Best Thomas Umstattd Jr Podcasts (2025)

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Crafting Irresistible Book Pages Readers and Bots Love with Thomas Umstattd Jr. 1:09:43

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2d ago1:09:43

1:09:43

296 / Do you want to leverage your author website, use AI tools efficiently, and prune your tasks strategically so you can sell more books and focus your creative energy where it counts? Thomas Umstattd Jr. shares insights on optimizing your book pages, using AI wisely, and making tough choices to thrive in a crowded publishing world. Why your book…

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Author Update Has A New Home! 1:21:49

1h ago1:21:49

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We show off our new channel's digs, talking about rising costs and the impact of AI on publishing throughout longer trends. It's a good time. https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Should You Create a Premium Hardcover Edition of Your Book? 1:00:09

2d ago1:00:09

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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. W…

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82 | Publishing Success Without a Big Platform: How One Writer Attracted Agents and Editors w/Sarah Damoff 55:36

4d ago55:36

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If you’ve ever thought, “There’s no way I can land a book deal without a massive platform,” this episode is going to mess with that narrative in the very best way. Our guest, best-selling novelist Sarah Damoff, sold her debut novel, The Bright Years, to Simon & Schuster with no writing background, no industry connections, an Instagram following of …

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The Amazon Associate Crackdown and Black Friday Deals! 1:23:49

6d ago1:23:49

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Listen to Author Update for all the news on Amazon's new video advertising capabilities, their reiteration of bans on the Amazon Associate program, and all the Black Friday deals authors need! https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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BTB165: Over 12 Million Copies Sold: The Self-Publishing Story Behind Thomas Erikson’s Surrounded by Idiots 31:45

7d ago31:45

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In today’s episode, we welcome back Thomas Erikson, the behaviorist and international bestselling author behind the global phenomenon Surrounded by Idiots. What began as a single book has grown into the bestselling Surrounded by series, with more than twelve million copies sold and translations in nearly 70 languages. Thomas speaks to audiences aro…

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Matthew J. Holmes on Building a Sustainable Author Business (Even If You Write Slowly) 41:26

9d ago41:26

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295 / Curious how authors can build thriving, sustainable careers—even without rapid releases or a huge backlist? Matthew J. Holmes shares how he transformed his wife’s books into a six-figure business, the realities of book advertising, and the mindful strategies indie authors need now. Turning a single slow-release series into a profitable busine…

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81 | How Christian Writers Can Use Email to Build Trust (Without Being Salesy) w/ Cienna Kopischke 41:04

10d ago41:04

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What if your email list wasn’t just a marketing tool—but a ministry? In this conversation with business coach Cienna Kopischke, we explore how Christian writers can move away from hustle-driven tactics and instead steward their readers with care through email. Cienna shares how she shifted her business from Instagram-dependence to a Kingdom-centere…

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Amazon Algorithm Secrets That Separate Bestsellers from the Slush Pile 50:13

10d ago50:13

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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 lov…

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BTB164: Surrounded by Idiots | Thomas Erikson on Human Behavior, Bias, and the Four Colors 27:27

11d ago27:27

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Today, we’re joined by Thomas Erikson, the highest-selling living Swedish author and the international bestseller behind Surrounded by Idiots, the book that has helped millions understand human behavior in a clearer and more practical way. Its global success led to an entire Surrounded by series, including Surrounded by Psychopaths, Surrounded by B…

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Did Google's Gemini Train on Your Manuscript? 1:11:58

14d ago1:11:58

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Google's dark pattern, plus new AI tools, upgrades to existing systems and a deep dive into the cozy mystery genre. https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Bart Baker on Pitching Your Book to Hollywood 59:55

16d ago59:55

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294 / Do you want to pitch your book to Hollywood? Screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Bart Baker shares how authors can position their books for adaptations. He also gives us the story behind Honeymoon With Harry, a movie deal twenty-plus years in the making, which will go into production in 2026, starring Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal for …

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80 | Using Podcasting to Grow a Coaching Business w/Elizabeth Andreyevskiy 46:12

18d ago46:12

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Imagine building a successful, profitable business without posting a single reel, chasing trends, or spending hours trying to trick the algorithm. If this sounds impossible, think again. As an anger management coach and podcaster, Elizabeth Andreyevskiy walked away from social media entirely, and in doing so, built a flourishing coaching practice t…

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BTB163: 41,000 Copies Sold: Lead It Like Lasso Authors Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio on Intellectual Property Rules for Authors, Ted Lasso Marketing, Co-Authoring and Growth Strategies 30:08

18d ago30:08

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We’re back with Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman, co-authors of Lead It Like Lasso, the Ted Lasso inspired leadership book that set out to sell 25,000 copies in its first year and ended up passing 41,000. They started as complete unknowns with no platform, no agent, and no special advantage, yet their book has grown into a quiet hit across busines…

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The Algorithm War: AI vs. Human Writing 1:20:16

21d ago1:20:16

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Updates on how the publishing and music worlds are adapting to AI, as well as exciting developments from the industry. https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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Behind the Scenes at Author Nation 2025: Take-aways, Vendor Interviews, and Vegas Stories 33:51

23d ago33:51

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293 / Curious about how conferences can spark inspiration, build connections, and transform your author business? We recap our experiences at Author Nation, share some lessons learned, and highlight community connection possibilities. Panel insights: romance, rom-com, cozy, and more Direct sales, Kickstarter, and translations for authors New tech f…

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79 | Landing a Book Deal with a Big 5 Publisher and a Tiny Social Media Following w/Lori Melton 37:55

25d ago37:55

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If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly possible to land a traditional publishing deal without a massive following--or without much of a social media presence at all—today’s episode is for you. This week, we're celebrating our friend, WOS student, retreat leader, spiritual director, and debut author Lori Melton on the launch of her first book, J…

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How to Write Endings Readers Can't Stop Talking About 47:02

24d ago47:02

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You’ve heard it said that a great beginning will sell your book, but a great ending will sell your next book. Every bestseller becomes a bestseller because word spreads from reader to reader, and what creates that good word of mouth? Satisfying endings. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: What makes an ending satisfying (hint: it doesn’t have to …

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BTB162: Authors Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman on Their Book Lead It Like Lasso 29:08

26d ago29:08

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Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman aren’t your typical leadership authors. Before writing Lead It Like Lasso, they built and sold an edtech company for eight figures in just three years without a single sales rep. Drawing from their very different backgrounds in tech and education, they combined strategy with heart to create a business rooted in aut…

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The Holiday Marketing Guide 1:08:10

28d ago1:08:10

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Find out how to plan for this year's holiday season, as well as how changes to the X algorithm change your marketing strategy. https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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The Shopify Trap: Why Authors Keep Losing Money 29:32

1M ago29:32

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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 beh…

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Conquering Mindset Blocks and Making Real Writing Progress with Developmental Editor Sarah Elle 31:26

1M ago31:26

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292 / Are you curious about when to work with a developmental editor, how to get unstuck in your manuscript, and what actually helps authors succeed for the long haul? Editor and book coach Sarah Elle shares insights on the editing process, author mindset, and the strategies—plus pitfalls—every writer should know. When to bring in a developmental e…

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78 | How to Identify Your Reader’s Pain Points and Solve Them With Your Writing w/Amy Simon 33:00

1M ago33:00

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If you’re stepping away from the noise of social platforms, knowing exactly who you’re writing for and what she needs becomes even more essential. Today, writer, podcaster, and writing coach Amy Simon shares how to identify your ideal reader, uncover the problems she’s trying to solve, and use that clarity to shape your message with purpose and con…

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BTB161: Over a Million Copies Sold and a Foreword by Neil Armstrong with Longitude Author Dava Sobel 22:51

1M ago22:51

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We’re delighted to welcome back the incomparable Dava Sobel, bestselling author, award-winning science writer, and the brilliant mind behind Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter, and The Glass Universe. Her work has illuminated the human stories behind some of history’s greatest scientific discoveries, earning her international acclaim and a devoted reade…

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Traditional Publishing in Crisis: Sales Down 9.4% 1:34:13

1M ago1:34:13

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This week we're covering Spotify's game-changing Audiobook Selects program for indie authors, the collapse of traditional publishing sales with trade books down 9.4%, and major industry closures including Mango Publishing and Knights Of children's books. Plus, we analyze groundbreaking research showing readers prefer AI writing to MFA graduate writ…

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Stop Wasting Money on Ink: 2025 Printer Guide for Authors 14:14

1M ago14:14

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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 n…

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Becca Syme on Dealing with Change 46:57

1M ago46:57

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291 / Are you struggling to navigate burnout, industry shifts, or simply want to future-proof your writing career? Becca Syme returns to share lessons from her own journey with burnout, sustainable author success, plus actionable advice for writers at every stage. Understanding and recovering from burnout Making mindset changes for autonomy and sus…

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77 | Diversifying Your Writing Income: Mary K.’s Path to Developmental Editing 41:17

1M ago41:17

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Today’s episode is a little different… because our very own Mary K. Tiller is stepping out from behind the hosting mic and into the guest chair! That’s right — the woman you know as co-host and co-founder of Writing Off Social is here to spill the beans on her brand-new venture: Tiller Editing. We’re talking about how she’s building an editing busi…

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BTB160: Longitude | Dava Sobel on the Magic of Science Writing and Lifelong Discovery 30:29

1M ago30:29

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Today we have a very special guest: Dava Sobel, Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling author of Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter, The Glass Universe, and The Planets. Her books have been translated into more than 30 languages and continue to inspire readers around the world to see science through a more human lens. Known for blending meticulous rese…

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Scam Alert! The Nigerian Bot Army Has Arrived! 1:11:19

1M ago1:11:19

1:11:19

Get the latest on scams affecting the author world, a detailed data report on the state of Mysteries, Thrillers and Suspense, and why Americans are reading less than ever. https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/By Thomas Umstattd Jr.

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How to publish your audiobook through ACX 1:07:20

1M ago1:07:20

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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…

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Lee Savino and Russell Nohelty on Thriving During Change, Collaboration, and Repurposing Your Backlist (Part II) 36:37

1M ago36:37

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290 / If you missed the first part of our interview with Lee and Russell, scroll back to the previous episode in your podcast feed and catch up. Part II of our conversation with Russell and Lee continues in this episode as we talk about money mindset, sustainability, collaboration, and more. Lee Savino, seven-figure romance author and mastermind fo…

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Highlight Reel: Supporter Episode - Jami and Sara on Symbolism ❤️ 🗝️ 🔮 ⚔️ 🪐 2:26

2M ago2:26

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Did you know we have a supporter episode out? This short highlight reel gives you a preview of our chat about symbolism. From Pride and Prejudice to Monk, we've got tons of insights and examples that show how symbols can deepen your stories. Different types How we use it in our books Favorite examples from television and movies. 💙 Thanks to all our…

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76 | How to Launch a Paid Online Community Around Your Writing w/ Angie Baughman 38:29

2M ago38:29

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If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to build a paid community around my writing… but where would I even start?” you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Angie Baughman, who has walked that road step by messy step. She’s pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to launch and run a membership that actually serves people — from…

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Has Christian Publishing Gone Woke? 53:03

2M ago53:03

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Many authors have received that dreaded rejection letter from a traditional Christian publisher siting platform size as the reason for the rejection. Is there a platform size that makes you a shoo-in for a traditional Christian publisher? What if even millions of followers can’t get you a contract with a traditional Christian publisher? Is there so…