Author Media Podcasts

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Updated 03/19/2019
Christianity

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Updated 12/03/2025

4D AGO

How to Become a Professional Writer With Joanna Penn

Is your writing a hobby or a profession? The answer to that question changes everything. Many authors claim to be professionals but act like hobbyists. They write what they want instead of what readers will pay for. They try to fit a finished book into a genre instead of studying the genre first. They publish without a marketing plan or budget and are shocked by low sales and few reviews. They expect professional results from a hobbyist approach. If that sounds familiar, there’s good news. You can choose the professional path. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from author and podcaster Joanna Penn, who hosts the longest-running indie publishing podcast. You’ll discover: How to build a sustainable author career in an era of AIWhich marketing activities you should choose and which to ignoreBusiness principles that apply to your writing careerHow to use AI to do the business tasks you dislike so you have more time for creativity and storytellingTo learn how to build a sustainable author business in an era of rapid change, listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

4d ago

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50 min
FEB 18

Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: Metadata

If your book isn’t selling, it may not be your writing. It may be your metadata. In this week’s episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, you’ll hear from Dave Chesson, creator of Publisher Rocket, and learn about the hidden engine behind book sales on Amazon. Even if your book is well-written and professionally edited, Amazon doesn’t read your book. It reads your metadata. And if your metadata is unclear, inconsistent, or confusing, Amazon won’t show your book to readers, even if it’s amazing. In this episode you’ll learn: What your book’s metadata isWhere you can manage it (and make it most effective!)How to include the most effective elements and language in your metadataAnd common metadata mistakes to avoidIf you want your book to show up in search results, convert better when readers click, and avoid the dark recesses of the “miscellaneous shelf,” listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

Feb 18

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1h 1m
FEB 17

How to Keep Bad Medicine from Killing Your Novel’s Credibility

Have you ever watched a medical show and thought, “Is that how CPR really works”? Your readers are thinking the same thing about your book. In the Google era, writing sloppy medical details was risky for your writing career. In the AI era, they’re deadly to your credibility and career. Readers now carry little AI tools in their pockets that can pass medical exams. If your character survives a car crash and goes boxing in the next chapter, someone will notice. In this month’s episode, I interview physician and award-winning novelist Ronda Wells of NovelMalpractice.com about how to write medically accurate fiction, even if you have zero medical background. You’ll learn How concussions and amnesia can be related (but aren’t always!)How to use medical events (and their consequences) to increase tension in your storyWhy the “sip and die” trope rarely makes senseHow historical context changes everything from treatments to fatalityMedical accuracy does not kill drama. It intensifies it. If you want deeper tension, stronger verisimilitude, and stories that honor your readers’ trust, listen in or read the blog version. Blog Link: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/how-to-keep-bad-medicine-from-killing-your-novels-credibility/ Support the show

Feb 17

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54 min
FEB 11

How to Format a Book with Vellum

Many authors assume book formatting is complicated, expensive, or something only professionals can handle. In this week’s episode, I talk with Bryan Canter about why that assumption is outdated, and how tools like Vellum have changed what authors can do. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to pay a pro or learn to format your book’s interior yourself, this conversation will give you clarity. In this episode, you’ll discover: When you should format the book or reader magnet and when you should hire a proHow Vellum can prevent common design mistakesHow you can update back matter, fix typos, add reader magnets as neededListen to the episode or read the blog version to see how Vellum can save you money, time, and headache when formatting your next book or reader magnet. Support the show

Feb 11

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44 min
JAN 21

How Authors Can Stay out of Tax Jail

American Taxes, pay too little and you go to jail. Pay too much and you lose the money you need to reach more readers with advertising and promotion. If your records feel like a mess of Amazon deposits, Ingram payments, Kickstarter funds, affiliate income, coaching fees and dozens of random expenses you’re not alone. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from a CPA who works specifically with authors, about how to handle bookkeeping and taxes with confidence. Seth Norris welcome to the Novel Marketing Podcast! You’ll learn: A simple bookkeeping rhythm that prevents tax-time chaos. How the IRS decides if your writing is a business or a hobby. The most common mistake that costs authors the most money.Discover how to simplify your approach and how to avoid paying more taxes than you actually owe. If you want to keep more money for advertising, marketing, or feeding your family, stop treating taxes like a deadline of doom. Instead, listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

Jan 21

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59 min
JAN 13

Jerry B. Jenkins’ Writing Advice for New Authors

Have you decided to write a book but feel overwhelmed by everything there is to learn? Wondering where to start, what to write first, or how to know if your writing is any good? In this episode, I talk with New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins (215 books, 73+ million copies sold) about how new and beginning authors can start the right way. In this interview, you’ll discover: What your first project should be a book and how it can help you grow quickly as a writer.A mindset shift that will change how you think about feedbackHow to find your writing voiceIf you want practical advice from a seasoned writer that will save you years of frustration, listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

Jan 13

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59 min
12/18/2025

Why Some Authors Are Ditching ChatGPT Entirely

ChatGPT used to be the go-to AI for authors, but it's no longer the best choice for every task. New models like Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok are outperforming it in specific areas, from creative writing to research to automation. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from The Nerdy Novelist, Jason Hamilton. We discuss which AI tools work best for your writing, your budget, and your genre. You’ll learn Which tools can help expedite your researchWhich AI models help you write the best dialogueHow open-source models can spur fresh fiction ideas and structuresTo stay up to date on which models can help you with various parts of your writing and marketing (and which can’t), listen in or read the blog version to feel confident experimenting with new platforms. What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book?AI Optimization for AuthorsBook Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to WriteTikTok, Iran, and AI: What Authors Need to Know NowThe Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna PennSupport the show

12/18/2025

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59 min
JAN 14

Productivity Secrets from Bestselling Author Jerry B. Jenkins

Do you ever feel like your book is taking forever to write? Maybe you’ve been working on the same manuscript for years, and then you look up and see other authors publishing a book a year, or more. How do they do it? In this week’s episode, I ask Jerry B. Jenkins that very question. He has sold more than 73 million books, including his mega-bestselling Left Behind series, and he breaks down the habits and mindset that helped him produce quality work on deadline for decades. You’ll discover: A practical way to establish a writing scheduleThe counterintuitive way to combat procrastinationOne way to silence your inner editor without eliminating it completelyIf you’re ready to get out of your own way, build a sustainable writing rhythm, and finish what you start, you’ll want to hear this one. Listen in or read the blog version to discover how you can finish your book and write better books for the rest of your writing career. Support the show

Jan 14

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42 min
12/31/2025

The 5 Year Plan to Become a Professional Author

If you ask a bestselling novelist how long it took to go from aspiring writer to published success, the answer is usually about ten years. One reason it takes so long is that most authors learn about writing in a haphazard way. They read a blog post here, listen to a podcast there, attend a conference where they receive a firehose of information, and then watch YouTube videos hoping to fill in the gaps. It is an overwhelming way to learn. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by everything you need to know about publishing, you know exactly what this feels like. But what if you could cut that ten-year learning curve in half? In our latest podcast episode, I talk with Christy Award Hall of Fame author James L. Rubart about the Five-Year Plan for Becoming a Professional Author. It’s a step-by-step training approach designed to help fiction writers build skills in the right order (without the overwhelm). This isn’t a “shortcut” or gimmick course. It’s a craft-first path that helps writers avoid wasted years, bad habits, and out-of-order learning. In this week’s episode, you’ll discover: Why most authors stall outHow to accelerate the mastery of storytellingWhat separates “good” writers from professional-level authors in the current publishing landscapeIf you’ve ever wondered whether you’re developing your craft in the smartest way possible, or where you should start, listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

12/31/2025

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45 min
JAN 7

Networking for Authors

Most authors begin writing as a solitary pursuit and soon realize they don’t know other writers or industry professionals who can help them grow. So how do you go from a solitary outsider to a connected insider who knows designers, editors, marketers, and more? In this week’s episode, we talk with Dale L. Roberts, an award-winning indie author and host of Self-Publishing with Dale, about how genuine networking can strengthen your career and relationships. In this interview, you’ll discover: How to reframe your mindset about networking (it shouldn’t feel sleazy)How to follow up after conferences and events without feeling awkwardSimple habits for remembering names and details so people feel seen and valuedWhen (and how) to make introductions inside your networkIf you’ve ever wondered how successful authors seem to know so many industry experts, this conversation will give you practical, real-world networking tips to help you build and facilitate mutually beneficial publishing connections. Listen in or read the blog version to discover 12 tips to help you connect generously, authentically, and for the long haul. Support the show

Jan 7

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45 min

Author Media podcasts help authors write resonate books, build powerful platforms, and change the world with writing worth talking about. Each show is hosted by Thomas Umstattd Jr. who has been helping independent and traditionally published authors since 2007.

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