Books by DL White Bookcast

In this episode, I’m wrapping up 2025! 

I talk through the books I released this year, how they performed, what I earned across platform (Amazon, wide and Wide and direct sales) and what I learned about my businesst through the year (hint: lean into audio!)

I also share my reading year, including the 172 books I read in 2025, the genres I leaned into, and the standout reads that kept me entertained.  

2025 was a year where I stayed busy on purpose to keep my wits about me, and I’m proud of the work I did.

Topics covered:

• Why I make time every year to review accomplishments and challenges.
• The projects I released in a catalog-building year
• My top seller by units
• Launch of Missing Persons- expanding genres
• Companion novellas, seasonal releases, and catalog expanding projects
• What my books earned in 2025 and where that money came from
• My biggest income category
• Wide sales vs Amazon performance
• My thoughts on Kindle Unlimited as a short-term strategy
• 2025 Goodreads challenge and just HOW did I read that many books in 2025? 
• My top reads of the year, the genres I leaned into and what I avoided
• What staying “busy on purpose” gave me during a demanding year
• A brief look ahead to 2026 and what I’m thinking about next

Mentioned in this episode:

• Grumpy Valentine
• Missing Persons (Young Investigations, Book 1)
• Drinks at Minks
• Calculated Risk
• Decorative Gourd Season
• Layover
• Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh
• Edge by Tracy Clark
• Fog and Fury by Rachel Howzell Hall
• We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry
• Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
• A Devil Went Down To Georgia  by Deb Miller Landau

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Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

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Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

In this episode, I run through my full Nonfiction November reading list, talk about my latest holiday releases, share updates on direct sales and writing plans, and chat a bit about what I’ve been watching while I settle into my end-of-year break.

Books Discussed

– A Devil Went Down to Georgia: Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Leta McClinton — Deb Miller Landau
– Forever Kind of Love (Bayou Dreams Book One) — Farrah Rochon
– Black. White.: The Hidden History of an Insurrection, A Family’s Southern Town, and Identity in America — Loretta Malloy Noble
– A Bitter Ending: A Brother’s 30-Year Quest to Uncover the Truth About His Sister’s Death — Thomas James Whitfield
– Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Sick — Layal Liverpool
– Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup — John Carreyrou
– The Photograph — Brian Freeman
– Booed Up — Nina High
– The Ruination of Michael Sterling — Tasha L. Harrison
– Peaches and Honey: A Small Town Sapphic Romance — Karmen Lee
– No Place for the Working: Homeless in America — Brian Goldstone
– Chilling on Thanksgiving — Jessica Terry
– Layover: An Only One Bed Holiday Novella — D.L. White
– Open for Business: A Riviel Romance — Brit W.
– Q & C: The Teachers of Hardwood High — Nina High
– Cults Like Us: How Doomsday Thinking Drives America — Jane Borden
– Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present — Harriet A. Washington (referenced)

My Releases Mentioned

– Decorative Gourd Season
– Layover
– Home for the Holidays
– A Calculated Risk (audio)
– Drinks at Minx (audio)
– Grumpy Valentine (audio)

Holiday Bundle: All winter holiday novellas — available at booksbydlwhite.com/holiday - $9.99! 

Writing & Publishing Updates

– Newsletter-first release strategy (24-hour exclusives)
 – Website store gets releases before retail
 – Retail distribution: Amazon, Google Play, Draft2Digital
 – Taking December off to rest and refill the creative well
 – Planning next writing cycle for early 2026

What I’m Watching

– CW adaptation of Taj McCoy’s book
 – Matlock
– Elsbeth
– Watson
– Sheriff Country
– Brilliant Minds
– The Beast in Me — Netflix
– Life After MLM — Rebecca Blevins (podcast)

Other Mentions

– Holiday decorating
 – Be Rooted 2026 planner
 – Direct sales goals for 2026
 – Self-narrated audiobooks and distribution updates

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

I’m back after skipping last week because sometimes I just don’t feel like dragging myself down the hall to record. This is a chill catch-up episode covering what I’ve been reading, what I’m watching, and the candle mishap that nearly got the fire department called to my house.

Reading Update

I’m at 145 books for the year and one book ahead of schedule. I’ve read six books in November so far. I’ve wound down writing for the year, which means I’m reading a lot. This is the first Nonfiction November I’m actually enjoying because I leaned into what I find interesting: mess and murder. If it’s a scandal, I’m all up in it. If somebody died, I want to know about it. Cults are my jam.

Read:

• A Devil Went Down to Georgia: Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Lita McClinton (creative nonfiction that read like a mystery novel - riveting, really well done, 10-hour audiobook)
• Black, White, Colored: Hidden Story of an Insurrection, A Family, A Southern Town and Identity in America (interesting but very dry)
• A Better Ending: A Brother’s 30-Year Quest to Uncover the Truth About His Sister’s Death by Thomas James Whitfield (pretty good, very personal story about his sister’s supposed suicide and her police officer husband)
• Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou (about Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes - explained it like I’m five, very soapy and gossipy, would read again)
• Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Sick (just finished yesterday - good and interesting but a lot of “water is wet” facts, hard to read, made me angry)

Reading:

• The Ruination of Michael Sterling by Tasha L. Harrison-- part of her Bone Marrow Creek series - a journalist investigating disappearances in Marrowbone Creek including his sister, involves the Fellowship of the Everlasting Lights Strawberry Moon Gathering, 100% my catnip.
• Photograph by Brian Freeman

What I’ve Been Watching

Landman Season 2 is up! I got way too excited about it earlier and decided to use it as a wind down/reward.

• Tracker
• Watson (better this season, Morris Chestnut has his shirt off in like half of every episode)
• Sheriff Country (new show I’m enjoying)
• Living Single podcast: Queen Latifah was on this week’s episode - I’ve watched it three times, I love Dana Owens)

Writing and Publishing Updates

I’m done writing for the year, but not done editing.

New:

• Decorative Gourd Season released November 3rd - a holiday short about pickleball team captains from opposing teams, rivalry turns sexy in 15,000 words

Coming Soon:

• Layover: an Only One Bed holiday novella, releasing early December.  

Full show notes at Booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/131

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

I’m back at the mic talking about my October reads, Nonfiction November, and everything I’ve been watching lately. October was peak GLOCKtober with a stack of Steve Cavanagh legal thrillers, a few romances for balance, and a political memoir to wrap it up.

I share what I’m reading now, including A Devil Went Down to Georgia by Deb Miller Landau and A Forever Kind of Love by Farrah Rochon. I also run through my Mess and Murder lineup for Nonfiction November, packed with books about chaos, justice, and true crime.

There’s a quick rundown of my TV and movie queue, new releases like Calculated Risk and Decorative Gourd Season, and a reminder to check out the Black Readers Appreciation Event happening November 5–8.

Full show notes are at booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/130. 

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

Welcome back to The Bookcast! I’m finally on the mend from The Ankle Incident. I’m back on my feet—slowly, but surely. This week’s episode is a quick check-in to catch you up on my Glocktober reading, what I’ve been watching, and where I am with writing and audio projects.

In this episode: 

• My GLocktober reading streak continues! I’ve finished The Plea, The Accomplice, The Scammer, and The Widow, and I’m currently reading Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh. The man owns my TBR this month.
• On the TV side, I’ve been binging The Diplomat Season 3, Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter, Wayward, and My Father, the BTK Killer on Netflix, plus Elsbeth, Matlock, Watson, Tracker, The Rainmaker, and Brilliant Minds on network and streaming.
• Writing-wise, I wrapped up Decorative Gourd Season (my cozy fall novella) and Layover (a holiday romance novella). Both are cute, steamy, and low-angst. The perfect way to end the year.
• I talk through my upcoming audio projects: getting Home for the Holidays recorded so the whole Potter Lake series will be available in audio, plus plans for Missing Persons and maybe a re-record of The Never List.
• I’m hinting at a couple of events coming up: one in December and another mid-year. Details coming soon!

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

I know, I know. It's been a minute but I have excuses and a funny story that involves a gas station, a receipt, and my delusion that I am still agile at 51. 

Spoiler: I'm not.

This episode covers my recovery weekend (featuring Church's chicken and naproxen), reading updates including a surprisingly good John Grisham book, writing progress on Layover and a harvest novella, and audio news.

• Reading: The Widow by John Grisham, The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson coming up
• Writing: Layover (late November),  a harvest novella (late October/early November)
• Calculated Risk now in KU and on audio everywhere
• Why fiction beats doomscrolling every time

Full show notes: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/128

Connect: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio

Remember: Watching a dumpster burn doesn't put out the fire. Get a good book and put your face into it.

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

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Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

I'm back after the holiday break!  

I share my latest reading updates (126 of 175 books - seven ahead of schedule!), streaming favorites including Night Agent and disaster movies, and writing progress on Potter Lake 4. I talk about my new holiday short story "Layover" (a response to the "only one bed" trope), gearing up for Glocktober crime fiction month, and updates on publishing strategy changes including putting books into Kindle Unlimited.

Recently Read:

• Capone Season One by Jaquel J.
• Out of the Woods by Kate Wiley

Currently Reading:

• Wildflowers and Bullets by Keith Karim Williams
• T and E: The Teachers of Hardwood High by Nina High

Upcoming:

• Black Book Bash, October 3-7 in Jacksonville, Florida
• Poptober fanfiction challenge celebrating Chris Kirkpatrick's birthday

Find full show notes, transcript, and all links at: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast127

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

Books I Read This Week:

• Crash (Love in Scrubs series) - C. Monet
• Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) - Steve Cavanaugh
• Departures and Arrivals (Flights and Feelings Book 2) - Nicole Falls
• Rounds (Love in Scrubs Book 2) - Monica Walters
• Promise: A Small Town Second Chance Cowboy Romance - J. Westenberry

Currently Reading: Disciplined - Mark Avery Reading Goal: 117 of 175 books (67% complete, 5 books ahead)

What I'm Watching: Colombiana, Die Hard sequels, Hallmark mysteries on TV. YouTube favorites include Dollar Tree Dinners, Reliving Single podcast, and documentaries.

Writing Update: Taking a fiction break until mid-September. Finished my Awesome August fanfiction stories.

Main Topic: I'm dealing with platform fatigue and considering delisting from Audible and Google Play. Audible earned me only $68 in 8 months while Findaway earned $170+. Google Play made me just $20 all year. I'm questioning if big platforms with tiny returns are worth my energy.

Full show notes and links available at booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/126

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.

Hey Book pals! 

I'm back after a brief hiatus with exciting updates! I’m recording from my new bedroom after successfully closing on my house July 23rd. I share the moving experience, celebrate my latest release, discuss upcoming events, and give you my current reading updates.

New Homeowner Life I closed on my house without drama and moved in immediately. I even slept on an air mattress the first night because I was so excited!  I'm working on setting up a proper recording studio in my office closet and creating a reading nook in my bedroom.

Missing Persons Release My new romantic mystery came out August 5th. This book took me forever to finish. I  finally figured out the ending thanks to a Bluesky conversation about missing persons cases. This book features Yvette Young from "Dinner at Sam's" and attorney Wesley Payne working together on a case while navigating their friends-to-lovers romance. Find this title in Ebook or print at bit.ly/missingpersonsDLWhite

Black Book Bash I'm thrilled about this conference in Jacksonville, Florida, October 1-3. Casey Kelly is organizing it with tracks for romance, general fiction, thrillers, young adult, and nonfiction.  I'll be doing panels and book signings. Preorders are open- check my links page! 

Reading Challenge Update I'm at 107 books out of my 175 goal for the year,  one book ahead of schedule! Recently loved "We Don't Talk About Carol" by Kristen Berry and "Too Old for This" by Samantha Downing. Currently obsessed with "The Devil's Advocate" by Steve cavanaugh.  

Future Projects   I'm taking August to rest my brain, then diving into Potter Lake 4: "Still I Rise". Aiming for an end-of-year release. Also considering a holiday short story if inspiration strikes. 

Social Media Updates I'm on Bluesky (my favorite), Threads (reluctantly, but that's where the book community is), TikTok, and Facebook. Never going back to X/Twitter. Find links to all my socials on my links page! 

Contact Information

• Website: booksbydlwhite.com
• Email: authordl at booksbydlwhite dot com
• Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio

Support the show

Stay connected:

Visit my website–Booksbydlwhite.com

Join my newsletter – booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter

Follow me on Substack–Main Substack | Short Fiction Substack

Buy books & merch – booksbydlwhite.com/shop

Support this show with a recurring gift at bookcast.buzzsprout.com or Buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you really liked it, tell a friend.