The Authorversity Podcast

MattZiranek
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The Authorversity Podcast helps serious fiction writers build books and careers that actually work. Hosted by book marketing specialist Matt Ziranek, with regular appearances from million-selling novelist Rachel Aaron, we combine high-level story craft with practical publishing and marketing strategy. From planning bingeable series to fixing pacing, improving read-through, and building sustainable sales, this is for authors who want to do it properly. If you want to write better books, and build a professional writing career, you’re in the right place.

Episodes

  1. Jun 2

    7 Worst Author Website Mistakes and How to Fix Them

    Author Website Design Services:https://www.rocketexpansion.com/Facebook Ads for Authors:https://www.rocketexpansion.com/facebook-ads-for-authors/Free Author Website Playbook:https://rocketexpansion.com/author-ebook/Most author websites don't fail because they're ugly.They fail because they confuse readers, hide important information, create friction, and miss opportunities to build lasting connections.In this webinar, Matt Ziranek breaks down the 7 biggest author website mistakes that quietly cost authors readers, email subscribers, and career opportunities. You'll see real examples of author websites that aren't working, discover why visitors leave so quickly, and learn the practical improvements successful author websites use to keep readers engaged.You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at author websites built for bestselling fantasy, romance, nonfiction, and children's authors, along with simple strategies you can apply to your own website right away.Whether you're traditionally published, indie published, or just starting your author journey, this session will help you create a website that supports your long-term readership growth and author platform.In this video you'll learn:• The 7 biggest author website mistakes• Why readers leave websites without taking action• How to create a stronger first impression• The importance of genre branding and positioning• How to build a clear reader journey• Why email list growth should be built into your website• Common mobile usability problems authors overlook• Real examples of author websites done right• How professional websites help attract interviews, collaborations, and opportunities

    44 min

  2. May 21

    How To Build A Readership with Dani Pettrey (1M+ Books Sold)

    Million-selling romantic suspense author Dani Pettrey joins Matt Ziranek to break down what actually helps authors grow a readership, build loyal readers, and create long-term momentum in today’s publishing world. From reader psychology and genre expectations to websites, email lists, launch teams, and book packaging, this conversation is packed with practical insight for fiction authors. Free Author Website Playbook: https://rocketexpansion.com/author-ebook/ Zero To Pro Fiction Program: https://www.authorversity.com/zero-to-pro-fiction/ Author Website Design Services: https://www.rocketexpansion.com/ Facebook Ads for Authors: https://www.rocketexpansion.com/facebook-ads-for-authors/ Dani Pettrey's website: https://danipettrey.com/

    44 min

  3. May 4

    The #1 Reason Authors Lose Readers (and How to Fix It)

    Most authors don’t lose readers because of bad writing.They lose them in the first few lines.In this episode, I break down the “Promise First” rule; the simple shift that makes your opening lines, your blurb, and even your book marketing instantly more engaging.You’ll see:– Why readers drop books before they even start– A real blurb rewrite (before vs after)– How this same mistake was hurting my YouTube retention– Why top storytellers always lead with the promiseHow to apply this to your book, your blurb, and your platformIf readers don’t know what they’re getting, they won’t stick around long enough to find out.Fix this, and everything improves. Want our help making your book writing, and marketing that much more engaging to readers? Here's what can help you with... Author Website Design Services:rocketexpansion.comFacebook Ads for Authors:rocketexpansion.com/facebook-ads-for-authorsFree Author Website Playbook:rocketexpansion.com/author-ebookZero To Pro Fiction Program:authorversity.com/zero-to-pro-fiction

    12 min

  4. Apr 24

    The Author Platform Problem

    Most author websites look fine… but don’t actually do anything. In this webinar, Matt Ziranek breaks down the Author Platform Problem: why so many authors struggle to grow, even with a website, and what actually works instead. You’ll learn: Why most author websites fail to build real momentumThe difference between a website and a true author platformWhat causes readers to leave (and how to fix it)How to structure your site to grow your audience over timeIf you’re serious about building your readership, this will change how you think about your author website.👉 Want help building your author platform? Get in touch here: rocketexpansion.com

    35 min

  5. Apr 13

    Million Selling Book Marketing with Matt Ziranek and Rachel Aaron

    What does it really take to sell millions of books? In this powerful conversation, bestselling author Rachel Aaron and marketing strategist Matt Ziranek pull back the curtain on the strategies that drive long-term author career success. Rather than relying on quick fixes or fleeting trends, they explore the foundational elements that consistently lead to sustainable book sales. You’ll discover why successful authors focus on product-market fit, reader experience, and strategic marketing systems. Including the critical role of professional author websites, email list building, and targeted advertising. Whether you're just starting your writing journey or looking to scale an existing author career, this episode delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately. The real reasons some books sell millions while others struggleHow product-market fit influences long-term successWhy an author website is essential for credibility and reader engagementThe role of email marketing in building a loyal fanbaseHow Facebook ads can amplify visibility and salesPractical strategies used by successful, high-earning authorsWho is this podcast for? Fiction authors at any stageIndie authors seeking sustainable marketing strategiesWriters aiming to build a long-term author brandAuthors interested in scaling their readership and income Looking for help accelerating your career as an author? We can help you with: 1. Professional Author Website DesignBuild a powerful online platform that establishes credibility and grows your readership:👉 https://rocketexpansion.com/author-website-design/ 2. Facebook Ads for AuthorsReach the right readers and scale your book sales with expertly managed campaigns:👉 https://www.rocketexpansion.com/facebook-ads-for-authors/ 3. Authorversity – Zero to Pro Fiction ProgramLearn the complete system for writing and publishing successful fiction with Rachel Aaron:👉 https://www.authorversity.com/zero-to-pro-fiction/ 4. Free 2K to 10K Writing CourseBoost your writing productivity and finish your book faster:👉 https://www.authorversity.com/free-writing-course/ Rachel Aaron is a million-selling fantasy author known for her engaging storytelling and practical insights into the business of writing. Matt Ziranek specializes in helping authors grow their careers through strategic marketing, professional websites, and targeted advertising.

    1h 2m

  6. Feb 16

    How To Plan A Fiction Series That Sells

    In this episode of The Authorversity Podcast, I sit down with million-selling novelist Rachel Aaron to talk about how to plan a fiction series that sells. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a fiction series that readers actually binge, how to structure a series so it stays coherent across multiple books, or how series read-through rate affects long-term book sales and book marketing, this conversation goes deep into all of it. Rachel has published over 30 novels and sold more than a million books across science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, and romance. In this episode, she breaks down how she approaches fiction book series writing from the very beginning. We talk about planning a fiction series at the big-picture level, aligning character arcs and plot across multiple installments, and avoiding the common traps that derail series after book one. We explore: How to plan a fiction series before you start drafting How to avoid the “book two slump” How to maintain tension and momentum across an entire series The difference between writing standalone novels and writing a connected fiction book series Why planning a fiction series properly can dramatically improve your series read-through rate From my side, I bring the book marketing perspective. I’ve worked with many fiction authors who have sold millions of books, and the pattern is consistent: strong book marketing only works when it amplifies a strong, bingeable fiction series. We talk about how story-to-market alignment impacts discoverability, advertising performance, read-through rate, and sustainable long-term sales. If you’re interested in fiction series writing, planning fiction strategically, improving your series read-through rate, or building a profitable indie publishing career, this episode will give you a practical framework you can start applying immediately. If you want to dive deeper into the full step-by-step system Rachel and I use with authors, you can explore Zero To Pro Fiction here: https://www.authorversity.com/zero-to-pro-fiction/ And if you’d like to start with something free, you can sign up for our free 2k to 10k video course here: https://www.authorversity.com/free-writing-course/ Whether you’re outlining your first trilogy or refining an established fiction book series, this conversation will help you think more strategically about how to write a fiction series that works, creatively and commercially.

    37 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

The Authorversity Podcast helps serious fiction writers build books and careers that actually work. Hosted by book marketing specialist Matt Ziranek, with regular appearances from million-selling novelist Rachel Aaron, we combine high-level story craft with practical publishing and marketing strategy. From planning bingeable series to fixing pacing, improving read-through, and building sustainable sales, this is for authors who want to do it properly. If you want to write better books, and build a professional writing career, you’re in the right place.

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