What if you could make money with your voice while you sleep?
 
In this week's episode, Joe Solari talks with UK narrator and audio innovator Simon Patrick about how he turned voice licensing into passive income with ElevenLabs—and how it all started by helping his teenage daughter publish her first book. You’ll hear about AI-powered audiobook production, author-narrator collaboration, and how Simon’s family turned publishing into a creative business.

Episode Resources:

🚀 Check out Novel Productions here.

🎤 Check out ElevenLabs here.

🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.

💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.

🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

What does it look like to build a writing career before you can even vote? In this inspiring episode, Author Nation's Joe Solari sits down with 22-year-old indie author Abby Patrick to explore her journey from homeschooled teen with a story idea to multi-published author, Instagram bookfluencer, and playwright.
 
Whether you’re an emerging author, a parent of a creative teen, or a veteran writer curious about the next generation, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Resources:

🚀 Check out Abby Patrick's work here.

🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.

💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.

🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

Marketing as an author isn’t just about selling books—it’s about building lasting reader connections. This week, indie author and marketing expert Bonnie Paulson joins Author Nation's Joe Solari to explore community-driven marketing and how indie authors can foster long-term engagement. Learn how to scale your efforts, automate smartly, and create a marketing strategy that grows with your career.
Episode Resources:
🚀 Check out Bonidi here.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

The future of book sales is evolving, and direct-to-reader strategies are at the forefront. This week on State of the Nation, Joe Solari is joined by Curios Founder Grant Powell and SVP of Customer Success Greg Keogh to discuss how their platform is revolutionizing direct sales for authors. Learn how indie authors can use Curios to sell books, offer exclusive content, and build stronger reader relationships—all without relying on traditional retailers.

Episode Resources:
🚀 Check out Curios here.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

How do you turn casual readers into lifelong fans? This week, Joe Solari sits down with bestselling horror author David Viergutz to explore how indie authors can go beyond books to create immersive reader experiences. From building direct sales funnels and leveraging ScareMail to crafting high-engagement content, David shares how he’s transformed his brand into a thriving, reader-focused business. Whether you write horror or any other genre, this episode is packed with insights on audience engagement, marketing, and authorpreneurship you won’t want to miss.
Episode Resources:
🚀 Check out David Viergutz's ⁠work here⁠.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

How can indie authors build sustainable careers in today’s ever-changing market? This week onState of the Nation,Joe Solariis joined bySean Platt, founder of Sterling & Stone and co-author of Write. Publish. Repeat. They discuss the evolution of indie publishing, the rise and fall of algorithm-driven strategies, and why direct sales are becoming more critical than ever. From Kindle Unlimited to Hollywood adaptation deals, this episode breaks down what’s next for self-published authors.

Episode Resources:
🚀 Check out Sean Platt'swork here.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in ouronline community here.
💬Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in ourDiscord group here.
🎟️Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spothere.

What does it take to thrive as an indie author in today’s fast-changing landscape? This week on State of the Nation, “The Voice of Author Nation” Kevin Tumlinson joins Joe Solari to explore the shift from rapid release to artisan storytelling, why strong author communities are the key to long-term success, and how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping indie publishing. 

Episode Resources:
🚀 Check out Kevin Tumlinson's work here.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

What separates hobbyist writers from successful, long-term authorpreneurs? In our Season 2 opener, renowned sci-fi author and Professional Conduct Committee Chair Jonathan Brazee sits down with Author Nation Managing Director Joe Solari for a candid discussion on crafting a career in indie publishing, navigating industry shifts, and treating writing like a business.

Episode Resources:

🚀 Explore Jonathan Brazee's work here.

🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

In Episode 51, Managing Director Joe Solari chats with the Western Empire queens, Jocelyn Lindsay, Elaine Canyon, and Amber Washer. They dive into CrossWrite, our exciting new accountability and goal-tracking system designed to help authors stay on track and reach their goals. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about community, collaboration, and making big creative moves!
Episode Resources:
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
📊 Explore CrossWrite: Ready to take your author goals to the next level? Learn more about our accountability and goal-tracking system, CrossWrite here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.

In Episode 50, Author Nation Managing Director Joe Solari welcomes back Elizabeth Ann West, CEO of Future Fiction Academy, for the Q4 2024 AI update. They dive into the latest advancements in AI, how major tech players like Amazon and Anthropic are shaping the future, and what these shifts mean for indie authors. Tune in to discover how AI tools can streamline your business, boost creativity, and keep you competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Join us live in November at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.authornation.live⁠⁠⁠⁠ or suggest a topic or host at www.authornation.live/deepdive⁠⁠⁠⁠.