The Written Word Podcast

Written Word Media
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING

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. 12/02/2025

    2025 Author Survey Results

    Ricci and Ferol break down the newest Written Word Media Author Survey, sharing what more than 1,300 authors revealed about income, catalog size, marketing tactics, and where book sales are really coming from in 2025. They discuss the continued importance of email lists, how packaging influences sales, the realities of KDP Select vs. going wide, and why more authors are exploring direct sales. The episode wraps with a look at overall author sentiment heading into the new year and the communities supporting indie writers along the way. You'll learn: Income brackets and what influences author earningsEmail list effectiveness and list size correlationMarketing tactics ranked by effectiveness (promo sites, Facebook ads, BookBub, lead magnets, etc.)Packaging: covers, editing, blurbs, and why investment mattersDirect sales: how many authors are doing it and who sees the most benefitRetailer breakdown: Amazon dominance, in-person sales surprises, Kobo/Apple performanceOverall author sentiment: hopeful, tired, motivated, overwhelmedCommunities and resources authors rely on mostWant 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.

    1 hr

  4. 11/18/2025

    AI Rights and the Future of Publishing with Created by Humans Founder Trip Adler

    In the newest episode of The Written Word Media Podcast, Scribd co-founder Tripp Adler joins Ricci Wolman to explore how his newest venture, Created by Humans, is helping authors navigate the rise of artificial intelligence. When you listen in, you will learn what AI rights are, how they fit into existing publishing contracts, and why this new model could open powerful revenue streams for writers while safeguarding human creativity. You'll Learn: Created by Human’s mission to protect human creativity in an AI worldWhat “AI publishing rights” are and how they differ from traditional publishing rightsMore about the three types of AI rights: training, reference (RAG), and transformativeThe Anthropic lawsuit and what it signals for AI licensingPotential earnings and business models for authors on the Created by Humans platformAddressing author concerns about control and consent in AI useWhy engaging with AI — not avoiding it — may be the smartest move for creatorsWant 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.

    31 min

  5. 11/04/2025

    How to Build Courage and Silence Self-Doubt as an Author

    In this inspiring episode, Ferol sits down with Jonathan Graham, founder of Daily Courage, to explore how creatives can turn fear into fuel. Jonathan shares his journey from Silicon Valley to launching a mission-driven business dedicated to helping people remove fear as a barrier to their potential. Together, they unpack practical tools like the “fear log,” the F.A.C.T.S. framework for fact-checking fear, and the “soup list” for building confidence. Jonathan’s message is clear and empowering: courage isn’t the absence of fear - it’s the willingness to act in spite of it. You'll Learn: How to identify and label your fears so they lose their powerThe F.A.C.T.S. framework - a simple tool for checking what’s true vs. what’s fearWhy consistency builds courage faster than confidenceHow to turn fear into a creative ally instead of an obstacleWays to strengthen your “courage muscle” through small, daily actionsWhether you’re battling writer’s doubt, creative paralysis, or fear of publishing, this episode will help you reframe your relationship with fear and take your next bold step - scared, but moving forward. 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.

    34 min

  6. 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

  7. 10/07/2025

    Hybrid Publishing Lessons with Erica Rooney: From Writing to Launch

    In this special live-recorded episode from Walk West’s Podcast Marathon, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon sit down with author, speaker, and executive coach Erica Rooney to talk about her journey to publishing Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors. Erica shares why she chose the hybrid publishing route, how she secured endorsements from big names like Mel Robbins, and what it really takes to market a book once it’s out in the world. You’ll Learn: What “sticky floors” are and how they hold us backHow Erica turned her podcast themes into book chaptersThe realities of hybrid publishing - costs, timelines, and trade-offsWhy networking and self-promotion are essential to book marketingThe importance of “doing the thing that can’t be undone” when pursuing big goalsFor more strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show. The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    29 min

  8. 09/23/2025

    Productivity Hacks Every Author Needs

    Staying productive as an author isn’t just about writing more - it’s about creating systems that help you focus, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the process. In this episode of The Written Word Podcast, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon share their favorite productivity hacks, from planning your week with intention to using the Pomodoro technique and batching tasks. We’ll cover: How to set up an environment that keeps you focusedWhy planning your day (or someone else will) is a game-changerTricks for avoiding distraction and managing your energyThe Pomodoro technique and why short breaks boost creativityWhy celebrating your “done list” is just as important as making a to-do listWhether you’re balancing writing with a day job, juggling deadlines, or just trying to stay consistent, this episode will give you practical, proven strategies to get more done - and feel good doing it. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show. The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    36 min
See All (14)

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Written Word Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Written Word Podcast

You Might Also Like