Month: December 2019

Episode 299 – 2019: Year in Review

Posted on by SMBS Team

What’s the biggest news story of 2019 that we didn’t cover in today’s episode and why?

What story did we miss in 2019? Episode 300 is next week! Bryan is visiting family and Jim is getting ready for life after SMBS. Bryan’s new hint for the new cohost is that she is five-feet ten-inches tall. Be on the lookout for Bryan’s new Amazon Ad Challenge begins on January 13th – sign up now. The 5 News stories that mattered most to indies in 2019 include what Barnes & Noble did to stay in business, the struggles and successes of Amazon, how many wonderful options exist outside of the Audible exclusive option, why some indie community success stories sound so familiar, and what are the biggest changes in the Amazon Ad dashboard. Question of the Week: What’s the biggest news story of 2019 that we didn’t cover in today’s episode and why? read more

Episode 298 – Global Reviews, Kobo’s Tin Anniversary, and the Year 2039

Posted on by SMBS Team

Do you think paper books will be dead by the year 2039? Why or why not?

What does the year 2039 look like for the publishing world? Episode 300 is so close! Bryan’s new hint for the new cohost is that she is obsessed with ghost adventures. Two more weeks with Jim! Be on the lookout Bryan has a new Amazon Ad Challenge coming up in January. This week’s Happy Books Review Winner is Guillaume Sauvé. Thank you to our featured Patrons: Get it Done, How to Pick Up Women with a Drunk Space Ninja, and Leah’s Choice. The Top Tips of the week include what your last minute gift can be, how you can revisit this years 20books event, and Smashwords’ new feature. An honorable mention goes to why the Big 5 may be changing. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how podcasts are going to change, why 2039 may be the year with no books, how libraries are bringing the people back, why your upticks may actually be old, and How Kobo is changing and growing. Question of the Week: Do you think paper books will be dead by the year 2039? Why or why not? read more

Episode 297 – 2019 Translations, AI NaNoWriMo, and Mentors

Posted on by SMBS Team

At what point in an author’s journey do you think he or she should try this new system for creating translations of their books?

When should an author change up how they do translations? Episode 300 is so close! Bryan’s new hint for the new cohost is that she has written over 20 novels. This week’s Happy Books Review Winner is Patrick O’Donnell. Thank you to our featured Patrons: Planet Dead One Shot, How to Sex Your Snake, and Excelsior. The Top Tips of the week include how to improve your cover, what ways you can spruce up your older books, and why you should maybe get a mentor. An honorable mention goes to why you need to make an audiobook. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why you don’t need to worry about AIs, how to be more successful when publishing wide, how social media may not be the key, why your ads won’t get old, and when you should change your translations. Question of the Week: At what point in an author’s journey do you think he or she should try this new system for creating translations of their books? read more

Episode 296 – Self-Doubt, Fake Reviews, & Libraries

Posted on by SMBS Team

How do you deal with self-doubt when you’re trying to put your words out into the world?

How do you build confidence? Episode 300 is so close! Bryan’s new hint for the new cohost is that she lives in the United States! Both Bryan and Jim are going to story shop sumit in Texas! This week’s Happy Books Review Winner is Julie. Thank you to our featured Patrons: Guild of Tokens, Awakening Forever, and Mayhem & Murder. The Top Tips of the week include how to manage your time, what new tool is at your fingertips, and how to get your book on library shelves. An honorable mention goes to why trademarks may be in for a dark road. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include how the prison system is trying to make money, why you may need a smart speaker, what your verified review might really be, why you still can make it big, and how library ebooks are backfiring. Question of the Week: How do you deal with self-doubt when you’re trying to put your words out into the world? read more