Best Thomas Umstattd Jr Podcasts (2025)

1
How to Get Started with Author School Visits and Make Your Book Playground Famous 48:42

1d ago48:42

48:42

If you write picture books, chapter books, or middle-grade fiction, you know the challenge: kids read your books, but adults buy them. So how can you let young readers know about your books? Where can you connect with your readers? By meeting them in person in school classrooms! In this week's episode, award-winning author Becca Wierwille shares ho…

1
Researching And Writing Family History Or Genealogy With TL Whalan 57:37

4d ago57:37

57:37

Are you curious about the lives of your ancestors? What secrets might be hiding in your family tree, and where would you even begin to look for them? How do you turn dusty records and vague family stories into a compelling book for others to read? T.L. Whalan shares how she researched and wrote a book about her family history. In the intro, InAudio…

1
Audible Reduces Author Royalties, Trad Sales Plummet, Indie Sales Rise 1:13:40

6d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Listen to this week's episode of Author Update as Jonathan and Thomas dive into Audible's royalty shenanigans, the woes of the trad pub world vs. the success of the indie scene.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Zeitgeist, Dystopian Fatigue, and the Rise of Ruthless & Noble Heroes 1:02:17

9d ago1:02:17

1:02:17

What’s up with ruthless heroes and romantasy? And what if the real reason your book isn’t selling has nothing to do with your writing and everything to do with the zeitgeist? In this week’s Novel Marketing episode, we’re featuring an episode of Author Update. We unpack the massive cultural shift that's changing what readers crave. From romantasy'…

1
Writing And Directing Audio Drama And The Constant Creator Mindset With Alison Haselden 1:00:13

11d ago1:00:13

1:00:13

How do you turn a big-budget TV show idea into an audio drama you can produce yourself? What does it take to create a 10-hour, 30-actor historical drama? And how can guerrilla marketing in airport bookstores help find your audience? Alison Haselden shares her experience of writing and directing Wicked Dames. In the intro, David Whyte on deeper writ…

1
Substack, GoodReads and MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT!!! 26:07

13d ago26:07

26:07

Solo episode with Jonathan as Thomas is on vacation. We're going into changes with Substack, GoodReads, Kindlepreneur's look into Amazon keywords, and much more.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
How to sell 1,000 books a month 31:54

16d ago31:54

31:54

Ever wonder how some authors consistently sell a thousand books a month? What marketing tactics are they using? How can I get those results too? In the latest episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, I talk with Susan Neal, author of nine books and CEO of the Christian Indie Publishing Association. Susan shares how she layers her marketing efforts—f…

1
The Artisan Author With Johnny B Truant 1:01:36

18d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly release new books and battle algorithms? Do you wonder if there's a more sustainable, low-stress path to a successful author career? Is it possible to focus on art, build a loyal fanbase, and escape the publishing rat race? In this episode, Johnny B. Truant discusses the artisan author appro…

1
Zeitgeist: The Age of Ruthless Heros 1:04:29

20d ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Feast your ears as Jonathan and Thomas discuss the direction fiction is taking, and how societies deal with major turns.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
How to Work With a PR Firm to Promote Your Book 48:31

23d ago48:31

48:31

Publicity has always been important for authors. Mark Twain promoted his books by writing letters to the paper, and even Agatha Christie, who was known for being very private, still did interviews with prominent newspapers. Yet some authors think this kind of publicity is old-fashioned. In a world dominated by social media, do we even need traditio…

1
How To Get More Book Reviews With Joe Walters 1:05:10

25d ago1:05:10

1:05:10

Are you struggling to get reviews for your book? Wondering how to navigate the different types of reviews, from customer feedback to professional blurbs? Joe Walters from IndependentBookReview.com gives his tips. In the intro, how important is ‘truth' in memoir? The Observer on Raynor Winn's The Salt Path; Raynor's statement; Memoir controversies […

1
Barnes and Noble, Bots, Bankruptcy and Beyond: The Big Beautiful Episode 1:14:49

27d ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Donate to disaster survivors at ADRN.org.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book? 12:48

30d ago12:48

12:48

You’ve optimized your book for AI, updated your website, polished your metadata, maybe even watched our AI Optimization for Authors episode. But how do you know if any of it is working? In this week’s episode, you’ll discover how to measure your AI optimization success. Because the hard truth is that if ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini doesn’t know your bo…

1
21st Century Apologetics: Why Christians No Longer Need to be Relevant 57:25

1M ago57:25

57:25

The cultural ground beneath us is shifting fast. The kinds of books that impacted your faith a decade ago, and possibly inspired you to write, likely won’t have the same effect on readers in this cultural moment. How do you write books that resonate with readers without compromising biblical truth? In this week’s episode, I speak with pastor and au…

1
Crafting Stories, Finding Readers And Selling Direct With Ines Johnson 1:06:49

1M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Have you ever dreamed of turning a passion for storytelling into a profitable, long-term career? How do you build multiple successful author brands without burning out? What marketing strategies actually work in today's fast-changing industry? Ines Johnson shares her journey and the secrets to her success. In the intro, 5 phases of an author busine…

1
Writing For Audio First With Jules Horne 56:43

1M ago56:43

56:43

How is the rise of AI changing the world of audiobooks for authors and narrators? Can a synthetic voice ever capture the nuance of human performance, and what does it mean to write for the ear, not just the eye? Jules Horne talks about the seismic shifts in the audiobook industry and how you can adapt your writing process for an audio-first world. …

1
The Case of Authors Vs. AI 1:01:43

1M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Several court cases impacting authors, the NYT wonders if men read literary novels, and Jonathan starts a lawsuit against Thomas. All on this week's Author Update.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Producing AI-Narrated Audiobooks Using ElevenLabs With Simon Patrick 46:39

1M ago46:39

46:39

Is the high cost of audiobook production holding you back? What if you could create a high-quality audiobook for a fraction of the traditional cost? In this conversation, Simon Patrick explores the world of AI narration with ElevenLabs, discussing how you can gain complete creative control, and even license your own voice clone for a new stream of …

1
How to Create Sales Optimized Book Pages for Your Author Website 26:31

1M ago26:31

26:31

Well, this is embarrassing. After 12 years of teaching authors how to build better websites, I realized I’ve never covered the most important page on your site: your book page. Your book’s webpage isn’t just for selling your book anymore. It’s now key to showing up in Google search results and getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT. In this w…

1
How To Pitch Podcasts And Be A Great Podcast Guest With Matty Dalrymple 57:26

2M ago57:26

57:26

Are you looking for new ways to connect with readers and market your books? Have you considered using podcasts but aren't sure where to start, or if they're even effective anymore? How can you turn a simple podcast interview into a powerful tool for building your author career? Matty Dalrymple talks about how to leverage podcasting for long-term su…

1
How The Iran War Will Impact Authors 1:03:06

2M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

The Israel-Iran War, more AI impact on the workforce, zeitgeist discussion and more Patron Tools in the toolbox. All here with Author Update.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Is Your Traditional Publisher Going Bankrupt? 8 Warning Signs to Look Out For 30:20

2M ago30:20

30:20

The publishing industry is facing significant challenges. We just went through a major zeitgeist shift, and reader preferences radically changed. AI also showed up in a big way, so it should be no surprise that several traditional publishers are struggling to adapt. What happens to you and your book if your publisher goes bankrupt? How will you kno…

1
Finding Your Voice, Writing Across Genre And Loving Book Marketing With Betsy Lerner 55:52

2M ago55:52

55:52

How can you find your voice through writing in different genres and mediums over the years? How can you shift your mindset around book marketing, whatever your age? Betsy Lerner shares her experience of writing and books over decades in the publishing industry. In the intro, Going Local: Authors on the payoffs and pitfalls of hometown sales and pro…

1
Amazon Drops Printing Prices, Lays Off Kindle Staff, and Ends Hourly Rankings 1:02:08

2M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Watch us on YouTube live!By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Book Discoverability In An Age Of AI. GEO For Authors With Thomas Umstattd Jr. 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

How will generative AI change search and book discoverability in the years ahead? How can you make sure your books and your author website can be found in AI tools like ChatGPT? Thomas Umstattd Jr. joins me to discuss Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and how it will replace traditional SEO marketing. I first covered this topic in Dec 2023, How …

1
How to Adapt a Podcast to YouTube 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

You work hard to create content for your audience. But how do you get more mileage and reach out of each piece you create? One way is to adapt your content for another platform. I recently started adapting my podcast into a YouTube channel. But how do you do that? I learned the hard way how not to do it. To gain traction on YouTube, you have to res…

1
Tension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel Readers Can’t Put Down 58:15

2M ago58:15

58:15

Why do some books keep readers up all night while others fall flat? If you've ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you're not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping readers hooked to the end. In this week’s episode, we dive deep into what truly drives great storytelling. Whether you're writing legal thrillers, …

1
Casting A Wider Net: Author Brand And The Writing Business With JD Barker 58:56

2M ago58:56

58:56

How can you ‘cast a wider net' and reach more readers with your books? How can you embrace the best of publishing options for your work? JD Barker explains how his publishing business works. In the intro, How Authors Measure Success [Self-Publishing Advice]; Creating through Grief [Go Creative]; Death Valley; Successful Self-Publishing, Fourth Edit…

1
Is the AI Bubble Popping? 59:59

2M ago59:59

59:59

A new version of Vellum, Publisher Rocket ends its lifetime deal, and is the AI bubble going to burst?By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
How to Publish a Novel in 2025 36:10

2M ago36:10

36:10

Have you been dreaming about publishing a book that actually sells? The hard truth is that most authors fail because they jump straight into writing. They spend months writing a book only to find out later they made a key mistake, and nobody wants to buy the book. I've helped thousands of authors go from blank page to profitable launch, and in this…

1
Music, Writing, And The Mind-Body Connection With Jennifer Roig-Francoli 1:03:11

2M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

How can creativity be expressed in both writing and music? How can you improve your creativity by being more mindful of your physical body? How can you manage anxiety when speaking or performing? Jennifer Roig-Francoli gives her thoughts in this interview. In the intro, Taylor Swift buys back the rights to her first six albums […] The post Music, W…

1
The End of Google for Authors? 56:50

2M ago56:50

56:50

🎙️ Author Update – Episode: The End of Google (for Authors?) Hosts: Jonathan Shuerger & Thomas Umstattd Jr. 🕒 Runtime: \~57 minutes 📚 Topics: AI Search, SEO, Voice Cloning, Book Marketing, Author Tools --- 🔍 Episode Summary: Is this the beginning of the end for Google? In this episode, Jonathan and Thomas explore how AI is disrupting traditional se…

1
An Introduction to Author Ecosystems with Russel Nohelty 51:24

2M ago51:24

51:24

Have you ever followed popular marketing advice that worked wonders for someone else but completely fell flat for you? Or have you watched another author succeed with a strategy you were told would never work? That’s because book marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this week’s episode, I talk with USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty abou…

1
Crafting Story Worlds, Creative Control, And Leveraging AI Tools With Dave Morris 1:00:59

2M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Why is creative control and owning your intellectual property so important for a long-term author career? How can AI tools help you be more creative and amplify your curiosity? Dave Morris talks about his forty-year publishing career and why he's still pushing the boundaries of what he can create. In the intro, Writing Storybundle; Finding […] The …

1
Do 45% of Authors Already Use AI?! 1:21:12

3M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
AI Optimization for Authors 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Most authors are thinking about AI the wrong way. AI isn’t really a tool for writing books, but it’s quickly becoming the most powerful tool for selling them. Even if you’re not using LLMs like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, or Claude, your readers are. In fact, today, readers across the globe asked AI, “What book should I read next?” Did ChatGPT recommend…

1
Embracing Change: How To Flux with April Rinne 1:04:06

3M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

How can you embrace the process of change in life and author business, especially in an era of AI? How can you take control of what's possible and be more comfortable with uncertainty? How can you develop a career portfolio that future proofs you in changing times? April Rinne shares her insights into how we […] The post Embracing Change: How To Fl…

1
KDP Royalty Changes & Invasion of the AI Audiobooks 1:03:20

3M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Your Author Toolbox 34:07

3M ago34:07

34:07

What if you had a toolbox filled with over 30 expert-level resources to help you sell more books and spend less time marketing? In this week’s episode, I reveal the suite of powerful tools I’ve built to simplify writing and marketing for authors like you. From crafting irresistible blurbs to designing reader magnet covers, optimizing email campaign…

1
How to Write a Novel Faster Using Dictation Software 40:06

3M ago40:06

40:06

Did you know the Apostle Paul didn’t write the book of Romans by hand? He dictated it to a someone else who wrote it down, and he’s not the only famous author to do so. In this week’s episode, we explore how authors from Cicero to Agatha Christie to USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller have used dictation to write faster, better, and with m…

1
Language, Line Breaks, And Punctuation. Poetry With Abi Pollokoff 1:04:09

3M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

What can prose writers learn from poets about language, line breaks, and punctuation? How can we help people engage with our work in different ways? Abi Pollokoff talks about her advice from poetry. In the intro, how to reframe success as a writer [Ink in Your Veins]; How I Write Podcast with Dean Koontz; Direct […] The post Language, Line Breaks, …

1
How to Write Your Novel from the Middle 47:03

3M ago47:03

47:03

Most authors start writing from the beginning. But what if the beginning is the wrong place to start? In our most recent episode, I talk with bestselling author and writing teacher James Scott Bell about one of his most powerful ideas: the mirror moment. You’ll learn ✅ Why the midpoint is more than just the halfway mark ✅ How to turn a sagging midd…

1
Skype Dies, Romantasy Surges, & Mr. Beast Starts Writing the Bestest Best Seller Ever 58:42

3M ago58:42

58:42

Author Update New Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Author-UpdateBy Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
How to generate passive income with affiliate marketing 35:54

3M ago35:54

35:54

Are you leaving money on the table every time you share a link to your book? In this week’s episode, we talk with Jesse Lakes, co-founder of Geniuslink, to explore how universal book links and affiliate marketing can help you reach more readers and earn extra income. You’ll learn: Why Amazon.com links could be costing you sales The tools that make …

1
Make Life Your Biggest Art Project: Pia Leichter On Writing, Creative Courage, And Changing Your Narrative 1:06:15

3M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

How can you explore the edges of your creativity to find your next becoming? How can you turn the evolution of your life into art? Pia Leichter talks about her creative courage, different ways to rest, and intuitive book marketing in this interview. In the intro, Lessons from Six Years Writing Full-time [Sacha Black]; Reflections […] The post Make …

1
Book Bans, Copyright Trolls Target Authors, and is Social Media Mostly Bots? 58:21

3M ago58:21

58:21

Blog Version: https://www.authormedia.com/book-bans-copyright-trolls/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
How to PROFITABLY Advertise a Solo Book on Amazon 50:56

3M ago50:56

50:56

Without advertising, most books only sell to the author’s friends, family, and neighbors. People across the country or across town may never hear about your book. Amazon ads can help you reach beyond your social bubble. Many authors think they need a series to make ads work, but that’s not true. You can run profitable ads even if you only have one …

1
See, Do, Repeat: The Practice of Creative Entrepreneurship With Dr Rebecca White 59:40

3M ago59:40

59:40

How can you implement ‘See, Do, Repeat' in your writing and author business? How can you embrace optimism as a creative entrepreneur and move past fear of judgment to publish your book? Dr Rebecca White shares her journey and tips. In the intro, Short form audio opportunities and tips [Self Publishing Advice]; Wiley's guidelines for […] The post Se…

1
Does Facebook Think Your Book is Worthless, Author Certification & AI Gets Religion 44:57

3M ago44:57

44:57

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

1
Expanding Audiobook Revenue Through YouTube And Podcasting With Derek Slaton 56:37

4M ago56:37

56:37

How can you shift your writing and publishing process to focus on YouTube and podcasting as a primary audiobook focus? How can you use AI tools to help you create, publish, and translate your books? Derek Slaton goes into his indie author process. Inspired by Derek, you can now find my audiobooks on YouTube: Books […] The post Expanding Audiobook R…

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Thomas Umstattd Jr Podcasts

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