Novel Marketing

The faster you write, the more books you can publish and the more money you can make from your writing.We all type slower than we speak, and if you’re typing and creating a story at the same time, you type even slower. But what if you could regularly produce 50 words or more per minute? You’d be able to write a 120,000-word book in a 40-hour work week!Authors who can write that fast all use dictation. So why do so many authors hesitate to use it?If you’ve ever tried dictation and felt awkward, slow, or tangled up in the tech, you’re not alone. In this week’s episode, dictation expert Sarah Sawyer shows us the calm, practical way to ease into dictation so it feels natural and actually helps you write more.Here’s what you’ll learn:Which tech tools make it easy? (Hint: You probably already have them!)Techniques that help synchronize your creativity, brain, and mouthHow dictation can propel your writing and possibly save your healthAudio & Blog VersionsFor authors, dictation can skyrocket writing speed. Liste

Giving away your hard work for free doesn’t seem to make good business sense. So why do authors give away ebooks for free?What if “free” didn’t kill your revenue, but primed it? In this week’s episode, we’ll dig into the permafree strategy with Dale Roberts, author of Secrets of the Permafree Book.You’ll learn:Where permafree works (and where it flops)How to make Amazon price-match a free bookHow to determine whether the permafree strategy is working for youWhich kinds of standalone books might benefit from being permafreeIf you’ve got a strong series and a tight budget, permafree may be the fastest path from obscurity to discovery. Listen in or read the blog version to see if it will work for your book or books.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

So you wrote a good book, but you can’t seem to get reviews. Do you just throw up your hands? Why do reviews and ratings even matter?Well, the more reviews a book has, the better it will sell and the more reviews it will get. Without the social proof of reviews, readers scroll past your book listing, algorithms ignore you, and sales flatline.So, how do you get more book reviews?In this week’s episode, we’ll hear from Joe Walter of Independent Book Review. You’ll learnThree different kinds of reviews that can help your book gain visibilityHow ratings and reviews differ (and the easiest places to get each)Which tools can make the process of gathering reviews more efficientNo reviews = no trust = no sales. Find out how to fix that. Listen in or read the blog version and learn to use book ratings and reviews to increase your author credibility, book visibility, and sales.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Most authors either avoid AI or use it badly. Let’s fix that.Authors who learn to use AI find that they have more time to write better books.In this week’s episode, Joanna Penn and I break down where to start, which tools are actually worth using, and how to get useful output instead of bland tasteless, voiceless, AI slop.You’ll learnHow to prompt ChatGPT like a coworkerThe best tools for images, deep research reports, audio, and marketing tasksWays to use AI that you probably haven’t considered beforeThe most important AI prompting tip you will ever learnListen now or read the blog version to learn how AI can do tasks you hate, sharpen your author voice, and give you more time to do the creative work you wanted to do when you first started writing.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Every author needs editorial feedback. But not all feedback is good.If you accept every edit, you risk losing your voice and writing something bland. If you ignore all edits, you risk writing something sloppy that readers won’t buy. So how do you know which edits to take and which to toss?In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:7 “Bewares” to help you sort out good and bad editorial suggestionsWhether AI or human editors are helpful or hurtfulHow to develop good tastes that guide your writing voiceEditing is supposed to sharpen your writing, not smother your voice. Listen in or read the blog version to find out when you should (and shouldn’t) ignore feedback.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Most writing conferences teach you how to write a better book or how to pursue a literary agent. But what if you have already written a great book and you need help selling it? Is there a conference for you?Yes! Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference, a live, in-person event focused on helping you market and sell more books.The 2026 conference is packed with innovations you won’t find anywhere else:100% live, interactive sessionsA small group of writers who write in your genreGuidance on creating a customized plan for your upcoming yearExcellent teaching by expertsYou’ll leave the conference with a 100-page workbook full of actionable steps to grow your author platform, increase book sales, and start the year with a clear plan.

If you write picture books, chapter books, or middle-grade fiction, you know the challenge: kids read your books, but adults buy them.So how can you let young readers know about your books? Where can you connect with your readers? By meeting them in person in school classrooms!In this week's episode, award-winning author Becca Wierwille shares how school visits became her best book marketing strategy and how you can start doing them too.In this episode, you’ll discover:How to get your first (and second!) school visitWhat to include in your presentation to keep students engaged and coming back for moreHow to make it easy for school administrators to say "Yes!" to your visitSchool visits are fun! Listen in or read the blog version to discover how you can connect with young readers, positively impact schools, and sell more books.Support the show

What’s up with ruthless heroes and romantasy?And what if the real reason your book isn’t selling has nothing to do with your writing and everything to do with the zeitgeist?In this week’s Novel Marketing episode, we’re ​featuring an episode of Author Update​. We unpack the massive cultural shift that's changing what readers crave. From romantasy's domination to the hunger for noble dark heroes, we explore what sells and why in the new "spirit of the age."In this episode, you’ll discover:The future of books with morally gray, sword-wielding protagonistsHow Gen Z’s love for brutal heroes reveals a deeper desireWhat the shift from grimdark to noble bright means for your next story​Listen in​ or read the ​blog version​ to dive into the vibes shaping the future of fiction.Support the show

Ever wonder how some authors consistently sell a thousand books a month?What marketing tactics are they using? How can I get those results too?In the latest episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, I talk with Susan Neal, author of nine books and CEO of the Christian Indie Publishing Association. Susan shares how she layers her marketing efforts—from podcast interviews to press releases—to drive book sales month after month.Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn:Which tactics helped her sell 7,000 books in 8 monthsHow to successfully pitch podcasts, blogs, and media outletsHow to avoid common author mistakes that hinder salesWhether you’re launching your first book or looking to grow sales of your back list, listen in or read the blog version. You’ll be inspired by Susan’s method and eager to try her tactics.Support the show

Publicity has always been important for authors. Mark Twain promoted his books by writing letters to the paper, and even Agatha Christie, who was known for being very private, still did interviews with prominent newspapers. Yet some authors think this kind of publicity is old-fashioned. In a world dominated by social media, do we even need traditional PR anymore?If you've ever wondered how to get your book featured in the media—or whether it's even worth trying—you won’t want to miss this episode of Novel Marketing.In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from veteran publicist Marika Flatt from PR by the Book to talk about:Whether or not traditional media still mattersThe difference between earned media, paid media, and everything in betweenWhat mistakes to avoid when giving interviewsThe surprising way Good Morning America and Joe Rogan differ when it comes to book salesWhether you’re ready to hire a PR firm or just want to understand how media can help spread the word about your book, listen in or rea

You’ve optimized your book for AI, updated your website, polished your metadata, maybe even watched our AI Optimization for Authors episode.But how do you know if any of it is working?In this week’s episode, you’ll discover how to measure your AI optimization success. Because the hard truth is that if ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini doesn’t know your book exists, it won’t recommend it to readers.In this episode, you’ll discover:    How to find out if AI has read your book    Which LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok know about your book    A new tool that shows how visible your book is to AIIf you’re a Novel Marketing patron, you already have access to exclusive tools that test the “big six” AIs and help you pinpoint what to improve.For your book to rise, AI must recognize it.Listen or read about how these tools work, and then unlock the tools at www.PatronToolbox.comSupport the show

Well, this is embarrassing.After 12 years of teaching authors how to build better websites, I realized I’ve never covered the most important page on your site: your book page.Your book’s webpage isn’t just for selling your book anymore. It’s now key to showing up in Google search results and getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT.In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:The biggest mistake authors make when creating book pages (and the easy fix!)The elements your book page must have to help AI and human searchersWhat your book page needs to outrank Amazon and Barnes & NobleThe critical section most authors skipYour book deserves a better web presence, and your readers deserve an easy way to find it. Listen in or read the blog version to learn how to design an effective page that helps readers discover you and your books.https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-create-sales-optimized-book-pages-for-your-author-website/https://www.patreon.com/posts/june-is-patron-130533769 Support the show

The publishing industry is facing significant challenges. We just went through a major zeitgeist shift, and reader preferences radically changed. AI also showed up in a big way, so it should be no surprise that several traditional publishers are struggling to adapt.What happens to you and your book if your publisher goes bankrupt? How will you know if your publisher is headed that way?In ​this week’s episode​, we uncover eight warning signs your publisher might be on the brink and what you can do now to protect your rights, royalties, and your book’s future.Tune in to learn:• The #1 red flag that predicts publisher collapse• What you can do to ensure your book doesn’t end up in publishing purgatory• How you can sustain your readership and career through a publisher bankruptcyWhether you’re with a small press or a major house, ​listen in​ or ​read the blog version​ to learn the signs of publisher bankruptcy. If you’re on alert, you can avoid some major hindrances to your career.https://www.patreon.com/posts/ju

You work hard to create content for your audience. But how do you get more mileage and reach out of each piece you create?One way is to adapt your content for another platform. I recently started adapting my podcast into a YouTube channel.But how do you do that?I learned the hard way how not to do it.To gain traction on YouTube, you have to respect YouTube as a platform. You can't just shovel your podcast audio onto it and expect good results.I had an interesting conversation about this on the School of Podcasting hosted by Dave Jackson. Dave has been podcasting for 25 years, and we discussed the differences between YouTube and podcasting and how to successfully adapt a podcast to YouTube.If you've ever wanted to get more mileage out of your content, this week's episode is for you.You'll learn:How YouTube viewers behave differently from podcast listeners, and what that means for your contentWhen is a good time to launch your YouTube channelThe secret ingredients that make titles and thumbn

Have you been dreaming about publishing a book that actually sells?The hard truth is that most authors fail because they jump straight into writing. They spend months writing a book only to find out later they made a key mistake, and nobody wants to buy the book.I've helped thousands of authors go from blank page to profitable launch, and in this week's episode, I'm giving you the roadmap. You'll learn my complete six-step process as well as how to avoid common pitfalls and rookie mistakes.In this episode, you'll discover:The first thing you should do (even before writing chapter one)Which people and tools can help you polish your manuscript (and the right order to use them)How you can get free lifetime access to my course How to Get Published (Only in June!)If you're serious about publishing a book that sells, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.Listen in or read the blog version to learn how to successfully publish a book and avoid common mistakes.https://www.patr

Have you ever followed popular marketing advice that worked wonders for someone else but completely fell flat for you? Or have you watched another author succeed with a strategy you were told would never work?That’s because book marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all.In this week’s episode, I talk with USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty about Author Ecosystems—a framework that helps you understand the type of author you are and which marketing strategies are most likely to work for you.You’ll discover:Why some authors succeed with rapid release while others succeed with traditional launchesHow to identify your own ecosystem and tailor your marketing strategy accordinglyWhich types of authors complement one another bestWhether you’re struggling to gain traction or just want to work smarter, this conversation will give you clarity and direction.Listen in or check out the blog post to find links to the Author Ecosystems quiz and other resources to help you determine where you fit in the author ecosystem. It

Most authors are thinking about AI the wrong way. AI isn’t really a tool for writing books, but it’s quickly becoming the most powerful tool for selling them. Even if you’re not using LLMs like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, or Claude, your readers are.In fact, today, readers across the globe asked AI, “What book should I read next?”Did ChatGPT recommend your book? How can you make sure it does?If your book isn’t showing up in AI-generated recommendations, this week’s episode will tell you how you can make it happen.Tune in to discover:Which of your digital assets is the most important AI optimization toolHow to structure your website’s book pages so AI can read and understand themWhich social media platforms AI trains on (and where your book info should be!)Soon, there will be two types of authors: those recommended by AI and those wondering why their sales plummeted.Don’t be left wondering why your sales took a dive! Listen in or read the blog version of this episode to help readers more easily discover your book w

What if you had a toolbox filled with over 30 expert-level resources to help you sell more books and spend less time marketing?In this week’s episode, I reveal the suite of powerful tools I’ve built to simplify writing and marketing for authors like you. From crafting irresistible blurbs to designing reader magnet covers, optimizing email campaigns, and even generating book launch plans, these tools are changing the game.In this episode, you’ll discover tools to help you:·   Get almost any book marketing question answered (by “me”)·   Generate killer book blurbs in minutes·   Create a professional-looking cover for your reader magnet·   Generate a reader magnet (and other resources) for your book or topicIf you’ve ever wished for a personal assistant who works 24/7 and has more than 30 tools to advance your career, save you time, and sell your book, this episode is for you!Listen in or read the blog version (with links!) to discover this innovative suite of tools that can streamline your work and give you mor

Are you leaving money on the table every time you share a link to your book?In this week’s episode, we talk with Jesse Lakes, co-founder of Geniuslink, to explore how universal book links and affiliate marketing can help you reach more readers and earn extra income.You’ll learn:Why Amazon.com links could be costing you salesThe tools that make it easy to start earning today (and keep you compliant!)How to future-proof your book linksYou’ve already done the work to write the book and make it available online. Now, make your book links work harder for you.Listen in or check out the blog version (with all the links) to find your roadmap to universal book links.Support the show

Without advertising, most books only sell to the author’s friends, family, and neighbors. People across the country or across town may never hear about your book. Amazon ads can help you reach beyond your social bubble.Many authors think they need a series to make ads work, but that’s not true. You can run profitable ads even if you only have one book published.In the latest episode of Novel Marketing, you’ll hear from author and Amazon advertiser Scott LaPierre. We discuss proven strategies to reach readers beyond your network and turn clicks into sales.You’ll learnWhich type of ads are most efficient for a stand-alone bookHow you can work smarter, not harder when setting up your adsHow much you should spend on ads to get good data about whether they’re working for youListen in or read the blog version to get actionable tips and start advertising to unlock the power of Amazon’s search engine to boost your book’s visibility and sales.Support the show