Wordslinger Podcast J. Kevin Tumlinson

Johnny B. Truant has been in the DNA of self publishing almost from the start. He’s an author, a podcaster, a reluctant influencers. Great guy, too. And his series, “Fat Vampire,” has been adapted by the SyFy Channel as “Reginald the Vampire.” Success by almost any definition!
But is it success by Johnny’s definition?
We talk about that, and about the movement and evolution happening in the publishing industry, and what it means to be an “iconoclast author” (or an “artisan author,” if you’re me).
This is a great conversation, and I think everyone (even non-authors) will get a lot out of it. Food for the soul.
Show links:
* Johnny’s Website: https://johnnybtruant.com
* Johnny’s Substack: https://substack.com/@johnnybtruant
* “We’re Entering the Age of the Iconoclast Writer” - Author Stack Post -
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Reserve your copy now at https://bit.ly/forgottenruneaz
The Wordslinger Podcast Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvSjreJNEhuQX5DnVehfdIoC0SfC4wEKu
Find more from me, and find ways to support what I’m making here, when you go to Wordslingerpodcast.com
Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact
Follow me online:
* Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books
* Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com
* See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson
* X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)
* Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson
* Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson



Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

JD Barker, New York Times and International best selling author, has had one of the most interesting lives and careers I can think of. From the time he was asked to write a Dracula novel by Bram Stoker estate to the time he solved a friend’s murder, and on to a prolific and successful career as a thriller writer, JD’s meandered along a path most of us couldn’t imagine. And then there’s the email… a slip, an accident, someone sent the wrong thing to the wrong list, and controversy ensued.
In this episode of Wordslinger we’re diving deep in the history of JD Barker, celebrating the wins and learning from the mistakes.
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE
Show links:
* JD Barker’s website - jdbarker.com
* Order your copy of “Behind a Closed Door” - https://jdbarker.com/books/behind-a-closed-door/
The Wordslinger Podcast Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvSjreJNEhuQX5DnVehfdIoC0SfC4wEKu
Find more from me, and find ways to support what I’m making here, when you go to Wordslingerpodcast.com
Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact
Follow me online:
* Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books
* Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com
* See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson
* X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)
* Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson
* Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson


Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Evans is a busy guy. Writing books. Recording podcasts. Founding and running a successful startup in the publishing space. And, oh yeah, graduating from Harvard. And yet he still had time to swing by and chat with me about how storytellers rule the world. And I agree. Take a listen to this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, and stick around to hear this week’s 3 Things.
Show links:
Ream - reamstories.com
Ream Podcast - subscriptionsforauthors.com
Michaels Books - mevansinked.com

The Wordslinger Podcast Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvSjreJNEhuQX5DnVehfdIoC0SfC4wEKu

Find more from me, and find ways to support what I’m making here, when you go to Wordslingerpodcast.com

Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact

Follow me online:
Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books
Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com
See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson
X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)
Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson
Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson


Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Story builds brand loyalty. Give your audience a good story and they’re a fan for life. And this isn’t just for writers—this is for content creators, entrepreneurs, even employees. Listen in and I explain.
In this episode, I talk about the San Antonio Zoo, Buc-ees, and my quest for the world’s best chicken salad. I also talk about worry and despair, versus the choice of joy and hope.
WATCH THE EPISODE ON YOUTUBE:
Thank you for reading The Writer_. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Show links:
* Chicken Salad Chick -
https://www.chickensaladchick.com
* How I Made This interview with Stacy Brown (Founder of Chicken Salad Chick) - https://www.npr.org/2018/06/29/624713103/chicken-salad-chick-stacy-brown
* Buc-ees -
https://www.bucees.com/
* San Antonia Zoo -
https://sazoo.org
The Wordslinger Podcast Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvSjreJNEhuQX5DnVehfdIoC0SfC4wEKu
Find more from me, and find ways to support what I’m making here, when you go to Wordslingerpodcast.com
Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact
Follow me online:
* Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books
* Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com
* See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson
* X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)
* Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson
* Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson



Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

Social media is not a sales and marketing tool—it’s a COMMUNITY tool. And if you want to promote something (a book, a business, a service), it’s going to help a whole lot to come at it from that angle.
We’re also talking about my “3 things” for this episode. Ever been accused of something you didn’t do? Had someone badmouth you behind your back? Me too. And I think that taps us both into one of the most human things I can think of.
This week on the Wordslinger Podcast, I talk about the new show format, and then answer listener questions in Ask Kevin Anything.
WATCH THE EPISODE ON YOUTUBE:
Find more from me, and find ways to support what I’m making here, when you go to Wordslingerpodcast.com
Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact
Follow me online:
* Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books
* Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com
* See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson
* X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)
* Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson
* Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson


Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe

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Four years ago, August 2020, I posted the last episode of the Wordslinger Podcast. I didn’t really know it would be the last episode, at the time. But 2020 changed everything for me, and not just in the ways it changed everything for all of us.
The pandemic did disrupt things, for sure. But on top of that, Kara and I had started doing full-time van life, traveling the US, moving continuously. My work at Draft2Digital quadrupled at that time. My writing career went through some dramatic changes. And so did I.
To be honest, that Fall of 2020 I found myself questioning everything about my life and career. And it all just got to be too much.
Now, in 2024, I’m in such a different place, it’s almost like I’m a different person. I left Draft2Digital to be CEO of another company. And I’ve since left that company to go back to writing and creating full time. Kara and I built a house, and we now live in the Austin area. And my writing career has continued to evolve.
It’s a new era. I’m a new Wordslinger. And I think it’s time to explore that.
What will happen with the show?
No idea. I’m winging this, to be honest. I plan to get back to weekly episodes, but I’m experimenting to figure out what that means, exactly. I’m learning a new platform, and I’m testing a new format.
One thing you might like, I’m adding a segment I call “AKA: Ask Kevin Anything.” And I mean that… literally anything.
What do the ancient Egyptians have in common with the ancient Mayans?
Who was the first baseball player?
What’s in an Irish Old Fashioned?
Which Beetle wrote “Please Please Me?” (since no one realized this was a joke, here is a side note to say “this was a joke.” huazzh!)
What’s the best way to write a novel—pants it or plot it?
Anything.
You can start right here. Just click the button below and ask your question in the comments.
I won’t promise to answer every question, but I’ll put some good ones from various places.


Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe