As we wrap up the year, we’re celebrating you — the listeners who made this podcast such a powerful space for honest, practical conversations about author success.

In this episode, we’re counting down the top 3 most-downloaded episodes of the year — and more importantly, unpacking what your listening choices reveal about what authors really care about right now.

Spoiler alert: it’s not hacks, hype, or shortcuts.

These three episodes all point to the same deeper truth:
 authors are craving clarity, realism, and control over their long-term success.

Episode Highlights:

#3 – “The Grey Box Syndrome: Why Authors Who Skip the Basics Get Ignored”
We revisit why skipping foundational elements — like an optimized Amazon page, professional branding, and reader trust signals — quietly sabotages sales. If you’ve ever wondered why ads, promos, or media didn’t move the needle, this segment explains what’s really happening (and how to fix it).

#2 – “Creating Memorable Author Book Signing Events That Sell Books”
Bookstore events aren’t dead — boring ones are. We break down how authors can turn signings into experiences that build real reader connection, generate word of mouth, and create lasting momentum beyond a single day.

#1 – “The Sneaky Ways Authors Sabotage Their Own Success”
This listener favorite dives into the emotional side of publishing: unrealistic expectations, comparison traps, premature discouragement, and the habits that quietly derail careers. It’s equal parts tough love and reassurance — and a reminder that most “failures” are actually fixable patterns.

What These Episodes Reveal:

This year, authors weren’t searching for viral moments — they were looking for frameworks, confidence, and sustainable strategies. They want to stop wasting energy and start making progress they can control.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what actually matters next, this episode ties it all together — and sends you into the new year with clarity instead of noise.

🎧 Press play and see what your fellow authors taught us this year.

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Tired of shouting into the void with a book you believe in? We unpack a simple, proven path to clarity that makes every marketing move easier and cheaper: find your shelf, define your reader, and deliver the payoff your genre promises. Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell pull back the curtain on what actually drives sales velocity for authors—clear positioning, focused targeting, and small, high-impact pivots that align your book with how readers shop.

We start by grounding your work with “shelf neighbors,” those three to five titles your ideal readers already love. From there, we build a one-sentence reader statement that communicates value at a glance and respects genre expectations. You’ll hear how a smart subgenre pivot turned a stalled romance into a winner, why “my book is for everyone” is the most expensive mistake in publishing, and how to turn your unique elements into crisp marketing hooks that get clicks, not shrugs.

For nonfiction writers, we dig into articulating outcome-driven benefits that media and influencers can immediately pass on to their audiences. For fiction authors, we show how to pair familiarity with freshness—a recognizable promise with a distinct twist—using comps that do the heavy lifting on retail pages, ads, and pitches. Throughout, we emphasize that marketing can sharpen and amplify, but it can’t invent a market where none exists. That’s liberating: focus on fit first, then flourish with confident messaging, right-sized keywords, and cover cues that signal the right story to the right people.

Ready to stop guessing and start gaining traction? Listen now, craft your one-sentence reader statement, and text us your top targeting question. If this episode helps you refocus your book’s positioning, share it with an author friend, subscribe for more practical strategies, and leave a quick review so we can reach more writers who need it.

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Feeling like you’re doing everything and getting nowhere? We’ve been there, and we’re pulling the brakes on burnout to rebuild your book marketing on a foundation that actually moves books. Because book marketing burnout is real—and if you’ve been feeling stretched thin by ads, social media, newsletters, and endless promotion tasks, this episode is your reset. In this week’s Book Marketing Tips & Author Success Podcast, Penny and Amy break down what sustainable book marketing really looks like and how authors can simplify their efforts while improving results. You’ll learn why focusing on long-term assets—like your Amazon retail page, your newsletter, reader relationships, and a clean author website—outperforms chasing every new trend or algorithm shift. We also dig into practical fixes for author burnout: reducing social media overload, tightening your PR strategy, and creating evergreen newsletter templates you can reuse year-round. Whether you’re an indie, hybrid, or traditionally published author, this episode delivers smart, sustainable strategies you can maintain—and that actually sell books.

The heart of this conversation is sustainable marketing. We walk through the assets you control and that work 24/7: a clean, on-brand website; an optimized Amazon page with compelling description, keywords, and A+ Content; and a subscriber list you nurture with useful, human updates. We highlight local wins you can drive—libraries, bookstores, festivals—and the power of genuine thank-yous to reviewers and influencers. Finally, we share a quarterly audit routine to decide what to cut, what to keep, and which single experiment is worth testing next, so your effort compounds instead of scattering.

If you want clarity, fewer moving parts, and a plan you can actually maintain, this one’s for you. Subscribe for new episodes every Friday, text podcast to 888-402-8940 to share your questions, and if you found this helpful, leave a quick review to help other authors find us.

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📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

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Want a media strategy that actually fits how authors work today? We’re flipping old-school media training on its head and showing how every post, interview, and Zoom window shapes your story. Instead of waiting for a big break, we walk through how to create your own opportunities, refine your message, and show up with the kind of presence that builds trust with readers, influencers, and journalists.

We start with the most powerful tool you can own: a reader sound bite. We break down what to include, how to make it sound natural, and why it’s your best defense against rambling or getting lost in the weeds. From there, we move into authenticity that isn’t sloppy: smart video setups, tight Zoom etiquette, and bringing real energy to camera.

We also unpack the mindset shifts that keep you steady under pressure. Negative comments? Bad reviews? Tough questions? Bridge back to your message with composure and clarity. 

If you’re ready to treat everything as media and make every touchpoint count, this conversation will give you the tools and confidence to show up prepared, polished, and unmistakably you. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share it with an author friend, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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What if the biggest thing holding your book back isn’t the algorithm or your ad budget—but your attachment to a specific outcome? We dig into the hidden cost of expectation-driven marketing and show how to swap emotional gambling for a strategy that compounds. From launch-day myths to social comparison traps, we unpack the subtle ways authors derail progress and offer a practical reset rooted in consistency, curiosity, and clear execution.

We start by challenging the instant gratification mindset that indie publishing can unintentionally fuel. Launch day is just 24 hours; real traction is cumulative. You’ll hear how to ground your plan in what you can control. We walk through why sequencing matters.

Mindset shifts take center stage: detaching through curiosity, treating no and silence as data, and limiting comparison triggers from author groups and glossy posts without receipts. We break down micro wins that actually move the needle and explain why both fiction and nonfiction sales hinge on timing and intent. 

If you’re ready to trade rush for rhythm, this conversation gives you concrete steps and the mental framework to stay committed. Subscribe, share this with an author friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to tell us the one expectation you’re letting go of this week.

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Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

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Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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The algorithm finally caught up with reality: readers want real authors, not content mills. We unpack Amazon’s A10 shift and share a clear plan to stand out with signals that only humans can create—engaging pages, authentic reviews, meaningful off-site links, and a living brand that shows up beyond the buy button.

We start with the quick wins you can tackle today. Then we raise the ceiling with strategies that compound over time. You’ll hear why external links matter more than ever, and creative ways to place them.

From there, we explore community and collaboration.  We also demystify Amazon ads: how to target with intent, and why ads rarely convert on first click.

If you want a roadmap that respects your time and boosts your odds in a crowded marketplace, this one’s packed with practical steps you can implement this week and habits that will pay off at your next launch. Subscribe, share with a writer friend, and leave a review to help more authors find these strategies. Which tactic will you try first?

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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A haunted house of marketing mistakes can scare off readers faster than any bad blurb—so we flipped on the lights and started slaying. We kick things off with Frankenstein’s platform, that stitched‑together mess of tactics that feels productive but burns time and cash. From there, we pull back the curtain on werewolf branding.

We also drive a stake through the vampire vanity press. Predatory packages can lock you out of key levers and lock you into a bad publisher. 

Then we unwrap the mummy mailing list. A cold, unused list is wasted gold. 

 We close with a practical mindset for trolls and negative reviews: fix what’s fixable, ignore what’s not your market, and keep serving the people who show up for your work.

If you’re ready to trade chaos for consistency, protect your rights, and turn seasonal scares into steady growth, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with an author friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more writers find the show. Your support helps us keep the lights on—and the monsters out.

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Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

1. Be sure you're following the show: by clicking the + Follow button on the top right of our show page. If you're already following you'll see a ↓ downward arrow.
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A reviewer gets thousands of books a month—so why did one plain-looking title jump to the top of the pile? The packaging signaled a story worth opening. We break down the art and strategy of creative mailers and author swag that make reviewers, influencers, and readers pay attention, share photos, and prioritize your book.

We start with the first impression: simple upgrades like colored bubble mailers, clever on-theme stickers, or parchment-style wraps that create instant curiosity without custom-box budgets. Then we get practical about what goes inside. You’ll hear how consumables turn a pitch into a memorable experience, and why handwritten notes still win in a digital age.

Not everyone wants print, and that’s okay. We share a hybrid approach, too.

 We also profile three investment tiers: Budget ideas, mid-range boosters, and deluxe - when you really want to get creative! Beyond the book, we show how to reflect your author identity and causes you care about so your package feels human, not corporate.

You’ll walk away with a sourcing list (printers, Etsy makers), a QR strategy that routes to a clean landing page with buy links and bonus content, and a checklist to keep shipping costs low and breakage near zero. Ready to turn your next book review request into an experience people keep and share? Be sure to tune in! 

Subscribe, text us your favorite swag ideas at 888-402-8940, and leave a quick review to help more authors find the show.

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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Hate refreshing your Amazon rank only to feel stuck? We walk through a saner, smarter way to measure progress—one that puts you back in control of your author career. Instead of chasing daily sales blips, we focus on the data you can influence: podcast bookings, media hits, website traffic spikes, newsletter clicks, and the kind of social engagement that signals real interest. Along the way, we share how to build a simple marketing journal that captures what you did, when you did it, and what happened next, so you can repeat what works and ditch what doesn’t.

We also get honest about the myths that drain energy. Amazon rankings are noisy; follower counts can be hollow; daily review checks erode morale. The better path is tracking visibility and engagement that compounds: comments and shares over likes, replies and click‑throughs over opens alone, and local wins that build trust fast. We dive into practical ways to use Google Analytics to spot post‑placement traffic, test subject lines that drive action, and turn lead magnets and bonus content into measurable signals. Plus, Goodreads strategies and why targeted communities often outperform broad blasts.

If you’ve ever asked, “Am I doing the right things?” this conversation offers a roadmap. Sales will come—on their schedule—not because of one big splash, but because your visibility stacked up over time. 

Want to shape future topics or get tailored advice? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 to subscribe and send your questions. If this helped, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave an honest review—we’re pushing for 100 and cheering you on.

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

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In this episode we dig into a practical, 30-day pre-order plan built for writers with small followings (or no following), limited time, and a whole lot of heart. No fluff, no clickbait—just smart moves that create real curiosity and guide readers toward a confident yes on release day.

We start by reframing pre-orders for small platforms: you’re not shouting into the void, you’re leading with value. That means sharing content readers already search for—true-crime sparks for thrillers, trope takes for romance, world-building wins for fantasy, and concrete tips for nonfiction. Then we tap borrowed audiences and we unpack this idea in our show.

As launch nears, we move from concept to book. We replace bland countdowns with a “reader hook”  and talk about “book fairy drops” and why we love them! 

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do a pre-order; no one knows me,” this conversation flips that script. Pick two tactics you can sustain, focus for 30 days, and lead with generosity. Curiosity beats volume, every time. 

If this was helpful, subscribe, share the episode with an author friend, and text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 to send us your questions or show ideas. Your next best pre-order move—what will it be?

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas!

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

1. Be sure you're following the show: by clicking the + Follow button on the top right of our show page. If you're already following you'll see a ↓ downward arrow.
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