The Written Word Podcast

Written Word Media

A podcast for authors who want to build successful writing careers. Each episode explores the business and craft of being an author, with practical strategies for selling more books, growing your audience, and navigating the publishing world. Presented by Written Word Media.

  1. 3D AGO

    Top Author Trends in 2026

    It's December which means it’s also trends season – you’ve probably received your Spotify wrapped as well as a wrapped from almost every other app you have! With that spirit, Ferol and Ricci kick off their annual predictions episode by diving into the first three of five major themes that will shape the publishing landscape in 2026. Drawing from industry insights, customer feedback, and broader cultural trends, they explore how trust, reader experience, and connection will define the coming year for authors. This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering 2026 trends for indie authors and you’ll be sure to walk away with a few things to reflect on while also feeling a bit more confident about what the future holds. You'll learn: Trust is the new currency — Scam complaints are up 100% since 2023, and authors need to focus on building deeper trust with readers beyond email lists and be cautious with new service providersNew legitimate companies will launch quickly — AI makes it easy to spin up author services, but many will disappear just as fast due to limited funding or lack of staying powerBook-themed travel and literary tourism are growing — Readers want to visit settings from their favorite books, stay in book-themed vacation rentals, and attend reading retreatsBook clubs and reader communities are exploding — Silent Book Club grew from 180 chapters (2022) to 500+ chapters today; readers are craving connection in low-lift waysThe bar for creating reader connection is low — Authors can host simple 30-minute Zoom chats, AMAs, or themed discussions to build deep loyalty with minimal effortSpecial editions and collectible books are booming — Sprayed edges, foil covers, and illustrated books function as art pieces that become part of readers' identitiesAuthor swag and collectibles deepen fan connection — Stickers, special editions, and other tangible items help readers express their fandom, similar to sports memorabiliaExperiences are valued over things — The cultural shift toward prioritizing experiences is coming to book world in a major way in 2026Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more. The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    41 min
  2. 12/16/2025

    How to Avoid Scams: What Authors Need to Know

    In this essential PSA-style episode, Ricci and Ferol break down the growing wave of scams targeting authors — and how to protect yourself. From “too good to be true” book club invitations to fake Amazon warnings designed to spark panic, today’s scammers are using AI to craft convincing, personalized outreach. The hosts walk through the psychology behind these tactics, why even savvy authors can get caught off guard, and a simple checklist to help you identify red flags before you click or pay. They also share reputable resources authors can use to stay safe and stay informed. Whether you’ve received a suspicious email or simply want to prepare yourself, this conversation will help you trust your gut, slow down, and safeguard your work. You'll learn: Why and how author-targeted scams have become more sophisticatedThe emotional psychology scammers use — joy vs. fear and the hooks/emotional techniques to look out for How AI enables scammers to reference your characters, themes, reviews, and social content convincinglyThe most important red flags to watch for and what to do if you’re not sure something is legitimate Why you should never pay via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, crypto, or similar methodsTrusted resources for checking whether something is a known scam (Writers Beware, Authors Guild, ALLi Watchdog Desk)How Written Word Media can help sanity-check suspicious emails  Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more. The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    24 min
  3. 10/21/2025

    The Future of Indie Publishing: Real Talk with James Blatch

    The indie publishing world is moving fast - and the authors who stay curious are the ones who thrive. In this live-recorded episode from the Novelist Inc. (NINC) Conference, Ferol Vernon sits down with James Blatch, co-founder of Self Publishing Formula, to talk about what's working right now for independent authors. From AI translation tools that help you reach global readers to the surprising comeback of Facebook ads, James shares what he's seeing on the front lines. You'll also hear his take on the ethics of AI narration, voice licensing, and why the authors who embrace new tools (without losing their creative edge) are the ones who'll come out ahead. You'll Learn: How AI translation tools like ScribeShadow are helping authors go globalWhy Facebook ads are making a comeback - and how to use them smarterThe ethics of AI voice licensing and what it means for audiobook creatorsWhat separates authors who experiment successfully from those who get left behindWhy AI won't replace creativity, but it will reward the authors who adaptWhether you're scaling your author business or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is full of practical insights and real talk about the future of indie publishing. Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more. The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    22 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast for authors who want to build successful writing careers. Each episode explores the business and craft of being an author, with practical strategies for selling more books, growing your audience, and navigating the publishing world. Presented by Written Word Media.

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