Best Thomas Umstattd Jr Podcasts (2025)

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The End of Rapid Release and the Advent of Breadgeist 1:10:51

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5d ago1:10:51

1:10:51

This one was a doozy. We covered AI's shortcomings, how authors can maximize their output potential and how cowboy romances relate to bread making. Yes, sir, you can only get that kind of content here, on Author Update.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference 22:28

7d ago22:28

22:28

Most writing conferences teach you how to write a better book or how to pursue a literary agent. But what if you have already written a great book and you need help selling it? Is there a conference for you? Yes! Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference, a live, in-person event focused on helping you market and sell more books. The 2026 confe…

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Is AI okay for Christian Authors? 57:52

8d ago57:52

57:52

Is using AI sinful, helpful, or just complicated? In this thought-provoking episode, bestselling author Kate Angelo joins us to discuss the ethical, practical, and spiritual implications of AI for Christian writers. From biblical analogies to real-world tools, this conversation explores some pressing questions for Christians about AI, creativity, a…

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GPT-5 Is Here 59:36

11d ago59:36

59:36

Come listen to Jonathan and Thomas discuss the latest advancements from OpenAI and what they mean for writers, as well as the cultural war between Texas and Australia.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Get Started with Author School Visits and Make Your Book Playground Famous 48:42

14d ago48:42

48:42

If you write picture books, chapter books, or middle-grade fiction, you know the challenge: kids read your books, but adults buy them. So how can you let young readers know about your books? Where can you connect with your readers? By meeting them in person in school classrooms! In this week's episode, award-winning author Becca Wierwille shares ho…

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Audible Reduces Author Royalties, Trad Sales Plummet, Indie Sales Rise 1:13:40

18d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Listen to this week's episode of Author Update as Jonathan and Thomas dive into Audible's royalty shenanigans, the woes of the trad pub world vs. the success of the indie scene.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Zeitgeist, Dystopian Fatigue, and the Rise of Ruthless & Noble Heroes 1:02:17

22d ago1:02:17

1:02:17

What’s up with ruthless heroes and romantasy? And what if the real reason your book isn’t selling has nothing to do with your writing and everything to do with the zeitgeist? In this week’s Novel Marketing episode, we’re featuring an episode of Author Update. We unpack the massive cultural shift that's changing what readers crave. From romantasy'…

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Substack, GoodReads and MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT!!! 26:07

25d ago26:07

26:07

Solo episode with Jonathan as Thomas is on vacation. We're going into changes with Substack, GoodReads, Kindlepreneur's look into Amazon keywords, and much more.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to sell 1,000 books a month 31:54

29d ago31:54

31:54

Ever wonder how some authors consistently sell a thousand books a month? What marketing tactics are they using? How can I get those results too? In the latest episode of the Novel Marketing Podcast, I talk with Susan Neal, author of nine books and CEO of the Christian Indie Publishing Association. Susan shares how she layers her marketing efforts—f…

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Zeitgeist: The Age of Ruthless Heros 1:04:29

1M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Feast your ears as Jonathan and Thomas discuss the direction fiction is taking, and how societies deal with major turns.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Work With a PR Firm to Promote Your Book 48:31

1M ago48:31

48:31

Publicity has always been important for authors. Mark Twain promoted his books by writing letters to the paper, and even Agatha Christie, who was known for being very private, still did interviews with prominent newspapers. Yet some authors think this kind of publicity is old-fashioned. In a world dominated by social media, do we even need traditio…

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Barnes and Noble, Bots, Bankruptcy and Beyond: The Big Beautiful Episode 1:14:49

1M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Donate to disaster survivors at ADRN.org.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book? 12:48

1M ago12:48

12:48

You’ve optimized your book for AI, updated your website, polished your metadata, maybe even watched our AI Optimization for Authors episode. But how do you know if any of it is working? In this week’s episode, you’ll discover how to measure your AI optimization success. Because the hard truth is that if ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini doesn’t know your bo…

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21st Century Apologetics: Why Christians No Longer Need to be Relevant 57:25

1M ago57:25

57:25

The cultural ground beneath us is shifting fast. The kinds of books that impacted your faith a decade ago, and possibly inspired you to write, likely won’t have the same effect on readers in this cultural moment. How do you write books that resonate with readers without compromising biblical truth? In this week’s episode, I speak with pastor and au…

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The Case of Authors Vs. AI 1:01:43

2M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Several court cases impacting authors, the NYT wonders if men read literary novels, and Jonathan starts a lawsuit against Thomas. All on this week's Author Update.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Create Sales Optimized Book Pages for Your Author Website 26:31

2M ago26:31

26:31

Well, this is embarrassing. After 12 years of teaching authors how to build better websites, I realized I’ve never covered the most important page on your site: your book page. Your book’s webpage isn’t just for selling your book anymore. It’s now key to showing up in Google search results and getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT. In this w…

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How The Iran War Will Impact Authors 1:03:06

2M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

The Israel-Iran War, more AI impact on the workforce, zeitgeist discussion and more Patron Tools in the toolbox. All here with Author Update.By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Is Your Traditional Publisher Going Bankrupt? 8 Warning Signs to Look Out For 30:20

2M ago30:20

30:20

The publishing industry is facing significant challenges. We just went through a major zeitgeist shift, and reader preferences radically changed. AI also showed up in a big way, so it should be no surprise that several traditional publishers are struggling to adapt. What happens to you and your book if your publisher goes bankrupt? How will you kno…

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Amazon Drops Printing Prices, Lays Off Kindle Staff, and Ends Hourly Rankings 1:02:08

2M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Watch us on YouTube live!By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Adapt a Podcast to YouTube 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

You work hard to create content for your audience. But how do you get more mileage and reach out of each piece you create? One way is to adapt your content for another platform. I recently started adapting my podcast into a YouTube channel. But how do you do that? I learned the hard way how not to do it. To gain traction on YouTube, you have to res…

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Tension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel Readers Can’t Put Down 58:15

2M ago58:15

58:15

Why do some books keep readers up all night while others fall flat? If you've ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you're not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping readers hooked to the end. In this week’s episode, we dive deep into what truly drives great storytelling. Whether you're writing legal thrillers, …

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Is the AI Bubble Popping? 59:59

3M ago59:59

59:59

A new version of Vellum, Publisher Rocket ends its lifetime deal, and is the AI bubble going to burst?By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Publish a Novel in 2025 36:10

3M ago36:10

36:10

Have you been dreaming about publishing a book that actually sells? The hard truth is that most authors fail because they jump straight into writing. They spend months writing a book only to find out later they made a key mistake, and nobody wants to buy the book. I've helped thousands of authors go from blank page to profitable launch, and in this…

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The End of Google for Authors? 56:50

3M ago56:50

56:50

🎙️ Author Update – Episode: The End of Google (for Authors?) Hosts: Jonathan Shuerger & Thomas Umstattd Jr. 🕒 Runtime: \~57 minutes 📚 Topics: AI Search, SEO, Voice Cloning, Book Marketing, Author Tools --- 🔍 Episode Summary: Is this the beginning of the end for Google? In this episode, Jonathan and Thomas explore how AI is disrupting traditional se…

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An Introduction to Author Ecosystems with Russel Nohelty 51:24

3M ago51:24

51:24

Have you ever followed popular marketing advice that worked wonders for someone else but completely fell flat for you? Or have you watched another author succeed with a strategy you were told would never work? That’s because book marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this week’s episode, I talk with USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty abou…

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Do 45% of Authors Already Use AI?! 1:21:12

3M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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AI Optimization for Authors 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Most authors are thinking about AI the wrong way. AI isn’t really a tool for writing books, but it’s quickly becoming the most powerful tool for selling them. Even if you’re not using LLMs like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, or Claude, your readers are. In fact, today, readers across the globe asked AI, “What book should I read next?” Did ChatGPT recommend…

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KDP Royalty Changes & Invasion of the AI Audiobooks 1:03:20

3M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Your Author Toolbox 34:07

3M ago34:07

34:07

What if you had a toolbox filled with over 30 expert-level resources to help you sell more books and spend less time marketing? In this week’s episode, I reveal the suite of powerful tools I’ve built to simplify writing and marketing for authors like you. From crafting irresistible blurbs to designing reader magnet covers, optimizing email campaign…

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How to Write a Novel Faster Using Dictation Software 40:06

3M ago40:06

40:06

Did you know the Apostle Paul didn’t write the book of Romans by hand? He dictated it to a someone else who wrote it down, and he’s not the only famous author to do so. In this week’s episode, we explore how authors from Cicero to Agatha Christie to USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller have used dictation to write faster, better, and with m…

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Skype Dies, Romantasy Surges, & Mr. Beast Starts Writing the Bestest Best Seller Ever 58:42

3M ago58:42

58:42

Author Update New Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Author-UpdateBy Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to Write Your Novel from the Middle 47:03

3M ago47:03

47:03

Most authors start writing from the beginning. But what if the beginning is the wrong place to start? In our most recent episode, I talk with bestselling author and writing teacher James Scott Bell about one of his most powerful ideas: the mirror moment. You’ll learn ✅ Why the midpoint is more than just the halfway mark ✅ How to turn a sagging midd…

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How to generate passive income with affiliate marketing 35:54

4M ago35:54

35:54

Are you leaving money on the table every time you share a link to your book? In this week’s episode, we talk with Jesse Lakes, co-founder of Geniuslink, to explore how universal book links and affiliate marketing can help you reach more readers and earn extra income. You’ll learn: Why Amazon.com links could be costing you sales The tools that make …

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Book Bans, Copyright Trolls Target Authors, and is Social Media Mostly Bots? 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

Blog Version: https://www.authormedia.com/book-bans-copyright-trolls/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to PROFITABLY Advertise a Solo Book on Amazon 50:56

4M ago50:56

50:56

Without advertising, most books only sell to the author’s friends, family, and neighbors. People across the country or across town may never hear about your book. Amazon ads can help you reach beyond your social bubble. Many authors think they need a series to make ads work, but that’s not true. You can run profitable ads even if you only have one …

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Does Facebook Think Your Book is Worthless, Author Certification & AI Gets Religion 44:57

4M ago44:57

44:57

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Announcing Author Update 1:00:15

4M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Publishing is changing faster than ever before. New AI tools are dropping every time you turn around, and the way authors write, publish, and sell books is being rewritten in real-time. On Novel Marketing has been committed to sharing evergreen marketing principles that do not change, which is why it's become such a trusted resource for authors. Ho…

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Amazon's New AI Series Recap Feature: How It Will Impact Your Kindle Books 54:08

4M ago54:08

54:08

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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2025 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors 25:27

4M ago25:27

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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 use…

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Tariffs Up & NaNoWiMo Closing Down 50:01

5M ago50:01

50:01

By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Email List Alchemy: How to Grow Your Email List Fast With Giveaways 27:27

5M ago27:27

27:27

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 a…

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Invasion of the AI Images 1:09:08

5M ago1:09:08

1:09:08

Here’s what you can expect from Author Update: Publishing News: Stay in the loop on what’s happening in the industry. Advice That Matters: Learn how to make your book irresistible to readers. Live Q&A: Bring your questions and get answers from Thomas Umstattd and Jonathan Shuerger. Links: - Novel Marketing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/novelmark…

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Escaping the Procrastination Prison: A Guide for Tired Authors 26:00

5M ago26:00

26:00

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 …

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Did Meta Steal Your Book? 1:02:55

5M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Publishing news and advice from Novel Marketing host Thomas Umstattd Jr. and indie author Jonathan Shuerger. Join live to get *your* questions answered. Links: Novel Marketing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/novelmarketing How to Make Your Author Website Amazing: https://training.authormedia.com/p/amazing-author-websites First Email Challenge: htt…

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How to Craft a Cancel Proof Marketing Strategy 41:58

5M ago41:58

41:58

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 …

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Author Website Review: Christian Historical Romance 45:16

5M ago45:16

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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 …

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Discovery Writing 101: How to Craft Gripping Stories Without an Outline 47:55

5M ago47:55

47:55

The term "pantser" has been used to describe writing a book without an outline. At writers conferences, outlining and "pantsing" (also known as discovery writing) are often framed as rivals. However, most writers fall between the two extremes. I've seen successful authors across that spectrum. What truly matters is finding the method that works bes…

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Book Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to Write 59:40

6M ago59:40

59:40

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…

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The Sci-Fi Zeitgeist Has Shifted – What Authors Need to Know 37:47

6M ago37:47

37:47

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 cli…

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Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing 46:09

6M ago46:09

46:09

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…