are unpublished? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
9/20/2023 • 26 minutes, 37 seconds
Episode 492: AI Gradients, Direct Sales, and Bad Advice
Today’s top story is AI Survey Says.... Question of the week is what’s the best advice you’ve heard floating around the author community? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
9/13/2023 • 25 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 491: Writing to Joy, Indie Reputation, and Where Readers Find Books
Today’s top story How to Rediscover the Joy of Writing. Question of the week is if you could change one thing about the current state of indie publishing, what would it be and why? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
9/5/2023 • 25 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode #490: Niche Marketing, Email Lists, and Direct Selling
Today’s top story is The Niche Sitch. Question of the week is describe the weirdness that your book features that can’t be found anywhere else. (And how do you pronounce niche?) Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
8/30/2023 • 29 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 489: AI-Free Certification, Business Liability, and Kickstarter Strategy
Today’s top story is Certifiable Humanity. Question of the week is what are some parts of the industry that stress you out and are outside of your control that you can spend less time worrying about? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
8/23/2023 • 27 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 488: NHL BookTok, Publishing Acquisitions, and Amazon Monopoly(?)
Today’s top story is Kraken Down. Question of the week is what about the Seattle Kraken’s failed partnership with Booktok story stands out to you the most, and why? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
8/16/2023 • 33 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode 487: Review Bombing, Fear Management, and Preorder Deadlines
Today’s top story is Under the Bridge Reviews. Question of the week is how do you feel like you’ve expanded your comfort zone in publishing in the last 5 years (or during your career if shorter than 5 years)? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
8/9/2023 • 23 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 486: AI Suits, Business Plans, and Constructive Criticism
Today’s top story is An AI Named Sue Question of the Week is what can you do to make yourself more human to your readers? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
8/2/2023 • 26 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 485: BookStats, Toxic Productivity, and Reader Magnets
Today’s top story is Book Sales, Stat! Question of the Week is do you think your readers will care about the Bookstat bestseller list, and do you see yourself trying to get involved with it in some way? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
7/26/2023 • 23 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 484: Ad Spikes, Ad Spend, and Retirement Planning
Today’s top story: Hey Big Spender! Question of the Week is what have you done in the last few years to cultivate more supportive and positive people in your creative life? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
7/19/2023 • 27 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 483: Threads, Shiny Objects, and Pivots
Today’s top story: Threadless? Question of the Week is if you’ve joined Threads or checked it out, what is something about the culture you’ve observed that seems different from other social media networks? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section.
7/12/2023 • 27 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode 482: AI Reviews of Your Reviews
Today’s top story: Review Reviews. Question of the Week is do you think Amazon using AI to produce a summary of reviews will be a positive or negative for authors? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
7/5/2023 • 22 minutes
Episode 481: BookTok Tropes, and Using the Market to Write
Today’s top story: BookTok Tropes. Question of the Week is Has learning about tropes through #BookTok, or otherwise, changed the way you write your own books? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
6/28/2023 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode 480: Peeved Readers, Writing Sprints, and Rewards
Today’s top story: Pet Peeves that keep readers from becoming super fans Question of the Week is What are some of your writing pet peeves as a reader? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
6/21/2023 • 12 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 479: Full-time Authors, Supportive Partners, and Unapologetic Marketing
Today’s top story: Living the Full-Time Dream? Question of the Week is What do you consider to be a “full-time author”? And is that something you consider yourself to be or aspire to be? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
6/14/2023 • 27 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 478: Category Changes, Imposter Syndrome, and Anthologies
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Categorically Insane. Question of the week: When have you experienced imposter syndrome in publishing and what did you do about it?
6/7/2023 • 30 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 477 - KU Price Increase, and Avoiding Loneliness
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is K IOU. Question of the week: What do you think the readers in your specific sub-genre are likely to do in response to the KU price increase? And what actions (if any) do you plan on taking in response?
5/31/2023 • 25 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 476 - Print Prices & Your Author Platform
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Printing Pressed. Question of the week: Will the price change for KDP Print alter how you currently sell and publish your paperback books?
5/24/2023 • 21 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 475 - Creative AI, Ingram Set-up, and Writer Worry
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Evil, Good, or Neutral? Question of the week: Are you AI Curious or AI Furious? And why?
5/17/2023 • 29 minutes, 10 seconds
Episode 474 - KU Rates, ARC, and Panic Mode
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Eyes Wide Open. Question of the week: If you have books in KU, then what is your threshold for saying “no more” and going wide?
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is ALLi Author Survey Results. Question of the week: Are you surprised by the results of the ALLi survey? How does it make you feel looking over the numbers?
5/3/2023 • 26 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 472 - ImprintTok, Social Media Stats & Improving Crucial Skills
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Clock App Books? Question of the week: Do you think that the new TikTok publishing imprint will doom indies on BookTok or will have a minimal effect on the ability to grow on TT?
4/26/2023 • 27 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode 471 - Audible Ads, Missing Royalties & Taking a Stand
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is There Are Ads in My Audio. Question of the week: What would be the most amusing commercial to appear in the middle of your audiobook (give context & keep it PG-13 at most)?
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Kobo Plus Has Arrived Stateside. Question of the week: Are there any drawbacks you can see in Kobo Plus? Do you plan on putting your books in Kobo Plus?
4/12/2023 • 26 minutes
Episode 469 - Titles for Success, Inspiring Television, and AI Bombardment
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is AI Book Boom or Boon? Question of the week: How did you decide on the title of your last book?
4/5/2023 • 25 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 468 - Online Networking, Writing to Market, and Direct Sales
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Fin Direct. Question of the week: If you’ve started doing direct sales, what is a pro tip you’ve learned that you can share with newbies?
3/29/2023 • 21 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 467 - Paperbacks, Social Media, and AI Copyright
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is What About AIs Needs?. Question of the week: What is one tactic that you are using to get people from social media to your email list?
3/22/2023 • 25 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode 466 - Indie TV Streaming
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Six-Pack Success. Question of the week: What book or series would you pitch for TV or movies, and what would be your elevator pitch for it?
3/15/2023 • 23 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode 465 - Amazon Takedowns & AI Diligence
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Punishing the Victims. Question of the week: If you were to have your account taken down from Amazon, what would your plan-b be?
3/8/2023 • 26 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode 464 - Fixing Your Story & Time for Therapy!
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Why Some Authors Fail. Question of the week: What do you do when you realize your writer’s block is stemming from fear?
3/1/2023 • 27 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 463 - Audiobook Narrator Rights & AI
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Apple and training the machines. Question of the week: Have you not pursued a typical profitable publishing path because you didn’t agree with the terms of a company or website. If so, what were the terms?
2/22/2023 • 27 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 462 - Picking a Lane, Trigger Warnings, and Masterminds
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Pick a Lane. Question of the week: How do you decide which author lane to stay in, or do you move between more than one?
2/15/2023 • 27 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 461 - ACX Pricing, Series, and Conferences
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is Calling an Audible. Question of the week: What do you think the real reason behind ACX’s price changes could be, and do you think it could end up being beneficial to authors?
2/8/2023 • 26 minutes, 37 seconds
Episode 460 AI vs. Human Narration (Bryan sings in this one)
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is AI voices could win, despite being inferior. Question of the week: How would you use AI narration and human narration differently, and do you plan on trying AI narration this year?
2/1/2023 • 24 minutes, 34 seconds
Episode 459 - Do Amazon Followers Matter?
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Top story is do Amazon followers matter again? Question of the week: Will you be trying to build your Amazon Followers in the coming weeks?
1/25/2023 • 22 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 458 - What’s Trending and Thoughts on AI
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Question of the week: Which features of AI are you most excited about and which are you approaching with caution?
1/18/2023 • 22 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 457 - Sell More Books Show Season 2
Claire and Bryan embark on a new journey. Get excited for Season 2 of The Sell More Books Show. Question of the week: What have you done in the past when your work is met with negativity online? Did it help?
1/11/2023 • 24 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode 456 - Connecting to Creativity, Going Short, and AI in Trad Pub
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Join Claire’s Upcoming workshop: https://www.ffs.media/23. Top Tips of the week include how to increase you capacity to conquer new things, the newest cover designs for 2023, and how to reconnect with your creativity. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week is how B&N is growing again, that TikTok's book recommendations might not making readers happy, why Tor is under fire for their new cover, what it means that bestsellers are getting shorter, and how content creation doesn’t have to kill your spirit. Question of the week: Do you think the focus that Amazon and BN have to respectively take additional ad money or focus on readers will cause these two companies to flip in fortunes in the next 5-10 years?
1/4/2023 • 54 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 455 - The Lightning Round and Happy 2023
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include what's working to sell children's books right now, whether you should be on social media at all, and how to set yourself up for success when you stay, and how to make your New Year's Resolutions actually work this year. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week is that the history of indie publishing might surprise you, why 2023 might just be the year to go wide, what's new in Amazon book reviews, what professional authors do that you can do, too, and Brandon Sanderson is calling out Audible on its bad business practices for authors. Question of the week: What does going wide mean to you? Will going wide be a part of your publishing plan going into 2023?
12/28/2022 • 17 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 454: New Author Pages, Apple AI Audio, and Musical Books (with Roland Denzel)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Come join Bryan’s Webinar with Plottr https://plottr.com/bryan-cohen/?ref=342. Top Tips of the week include how commitments can make or break your author career, not to do what Dale did, and how to sell with the skills of a bookseller. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week is that mood music could be coming to your books one day soon, what your past book marketing can teach you about your future launches, how your book recommendations can sell more books, Apple is the latest to jump into the AI Narration of audiobooks, and what's changing with your Amazon Author Page. Question of the week: What has worked for you for your book marketing here in 2022? How will that change what you focus on next year?
12/21/2022 • 58 minutes, 50 seconds
Episode 453 - USA Today List, The 2022 Author Survey, and Multiple Paths to Success (with Jen Lassalle)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to have the perfect writing space, wherever you are, whether or not you should juggle multiple projects at once, and which BookBub ads are working and how to test your own. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week is what happened when only two readers showed up at one author's signing, how D2D can get you selling in the Smashwords Store, why you should find a genre that you love to write that readers love to buy, the scoop on author earnings from Written Word Media, and what we think will happen with the USA Today bestseller list. Question of the week: How much emphasis do you put on your book launch? How would it feel if you didn’t focus as much on sales in the first 30 days of a book’s release?
12/14/2022 • 52 minutes, 54 seconds
Episode 452 - More AI Art, Publishing Scammers, and Author Freedom (with Quinn Ward)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include why the shortest part of the book can be the hardest part to write, why verified reviews are so valuable, and how to get more of them, and how to get back into writing when it's been a while. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week is that the little things add up to big results, why the best way to market your book might be to adopt herd mentality, which audiobook service is backtracking on all-you-can-eat audiobooks, how to take back your book from a scammy publisher, and why those AI portraits you’ve been seeing may be more complicated than you think. Question of the week: What’s one small habit you’d like to adapt for your author career in 2023?
12/7/2022 • 56 minutes, 31 seconds
Episode 451 - Spotify Cards, Staying On Brand, and Fun Tools
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include Spotify having a new tool to help you promote your audiobooks, there's a new link tool for authors, and this one features books, and how easy it is to get an Epub on your Kindle. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Amazon having some new KDP reporting features for you, that authors can be artists and good business people, what Amazon lawsuit is back on the table, building an on-brand author brand, and how to write more when the holidays say 'write less'. Question of the week: Do you plan on changing your writing routine over the holiday, and if so, how?
11/30/2022 • 1 hour, 41 seconds
Episode 450 - Tech Solutions, Big Tech Woes, and the Christmas Crunch
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Claire’s book, Reclaim Your Author Career, is available: www.books2read.com/RYAC. Guest, Chelle Honiker of indieauthormagazine.com and Authortechsummit.com. Top Tips of the week include new features in Vellum that make your book's messaging clear, how our own Bryan Cohen has Amazon's official stamp of approval, if you need author copies of your print books, you need to order today, what Amazon's layoffs mean to the publishing business, and TikTok took our advice and started selling direct! The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include news about Ingram's new ad platform, how Google is giving Spotify what Apple won't, why authors are abandoning Twitter and starting from scratch, the latest scams hitting Amazon authors, and to sell your books and serials by chapter, books, or subscription. Question of the week: What are you plans for selling direct? What does that look like specifically?
11/23/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 15 seconds
Episode 449 - Publishing Jargon, App Fees, and a New Ad Platform (w/Amy Teegan)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Claire’s book, Reclaim Your Author Career, is available: www.books2read.com/RYAC. Amy Teegan’s books: www.amyteegan.com. Top Tips of the week include how to be alerted when your book price or reviews change, the ABCs of publishing, and why less is more when it comes to your writing. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include news about Ingram's new ad platform, how Google is giving Spotify what Apple won't, why authors are abandoning Twitter and starting from scratch, the latest scams hitting Amazon authors, and to sell your books and serials by chapter, books, or subscription. Question of the week: What is the next step for your book marketing beyond publishing on the major retailers?
11/16/2022 • 55 minutes, 5 seconds
Episode 448 - Modern Dictation, Email Boosting, and App Store Fees
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Claire’s book, Reclaim Your Author Career, is available: www.books2read.com/RYAC Sign up for Bryan’s webinar. 2023 Success, happening this Thursday: https://bryancohen.lpages.co/succeed-in-2023 Top Tips of the week include the best options for dictating your book in 2022, how one author added 3,000 email subscribers in three months, and why exercise helps you write better. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why the court blocked the Big 5 book merger, why one veteran author says the Big 5 no longer matter, that avoiding decisions can help you write more, why Spotify and Apple are pitched for battle, and Amazon has a new program to incentivize book buying. Question of the week: What is a story from your life that you could bake into your welcome sequence?
11/9/2022 • 53 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 447 - ShopTok, Recession Planning, and Collaborators with Benefits
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Our Webinar is on Thursday! https://bryancohen.lpages.co/supercharge-your-story-nov22/ Top Tips of the week include the benefits of author collaborations, how the type of author you are can determine the success of your career, and what lessons you can take from the publishing process. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why more book sales data isn't always better for authors, how Audible has changed their return policy and neither authors or readers like it, that TikTok wants to challenge Amazon and sell physical products, what the 6 Figure Authors are doing to revive book sales, and what Goodreads is doing to your Amazon books. Question of the Week: What do you think is the deal with the Goodreads ratings on Amazon pages? Why would Amazon do that?
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how (and why) to put your book into more categories on Amazon, how BookFunnel is improving the reader experience again, and ways to market print books from successful authors. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include some new audiobook promotional opportunities are here (but hurry), what (or who) makes a best seller, that you should keep writing, even with chronic illness, Amazon's latest problem affecting your book sale, and why most authors fail (and how not to). Question of the Week: Outside of the promise of money or public success, what makes you keep writing instead of quitting?
10/26/2022 • 49 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 445 - Writing Commandments, Account Glitches, and AI Copyrights
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Author Ad School is now open for $100 off! Https://AdSchool2022.com Top Tips of the week include why the basics matter with book marketing, the 10 Commandments of Writing, and how to get out of your stuck ways. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what successful authors have in common, and what you can learn from them, Amazon is having lots of hiccups, but what can you do, An AI copyrighted art for the 1st time, Hallmark is outta here, but I hope not before Christmas movie season, and how to recover from an Amazon suspension or termination (first, just breathe). Question of the Week: What is one commandment you live by as an author?
10/19/2022 • 46 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 444 - NFT Comeback, Free Data, and Amazon Attribution
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge starts today! Sign up at https://AuthorsAdvertise.com Top Tips of the week include why editing is a must have if you're thinking of your writing as a business, where to go to learn all about romance. Romance books, at least, and how to make your cover stellar! The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include whether NFT books can really be a thing, why you shouldn't bother to find a publisher, why free data is worth every penny, why BookTok promoters are ignoring a big new feature, and there’s a new way to track your Amazon sales conversions. Question of the Week: If you’re going to use the Amazon Attribution links, HOW are you going to use the data you collect from them?
10/12/2022 • 59 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 443 Beta Bruises, Unreliable Narrators, and Changing Covers
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Author Ad Challenge starts Oct 12th! You can join here: https://AuthorsAdvertise.com Top Tips of the week include why your book isn't for everyone, and that's a good thing, how beta readers can hurt, but also help at the same time, whether authors should be seen marketing their books. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how D2D is making proofs and author copies easier for non-US authors, how TikTok is changing book covers, how to leap ahead of the Big 5, protecting yourself and your audiobook using Findaway Voices, why genre doesn't matter except to your readers. Question of the Week: What’s your process for using beta readers?
10/5/2022 • 50 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 442 - Non-Fiction Niche, French Shipping, and Amazon Returns
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how you can master your series while prepping for NaNoWriMo, how to find your next non-fiction niche to write in, why your prologue could be hurting your sales. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Amazon fixing the ebook return problem, how BookFunnel can help you deliver lots of books at once, how Amazon Ads can help readers find your book, the biggest problem that keeps books from selling, how France is fighting back to protect its indie bookstores. Question of the Week: What is the next step Amazon can take to help authors succeed?
9/28/2022 • 43 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 441 - Author Pressure, 1-Star Experiences, and Small Books
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Last call: Claire’s Reclaim Your Author Career Coaching is open. Go to https://www.ffs.media/coaching to enroll before it closes. Top Tips of the week include relieving the pressure of being an author, riding the algorithms to sell more books, and how to survive your first 1-star review. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how Amazon is letting sellers 'talk' to customers, the way to securely deliver ARC copies that can't be pirated, the solution to Apple's demands, the mystery behind a mysterious new movie, based on a mysterious new book, and from an even more mysterious author, and that books are getting smaller, and maybe that's ok. Question of the Week: What do you think (or want to believe) is behind the mystery of author Ellie Conway? #whereisellieconway
9/21/2022 • 56 minutes, 20 seconds
Episode 440 - BookFunnel Previews, Finding Focus, and Trad Pub Stat Silliness
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The Kickstarter Webinar with Russell & Monica is Thursday, September 15th. You can sign up at https://bryancohen.lpages.co/kickstarter-webinar/. Claire’s Reclaim Your Author Career Coaching is open. Go to https://www.ffs.media/coaching to enroll. Top Tips of the week include why you should stop kidding yourself that multitasking works, why authors should use Kickstarter, and how slow writing can lead to writing success. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Bookfunnel's new sample feature and how it can help sell books, how Big 5 publishing's own stats are making Big 5 publishers look bad, why showing your work can bring you business, how Spotify plans to sell your audiobooks and whether you should let them, and the new minimalist writing tool on the market. Question of the Week: When you’ve been able to focus on a project, what have you usually had to do to make that happen?
9/14/2022 • 59 minutes, 43 seconds
Episode 439 - Writing Joy, Gen Z, and Tools of the Trade (with Mark from Stark)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include a few good reasons to do a preorder, the best reasons to step away from your computer and write more, and how to gift your book to fans, friends, and reviewers. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how those books get onto the bestsellers table at your local bookstore, the new marketing subscription to help sell your books, where to go to learn the best in author tools, how Gen Z is making romance more popular than ever, and how to last for the long-haul in publishing. Question of the Week: In the coming years, what’s something you would consider doing to tap into the growing marketing of Gen Z readers?
9/7/2022 • 57 minutes, 37 seconds
Episode 438 - Author Habits, Myths, and Big Decisions
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how easy and quick it is to set up your own author page on Amazon, how habits that once served us can be working against you, and there's a new print book formatting tool in town, and it's free. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include making smart decisions about what NOT to do as an author, a great way to make BookBub ads quicker and easier, why author myths could be holding back your author career, why Brandon Sanderson is the biggest threat to traditional publishing, and what Amazon ordering fewer books means to publishers. Question of the Week: What’s a myth you held when you started indie publishing that you’ve since dispelled?
8/31/2022 • 59 minutes, 39 seconds
Episode 437- Damage Control, Fair Use, and Anticipating Objections
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to quickly recover from common author mistakes, to edit faster by playing a game, and to anticipate objections for your non-fiction books. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how an author found success on Vella by letting readers help her choose the adventure, how ScribeCount is making Ingram more accessible, how one reader learned that people really do care, why Barnes & Noble might not stock certain books, that fair use isn't always cut and dried. Question of the Week: What’s a situation where you had to do damage control with your book and how will that experience inform how you handle it in the future?
8/24/2022 • 55 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 436 - AI Art, Kate Bush, & The History of Blurbs (with Phoebe Ravencraft)
This week we have a great show in store for you. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. We welcome Phoebe Ravencraft as our Co-host. She's the author of Fiction Blurbs The Best Page Forward Way and Editor in Chief of Best Page Forward. Top Tips of the week include the history of blurbs and why they still work today, all the parts of a book, and why you need to know them, and how to manage your screen time as an author. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why AI's can't copyright their work. Even with human help, what Kate Bush's success tells authors about rights, how one librarian is fighting back against book banning activists, that Amazon has a big problem with fake books on its platform, and about D2D's new partnership with Humble Bundle. Question of the Week: If you had to choose between earning some money now but losing future rights, would you take a chance on keeping all of your rights (with no guarantee of a future payday)?
8/17/2022 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 435- Travel, Tricks, and the Tingleverse
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast! Top Tips of the week include how to make your newsletter easier and more effective at the same time, what crazy way an author got some attention for his book, and how to take a summer road trip and keep up your writing. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to get to know your reader to sell more books, how a 30 year old author makes $97k with books about money for young women, what's so special about Chuck Tingle's Big 5 book contract, where to find a great opportunity for anyone who loves books and bare feet, and how textbook publishers want to use NFTs to charge students for used ebooks. Question of the week: How have you gathered information or otherwise found creative inspiration from your roadtrips?
8/10/2022 • 54 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 434 - Acquisitions, Adapting, and Decision Fatigue
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast! Top Tips of the week include why you should consider selling direct, how insecurity is the creativity killer, and why every decision you make could make your writing harder. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what new features the Google play store has, how an indie author is seeing his novel come to television, data guy is back and selling his company, why the Internet free library case could have huge copyright implications, and how you and your author career will die if you refuse to change. Question of the week: What are some tricks you’ve found for managing decision fatigue in your writing life?
8/3/2022 • 55 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 433 - Taking Stock and Measuring Progress
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast! Top Tips of the week include how to market your series slowly, deliberately, and effectively, how to see how far you've grown as an author, and what spot reviewer services aren't legit. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what is a great way to take stock of your author business, how one SciFi author org is opening up to more members, what to do to maximize Google Book sales, how to be more inclusive of disabilities in your author business, and how Penguin is fighting off the DOJ to make the Big 5 the Big 4. Question of the week: When it comes to the idea of reviewing your old writing, do you feel more like Bryan and like the idea, or do you feel more like Claire and not want to touch that with a 10ft pole? Why?
7/27/2022 • 43 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 432 - Missing Data, Influence, and Less is More
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Author Ad School is now open through July 25th and Claire's Kickstarter ends July 21st at midnight, you can visit the links in the show notes! Top Tips of the week include how to have a guilt free summer even if you don’t write, how to find the best keywords for your books, and how to give your backlist a kick in the pants! The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to finish your first book, how BookTok and other influencers can help sell books, what author is making his living by doing less, what new reality show is following writers writing their books, and how ALLi is trying to track indie author sales and successes. Question of the week: If you had to pick one project to give your full attention to, which one would it be and why? Which projects would you let drop?
7/20/2022 • 47 minutes
Episode 431- All About Platforms, Apparently
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Claire's Kickstarter is live, you can visit the link in the show notes! Top Tips of the week include how to record your own audiobook, how to use Facebook's new Pages to your advantage, and why connections can be the best way to market. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to learn from another author's mistakes, how LGBTQ is taking the book world by storm, how to make Vella work for you, how to make Patreon work for you and your readers, and what's the big news for authors at Wattpad. Question of the week: What platform has caught your interest lately, and why are you thinking about hopping on?
7/13/2022 • 54 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 430 - Productivity Addiction, De-Vella-pments, and Audiobook Ads
This week Claire is joined by author Nikki Haverstock! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Claire's Kickstarter is live, you can visit the link in the show notes! Top Tips of the week include whether you're addicted to productivity, how BookBub's preorder alert can help you sell books, and how to get the word out on your audiobooks. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how Spotify is planning to play your audiobooks free with ads, how one author's pivot led to six-figures, how to save taking your print books wide, how to show off your Vella stories on your Author Page, and what the end of Mobi files means for you and your readers. Question of the Week: Do you tend toward Toxic Productivity? If so, what are some of the signs that you notice, and what do you do when you notice them?
7/6/2022 • 52 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 429 - Takeovers, Going Wide, and What Readers Want
Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. You can find Claire, Bryan and Monica’s Kickstarter links in the show notes. Top Tips of the week include how to have more pen names on Amazon, what is the new title trend that has your protagonist's name all over it, and why emailing more often might boost your open rates and sell more books. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what turns faithful readers off and makes them stop reading your books, how Goodreads is finally changing, what is Tertulia, how Spotify plans to use AI voices, and how B&N is highlighting indie books. Question of the Week: In the style of “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” what would your own “Person Doing a Thing” title be like if you were the title character?
6/29/2022 • 57 minutes, 57 seconds
Episode 428 - Pricing Right, Copyright, and Running Right
Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. You can find both Claire and Bryan’s Kickstarter links in the show notes. Top Tips of the week include how to avoid author burnout in three ways, why you need a book pricing strategy, and how to find an author group for you. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why it's a mistake not to think of your writing as a business, why Kickstarter is a perfect second stream of income for authors, what are the pros and cons of small claims copyright court, how to do a Kindle Countdown for the world not just US and UK, and what Spotify and Findaway have in store now that they're official. Question of the Week: What do you usually price a book at for launch, and based on today’s discussion, would you consider changing that pricing strategy in the future?
6/22/2022 • 47 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 427- ISBN Issues, Audio Opportunities, and Danger Zones
Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. You can find both Claire and Bryan’s Kickstarter links in the show notes. Top Tips of the week include what are the ultimate audiobook tips, what you need to know before changing genres, and how James Patterson is so prolific. This week dHonorable Mention is Y2K all over again. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what Spotify's audiobook plans mean for authors, why authors are getting fed up with hybrid publishers, what's up with Wattpad these days, how a Top Gun copyright lawsuit could affect authors, and what audiobook creation advice Findaway Voice's best authors have to share. Question of the Week: Have you written in more than one genre, and if so, did you run into the similar issues of extra time being required to start out?
6/15/2022 • 58 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 426 - Freebies, Concerning Contracts, and Incriminating Blogs
Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. You can find both Claire and Bryan’s Kickstarter links in the show notes along with Bryan’s Free Email Class. Top Tips of the week include how to choose the best proofreading software for you, whether blogs are are good for authors, and how to spot a bad author contract. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how free books sell books, how an author's own writing may have led police to her crimes, what indie authors are doing great on Kickstarter, why readers can't buy your Amazon ebooks easily anymore, and what to give on Father's Day for a dad who wants to tell his story. Question of the Week: What spellcheck software have you used? How do you use it? Where in the editing process do you use it?
6/8/2022 • 47 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 425 - Certainty of Success, KDP Author Growth, & Why You Aren’t a Hack
This week Bryan is joined by Becca Syme! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to choose your next email service, where to find the perfect author podcast for you, and how to maintain your hope and drive for the long-haul. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what indie authors are doing to make it big with Amazon, how to prove you’re not a hack writer, where to find a children’s book store that’s indies only, how to vet a traditional publisher, and which book has been printed and bound using fireproof materials. Question of the Week: If you could choose any of your books to be your biggest success story ($50k+ per year in book sales), which would you choose and why?
6/1/2022 • 54 minutes, 44 seconds
Episode 424- Crowdfunding, Target Reader, and Book Bans
This week we have a great show in store for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include what unusual ways to make crowdfunding work for you, how bad marketing can be worse than no marketing, and what makes a good book fail. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to avoid failing as an author, why bookstores are being told to ban books, why you should write even when things are bad in the world, how KDP's reports have changed to give you more updated information about your books, and why Amazon has updated it's stance on low-content books. Question of the Week: Based on this week’s audience targeting discussion, who are you writing your current book for?
5/25/2022 • 55 minutes, 48 seconds
Episode 423 - Ads Help, Tik Talk, and Ditching the Day Job
This week Claire is joined by romantic comedy author Rich Amooi! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to get your books into libraries, how to reboot a dying series, and why you should consider writing in a series. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include when to ditch the day job, Amazon KDP is able to print in Poland and Sweden now, what is better than 5-star reviews, how to have someone run your ads for you, and how one publisher is embracing TikTok. Question of the Week: What strategies have you used to cope with those harsh 1-and 2-star reviews?
5/18/2022 • 56 minutes, 5 seconds
Episode 422- Respecting Rights and Planning for the Worst
This week we have a great show for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to best find and use keywords to sell more books, why to create and distribute a hands-off mystery box, and why you should write and market in more than one genre. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to plan for the worst, whether to refresh or republish your book, how changes to Android and Apple could affect in app book sales, what those rank numbers really mean, and why Creative Commons might be more trouble than it's worth. Question of the Week: Do you have a backup plan if sales dip, and if not, what do you think you’d try so you could still progress in your self-publishing career?
5/11/2022 • 54 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 421 - Sell More Books, Working Your Backlist, and Changing Bonuses
This week Claire is joined by author Jamie Davis! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to spot book problems, what you shouldn’t do with social media, and what new feature Dropbox has. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to make your backlist work for you, how KU readers are helping your reviews, what KU bonuses are changing, why Modi files are on the outs, and how groups have the power to sell books. Question of the Week: Do you think traditional publishing is going to change its mindset about backlist vs new release? And how are you leveraging your backlist at the moment?
5/4/2022 • 0
Episode 421 - Sell More Books, Working Your Backlist, and Changing Bonuses
This week Claire is joined by author Jamie Davis! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to spot book problems, what you shouldn’t do with social media, and what new feature Dropbox has. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to make your backlist work for you, how KU readers are helping your reviews, what KU bonuses are changing, why Modi files are on the outs, and how groups have the power to sell books. Question of the Week: Do you think traditional publishing is going to change its mindset about backlist vs new release? And how are you leveraging your backlist at the moment?
5/4/2022 • 42 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode 420 - Junk Marketing, Delayed Launch, and Managing Pain
This week we have a great show in store for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include when are the best times to post on social media, when to delay a book launch, and whether you should sell direct from your site. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what the next 10 year of publishing will look like, how to avoid junk marketing scams, where another ship full of books is stuck, how to cope with and manage chronic pain that affects your writing, and what author summit you won’t want to miss. Question of the Week: What do you think publishing will look like in 2032?
4/27/2022 • 48 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode 419- Tax Changes, Writing Buddies, and Backlist’s Back
This week we have a great show in store for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to revamp your backlist to increase sales, your ideal role at book events and conventions, and how a daily theme can help you write more. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Why authors should have multiple streams of income, why you should find the best writing group for the stage of your author journey, how a new coffee shop is helping writers write, what ACX's big tax reporting change means to authors, and how Kickstarter is changing the tide in the publishing industry. Question of the Week: Getting started in publishing, what side hustles did you work (or are you still working) in order to fund your business?
4/20/2022 • 56 minutes, 43 seconds
Episode 418 - Home Retreats, Hacks, and Hucksters
The challenge is on and you can join in! You can find Bryan’s Author Ad Challenge in the links provided as well as Claire's Author Motivation series. Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to have a home-brewed writer's retreat, how to copyright your book, and whether you should accept a Kindle Daily Deal. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include whether hacking your productivity is a good idea, what new Kindle Vella feature will help engage your readers, what you can do tonight to start writing more tomorrow, what Barnes & Noble did to their audiobooks, and what print being down means for publishing. Question of the Week: How might you or will you use the new poll feature offered in Kindle Vella?
4/13/2022 • 51 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode 417 - Family Business, Fresh Covers, and Taxed Twice
This week we have a great show in store for you! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Author Ad Challenge on April 12th. Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to get your book rights back, what advice NOT to take to succeed, and why to give your book the cover it deserves. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why everyone is upset with ebook returns, how traditional publishing is out of step with royalties, how not to pay taxes twice, why you can't buy an ebook in your reading app anymore, and what to consider when hiring a relative as your author assistant. Question of the Week: Have you ever updated your book covers, and if so, how has it impacted your sales and conversion rate?
4/6/2022 • 54 minutes, 52 seconds
Episode 416 - Award Shows, Alli's Anniversary, & Sharing the Kickstarter Wealth
This week Bryan is joined by James Blatch! Be sure to check out the Self Publishing Show LIVE on June 28th-29th. Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include When you need permission to quote something, Why you can use those 50 reviews, and how Al can write with you. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Why you might want to avoid some social media, how Vellum can help you make better box sets faster, which indie author got a tv show from one of his oldest books, how Brandon Sanderson gave back to the author community, and how far indies have come. Question of the Week: What's a tool you think is undervalued that you use everyday with your books and/or marketing?
This week we have a great show in store for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook! All the links will be provided in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how a free challenge can help you kickstart your next book, why to start your own community as an author, and how to know which books and genres are selling right now. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to measure your success as an author, how Sanderson's Kickstarter is threatening Traditional Publishing, how your print on demand books are actually Made on Demand, why people are quitting traditional publishing, and how you can support Ukrainian authors. Question of the Week: How do you know when you’re a successful author?
3/23/2022 • 49 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 414 - Vetting Editors, Hashtags, and Sensitivity Readers
This Thursday Bryan has a webinar on Book Marketing Makeovers! Join Claire's motivational mail series as well as the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook! All the links will be provided in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner from our contest is Jay S. Willis! Top Tips of the week include what to expect when hiring an editor, whats the difference between sales and marketing, and why it’s good to have a sensitivity reader. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what the best hashtags for authors are, how to use BookBub ads on your books, what messages should you be sending during a world crisis, how to advertise your trad pub books on Amazon, and how Booktok is reinvigorating Barnes & Noble? Question of the Week: What is something you can email to your readers during a world crisis that
3/16/2022 • 46 minutes
Episode 413 - Mastering Deadlines, Rekindling Creativity, and THAT Kickstarter
This week we have a great show in store for you! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and check out Claires Motivation Series! All the links will be provided in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to passively market your book with your backmatter, when and why to brand your books, and how creating every day help you write more. This weeks Honorable Mention is Books On Tape. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how people feel about Brandon Sanderson killing it on Kickstarter, how creeps are mistreating female authors, how reading a book can help Ukrainian refugees, what to do to start mastering deadlines, and why Amazon is abandoning it's brick and mortar stores. Question of the Week: What is your opinion on Brandon Sanderson raising 26 million on Kickstarter, and what is a marketing lesson you could learn from his campaign?
3/9/2022 • 56 minutes, 50 seconds
Episode 412 - Big brands, Rewrites, and No-sweat Instagram
Bryan has a webinar with Mel Cooper on mastering your book launch! Join Claire's motivational email series as well as the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook! All the links will be provided in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include why to watch out for free fonts, whether a standing desk is worth the investment, and how to promote on Instagram without freaking out. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what big brands can teach authors, how to make money on YouTube with Audiobooks, why you might want to revisit your first book, what Amazon is doing to review scammers, and how to sell on Kobo? Question of the Week: Do you change your writing position from time to time, or are you chained to the desk, and what could you do more of?
3/2/2022 • 59 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 411- The 411 on Blurbs, Series, and Robot Rights
Be sure to join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook! We are hosting a contest and the winner will win Claire's Supercharge Your Story course. All you have to do is share the group! Go check it out at the link provided! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include whether blurbs really sell books, when to stop writing a series and when to keep going, and what three steps it takes to finish your book. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what to do if you’re burned out, who has a new marketplace to find your narrator, why Vella is now available on Android and some Kindle devices, why robots can't own their own work, and what is an easy way to sell direct? Question of the Week: Are you writing a series and what kind of factors will you consider for deciding when to end it?
2/23/2022 • 54 minutes, 22 seconds
Episode 410- Helpful Mindsets and Pursuing Your Passion.
Be sure to join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook! We are hosting a contest and the winner will win Claire's Supercharge Your Story course. All you have to do is share the group! Go check it out at the link provided! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to quickly grow your Bookbub followers, how to make your editing better and faster, and how teaming up with other authors can grow your reach. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what three things authors need to stop saying, where Amazon makes it's real money, how SFWA is opening up it's membership to more authors, where to get the self-esteem boost you need from a good team, and can you turn your passion into your work? Question of the Week: What methods do you use to interrupt cycles of negative thoughts?
2/16/2022 • 56 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 409 - Talking AI, Delayed Preorders, and Smashing Success
There is over 600 members in the new group, The Sell More Books Show Afterparty! Go check it out at the link provided! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how your brand makes a promise to your reader, what is a new way to sell your audiobook direct, and why a slow author site could mean trouble. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how a big acquisition could change the industry, how to reframe your negative self-talk to sell more books, why Amazon is paying over 2 million and shutting down a selling service, how to delay a preorder and not be banned from more, and how you can make an AI audiobook using Google. Question of the Week: How do you think the D2D acquisition of Smashwords will effect the industry or your business in particular?
2/9/2022 • 49 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode 408 - Selling Sequels, Enlisting Editors, and Rank Rancor
There is over 500 members in the new group, The Sell More Books Show Afterparty! Go check it out at the link provided! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include why promoting sequels will help sell your series, why to consider an editor, and why you should start your email list. This weeks Honorable Mention is Indie Inspired. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how one intrepid author broke into the library with his book, how Amazon changes glitches are ruining indie launches, why 'no offense' is no defense, how newsletter swaps can grow your list, and how to make your Facebook ads more effective. Question of the Week: What is the most covert, sneaky, and generally ineffective way you’ve tried to market your book?
2/2/2022 • 57 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 407 - Booms, Blues, and Boons
We have a discussion group! The Sell More Books Show Afterparty. Go check it out at the link provided! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include why introverted authors need people, how to run a successful online book event, and how to address your winter writing blues. This weeks Honorable Mention is All in the Family. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why 80/20 marketing means more success, what is the latest bestseller list scandal, why mixing long and short term marketing is best for success, when it's ok to reedit your first books, and how high POD prices are going. Question of the Week: Which are you focusing on more right now, “Boom” or “Bloom” or both, and why?
1/26/2022 • 58 minutes, 5 seconds
Episode 406 - Harlequin Plus, Six-Figure Direct Selling, and Getting Out of Your Own Way
This week Bryan is joined by author Phoebe Ravencraft! We have a great show in store for you! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include what is the new free book promo site, when to promote and when to wait, and how to be productive by getting out of your own way. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to choose a book title that sells your book, who's reading more and in what formats, what is the new romance book subscription service, how your goals can help you write your book, and how authors and how to sell direct and why. Question of the Week: What do you do to counteract the sinister voice in your head that tells you that you can't do something?
1/19/2022 • 48 minutes, 10 seconds
Episode 405- Healthy Habits, Creating Categories, and Story Software
This week we have a great episode in store for you! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Ad Challenge that starts today, the link will be provided in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to enjoy work more, why small habits create huge opportunities, and how to choose the best outlining software for your book. This weeks honorable mention is The Sleep Solution. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what advice Jane Friedman has for new authors, how to get a new book category created, who was scamming publishers out of prerelease manuscripts, wether Apple is getting into the audiobook business. and what happened in Vegas... with authors.. Question of the Week: What do you do to get more hours and improve the quality of your sleep?
1/12/2022 • 50 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode 404 - New you in 2022?
This week we have a great show in store for you! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how authors can be protected from hackers, why recommending other books can sell your book, and why you should see if your book will sell before you even write it. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what's happening to Amazon authors, big tips for your 2022 author business, what are the expert author predictions for 2022, what it means to you that books are being released in the public domain, and how authors and publishers sunk Ukrainian ebook pirates. Question of the Week: After the holidays, what changes are you considering for your business in 2022 to move closer to your idea of success?
1/5/2022 • 50 minutes, 52 seconds
Episode 403 - Year In Review: Top 5 Stories of 2021
We are ending off the year with the Top 5 Stories of 2021! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The Top 5 News stories that matter most to indies this year include how indie authors and their stories are making it to film, how Apple disrupted email marketing and advertising, why BookTok is making other social media platforms jealous, wide is the new black, and lots of indies are embracing the wide-for-the-win mentality, and what few positive changes are coming from our lockdowns. Question of the Week: What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?
12/29/2021 • 47 minutes, 3 seconds
Episode 402 - Selling on Social Media and Year-End Trends
This week we have a great show in store for you! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to pick a title that sells books, where to go to research everything, and why and how you should dictate your books. 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what the reading trends of 2021 were, whether a dedicated writing tool is for you, how to sell KU books to your non-KU readers, how to treat your designer, and how social media CAN sell your books. Question of the Week: What publishing trend do you feel most affected your business this year and why?
12/22/2021 • 37 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 401- Bookstore Blues and Biographical Busts
This week we have a great show in store for you! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to create a universal author page for all platforms, how some are taking their offices to the backyard, and where you can learn about TikTok for authors. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how some authors are writing for the screen, why a big social media following doesn't necessarily sell books, how to burst through your writing barriers, how publishers are fighting back against library demands, and why Barnes and Noble is Barnes and Noble's biggest problem. Question of the Week: Which celebrity’s biography would you want to read?
12/15/2021 • 44 minutes, 37 seconds
Episode 400 - Episodes & Confronting Our Fears
Happy 400th episode, we made it!! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Hildie McQueen. Top Tips of the week include how to plan your author goals for 2022, what Instagram's newest features for authors are, and how your pep talks can help authors just like you. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how New Zealand can get author copies from KDP now, how to feel more in control as an author, what indie author is bringing her books to life on tv, why you can't copyright ideas, and how to handle yourself online and how to break through your barriers to success. Question of the Week: What’s a pep talk you need to hear? Give us a little sample!
12/8/2021 • 58 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode 399.5 - Lighting the Fire, Backlist Books, & Large Print (with Jonathan Yanez)
This week we are joined by Jonathan Yanez! He is an author and publisher by day, screenwriter and producer by night. Bryan’s Kickstarter ends this Thursday! You can find all the links for this weeks episode in the show notes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Michael Thies. Top Tips of the week include how to build your author platform, what you need to know if you’re publishing a holiday novel, and what the benefits are to creating a Large Print Edition of your book. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what is coming to a library near you, why you should give your two-year old backlist a second chance, what new Apple TV+ series features publishing success stories, how to navigate BookTok and what to do to reignite your fire as an author. Question of the Week: What motivates you to get the words on the page?
12/1/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 399 - Shopping for Writers, Wide Wary, and Finding Time
We are one episode closer to our 400th where we will be hosting the show live on our Facebook page! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Kickstarter as well as his Black Friday Blurb Sales at the links provided. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Top Tips of the week include how to format a book without owning a Mac, how to take your books wide, and what to give the author who has everything. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what is new with Amazon’s series page, what trad pub supply issues are doing to book launches, what are the results of the 2021 author survey, what is the new seismic shift in audiobooks and how to find time to write in a busy life. Question of the Week: What are you thankful for right now?
11/24/2021 • 44 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 398 - The Big Buy, Training Your Team, and KDP Changes
This week we have a great show in store for you! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Kickstarter at the link provided. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Andrew Chamberlain. This weeks Honorable Mention is Our Little Boy is Growing Up. Top Tips of the week include how to succeed with a virtual assistant, what ten steps to follow to get your book out there, and how to protect your hands from a repetitive stress injury. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why you might want to write 30 kid's books in 30 days, how to embrace your inner Frankenstein, how Vellum is upping the style game with 3.0, how to advertise books that aren't in your KDP Dashboard and what Spotify's purchase of Findaway Voices could mean to the industry. Question of the Week: What do you think about the Spotify acquisition of Findaway, and where do you think this will go in the next 1-3 years?
11/17/2021 • 44 minutes, 57 seconds
Episode 397 - Setting Goals, NaNo Pantsing, and WHY
This week we are coming to you live from 20 Books Las Vegas! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Kickstarter at the link provided. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Dave Core. Top Tips of the week include how to break down your goals to ensure your success, what you need to know about the NaNoWriMo book bundle, and how to fast draft your novel. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what to do when you find you there's already a book like yours out there, how Alexa is helping readers find their next favorite book, what those big E symbols on your Apple books mean, why the government is putting the breaks on the Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster merger and why comparisonitis with other authors is a bad idea. Question of the Week: How are you going to get out of the grind this week and take good care of yourself?
11/10/2021 • 48 minutes, 56 seconds
Episode 396 - The True Universal Link, Chapter Titles, and AI
This week we have a great show in store for you! Be sure to check out Bryan’s Kickstarter at the link provided. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Kevin J Fellows. Top Tips of the week include how to promote when you don't want to promote, how chapter titles can help sell books, and why to ask for blurbs and beta reads even when it hurts. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what is coming to AI audiobooks, what new link to use to promote your print books, what platform you should use to help go direct, how to take your buyer on a journey that increases book sales and what to do to get yourself back out there and writing again. Question of the Week: If you were to come up with a chapter title for one of your favorite chapters you’ve written, what would it be?
11/3/2021 • 48 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 395 - Conferences, Audience Insurance, and Ditching the WIP
This week Claire is joined by Jami Albright and we have a great show in store for you! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Kamuela Kaneshiro. Top Tips of the week include how to promote your audiobook on Instagram, when to bail on a project..or not, and how to make a fantasy world map for your book or readers. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include Why you need to have a print book not just an ebook, why your cover matters so much, what new social media platform is coming just for readers and writers, what indie author event is less than two weeks away. Question of the Week: Will you be checking out the Copper social media site, and if so, how do you see yourself using it?
10/27/2021 • 42 minutes
Episode 394 - Rights, Defamation, and Publishing Imposters
This week we have a great show in store for you! Amazon Ad School is open through October 25th, sign up at the link provided. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Jon Auerbach. This weeks Honorable Mention is Serial Successes. Top Tips of the week include how to get your rights back from a vanity press, what are the best ways to include real people in your books without legal problems, and why going full-time can lead to less writing. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how to Kickstart a project without begging for money, what KDP is doing to books to make things easier on readers, what is an easy way to find your also boughts, why three men pretending to be one woman is a problem, and how translators are fighting for recognition. Question of the Week: Do you see Kickstarter being something you might try, and if so, what kind of project?