The Written Word Podcast

What does a CEO who's run social media campaigns for Nike, IKEA, Samsung, and Crocs think authors should be doing on social right now? In this episode, Ferol sits down with Jim Tobin, CEO of Ignite Social Media, founder of influencer marketing agency Carusele, and a two-time published author, for a frank, tactical conversation about what's actually working in social media today and how indie authors can apply it.

What you’ll learn:

• Why social discovery has overtaken Google search, and what that means for how readers find books in 2026
• The three-second hook rule: how to stop the scroll before the algorithm even decides to show your content
• Why negative hooks outperform positive hooks (and how to use this without being clickbait)
• The Organish® strategy: how to put $5–$25 behind your content to reach 5–20x more people, and why this beats influencer outreach on a small budget
• The carousel comeback: why image carousels are now outperforming Reels on Instagram and LinkedIn
• How to approach BookTok influencers with zero budget, and what to say (and not say) when you do have a few hundred dollars
• Why lo-fi, behind-the-scenes content is beating polished production right now
• How to think about pre-launch vs. post-launch content, and why "mystery posts" are a waste of your audience's attention
• The 30-minutes-a-week social strategy: where to spend your time if that's all you have
• •Stampede Social: the tool that lets you DM a link to anyone who comments a keyword on your post
• The biggest mistake Jim sees on social, and it's not what you think

Jim also covers TikTok Shops, cross-platform content strategy, using trending audio, and how to connect your social presence to your email list.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Podcasts build the kind of trust with listeners that almost no other marketing channel can match, and authors are uniquely positioned to leverage that. In this episode, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon draw on nearly a year of hosting the Written Word Media Podcast to break down how authors can use podcasting as a genuine reader-building tool, whether that means guesting on other shows or launching their own.

What you’ll learn:

• The psychology behind why podcast listeners trust hosts so deeply, and why that trust transfers directly to book sales (parasocial relationships explained)
• Why an imperfect, stumbling podcast appearance is often more powerful than a polished blog post
• How to find the right shows to pitch as a guest, and the filter every author needs to apply before reaching out
• Exactly what to include in your guest pitch email to get a "yes" from a host (hint: it's not "I'd love to talk about my book")
• How to prep for a guest appearance: questions in advance, bio tips, gear basics, and the sign-off strategy that turns listeners into readers
• How to decide whether to start your own podcast, and the commitment level that separates the 5% who stick with it from everyone else
• The frequency mistake Ricci and Ferol almost made (and what their launch producer talked them out of)
• Why podcasting, like publishing a book, is a long game, and what realistic traction timelines actually look like

Also in this episode: Ricci's woodland owl update. 🦉 She's seen it three times now (a photo may or may not appear in the show notes).

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

YouTube isn't just for cooking tutorials and gaming walkthroughs; it might be one of the most powerful book marketing tools authors aren't using. In this episode, Ferol sits down with Dale Roberts, host of Self-Publishing with Dale and one of the most-watched voices in the indie author space, to break down exactly how authors can build a YouTube presence that actually connects with readers and sells books.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The separate-profile research hack that lets YouTube train its own algorithm to show you exactly what your ideal readers are watching
• The three types of YouTube content (long form, Shorts, and live video), and why you should try all three before committing to one
• Why fiction authors don't have to talk about writing craft, and the smarter content angle most are missing
• The "seeding" strategy: how many videos to have ready before you ever go public
• The single biggest mistake Dale sees authors make on YouTube (hint: it's not gear or lighting)
• What gear actually matters, and the one purchase to prioritize if you have a limited budget
• A surprising new YouTube feature that's showing up in the Shorts shelf without recording a single video
• How pen name authors can build a YouTube presence without revealing their real identity
• What's changed on YouTube in the last year or two, and why human creators have an edge right now

Dale also shares the story of building four fully monetized YouTube channels over 10 years, starting completely by accident in 2016.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Readers are increasingly using AI to find their next book, and if your title isn't showing up in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, you're missing a growing discovery channel. In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly how the three major AI engines find and recommend books, why most indie authors are invisible to them right now, and what you can do about it.

What you’ll learn:

• The difference between SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and why it matters for book discoverability
• Why Gemini is the most actionable AI engine for authors, and the one Google Play trick that KDP Select authors can use without violating terms
• The critical 10% preview rule: how to get your KU book into the Google Books ecosystem without losing your Amazon exclusivity
• Why ChatGPT and Claude favor books that look traditionally published, and how indie authors can mimic that signal
• The FAQ strategy: one simple addition to your book page that makes it dramatically easier for AI to recommend your title
• How Reddit and YouTube factor into AI book discovery, and how to approach both without getting banned or ignored
• A difficulty-ranked to-do list: from easy wins you can do today to advanced moves worth investing in

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Most authors never consider the speaking stage, but according to Jess Ekstrom, it might be the most powerful income stream they're missing.

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Jess Ekstrom, Forbes Top Motivational Speaker, founder of Headbands of Hope, and creator of Mic Drop Workshop, to break down exactly how authors (yes, even fiction authors!) can turn their stories and expertise into paid keynote speaking careers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the "you're either a speaker OR an author" myth is dead wrong, and how doing both makes you better at each
• How fiction authors can build keynote careers even when they're not speaking to other authors
• The "transformation promise" framework, the one question that unlocks your entire speaking pitch
• How to find speaking gigs and build inbound opportunities through LinkedIn and social media
• What speaking actually pays, from beginner rates ($500–$5K) to seasoned speakers ($35K+)
• The halo effect: how speaking can drive book sales (80% of Jess's first book sales came from stages)
• Why community is the secret weapon for building a sustainable speaking career

Jess also shares details on her new book, Making It Without Losing It (out May 2026), and the upcoming Mic Drop Workshop Boot Camp starting April 20th.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Getting local press coverage can feel like shouting into a void, but what if you knew exactly what editors were looking for?

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Rory Gillis, owner of Triangle Media Partners and publisher of several regional magazines including Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Heart of NC Weddings, and The Triangle Weekender. Rory pulls back the curtain on how local publications actually decide what to cover and gives indie authors a clear, actionable roadmap for getting featured.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How local editors source stories and what makes a pitch rise to the top of a very full inbox
• Why editorial themes and calendars are your secret weapon — and how to find them on any publication's website
• What to include in your pitch package to make an editor's job as easy as possible
• Why your book launch isn't the only hook — and how to pitch a book that came out years ago
• The power of the byline: how pitching yourself as a columnist can open the door to book coverage
• Why "polite persistence" is not annoying — it's expected (and sometimes pays off two years later!)
• The no-nos that instantly tank your pitch, straight from the editors themselves
• What one author did to get featured that Rory still remembers years later
• Rory's step-by-step action item checklist for authors ready to pursue local press

Whether you're in a major metro or a small town, your local media landscape is full of opportunities. This episode will help you find them and pitch them the right way.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Amazon just changed the rules — again. The A10 algorithm update is here, and if you've been running your book marketing the same way you were a year ago, it's time to take a second look.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly what changed with the Amazon A10 update — drawing on an actual academic paper about the technology powering it — and translate it into three clear, actionable things indie authors need to do differently. From how Amazon now reads your book page (literally, including your cover), to why external traffic suddenly matters way more than Amazon ads, to why spreading your marketing over several days beats a single-day spike. This episode is your practical guide to navigating the new landscape.

What you’ll learn:

• Why keyword stuffing your book description is now actively hurting you
• How Amazon's AI can literally "see" your book cover and why cover-genre alignment is now algorithmic, not just stylistic
• Why A+ content and dwell time are suddenly critical ranking factors
• How external traffic (email, social, promo sites) now outweighs Amazon ads
• Why consistent sales over multiple days beat a one-day spike
• How series authors are benefiting from the new algorithm and how standalone authors can adapt

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

KU or wide? It's the great debate of indie publishing — and it usually generates more opinions than answers.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol cut through the noise and break down exactly how both paths work, backed by real data from Written Word Media's 2025 author survey. They walk through the mechanics of KDP Select, how Kindle Unlimited page reads and payouts actually work, what the January 2026 global fund number ($62.2 million) means for exclusive authors, and what going wide really looks like in practice — from managing multiple platforms to choosing between distributors. Spoiler: 38% of authors are all-in on Amazon, 30% are fully wide, and 32% are somewhere in between. There's no universal right answer, but there is a smarter way to figure out what works for you.

What you'll learn:

• How KDP and KDP Select actually work — and why it's really just a 90-day commitment
• The real trade-offs of Kindle Unlimited, including page read payouts (KENP), countdown deals, and free promo days
• Why the KDP Select global fund has grown from $2.5M (2014) to $62.2M (January 2026)
• What "going wide" actually looks like and how to manage multiple platforms
• Draft2Digital vs. PublishDrive — which distributor model makes sense for your business
• What our 2025 author survey data says about what authors are actually choosing

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Your first book didn't become a bestseller overnight? You're actually right on track. 

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down one of the most important patterns we see year after year in our reader surveys: authors with bigger catalogs earn significantly more money. But it's not just about writing more books—it's about understanding how your backlist creates sustainable income. Whether you're a one-book author wondering what's next or a seasoned writer looking to understand the business better, this episode will help you think strategically about your author career and the power of your growing catalog.

What you'll learn:

• Why readers who love your work can't spend more if you only have one book
• How catalog size directly impacts your marketing effectiveness
• The real math behind lifetime customer value
• Alternative products beyond just writing more books (audiobooks, translations, merchandise, and more)
• How to decide if you're building a hobby or a business—and why both are valid choices

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this data-packed episode, Ricci and Ferol dive into the results of Written Word Media's brand-new reader survey with nearly 3,000 responses from across all five brands. This isn't recycled industry advice or third-party reports - it's fresh, empirical data straight from the voracious readers who matter most to indie authors. Together, they unpack surprising stats about reader volume, discovery channels, and what readers genuinely want from the authors they love. From the shocking percentage of readers consuming 100+ books per year to the personal details readers crave (hint: pets came up a lot!), this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you think about book marketing, reader connection, and building your author platform in 2026.

You'll Learn:

• Why 31% of readers consume over 100 books per year - and what this means for your marketing strategy
• The 80% loyalty rule that changes everything about free book promotions and first-in-series launches
• Where readers actually discover books in 2026 (Amazon and email newsletters still dominate, but there are surprises)
• Why social media advertising isn't resonating with readers - and what they're seeking instead
• The truth about AI for book discovery: readers aren't using it and don't want to
• What readers genuinely want to know about you as an author - from pets to vacations (but skip the politics!)
• How readers track their reading habits, including the surprisingly popular pen-and-paper method

Whether you're launching your first book or optimizing your author platform, these insights will help you connect more authentically with readers and make smarter marketing decisions. The data proves it: books are still magic, and millions of readers are out there actively looking for their next favorite author.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.