Today we’re discussing AI-narrated audiobooks and book awards. We also discuss how getting to the heart of your story will help you identify your writing goals.

• Mint by Teresa Swift - Featured Author
• Fireside Books, Palmer, Alaska - Featured Bookstore
• Audio File's Best Audiobooks of 2022
• 2023 PEN America Longlists
• OverDrive Releases 2022 Digital Book Circulation Data and Highlights - OverDrive
• Bookwire Expands Its Text-to-Speech Audiobook Offer With Google
• Digital narration for audiobooks - Apple Books for Authors
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

"Robot in the City of the Future" by Valentina Gribanova

“Puzzles” by Humans Win

"You Are Free Now" by Valentina Gribanova

“Nice Dream” by jabameister

We’re talking about books and movies releasing Spring 2023. Plus, the thief who stole my resume is at it again.  

• Spring 2023 Announcements: Middle Grade Comics & Graphic Novels
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Memoirs & Biographies
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Manga
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Literary Fiction
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Lifestyle
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Business & Economics
• Spring 2023 Announcements: History
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Essays & Literary Criticism
• Spring Announcements 2023: Cooking & Food
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Art, Architecture & Photography
• Spring 2023 Announcements: Adult Comics & Graphic Novels
• Apply for an eCard | Queens Public Library
• Print Book Sales Fell 6.5% in 2022
• Book Deals: Week of January 16, 2023
• Trailer: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
• Cover Reveal: 'Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.' by Judy Blume
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

“Little Duke” by Humans Winwinder 

“The Wonder Years” by Humans Win

“Mischievous Days” by New Library Sounds

Rosemi is back from holiday, and she comes bearing gifts for you. She also tells you about a common and easily avoidable first draft mistake rookie writers make.

• Mexican Sunset by Rick Jebb - Featured Author
• Wanderlust Book Lounge - Bothell, Washington - Featured Bookstore
• Select Book Conferences, Fairs & Festivals January–June 2023
• Barnes & Noble to Host Inaugural BookTok Festival
• “A Sackful of Seeds,” by Salman Rushdie | The New Yorker - Excerpt from Victory City
• Trailer for Turn Every Page
• Acclaimed Book Editor Robert Gottlieb : Fresh Air : NPR
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

"Clever Girl" by Humans Win

"Late Night Drive" by Amber Waldron

"Coast of Mexico by Bostick

"Smoking in the Dark" by Humans Win

This episode contains a quick rundown of some important news from the book world, plus, a little gift for writers.

• Six-Month Book Publishing Plan
• Amazon to End Print Textbook Rentals, Overhaul Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions
• Ingram to Shut Down Aerio - Publishers Lunch
• 'Bookforum' to Cease Publication
• 'USA Today' Pauses Bestseller List, Lays Off Presiding Editor
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

"Winter" and "Back to 95" by Humans Win

Learn about several bestselling authors' worst book singing experiences, and learn one thing many aspiring authors fail to do.

• The Christmas Spirit: A Novel by Debbie Macomber
• Free Holiday Books
• Shine a Light by Rebecca Crowley (Orchard Hill Series) - Featured Author
• Submissions - Tule Publishing Group |
• Mizrahi Book Store, Brooklyn, NY - Featured Bookstore
• Me and Orson Welles movie review (2009) | Roger Ebert
• Neil Gaiman comforts debut author after two people show up to her book signing | The Independent
• Ann Cleeves: Author’s laptop containing draft of novel found in snow | HeraldScotland
• James Patterson to Complete Unfinished Michael Crichton Novel
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

“Santa in Red” by Loops Lab

“Holiday at Home” by Jon Presstone

"Gift Giving" by Amber Waldron

“In Need of Christmas” by Boomer

"Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" by Craig Austin, Worldwide Public Domain

Looking for the perfect gift for the writer in your life? Forget notebooks and pens—this episode reveals five priceless gifts that every writer truly needs. Best of all, they’re completely free! Whether you’re a writer yourself or supporting one, these gifts can make all the difference. Tune in for a fun and insightful holiday episode that celebrates writers and their craft.

• 5 Last-Minute Gifts for Writers - Medium article
• The ForestGirls, With the World Always - Featured Author
• Bookends & Beginnings, Evanston, Illinois - Featured Bookstore
• Who will sell the books | SHuSH
• Paramount CEO Says Simon & Schuster Will Be Divested
• Markus Dohle Steps Down as Penguin Random House CEO
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

"Warm Honey (Holiday Version)" by Jon Presstone

"Santa's New Suit" by Humans Win

"Forest Ambient" by jabameister

"Time to Swing" by Neil Cross

This episode includes the latest publishing news, the etymology of soccer, and a full breakdown of the biggest mistake writers make and how to fix it for free.

• Why Do Some People Call It Soccer? - HISTORY
• Amazon's Kindle Scribe Bet That Handwriting Is the Future of E-Readers - CNET
• Bob Dylan Apologizes Over Autopen Controversy: ‘An Error in Judgement’ – Rolling Stone
• Paramount Terminates PRH Bid for S&S
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

"Cozy By The Fireside (Christmas Version)" by Jon Presstone

"Big and Uncool" by Humans Win

"London Winter" by Daniel Willett

Get tips on how to break into the book market, and learn how to neutralize your writing obstacles with one little word.

• Hobart Book Village on the Today show - VIDEO
• Hobart Book Village, Hobart, New York - Featured Bookstore
• National Book Awards 2022 - National Book Foundation
• HarperCollins Union Workers Bring Strike to the National Book Awards
• Is there a Crisis of Confidence in Scientific Research?
• K-lytics Romance Report
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

“Jazzy Retro Swing Groove” by MoodMode

“Little Noir Mystery” by Humans Win

“gatherings by the fireplace” by Boomer

“Santa in Red” by Loops Lab

Ten weeks' worth of writing tips in one episode.

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Today we’re finding out how many pages your manuscript will be in print form, and we’re working on a fun writing exercise together. Plus, we discuss the latest publishing news.

• 2022 Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalists | Florida Writers Association - Featured Author
• The Book Lady Bookstore, Savannah, Georgia - Featured Bookstore
• Kensington Buys Erewhon Books
• Turner Buys West Margin Press
• RBmedia Buys German Audio Publisher
• HarperCollins Buys Cider Mill Press
• Rowman & Littlefield Buys Tilbury House's Adult Titles
• Scholastic Buys Learning Ovations
• Kwame Mbalia on Rick Riordan Presents Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Graphic Novel: Middle Grade Fiction - Miami Book Fair
• Kwame Mbalia to Head New Imprint for Disney
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

"Puzzles" by Human Win