310 / AI is getting better at producing words, audio, and even video, which raises the question for authors: how do readers know there’s a real person behind the book?

In this episode, we talk about how writers can stand out in a sea of AI content through leaning harder into trust, voice, and real connection. We share concrete ways to signal “I’m a real person” without forcing yourself to overshare or turn your life into content. 

✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates

• Why authenticity and connection matter more as AI output scales—and what history tells us about tech panic cycles
• How parasocial relationships work, where they go sideways, and how real-world interaction cuts through the noise
• Practical ways to show your humanity: imperfection, process sharing, physical objects, and curation
• Protecting your author voice and using credibility signals to build lasting reader trust

📌 Get a PDF download of all the ideas: Real, Not AI: 20 Ways Authors Signal Humanity and Build Reader Trust

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We’d love to hear from you. Comments will be open on this episode in Substack: https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

⚡Links:

• Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates
• Patty McGree on using grammar as your paintbox:
• https://pod.link/1495247798/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODY2MDEzOA
• Joanna Penn and The Creative Penn Podcast: https://pod.link/309426367
• Thanks to long-time supporter Parker Finch: https://parkerfinch.com/

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

309 / Lona McCombie, social media marketer for authors, unpacks essential strategies for authors looking to promote their work, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates

• Starting out in social media marketing
• Promo strategies for book releases
• Best practices for TikTok marketing
• Cross-posting content on social platforms
• Results of paid promo vs. organic reach
• Trends in book promo content

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• Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes
• Private slack group
• Shoutout on a future episode

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⚡Links:

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💙 Thank you to long-time supporter Kathleen Bailey: https://kathleenbaileyauthor.com

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

308 / Serial fiction expert, Kimboo York, joins us to discuss building long-term reader relationships, letting go of perfectionism and fan fiction, including insights on transitioning fan fiction to original works. We also talk about balancing productivity with kindness and allowing room for mistakes to set yourself up to have a resilient author career. 

✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates

• Serial fiction business models
• Transitioning from fanfiction to original fiction
• Productivity and project management advice
• Community and discoverability on Substack
• Monetization methods for serials
• Legal concerns with fanfiction writing

🚨 Win a paperback copy of Trope Thesaurus: Mystery and Thriller by yours truly (Sara) and Jennifer Hilt. Comment on this episode on Substack with your favorite trope to write to be entered in the random drawing. Open until March 17, 2026.

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

• Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes
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⚡Links:

• houseofyork.info
• serial-nation.com
• scriptorium.kimbooyork.ne
• houseofyork.info
• scriptorium.kimbooyork.net
• https://newsletterninja.net/solutions/email-storytelling-pantry/
• Ingram Launches New Digital Catalog, DRC, and Ordering Platform: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/99760-ingram-targets-edelweiss-with-new-catalog-drc-and-ordering-platform.html
• Thanks to long-time supporter Christa Bakker https://christabakker.com/
• Archive of Our Own https://archiveofourown.org
• FOOTLOOSE! https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Footloose%20(1984)/works

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

307 / How can automation, AI, and genuine relationships help you thrive as an author? Chelle Honaker shares her insights on blending creativity and business, building community, and navigating the ever-changing publishing world.

✨ This week’s sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templates

• Flywheel marketing instead of funnel marketing
• Building community and collaboration
• Social media burnout and challenges
• Discoverability and reader relationships
• Trends in publishing and tech for authors

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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⚡Links:

• https://reedsy.com/studio 
• https://reedsy.com/studio/templates
• Author Automations Substack 
• Indie Author Training
• Indie Author Magazine 
• Author Nation
• StorytellerShowcase
• ChelleHoniker.com

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Support the show

🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

306 / How do you get your first reviews? And what do you do about collating feedback from multiple beta readers? Evan Gow, creator of StoryOrigin, has solutions to these author problems. Plus we explore why building your mailing list is the number-one way to connect with readers and future-proof your business as well as discussing direct sales options and the perennial topic of AI impact on publishing.  

✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish

• Importance of reviews for book sales
• Cross-promotions and newsletter swaps
• Beta reader management with StoryOrigin
• Direct sales trends and challenges
• AI’s impact on the publishing landscape

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

• Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes
• Shoutout on a future episode

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⚡Links:

•  http://tryvellum.com/wish
• https://storyoriginapp.com/

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Support the show

🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

305 / Ember Mae shares lessons learned about starting small with crowdfunding as well as managing fulfillment. We also talk about marketing without succumbing to the pressure of conventional social media wisdom.

✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish

• Tips on setting up your first Kickstarter campaign and keeping it manageable
• Making marketing personal and connecting individually with readers
• Why ditching social media is freeing
• Intuitive storytelling
• In-person event strategies
• Neurodivergence as a writing superpower

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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⚡Links:

• embpublishing.com
• https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/embermaeauthor/the-crowdfunded-author
• http://tryvellum.com/wish

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Support the show

🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

304 / Are you curious how understanding grammar—not just as a set of rules but as a tool for creative expression—can transform your writing and help you find your unique author voice?

✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wish

We talked with Patty McGee, a literary consultant and author of Not Your Granny’s Grammar to unpack why grammar isn’t about memorizing rules, but about developing your unique voice. 

Patty shared tips on building foundational skills, using grammar to enhance your writing’s rhythm, and why it’s totally normal to make mistakes. 

• Finding your writing voice through sentence rhythm
• Overcoming grammar embarrassment as an author
• Practical resources for learning grammar
• Effective strategies for giving and receiving feedback  
• Trends in grammar and punctuation in modern writing

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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www.pattymcgee.org

http://tryvellum.com/wish

Amazon algorithm changes and tips: https://thenewpublishingstandard.com/2026/01/24/a10-sales-rankings-explained/

Joanna Penn’s 2026 trends and prediction: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2026/01/05/2026-trends-and-predictions-for-indie-authors-and-the-book-publishing-industry-with-joanna-penn/   

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

303 / Are you curious about how to find your writing voice, handle feedback without losing your vision, and thrive in today’s ever-changing publishing world? Nicole Meier shares what she wishes she’d known as both an author and developmental editor, plus key insights for writers at every stage. 

✨ This week’s corporate sponsor:http://tryvellum.com/wish

• When to seek feedback and the stages of editing
• Common mistakes authors make and how to avoid them
• Avoiding the trap of rushing
• Feedback as a listening device so you don’t lose your voice
• Emerging trends and the power of authenticity in storytelling
• How to get over being stuck in your revisions

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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⚡Links:

• https://nicolemeier.com/
• https://nicolemeierwrites.substack.com/
• http://tryvellum.com/wish

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

302 / We’re talking about the power of tropes in storytelling with Jennifer Hilt, uncovering why elements like scars, secrets, and shame drive compelling mysteries and thrillers—and how they show up in every genre.  

Jennifer shared insights from her Trope Thesaurus series, and both guests revealed how understanding and leveraging tropes isn’t just a writing shortcut—it’s a way to deepen character, amp up conflict, and even supercharge your marketing.

• Tips for handling co-writing and collaboration
• Breaking down “scars and secrets” as trope superstars
• How to make the tropes unique and memorable to your story
• Using tropes to analyze popular media with examples from Severance, The Housemade, and Justified
• The storybeats of tropes
• Plus we brainstorm a story  with the armenia trope
  
  
  

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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⚡Links:

• www.jenniferhilt.com
• Mystery and Thriller Trope book: https://books2read.com/MysteryandThriller
• Jennifer Hilt on Trope Con and Planning Online Events: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/262-2/
• How to Use Tropes to Create Strong Characters and Deepen Conflict with Jennifer Hilt: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/155-2/

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

301 / In this 301st episode, hear from listeners (thanks for the voicemails!) about their favorite topics and takeaways and another long-time supporter, Belinda Kroll joins us. Belinda is a cozy fantasy romance author and illustrator, and shares how she's streamlining her business to lean fully into her artisan side.

• Shifting from serial to artisan-focused publishing 
• Leveraging Kickstarter and Shopify for book launches 
• Balancing writing and business with family life 
• Learning from setbacks and focusing on what works for you 
• Adapting to industry changes and technology, including AI

💙 Become a supporter of the podcast: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

• Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes but the 200 episodes in the vault
• Shoutout on a future episode

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⚡Links:

• Trope Book: https://books2read.com/MysteryandThriller
• Jami’s branding workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops
• Aimee Robinson: https://www.aimeerobinsonromance.com
• Stephanie Faris: https://www.stephaniefaris.com
• Stephanie Faris on Steamy Instalove Shorts, Sweet Romance, and Dictation:https://wishidknownforwriters.com/278-2/
• Belinda Kroll: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/worderella/an-uncanny-bargain

https://worderella.com

https://worderella.com/links

https://brightbirdpress.com/

Writing Cozy Fantasy as a Joyful Side Hustle with Belinda Kroll: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/171-2/

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🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast