If you ask a bestselling novelist how long it took to go from aspiring writer to published success, the answer is usually about ten years. One reason it takes so long is that most authors learn about writing in a haphazard way. They read a blog post here, listen to a podcast there, attend a conference where they receive a firehose of information, and then watch YouTube videos hoping to fill in the gaps.

It is an overwhelming way to learn. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by everything you need to know about publishing, you know exactly what this feels like.

But what if you could cut that ten-year learning curve in half?

In our latest podcast episode, I talk with Christy Award Hall of Fame author James L. Rubart about the Five-Year Plan for Becoming a Professional Author. It’s a step-by-step training approach designed to help fiction writers build skills in the right order (without the overwhelm).

This isn’t a “shortcut” or gimmick course. It’s a craft-first path that helps writers avoid wasted years, bad habits, and out-of-order learning.

In this week’s episode, you’ll discover:

• Why most authors stall out
• How to accelerate the mastery of storytelling
• What separates “good” writers from professional-level authors in the current publishing landscape

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re developing your craft in the smartest way possible, or where you should start, listen in or read the blog version.

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ChatGPT used to be the go-to AI for authors, but it's no longer the best choice for every task. New models like Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok are outperforming it in specific areas, from creative writing to research to automation.

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from The Nerdy Novelist, Jason Hamilton. We discuss which AI tools work best for your writing, your budget, and your genre.

You’ll learn

• Which tools can help expedite your research
• Which AI models help you write the best dialogue
• How open-source models can spur fresh fiction ideas and structures

To stay up to date on which models can help you with various parts of your writing and marketing (and which can’t), listen in or read the blog version to feel confident experimenting with new platforms.

• What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book?
• AI Optimization for Authors
• Book Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to Write
• TikTok, Iran, and AI: What Authors Need to Know Now
• The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn

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I am not a big fan of Substack for novelists. Most novelists are better off using the free version of Kit and WordPress. However, Substack is a completely different story for nonfiction authors.

If you’re a nonfiction author who wants to grow your platform without juggling five different tech tools, this week’s Novel Marketing episode is for you.

In this week’s episode, I talk with screenwriter and Substack superuser James Cary about how nonfiction authors can use Substack to attract readers, deepen engagement, and earn recurring income.

You’ll learn

• When Substack is (and isn’t) a good fit for authors
  
  
• How to get your first 100+ subscribers 
  
  
• When and whether to monetize your Substack

If you’ve been wondering whether you should start a Substack or what to do with the one you already have, listen in or read the blog version to get help on your decision and guidance on your plan.

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Hardcover books are back. Beautiful, premium, collector-quality editions are gaining momentum with readers who want books that look and feel special. But how do you know if you should create a premium hardcover edition of your book?

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from author Paul Millerd, who created a luxury edition of his bestselling book. We dig into the strategy, psychology, risks, and rewards behind premium hardbacks and whether they make financial sense.

You’ll learn:

• How to know if your book is a good candidate for a premium edition
• What it costs to produce a premium hardcover (and what you can charge for it)
• How different readers view different price points

If you’ve ever wondered whether a premium edition could elevate your brand, thrill your readers, or create a new revenue stream, listen in or read the blog version to find out.

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Authors talk about “the algorithm” the way the little aliens in Toy Story talk about “the claw.” Does the algorithm randomly choose your book, or is someone else controlling the claw?

In this week’s episode, you’ll discover what we know about how Amazon decides which books to show, and how to get your book in front of the readers most likely to love it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Amazon “decides” which book recommendations to give shoppers
• Which readers you should persuade to click Amazon’s “buy now” button, and which you should sell to yourself
• How Amazon’s algorithm is changing and tips to help you adapt your strategy

If your book is on Amazon, this episode is not optional listening. Poor optimization can quietly poison the recommendation engine against you. Listen in or read the blog version to keep your book in front of your Timothy.

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Lately, I’ve been getting swamped with emails from authors asking about Shopify. Many are losing money and wondering what went wrong and how to fix it.

Here’s the truth most authors don’t want to hear: Shopify is usually a bad deal for most authors.

In this week’s episode, you’ll learn
✅ Why Shopify sounds so good but often backfires
✅ The math behind why most authors lose money by using it
✅ Better alternatives that save time, stress, and money

Shopify is lauded as an attractive option for authors, but for most, it becomes a drain for your time and money. Before you decide on an ecommerce platform, listen in or read the blog version and find out what actually works better for authors.

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Are you wasting money, time, and paper by using the wrong printer?

Before you buy your next printer, make sure it has the features every author needs. The wrong setup can cost you hundreds of dollars a year or, worse, stop working altogether when your Wi-Fi service fails.

In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:

• The critical printer features authors need
• How to cut your paper use (and clutter) in half
• How to make your printer more reliable and easier to use
• The subtle trap you must avoid when purchasing a home printer

Save money, space, and sanity by getting the right printer. Read the blog version to get links to my recommendations, or listen to the podcast to make your next printer purchase a smart one.

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Audiobooks have been the fastest-growing segment in publishing for a decade, and for many readers, an audiobook signals a real, human-written book. In fact, audiobook sales have recently outpaced ebook sales!

Now is the time to get your book on audio. But where do you even begin?

In this week’s episode, audiobook consultant Bryan Canter gives us an overview of the entire process of how ACX (Audiobook Creative Exchange) works and how to publish your book on audio without blowing your budget.

You’ll learn

• Who should (or shouldn’t) narrate your book
• How much it’s likely to cost (it might be less than you think!)
• How to get started (and who can help you!)

If you know you need an audiobook, listen in or read the blog version to learn the ACX basics, pick the right narrator, and avoid costly mistakes. Your future listeners are waiting. 🎧

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Many authors make the mistake of writing a book first and then trying to find readers. This is backwards and rarely works. However, if you follow these three steps, your book will be set up for success.

• Step #1: Identify your target reader.
• Step #2: Start growing an audience of readers like that person.
• Step #3: Launch your book.

But how do you find your Timothy? How do you grow your audience? And how do you write the kind of book they'll love?

In this week's episode, you'll hear from Josiah DeGraaf, a fantasy author and program director of the Young Writers Workshop, who did exactly that. He found his Timothy, added thousands of subscribers to his mailing list before publishing his first novel, and wrote the book his readers wanted. That strategy set him up for a wildly successful Kickstarter launch and a strong Amazon release.

In this interview, you'll discover

• How to determine who your target reader is
• Strategies to get you from 0 subscribers to 1,000+
• How to write a book that your readers feel was written just for them.

If you want to launch your book to an eager audience instead of crickets, listen in or read the blog version.

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The faster you write, the more books you can publish and the more money you can make from your writing.

We all type slower than we speak, and if you’re typing and creating a story at the same time, you type even slower. But what if you could regularly produce 50 words or more per minute? You’d be able to write a 120,000-word book in a 40-hour work week!

Authors who can write that fast all use dictation. So why do so many authors hesitate to use it?

If you’ve ever tried dictation and felt awkward, slow, or tangled up in the tech, you’re not alone. In this week’s episode, dictation expert Sarah Sawyer shows us the calm, practical way to ease into dictation so it feels natural and actually helps you write more.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Which tech tools make it easy? (Hint: You probably already have them!)
• Techniques that help synchronize your creativity, brain, and mouth
• How dictation can propel your writing and possibly save your health

Audio & Blog Versions

For authors, dictation can skyrocket writing speed. Listen in or read the blog version to find out which tools and strategies will help you master the skill and write faster.

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