Author & Audience Podcast

Tom Schaeffer
  • 5.0 (1)
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  • Updated Weekly

A podcast focused on how to think deeper, write better, and build a creative process that produces your best work consistently. authorandaudience.substack.com

Episodes

  1. From Fighter Pilot to Bestselling Author: Michelle "MACE" Curran

    Jan 21

    From Fighter Pilot to Bestselling Author: Michelle "MACE" Curran

    Former Air Force Thunderbird pilot Michelle "MACE" Curran joins the podcast for an in-depth conversation about her three-year journey to publish The Flipside with a major publisher. Michelle shares her path from small-town Wisconsin to the cockpit of an F-16, the rock-bottom moment in Japan that transformed her, and why she walked away from military retirement to become an author and speaker. This episode pulls back the curtain on the traditional publishing process—from working with a ghostwriter and securing an agent to surviving five rounds of edits and the all-consuming six-month pre-launch campaign. If you want to know what it really takes to write a book with a Big 5 publisher, this is required listening. Key Topics Covered Why Michelle chose the Air Force over the FBI and how watching F-15s take off changed everything The Japan assignment: imposter syndrome, divorce, and the lowest point of her career How she earned the call sign “MACE” (and nearly lost consciousness at 9 Gs) Building a LinkedIn audience from 260 connections to LinkedIn Top Voice in 18 months The three-year traditional publishing timeline from proposal to bookstore shelves Working with ghostwriter Jen Singer: the collaborative writing process Securing a literary agent and getting into a bidding war with publishers What a book advance actually is (and isn’t) Five rounds of editing and why you’ll hate your manuscript by round six The pre-launch marketing grind: trying to hit 7,000-10,000 pre-orders for bestseller lists Why platform matters more than manuscript when pitching to publishers Guest Background Michelle "MACE" Curran is a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, USA Today bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She flew the F-16 for 13 years, including combat missions from Japan and three years with the elite Thunderbirds demonstration team. After leaving the Air Force, she built a speaking business focused on leadership, overcoming self-doubt, and taking bold action. She’s the author of The Flipside and two children’s books about pursuing big dreams. Resources & Links Michelle’s Books: The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower Upside Down Dreams What’s Your Call Sign? Connect with Michelle: Website LinkedIn Instagram Mentioned in This Episode: Jen Singer (Ghostwriter): https://jen-singer.com/ Javelin Literary Agency: https://javelindc.com/ Grand Central Publishing: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/grand-central-publishing/ Key Takeaways Build your platform first - Publishers want to see 20K+ engaged followers before they’ll consider you Traditional publishing takes 3 years - From proposal to bookstore is a marathon, not a sprint Ghostwriting is collaborative - It’s not dictation; it’s deep interview work and extensive editing together Marketing is on you - Even with a Big 5 publisher, driving pre-orders is the author’s job LinkedIn is essential for non-fiction authors - Especially if your audience is business leaders and decision-makers Best Quote “These moments where I would see inspiration happen in real time—with little girls seeing a female fighter pilot—felt like I had the honor of giving people an incredible gift. That was more fulfilling than any flying, any mission I had done in the jet. That had become my purpose.” Next Episode: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish) The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers become authors and authors build audiences for their work. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 51m
  2. AI and Writing: Why Human Writers Are More Valuable Than Ever

    Jan 13

    AI and Writing: Why Human Writers Are More Valuable Than Ever

    Published: January 13, 2026 Episode Summary Tom gets brutally honest about his evolving relationship with AI as a writer. What started as genuine terror about AI "attacking" traditional writing has transformed into a completely different understanding: AI hasn't made writing easier—it's made it harder. But in the best possible way. This episode tackles the biggest question facing writers right now: what does AI mean for the future of writing, and how should you be thinking about your craft in this new landscape? Tom's Early Fears About AI The Terror: "I was terrified when AI writing tools first emerged. And I'm a technical person by nature—I love playing with new tools. But even with that curiosity, I felt like the writing process itself was under attack." What Worried Him Most: Writing is a sacred process. The act of: Sitting down Grinding it out Wrestling with what you want to say That IS the path to clarity That struggle is where the thinking happens The Core Concern: "I was genuinely concerned that AI would short-circuit that process, that writers would lose something essential if they started relying on these tools." The Fear: "If we bypass the hard work of figuring out what we want to say, how will we ever develop clear thinking? How will we ever produce truly good work?" The Complete Perspective Shift What Changed: Tom's feelings have completely changed. Not because his concerns weren't valid, but because he was looking at it all wrong. The Realization: The Tide of Mediocrity "The tide has risen for all of us. It's not like there's some select group of people with access to AI while the rest of us are left behind. We ALL have access to these tools now. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini—they're available to everyone." But Here's the Thing: It's not a tide of quality that's rising. It's a tide of mediocrity. Bland, generic content is flooding the internet. What some people call "AI slop." THE MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHT Information Is No Longer the Barrier to Entry Think about it: Reading Wikipedia articles? That's not how people spend their time anymore We don't need to because our AI assistants can give us current information collected from multiple sources in seconds Just ask and you'll get an answer The Critical Question: "So if information isn't valuable anymore, what is?" Why Writing Has Become Harder (And Why That's Good) The Surprising Truth: "I find writing MORE difficult now than I did before AI. Not less difficult. More." Why? Spending extra time thinking about what I want to say Being more mindful Working harder to give my writing a human touch Sharing vulnerability with my audience Being more open with readers Telling stories The Key Insight: "Storytelling is going to be the most important element of writing in the future." The Framework: AI as Your Editorial Team If You're Wrestling with AI: Consider this perspective: If you were writing a book or working at a publication as a journalist, you would never publish anything alone. Your Work Would Go Through Multiple Phases: Developmental editing Copy editing Fact-checking Typesetting All these stages take raw material and shape it into a finished product The Collaboration Analogy: If you were working on a team of writers and got stuck on something, you wouldn't just sit there in a vacuum staring at a blank page. Especially if you had a deadline. You'd: Collaborate with someone else Get input Have brainstorm sessions What AI Gives You: "Access to a team of artificially intelligent assistants helping you produce a finished piece of work." BUT—The Crucial Part: "The judgment, the ability to determine if something is high-quality or not, still comes from the writer. From you. AI can't make that judgment. Only you can." The Premium of Human Writing Why This Matters More Than Ever: "It's more important than ever to double and triple down on your writing skills." The Truth: "If you don't know what to ask for, if you can't recognize quality when you see it, you will never be able to produce high-quality work. Period." The Market Reality: High-quality human content is going to be a premium. Human writers are going to be a premium in the future. Why? "Because if everyone just uses AI to produce material, it all starts to blend together. It becomes invisible. Forgettable." The New Art of Writing: How do you engage with readers? How do you create a better story? How do you tap into that human element to connect with people? THAT is the premium element. The Requirement: "To get there, you have to understand the craft. You have to keep practicing. You have to keep working through it." Tom's Prescription: Read, Read, Read The Practice: Read. Read a lot. Read really good writing so you understand what good writing feels like in your bones. What to Read: The Atlantic Pulitzer Prize-winning writers "There are so many of them out there that if you read a Pulitzer Prize-winning book every week for the rest of your life, you'd still have hundreds of books left to read" Why This Matters: Read high-quality writing. Know what it feels like. Feel it in your body. Then when you see what AI gives you as a raw piece, you'll immediately see where things need to be improved. Tom's Current Reality: "I can't tell you—I actually spend MUCH more time writing now than I ever did before." Why? Trying to craft a more elegant piece than ever before Refining Polishing Making deliberate choices about every sentence The Reason: "The information itself is not the valuable thing anymore. People can get information anywhere, instantly. It's HOW it's presented now. That presentation, that's the craft. That's the art of writing. And that will never change." Key Takeaways 1. The Tide Has Risen for Everyone Access to information is no longer your competitive advantage. AI is available to everyone. 2. What IS Valuable: Your human perspective Your stories Your vulnerability Your voice Double down on these elements 3. Think of AI as Your Editorial Team Not your replacement. Use it to: Brainstorm Refine Polish But YOU make the judgment calls about quality 4. Read Excellent Writing Constantly This is how you train your eye to know what's good and what's AI slop. 5. Expect Writing to Be Harder "If you're spending more time crafting your work, being more thoughtful, more intentional—that's exactly what you should be doing." The Writers Who Will Thrive The Profile: The writers who will thrive in this new landscape are the ones who: Lean into the craft Develop their unique voice Tell stories that only they can tell The Bottom Line Information is everywhere now. But your story, your perspective, your craft—that's irreplaceable. The sacred struggle of writing—sitting down, grinding it out, wrestling with what you want to say—that hasn't changed. If anything, it's become more important. AI hasn't made writing obsolete. It's made excellent writing more valuable than ever. Key Quotes "AI hasn't made writing easier for me—it's actually made it harder. But in the best possible way." "Information is no longer the barrier to entry." "Storytelling is going to be the most important element of writing in the future." "The judgment, the ability to determine if something is high-quality or not, still comes from the writer. From you. AI can't make that judgment. Only you can." "High-quality human content is going to be a premium. Human writers are going to be a premium in the future." "The information itself is not the valuable thing anymore. People can get information anywhere, instantly. It's HOW it's presented now. That presentation, that's the craft. That's the art of writing. And that will never change." "If you're spending more time crafting your work, being more thoughtful, more intentional—that's exactly what you should be doing." Next Episode: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish) Join the Conversation: Are you experimenting with AI in your writing process? What's working? What concerns you? Connect with Tom on X or Substack. Action Item: This week, read one piece of exceptional writing (a Pulitzer Prize winner, a top Atlantic article, etc.). Then look at a piece you've written with AI assistance. What differences do you notice? Where can you add more human touch, more story, more vulnerability? The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Remember: Keep writing, keep learning, and keep leaning into what makes you irreplaceably human. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min
  3. The Analog Revolution: Why Writers Are Putting Down Their Phones and Picking Up Their Pens

    Jan 6

    The Analog Revolution: Why Writers Are Putting Down Their Phones and Picking Up Their Pens

    Published: January 6, 2026 Episode Summary Tom explores a massive cultural shift happening right now: the Analog Revolution. As AI-generated content floods every platform and digital fatigue reaches breaking points, consumers—especially Gen Z—are turning back to physical books, vinyl records, handwritten notes, and tangible experiences. This isn't nostalgia. It's a business opportunity hiding in plain sight. Tom breaks down the hard data, explains why this is happening, and shows you exactly how to capitalize on this trend as a writer building a sustainable platform. Tom's Personal Discovery Mid-2025: Something shifted. Tom felt genuine fatigue from constantly having his phone in his hand—screen after screen, notification after notification. He started reaching for something he hadn't prioritized in years: physical books. The Realization: It wasn't nostalgia. It was necessity. Those moments with a book became sacred time—a chance to: Get away from screens Feel something physical Be present with just one thing at a time The Big Discovery: He wasn't alone. Not even close. We're in the middle of what Tom calls the Analog Revolution—a massive cultural shift away from digital-everything and back toward the physical, the tangible, the human. SECTION 1: The Evidence Is Everywhere The Numbers That Should Make You Pay Attention: Vinyl Records: Vinyl sales have grown for 18 consecutive years 2024: 43.6 million units sold = $1.4 billion in revenue Vinyl now outsells CDs Projections show continued growth into the 2030s Gen Z is driving a significant portion of these sales The generation that grew up with streaming is choosing to buy physical records Physical Books & Retail: Barnes & Noble just opened 60 new brick-and-mortar storefronts (not closing—opening) Global book printing market: $58 billion in 2024 Continued growth projected through 2030 Marketing Agency Forecasts: Major marketing agencies are forecasting "analogue attraction" as a key trend for 2026. Dentsu Creative's Trend Report: Describes consumers as living in a paradox—they're embracing AI and automation while simultaneously expressing a strong desire for traditional, analog, and in-person experiences. Consumer Sentiment (Early 2025 Survey): 71% of consumers see print catalogs and magazines as more authentic than digital campaigns 65% say they look forward to receiving physical mail When's the last time you heard someone say they look forward to checking their email inbox? Tom's Assessment: "This isn't just happening. This is accelerating." SECTION 2: Why This Is Happening The Root Cause: Digital Fatigue We're drowning in: Feeds Algorithms Notifications AI-generated content that all starts to sound the same The Gen Z Data Point: More than 70% of Gen Z—the most digitally native generation in history—report feeling digitally exhausted and are actively seeking more grounding, offline experiences. The Profound Shift: As AI becomes the default tool for content creation, people are craving content that feels unmistakably human. They want: Things they can touch Things that feel intentional Things that exist in finite physical space rather than infinite digital scroll Physical vs. Digital: The Trust Signal Think about what happens when you receive a physical newsletter in the mail versus another email in your inbox: The physical piece required someone to: Write it Design it Print it Mail it to you specifically That's a different level of commitment. That's a trust signal. The Neuroscience of Handwriting: There's actual neuroplasticity at work when you write by hand: Your brain adapts differently Helps you memorize better Helps you think more deeply There's an intentionality to handwriting that you lose when typing on a keyboard, checking notifications, switching tabs Isolated Activity: The analog world forces what Tom calls "isolated activity"—reading, writing, or thinking without the endless distractions of our devices. The Hunger: "People are hungry for that. Desperate for it, even." SECTION 3: The Business Opportunity for Authors Smart Marketers Are Already Testing "Analog Funnels" How It Works: Sell a physical book as an entry point That book leads people into a premium physical newsletter subscription Something that arrives in their mailbox monthly, beautifully printed Something they can hold and keep The Economics: The Question: Is this more expensive than digital? Absolutely. You've got printing costs, shipping, logistics. But Here's What's Fascinating: The economics actually work at smaller scale with higher margins. The Math: You're NOT trying to build a list of 100,000 email subscribers You're building a committed community of 500, maybe 1,000 people They're willing to pay $40-50 per month for a premium physical newsletter 500 subscribers × $45/month = $22,500 in monthly revenue Even after costs, you're running a healthy, sustainable business The Key Insight: "Analog isn't about going big. It's about going deep. These aren't just subscribers—they're true fans who value your voice enough to pay a premium for the physical, tangible experience of your work." The Differentiator: In a world saturated with AI-generated content and endless digital noise, that physical newsletter in someone's hand becomes a powerful differentiator. It's a signal that says: "This is real. This is human. This matters." SECTION 4: What You Can Do Right Now The Strategic Framework: This isn't either/or. You're not abandoning digital to go full analog. The Winning Strategy: What Tom calls "analog touchpoints on a digital foundation." Maintain your online presence, email list, social media Add strategic analog elements that deepen the connection with your most engaged audience Specific Moves You Can Test: 1. Start Reading Physical Books Again Not for productivity, but for the experience Notice how it feels different That's what your audience is craving too 2. Experiment with Handwriting Keep a physical notebook for your best ideas Use it for podcast prep, creative thinking You'll notice the quality of your thought process change 3. Test a Physical Newsletter Start small—maybe with your top 50 email subscribers Offer them something special: a monthly printed piece that goes deeper than your digital content Price it at a premium See who converts—that's your signal 4. Consider How Physical Books Fit Into Your Funnel Not as the end product As the entry point to deeper, more premium analog offerings The Key Principle: Think of analog not as a rejection of digital, but as a premium layer on top of it: Your free content lives online Your paid content might be digital courses or memberships But your most premium offering? That could be something physical Something people can hold Something that arrives in their mailbox and makes them stop scrolling for a moment The Big Picture: Proof of Care Tom's Core Insight: "In 2026, as AI makes content creation easier and faster, the truly valuable content will be the stuff that feels unmistakably human. The stuff that required real thought, real care, real intention." Physical Artifacts Are Proof: Books, newsletters, handwritten notes—they're not just products. They're proof: Proof that someone took the time Proof that this matters Proof that there's a real person on the other end who cares enough to put something tangible into the world The Revolution Defined: "The Analog Revolution isn't about going backward. It's about moving forward in a way that honors what makes us human." For Writers: This is your moment to differentiate. Tom's Challenge to You The Action Item: What's one analog touchpoint you could add to your platform this quarter? Not five things. Just one. Test it. See what happens. Why: "In a world of infinite scroll, the finite and physical is becoming more valuable than ever." Key Quotes "Physical artifacts aren't just products. They're proof. Proof that someone took the time. Proof that this matters." "Analog isn't about going big. It's about going deep." "The analog world forces 'isolated activity'—reading, writing, or thinking without the endless distractions of our devices. And people are hungry for that. Desperate for it, even." "In a world saturated with AI-generated content and endless digital noise, that physical newsletter in someone's hand becomes a powerful differentiator." "The Analog Revolution isn't about going backward. It's about moving forward in a way that honors what makes us human." Key Statistics to Remember Vinyl sales: 18 consecutive years of growth, 43.6M units ($1.4B) in 2024 71% of consumers see print as more authentic than digital 65% look forward to receiving physical mail 70%+ of Gen Z report digital exhaustion Global book printing: $58B market in 2024 Barnes & Noble: 60 new stores opening (not closing) Next Episode: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish) Action Challenge: Pick ONE analog touchpoint to test this quarter. Will it be: A physical newsletter for your top fans? Handwritten thank-you notes to new subscribers? A limited-edition printed version of your best content? Something else entirely? Share Your Plan: What analog experiment are you going to run? Drop a comment or tag Tom on X/Threads. The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Episode Themes: Analog revolution, digital fatigue, physical newsletters, premium content strategy, differentiation in the AI age, sustainable writing business models Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    14 min
  4. 5 Writing Trends That Will Define 2026 (And Why 2025 Broke the Old Playbook)

    12/30/2025

    5 Writing Trends That Will Define 2026 (And Why 2025 Broke the Old Playbook)

    Published: December 30, 2025 Episode Summary Tom closes out 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 with a strategic analysis of what's shifting for writers building audiences and platforms. If you felt like the old playbook stopped working in 2025—you weren't imagining it. The game changed. This episode breaks down exactly what's coming and how to position yourself for success in the year ahead. 2025: The Year of Audience Fragmentation The Breaking Point: If Tom had to summarize 2025 in one phrase: "audience fragmentation reached a breaking point." The Platform Chaos: Started with the usual suspects: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Medium, Substack TikTok's future questioned with divest-or-ban deadlines constantly pushed back Threads rapidly adding hundreds of millions of users Bluesky gaining momentum as a decentralized alternative Creators spreading themselves thinner trying to maintain presence everywhere The Real Problem: It wasn't just about platforms—it was about attention. Your audience isn't just scattered across platforms, they're overwhelmed. Everyone's inbox is full Every feed is saturated The old playbook of "just show up consistently" stopped being enough Everyone is showing up consistently now The Writer's Frustration: Writers Tom talked with all year expressed the same thing: working harder than ever but seeing diminishing returns. More content, more platforms, more effort—but not necessarily more growth, more engagement, or more revenue. The Underlying Question: The AI question that nobody could quite figure out. Tom's Assessment: "2025 was fragmented, overwhelming, and honestly, exhausting for a lot of writers." But here's what's shifting as we move into 2026. TREND ONE: The Depth Advantage The Shift: As AI-generated content floods every platform, there's going to be a premium on depth. Not just longer content, but deeper thinking. What Depth Means: More nuanced perspectives Content that actually teaches something Content that changes how someone thinks about a problem The Commodity Problem: Surface-level content is becoming commodity content: Quick tips Listicles Recycled advice AI can generate this in seconds Readers are starting to recognize it What Matters in 2026: 1. Research Will Be More Important Writers need to start being more thoughtful with their research and preparation. 2. Personal Stories & Storytelling "The personal stories, the storytelling element is going to be so important in 2026 because of the proliferation of AI-driven content." 3. AI as Collaborator (Not Creator) "AI is really going to take its place as a collaborator with the human—because the people that are using AI to just put content out there, that's going to be dead very soon." The World Is Catching Up: "AI slop is everywhere and people are getting quick to identify it." The Opportunity: "What that means for writers is the opportunity is HUGE to be more creative." The Content Death Myth—Debunked: "This idea that content is dying because of AI—I think it's the complete opposite. Readers and listeners are evolving and that is requiring writers to be even more thoughtful and go deeper on what they think. Surface-level thinking is going to be dead and people want to go deeper." The Winning Strategy: "In 2026, the writers who win are going to be the ones who go deeper, not wider. Fewer platforms, fewer pieces of content, but each one substantive enough that it actually cuts through the noise." TREND TWO: AI as Infrastructure, Not Output The Evolution: In 2025, most conversation around AI and writing was binary: either you use it or you don't. That conversation is maturing in 2026. The New Paradigm: Writers are starting to treat AI like infrastructure rather than output. AI Handles: The scaffolding The research The first-draft brain dump The repurposing The formatting Humans Handle: The thinking The perspective The voice The Analogy: "Think of it like this: nobody accuses you of cheating because you use spell-check. AI is moving into that same category—it's a tool that handles the mechanical parts of writing so you can focus on the parts that actually matter." Best Use Cases for AI in 2026: Outline faster Brainstorm angles Turn one long-form piece into five different formats for different platforms Accelerate your thinking Eliminate friction from your process What AI Should NOT Do: "Don't use it to replace the actual work of thinking and writing. Because readers can tell the difference." The Bottom Line: "The best use of AI in 2026 isn't to generate your content. It's to accelerate your thinking and eliminate friction from your process." TREND THREE: Platform Consolidation What This Means: Not that the platforms themselves are consolidating—writers are finally going to stop trying to be everywhere at once. The 2025 Advice That Burned People Out: "Omnichannel presence"—be on every platform, repurpose everything, maximize your reach. The 2026 Permission: Writers are going to give themselves permission to specialize. Pick one, maybe two platforms where your audience actually lives, and go deep there. Tom's Platform Strategy for 2026: #1 Priority: Substack "Substack is my platform of choice for 2026. That's the platform I'm going to be doubling, tripling down on." Why Substack: Incredible thinkers Well curated Feels very original and authentic People utilizing creativity and originality A platform FOR writers If you're intimidated by video-heavy platforms, lean into Substack #2: X "For writers going deep on specific topics, it's really helpful to get involved in the conversations there. There are a lot of really great thinkers on there, and those conversations help me come up with new ideas." #3: Threads (Experimenting) "I like Meta's interpretation of X as their platform." #4: The Podcast "I am so grateful for everyone who has been participating in the conversation with comments. This is going to be something I'm leaning heavily into in 2026." YouTube & Podcasting: "Still very powerful ways for authors and writers to get the word out. It seems counterintuitive because it's video, but there are creative ways people are using these platforms to drive text-driven content." New Content Strategy: Two-part approach: Educational, helpful, valuable content Separate author interview segment The Strategy Summary: "When I talk about platform consolidation, I'm not saying abandon everything. I'm saying be strategic. For me, that's Substack as my home base, X and Threads for conversation and discovery, and this podcast on YouTube as my long-form medium." TREND FOUR: Owned Platforms Become Non-Negotiable The 2025 Lesson: You cannot build your entire audience on rented land. Platforms: Change algorithms Get sold Shut down features Gradually become less effective Email & Newsletters: Have always been the "smart" move, but in 2026 they're going to be the survival move. Why This Matters More Now: "As AI makes content creation easier, the volume of content is exploding. That means standing out on any given platform gets harder every single day. But email is the one place where you have direct access to your audience without competing with an algorithm." The Hard Truth: "If you're not building an email list in 2026, you're not building an audience. You're just renting attention." TREND FIVE: Monetization Gets Earlier The Old Wisdom: Build the audience first, then figure out how to monetize. The 2026 Flip: Writers are going to start monetizing earlier in their journey, often with smaller audiences. Why: Revenue isn't just about making money—it's about validation. What This Looks Like: A paid newsletter with 200 subscribers A small digital product A cohort-based course with 15 people The Key: Don't wait until you have a massive audience to start charging. The Proof: "There are writers making six figures with audiences under 5,000 people because they monetized strategically from the beginning." The Mindset Shift: "In 2026, writers are going to treat their craft like a business from day one." What This Means for You: The 2026 Playbook Why 2025 Was Hard: The playbook stopped working. The New Approach That Will Win in 2026: Go deeper, not wider - Fewer platforms, fewer pieces, more substance Use AI as infrastructure, not output - Tool for acceleration, not replacement Consolidate your platforms - Pick 1-2 and go deep Build owned platforms - Email lists aren't optional anymore Monetize earlier - Don't wait for massive audiences Tom's Promise: "These aren't predictions. These are patterns I'm already seeing from writers who are building sustainable, profitable platforms." The Advantage: "If you apply even two or three of these trend lines to your own work, you're going to be way ahead of most writers still trying to follow the 2023 playbook." Key Quotes "Surface-level thinking is going to be dead and people want to go deeper." "AI slop is everywhere and people are getting quick to identify it. What that means for writers is the opportunity is huge to be more creative." "Readers can tell the difference." "If you're not building an email list in 2026, you're not building an audience. You're just renting attention." "There are writers making six figures with audiences under 5,000 people because they monetized strategically from the beginning." Next Episode: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish) Thank You: "Thank you for being part of this community. I'll see you in the new year, where we're going to keep building the intersection of craft and commerce together." The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. 2026 Mission: Building the intersection of craft and commerce—where great writing meets sustainable business. Action Item: Pick ONE trend from this episode and implement it this week. Which one will move your writing business forward? Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min
  5. It's Not Too Late: Why Age Is Your Unfair Advantage as a Writer

    12/16/2025

    It's Not Too Late: Why Age Is Your Unfair Advantage as a Writer

    Published: December 16, 2025 Episode Summary Tom addresses one of the most common fears holding back aspiring writers: the belief that it's too late to make a career change into writing. Drawing from his own life of constant pivots and reinvention, he makes a powerful case for why age, experience, and maturity aren't limitations—they're your secret weapons in a world drowning in shallow, AI-generated content. Podcast Milestone & Updates Episode 7 Achievement: We've made it past the typical podcast dropout point (episodes 3-4)! The show is gaining momentum with a growing community of writers, aspiring authors, and audience builders. Schedule Note: No episode during Christmas week (December 23-29). The show returns in early January 2026. New Platform: The podcast is coming to YouTube! Daniel Tester interview (Episode 5) launching on the Author and Audience YouTube channel. The Question Tom Keeps Hearing The Pattern: People later in life—those who've always had the writing itch—reach out riddled with: Fear of starting too late Imposter syndrome The belief that it's too late to make a pivot Romanticizing the writing career but feeling paralyzed Tom's Message: If you feel like it's too late—this episode is for you. Tom's Life: A Series of Pivots Tom's Journey at Nearly 50: Early Dreams (Failed): Wanted to be a military pilot Wasn't the best student, didn't apply himself Couldn't get accepted into aviation programs Switched majors multiple times Aviation major → abandoned when flying career seemed impossible The Florida Years (2004): Moved to pursue civilian aviation career Ran out of money Had to pivot again The Software Years: Leveraged computer science/information systems degree Became a software engineer for ~5 years Started his own software company Built and sold the company in 2022 The Writing Pivot (Age 46): Tired of running a company and the pressure Wanted to slow the pace down Fantasized about being a writer Wanted to share thoughts, provide value, build something meaningful Just did it—took on the identity and became it Tom's Reflection: "My life is a series of attempts of trying something, failing, and then making a pivot and then doing something else. And eventually you land on the thing that you should be doing." "I'm 50 years old and I'm still doing new things. I'm still exploring new things." Why Age Is Your Unfair Advantage (Not a Limitation) What You Bring to the Table: Experience from decades of living Emotional depth Life's adventures—the ups and downs Successes AND failures Wins and losses All the human complexity that comes with years Why This Matters Now More Than Ever: "Especially today, and certainly in the future, being able to write from the heart, write with passion and vulnerability, and really bringing the humanity back to writing—we're all getting exhausted, we're all getting AI fatigue. Content is just spewing everywhere." The Cutting Edge: "When you're writing from a place of experience and pain and happiness and all those human emotions, when you're writing from that place, that comes through in your work. That is gonna cut through the noise. I guarantee it will." The Premium Skill: Writing with: Passion Vulnerability Humanity Emotional authenticity Real experience This is becoming premium content in an AI-saturated world. The Practical Approach: Embody It Now Reference to Episode 6: Go back and listen to "The Identity Shift" episode. The same principles apply here. The Process: Make the decision: "I'm a writer" Embody the mindset of a writer Put one foot in front of the other Start doing it for yourself Opportunities will open up Tom's Experience: "When I started to write, I said, I wanna be a writer. I didn't exactly know what that was gonna look like. I didn't know I was gonna be a ghost writer. But that's just what happened. It happened that way because I embodied the mindset of a writer. I put one foot in front of the other. I started doing it for myself, and opportunities opened up." If You're Still in a 9-to-5: Maybe you can't embody the full writing lifestyle yet. But you can switch your mindset. In your mind, you're a writer. At some point it will manifest itself for you. The Honest Reality Check Tom's Self-Assessment: "I'm not the role model, like perfect... I'm a collection of failures that just happened to land, got lucky a couple times, and landed in the right spot. So I'm not sitting here telling you that it's easy or anything like that, but it's doable." What Tom's Good At: Visualization. Seeing what he wants to become and moving toward it. The Obstacles: Money issues Life circumstances Other factors that prevent follow-through Having to do other things But: "There are always opportunities, and if you wanna do something, you can do it. Age is not a limiting factor. It's your unfair advantage." Famous Late Bloomers in Writing Raymond Chandler - Published first novel at 51 (The Big Sleep) Toni Morrison - Published The Bluest Eye at 40 Frank McCourt - Published Angela's Ashes at 66 The lesson: It's never too late. Confronting the Fear What's Really Happening: "This is just procrastination. This is just your body—it's something that's scary. And you're allowing yourself to have these thoughts of 'I'm too old to pivot.'" The Truth About Pivoting: Tom's life is a series of pivots Pivoting is good for you Yes, you sometimes have to hit the reset button That's okay The Hard Truth About Starting: "You won't be good enough. You're not good enough right now. If you're just getting started and you're doing this for the first time, you're not gonna be good enough. But you have to practice. You have to get out there and do it to get better." Steven Pressfield's Wisdom On Time: "Life is not short, it's very long. There's plenty of time for you to do things." But Also: "Don't wait. If there's a passion, if there's something that's burning inside you and something that you want to do and you want to pursue it—embrace it. Embody it. Become it." Tom's Action Challenge Pick ONE Thing Today: Examples: Send that email to that person Write that first s****y paragraph Publish your first LinkedIn post Publish your first Substack post Do SOMETHING that moves you forward Why This Works: That one step will build momentum. The Visualization Process Tom's Approach: Think about your goal See it Visualize it Take one step today The Reality: Sometimes it doesn't pan out (other factors involved) Money and life can prevent follow-through Not everything works perfectly But opportunities always exist The Key: "Look at people that are doing it. What are they doing? How are they embodying it? Really immerse yourself in it." Key Quotes "Don't allow yourself to believe that your age is a limiting factor. If anything, your age is your unfair advantage." "You're bringing so much experience to the table, so much emotion, so much of life's adventure... all the ups and downs and all the successes and all the failures—it's all being brought to bear on your writing." "Everyone's on a different path. Everyone's on a different journey." "Life is short, but it's also... very long. There's plenty of time for you to do things." The Bottom Line Don't Be Fearful: If you want to make a transition later in life—into writing or anything else—don't be afraid. Embrace Your Assets: Your age Your maturity Your experience Your passion Your human complexity Take Action Today: Put one foot in front of the other. Pick one thing and make a step forward. That will build the momentum. Holiday Break: No episode December 23-29 Next Episode: Early January 2026 Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Whatever you're celebrating, have a great one. How to Support the Show: Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform Share with people who need to hear this message Subscribe to the Author and Audience YouTube channel Join the community of writers refusing to let fear win The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Special Message: If you've been telling yourself it's too late—this is your sign. It's not. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    The Identity Shift — Why You Must Call Yourself a Writer Now

    Published: December 9, 2025 Episode Summary Tom tackles one of the biggest psychological barriers that stops more people from writing than even a blank page: the hesitation to call themselves writers. Drawing on research from James Clear, Carol Dweck, and Steven Pressfield, he explains why claiming the identity of "writer" immediately—not after some arbitrary milestone—is the key to actually becoming one. What Stops People More Than Writer's Block: Most aspiring writers don't struggle with knowing how to write—they struggle with believing they have the credibility or experience to call themselves writers. This creates a psychological cost that keeps them locked in limbo, stuck behind a door they're holding shut themselves. The Resistance: "I want to be a writer someday" (not now) "I'll call myself a writer after I [publish/get paid/get X followers]" "I don't have what it takes" "I didn't study this in college" Waiting for permission that will never come The Solution: Immediate Identity Adoption Tom's Personal Experience: "When I left my software company and I wanted to become a writer, I believed in myself enough to say, I'm a writer the minute I start writing. I'm a writer the minute I decide that I want to be a writer." The Bottom Line: The minute you want to be a writer, the minute you decide "I want to be a writer," you must start calling yourself a writer. Not later. Not after some arbitrary milestone. Immediately. Why This Works: Your behavior builds the identity—not the other way around. When you commit to an identity and behave in alignment with that identity, your brain literally starts rewiring itself to internalize that story. The reality begins to catch up to the story you are acting out. The Science Behind Identity-Based Transformation 1. Identity-Based Habits (James Clear, Atomic Habits) "Your actions are votes for the person you are becoming. And these votes add up—and they might be messy and chaotic and uninspired, but those are especially the ones that help to form this new identity." The Process: It's not an affirmation—it's a feedback loop You do the action → Your brain notices → It updates the story Eventually you begin to feel like a writer because you're behaving like one Because you feel like one, you keep showing up Because you keep showing up, the identity is reinforced A completely self-stabilizing system 2. The Identity-Value Model (Psychology Research) People naturally gravitate toward behaviors that feel aligned with their sense of self. If you see yourself as a writer, writing becomes a "this is who I am" activity—not a chore test. It feels valuable in a different way. It becomes something you protect instead of postponing. 3. Self-Perception Theory "We discover who we are by watching what we repeatedly do. Not by thinking about it, not by wishing for it, by observing our own behavior." The Moment of Change: If you write most days, if you ship drafts, if you hit publish, or even if you just stack words in a notebook, your brain says, "Okay, this must be who we are." That is the moment things begin to change. Not When You Think: Not the day you get paid Not the day someone compliments your work The day you begin acting in alignment with the identity you've chosen Embodiment: Identity Is Physical Writers Write: Identity isn't just a mental trick—it's physical. Writers show up at the desk, type, edit, throw pages away. The action itself, the movement, is how identity gets formed. You literally enact the thing you are trying to become. The Confidence Myth: "If you wait for confidence, you're just gonna be waiting forever. It never shows up. The confidence comes after the reps. You don't build confidence and then start. You get confidence after you start." The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Loop How It Works: Belief: I am a writer Behavior Adjusts: You treat your time differently, show up like a professional Results: You create proof you didn't have when you started Reinforcement: Results reinforce your original belief The Professional Mindset (Steven Pressfield - Turning Pro): If you are a pro, you're going to: Treat your time differently Show up like a professional Protect your writing time Invest in your craft Improve faster Then a few months later: "Oh my gosh, I've built proof that I didn't have when I started." The Negative Loop (And How to Avoid It) The Derailing Pattern: "I don't have what it takes to be a writer" You start writing less, creating less You don't publish anything Now you have proof you're not a writer But it's not because of your ability—it's because that's how you acted. Adding the Growth Mindset Layer Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset: People who believe skills can be developed through practice actually lean into the practice. They interpret failure as information, not as judgment. For Writers: When you call yourself a writer AND have a growth mindset: Bad drafts become part of the process (everyone creates them in the beginning) Rejection is not identity-shattering—it's turbulence, just noise Your identity becomes resilient You give that identity time to bloom and become real The Three-Part Formula When You Put These Together: Identity Adoption: Call yourself a writer now Consistent Action: Write, even a little bit, regularly Growth Mindset: Embrace failures as learning You Don't Get: An aspiring writer waiting for permission You Get: An actual writer, a professional, someone who writes because that's who they are—not because they're chasing some result. Key Quotes "Identity is earned through action. Action becomes effortless once identity takes over." "The story that you tell about yourself is either gonna hold you back or it's gonna carry you forward. So choose the story that gives you the momentum, choose the story that you can grow into, and then let your behavior vote for that identity every single day until it becomes second nature." "This is how you manifest writing into your life. It's not magic. It's movement. It's momentum." Tom's Challenge to You If You Write At All: Call yourself a writer. If You Want to Become a Writer: Act like a writer. Remember: Identity is earned through action. Your behavior votes for your identity every single day. Choose the story that carries you forward. Next Episode: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM (ish) Share This Episode: Know someone who says "I want to write someday"? Send them this episode. How to Support the Show: Subscribe wherever you listen Like/rate the episode Join the family of writers, struggling writers, aspiring authors, and authors building audiences The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Recommended Reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The Takeaway: You don't need permission to be a writer. You need action. Start today. Call yourself a writer. Then write. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min
  7. From Three Scratch Sheets to Published Author: Daniel Tester's Journey

    12/02/2025

    From Three Scratch Sheets to Published Author: Daniel Tester's Journey

    Published: December 2, 2025 Guest: Daniel Tester, Author of Hitting the GAS: Finding Success in Leadership, Life, and BalanceGrab Daniel’s book here: Hitting the G.A.S.: Finding Success in Leadership Life and Balance Episode Summary: Tom's first podcast interview features retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Daniel Tester, who wrote his debut leadership book during sleepless nights at 3 AM with nothing but three scratch sheets of notes. This raw, honest conversation reveals the messy reality of writing a book—the self-doubt, the deleted drafts, the panic of hitting publish—and why giving a s**t is the only philosophy that matters. Daniel Tester's Military Career: 22 years in the Air Force (didn't initially plan to stay) Started as a computer operator (had only seen one computer before) Rose to top 1% of enlisted service members Made E5 supervisor—the moment leadership became his calling Retired in Colorado Springs in a senior leadership position The Turning Point: "I now have an opportunity to have an impact on someone's life, and I'm going to be a part of their story going forward. I've seen poor leadership and the impacts it can have on people. And I would say that's when it clicked for me—this is going to be a career. And what I care about is leading people." Key Principles from the Book: Leadership is about presence, not position—showing up when it's inconvenient Balance isn't a luxury, it's a necessity—success includes protecting what matters most Vulnerability is a strength—embrace failures and mistakes If at your core you give a s**t about what you're doing, what more can people ask? Reader Reviews: "He's one of the greatest leaders I've ever had the honor to serve with. What makes him extraordinary isn't just his skill or drive—it's his heart. Tremendous love for people paired with unstoppable optimism." The Launch: No Marketing Strategy No marketing strategy, no publ:isher, no answers to "what's next" Simply clicked publish when there were no errors Posted on Facebook—people shocked because he'd kept it secret Handed physical copies to his sons, parents, mom—they had no idea First Physical Copy: "Pure insanity. I looked at it so many times. I was just like, there's no way this is real... It was almost calming, but just surreal. I think everybody deserves an opportunity like that." What's Next for Daniel Current Reality: Full-time job, full-time parent, very busy life—but now asking: "How do I share this with more people?" The Shift: "I'm finally starting to say, you know what, I think you've really helped a lot of people. And that's hard for me. And now I'm like, can I help MORE people? I don't know what that looks like. I'm figuring it out, and that's okay." The Mission: Help people who don't feel prepared, don't feel good enough, who are thrust into positions and think "I'm not good enough for this"—parents, teachers, coaches, leaders. Published: August 12, 2025 Where to Find the Book: Hitting the GAS: Finding Success in Leadership, Life, and Balance on Amazon: Hitting the G.A.S.: Finding Success in Leadership Life and Balance Next Episode: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM (ish) Key Takeaway for Writers: You don't need to be prepared. You don't need a perfect plan. You need three things: something to say, the willingness to start, and the courage to keep going when you want to delete everything at 3 AM. The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Thank you to Daniel Tester for his service and for sharing his story with brutal honesty. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  8. 11/25/2025

    Inside LinkedIn Ghostwriting: How to Build a Six-Figure Writing Business

    Episode Summary Tom pulls back the curtain on his journey from software engineer and company founder to six-figure LinkedIn ghostwriter in just 10 months. This episode is packed with practical advice for writers considering ghostwriting as a business, covering everything from finding clients to pricing services. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    21 min

  9. 11/18/2025

    Start Small, Stay Consistent: Rethinking Your Approach to Creative Work

    Published: November 18, 2025 Episode #003 Summary Tom gets real about the challenges of maintaining creative consistency and shares why most people quit right when things start getting difficult. This episode focuses on the transformational power of starting small and building sustainable habits—not through motivation, but through deliberate, manageable daily practices. Key Topics Covered The Reality of Creative Consistency Why maintaining a high-volume pace over years (not weeks) is the real challenge The inevitable arrival of imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and feeling like you're repeating yourself Accepting that your early work won't be perfect—and pushing through anyway Tom's own acknowledgment that he'll likely cringe at these early episodes in the future The Atomic Habits Philosophy Meaningful transformation happens slowly, deliberately, with consistent effort Building micro-habits: small things you do consistently that compound over time Starting with 10-15 minutes (or even 250 words) rather than overwhelming yourself How small wins create motivation to continue Practical Starting Points for Writers Daily writing habit: Start with just 250 words per day Reading practice: Begin with 10-20 minutes maximum to build the skill Gym analogy: 10-15 minute sessions when starting, not 90-minute marathons The importance of making habits manageable enough to maintain The Comparison Trap Why comparing yourself to established creators is toxic The exercise Tom recommends: Go to your favorite podcaster or YouTuber, sort by date, and watch their first episodes—they're terrible Compare yourself to where successful creators started, not where they are now Managing expectations about progress while celebrating any forward movement Quote to Remember "Any meaningful transformation that you will go through in your life will happen slowly, deliberately, with consistent effort." Coming Attractions Tom is lining up phenomenal guests for upcoming episodes: Authors who have released or are finalizing books Deep dives into their creative and writing processes Unexpected voices in the author space Next Episode: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM (ish) How to Support the Show: Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts Follow the Author and Audience Substack Share with writers who need to hear this message The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently—not for weeks, but for years. Recommended Reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min

  10. 11/11/2025

    The Power of Analog Writing for Creative Thinkers

    Episode 2: The Power of Analog Writing for Creative Thinkers Published: November 11, 2025 Episode Summary In this episode, Tom explores the surprising benefits of returning to analog practices in our digital-dominated world. He shares his personal experiments with handwriting, physical books, and printed newsletters—and why this shift has transformed his creative process over the past few months. Key Topics Covered The Analog Renaissance Why Gen Z is increasingly drawn to analog habits and the Gen X experience of living without the internet The emerging trend of physical newsletters (5,000-6,000 word mini-ebooks delivered monthly) The unique tension between renewed interest in analog tools and digital dominance Science-Backed Benefits of Handwriting Stronger memory retention and comprehension through neuroplasticity Enhanced encoding of information into long-term memory Improved presence and mindfulness while creating Better emotional regulation during the writing process Sensory-rich experiences that create intimate, memorable connections Improved writing mechanics, spelling, vocabulary, and organizational skills Practical Applications Start with a morning journal: 5-10 minutes of handwriting before anything else Dedicate 30-45 minutes daily to reading physical books Use different notebooks for different purposes (morning journal vs. writing projects) Experiment with different locations and times to find what works best Track the impact of your environment on your creative output Tom's Personal Insights Tom candidly shares his own struggles with digital overload: His attention span has shrunk to fractions of a second while scrolling He can't remember the last time he watched a full movie without feeling antsy He's even started preferring commercial breaks as an excuse to check his phone Switching to analog practices has helped him think deeper and write with more intention Key Takeaway For writers building an audience, consistency is essential—but our brains aren't wired to think clearly when constantly bombarded with digital overstimulation. Separating digital and analog practices creates space for deeper thinking, better writing, and more authentic creative work. In a world of AI-generated content, human writers who can think deeply and connect meaningfully are more valuable than ever. Next Episode: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM Have a Topic Suggestion? Tom is looking for topics to cover as the podcast grows. Reach out if there's something you'd like him to discuss or if you're stuck on a creative challenge. The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
  11. We're Live!

    Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    We're Live!

    Our FIRST episode. Just getting started. New episodes every Tuesday @ 9am ET. Get full access to Author & Audience at authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min

Trailer

About

A podcast focused on how to think deeper, write better, and build a creative process that produces your best work consistently. authorandaudience.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Schaeffer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Thomas Schaeffer & Company LLC
  • Show Website
    Author & Audience Podcast