Too many writers waste hundreds or thousands of dollars on laptop features they’ll never use. Worse yet, some struggle along with outdated, unreliable machines that sabotage their creativity and productivity.

Here’s what tech companies don’t want you to know: That pricey laptop with all the bells and whistles? Most of those features are totally useless for authors.

​This week’s episode​ is my 2025 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors. You’ll discover:

• Why the processor everyone obsesses over barely matters for writers • Why most professional authors choose Apple • What to avoid when shopping for your next laptop • Links to my laptop recommendations for every budget

As a tech nerd who’s been building computers since age 12 and helping thousands of authors over the last 15 years, I’ll cut through the hype and show you what really matters.

​Listen in​ or ​read the blog version​ and finally get a laptop that works for you, not against you.

Support the show

Description & Times
Building an email list made up of more than friends and family can feel impossible, especially before you've launched your first book. Eventually, you have to attract strangers. But how?

How do you convince strangers to join your email list?

We've been using a surprisingly effective method for years, yet I have never dedicated an entire podcast to it.

In this week's episode, you'll hear from author Kelly Jo Wilson, who grew her email list to over 7,000 subscribers using a surprising tool (hint: it's not ads).

You'll learn:

• How to turn giveaways into a powerful email growth engine using KingSumo
• How to attract your ideal readers (not just freebie hunters)
• How to collaborate with other authors to multiply your reach and your results

No matter what genre you write, Kelly's strategy is very reproducible. Listen in or read the blog version for ideas on how to grow your network, serve your readers, and grow your audience.

Support the show

Are you having trouble starting or finishing your writing? A subtle and sinister phenomenon may be keeping you from success. It may even be the reason your book is not finished yet. It might be why your book isn’t selling.

What is it? Procrastination.

You can’t beat procrastination by hustling harder; you need a plan that’s smarter.

So, how do you escape the procrastination prison? One step at a time.

In this week’s episode, you’ll learn 10 practical steps to help you overcome distractions, reclaim your focus, and take your next step without burning out.

You’ll discover:

✅ One easy (but hard) step that will instantly free up mental space for writing

✅ How to determine what your next action should be

✅ Tools to keep you focused, motivated, and on schedule

✅ A new Novel Marketing challenge that will get you started…for free!

Listen in or read the blog version to find out how to beat procrastination and get back to your meaningful work.

Support the show

Blog version: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-craft-a-cancel-proof-marketing-strategy/

A few years ago, getting canceled could end your career. But author cancel culture has changed. Now, it can supercharge book sales.

But how?

In this week’s episode of Novel Marketing, I spoke with book marketer Christine Eriksen about how an indie author used an unplanned controversy as a powerful book marketing tool…and lived to tell about it.

You'll learn:
✅ Why cancel culture is changing and how it could affect you
✅ How to navigate controversy without losing your readers or your sanity
✅ A unique strategy for social media that works for a few authors

Don’t let fear of the cancel mob prevent you from doing the work you’re called to do. Learn how to craft a marketing strategy that can withstand an online firestorm.

Support the show

How effective is your author website? In this week’s episode of Novel Marketing, I review the websites of top Christian Historical Romance authors, analyzing what they’re doing well and where they could improve. From SEO wins to missed opportunities, you’ll discover practical ways to enhance your own website.

Find out: 
What bestselling authors get right about website design 

Common mistakes that could cost you readers and sales 

Simple fixes to improve SEO, navigation, and revenue

Listen in or read the blog version to explore strengths and weaknesses in website design and functionality that you can apply today. This episode is an experiment! Let me know if you’d like to hear more website reviews in future episodes!

Support the show

It’s 2025, and authors are at war over AI. Some are embracing it, others are retreating to bunkers, and a few think it’s just another passing fad. But amid all the controversy, most authors are missing out on the AI advantage that everyone can agree on: AI can help you market your books, which gives you more time to write.   

Most of us became authors because we love writing, not because we love marketing. But what if AI could handle some of the heavy lifting for you? What if you could spend less time on book promotion and more time crafting stories? 

 In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alexander Macris, an author, game creator, and expert in AI-powered marketing. We discuss:   

The AI tools that help authors sell more books (without replacing their creativity) 

How to use AI to improve book descriptions, pitches, and cover designs 

The surprising way AI can analyze your data to help you serve your readers

Listen in or read the blog version to learn how you can use AI to reclaim your writing time! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you used AI in your marketing? Join the conversation in AuthorMedia.Social, a no-drama space where authors share their AI experiences with civility and curiosity.

Support the show

Science fiction is changing, and so are its readers. The cultural landscape that shaped the last 40 years of sci-fi is shifting, including thoughts about wokeness, AI, WWIII, population, and more. If you're still writing about overused and cliched sci-fi themes, you're missing the mark.
In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, we explore:

• Why climate-change narratives are losing their grip on sci-fi readers
• How population change can impact the next big sci-fi stories
• The new role of AI in the sci-fi genre
• How today's global conflicts hint at the future of war in sci-fi

Understanding these shifts will help you write more compelling stories that stand out in a genre desperate for fresh perspectives. Listen in or read the blog version to dive into the essentials of writing a sci-fi novel amidst evolving themes like population collapse and AI advancements.

https://www.authormedia.com/the-sci-fi-zeitgeist-has-shifted-what-authors-need-to-know/

Support the show

To indie publish or traditionally publish? That is the question.
For years, indie publishing was seen as a fallback for authors who couldn’t land a traditional contract. But times have changed. Many indie authors now outsell and out-earn their traditionally published counterparts.
And yet, while many traditionally published authors are switching to indie, it’s far less common to see a successful indie author sign with a major publisher.
What would make an indie author turn down a traditional publishing deal?
I spoke with Scott LaPierre, an author and conference speaker, to find out.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:

• The biggest myths about traditional publishing
• How signing a contract affected book sales
• Traditional publishing’s take on pricing and marketing
• The cost of getting your rights back and why it matters

Scott gives a first-hand account of working as a traditional and indie author and where he landed after experiencing both routes.
If you’ve ever wondered which path is right for you and your book, listen in or read the blog version of our conversation.

Support the show

If you’re thinking about writing a book series, you might want to reconsider, especially if you’re a new author. That’s not to say you should never write a series, but it can be a risky endeavor, and I can prove it with math.
In this week’s episode, I break down why writing a series may limit your potential readership. You’ll learn:

• The four steps every reader must take for your sequel to sell well
• The math behind why sequels struggle to sell
• The hidden dangers of "battered reader syndrome" and how it affects new authors
• A pre-series strategy for new authors

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should commit to a series or focus on standalones, listen in or read the blog post for a fresh perspective and a smarter strategy.

Support the show

Have you ever set up a book table and stacked your books neatly, only to walk away with disappointing sales? You're not alone.
But there is a better way to sell books from your book table at in-person events.
In this week's episode of Novel Marketing, I sit down with Sarah Hickner, an expert in book table sales, to uncover:

• Common mistakes authors make at book tables (and how to avoid them)
• Simple tricks to draw readers in without feeling pushy
• How to use giveaways, bundles, and book covers to boost sales
• Why in-person events aren't just about selling books

Whether you're an introvert or a seasoned seller, listen in or read the blog version to learn how to set up an eye-catching table, use giveaways effectively, craft the perfect pitch, and avoid common mistakes that cost authors sales.

Support the show