Question of the Week: Given Amazon’s recent rank stripping of promoted books, do you think you’ll do fewer launch-style promotions and go for the slow and steady approach? Why or why not?

With Amazon’s recent rank stripping, should authors focus on a slow and steady promo effort rather than starting off with a bang? After thanking their patrons Guerrilla Tactics Against Passive Aggression in the WorkPlace, 31 Days of Wisdom, and Wanderer’s Escape, the dynamic duo of Jim and Bryan jump into tips about authors not feeling like imposters, keeping motivated during NaNoWriMo, and adjusting MailChimp settings. New items featured John Grisham’s biggest financial mistake, reading easier on mobile phones, Amazon cracking down on rank manipulation, Twitter locking authors out of their accounts, and why pirated books may not be as harmless as some think. Question of the Week: Given Amazon’s recent rank stripping of promoted books, do you think you’ll do fewer launch-style promotions and go for the slow and steady approach? Why or why not?

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Question of the Week: Has your spouse/significant other ever read your books? How involved are they in your publishing process and why?

How involved is your spouse in your writing? After thanking their patrons Vanguard: The Complete First Series, Divorced Dad: Kids are Forever, Wives are Not, and Hitler Out of Time, Jim and Bryan chat about tips on how authors can create books with perennial appeal, putting off learning new skills until they are needed, and using preorder promotions to launch a bestseller. News stories included what readers can expect from Wattpad’s new Premium service, Amazon’s new feature for young readers, Amazon Rapids, how Audible is making your commute a little easier, why KU and wide authors should use different marketing methods, and why Amazon is stripping some innocent authors of their books’ ranking. This week’s Question of the Week: Has your spouse/significant other ever read your books? How involved are they in your publishing process and why?

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Question of the Week: When are you planning to start using KDP Print? What will you miss the most about CreateSpace when it’s eventually closed?

Is this the beginning of the end for CreateSpace? After thanking their patrons, The Busy Busy Author, The Last Verdict, and Slow Burn: Zero Day, Jim and Bryan took on tips about podcasts, BookBub Ads, and social media anxiety. News stories included how to grow your business, outside-the-box marketing, KDP Jumpstart, the closing of CreateSpace’s e-store, and seven-figure trad pub deals. This week’s Question of the Week: When are you planning to start using KDP Print? What will you miss the most about CreateSpace when it’s eventually closed?

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Question of the Week: Do you use iBooks? How do you think it compares to other ebook marketplaces and why?

With a trio of massive tips, Jim and Bryan brought the fire for episode 184. After thanking their patrons Carnal, Twisting Fate, and Character Sketch & Color, the publishing prima donnas discussed tips on nonfiction books, beta readers, and relaunching your books. News stories included romance publishers falling short on diversity, using Amazon’s built-in X-Ray feature, Draft2Digital’s new affiliate program, romance authors’ frustration at a recent New York Times piece, and why iBooks may slide from its #2 spot. This week’s Question of the Week: Do you use iBooks? How do you think it compares to other ebook marketplaces and why?

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Question of the Week: If you don’t yet use Facebook Ads, what’s the main reason you don’t include them as part of your marketing?

Sci-fi author Michael Cooper joined us today for a longer-than-usual but extremely informative Lab segment. After thanking their patrons, Peak Democracy, The Final Arrangement, and Nightblade, Bryan and Jim tackled tips on pen names, selecting your next story to write, and how to promote your books. News stories included the publishing practices of Marcel Proust, publishers helping hurricane victims, AAP’s ebook sales increase, and Bookfunnel’s new direct sales integration. This week’s Question of the Week: If you don’t yet use Facebook Ads, what’s the main reason you don’t include them as part of your marketing?

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Question of the Week: Is Barnes & Noble getting a tech partner or selling its ebook and e-reader business a good thing for authors or a bad thing and why?

Has Nook finally waived the white flag? Find out in our latest episode! Jim and Bryan take on tips about efficient book launches, common mistake, and information overload. After thanking their patron Dead Still, the two triple-threats discussed stories on Amazon’s Alibaba sale in China, attitudes about intellectual property, Canada’s audio battleground, and Barnes & Noble making changes with the Nook. This week’s Question of the Week: Is Barnes & Noble getting a tech partner or selling its ebook and e-reader business a good thing for authors or a bad thing and why?

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Question of the Week: At what point should an indie be considered a “sellout?”

Bryan and Jim are back with a very news-focused show! After thanking their patrons, Black Shadow Moon, The Tilt, and Twins of Prey, the publishing pundits discussed making big plays, connecting with readers on social media, and how to improve your email engagement. News stories included an idea for improving KDP customer support, lessons Joanna Penn learned in her sixth year in publishing, why trad pub bet big against digital, a new system in erotica characterization, and what we can learn from Chance the Rapper. This week’s Question of the Week: At what point should an indie be considered a “sellout?”

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Question of the Week: How much would your earnings have to drop to consider going wide instead of in KU? Also, would you consider leaving if Amazon’s actions against the scammers aren’t effective? Why or why not?

What’s your KU pain point? Jim and Bryan ask the big questions this week on Episode 180. After thanking their patrons Guardian of the Brail, Achieve Anything in Just One Year, and How to Drive Your Next Car Deal, the Towers of Publishing Power discussed tips on paperback preorders, rookie publishing mistakes, and a new email swap service. News stories included teaching self-publishing to high schoolers, Rip Van Winkle syndrome for midlisters, tips for Amazon Ads, Kobo’s new audiobook platform, and Amazon’s lawsuits to stop scammers. This week’s Question of the Week: How much would your earnings have to drop to consider going wide instead of in KU? Also, would you consider leaving if Amazon’s actions against the scammers aren’t effective? Why or why not?

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Question of the Week: Would it be as big a story if a major retailer like Amazon allegedly discriminated against LGBT books, or is the story the same magnitude no matter where that discrimination happens?

Happy Labor Day! Jim and Bryan each ran special sales this week (discount book descriptions and reviewer submissions) and chatted at length about tips on sending personal emails, dealing with fear, and changing up your Facebook Ads. After thanking their patrons Thawed, The Hat Trick Series, and The Dragon Rustler, the emperors of entrepreneurship discussed news stories on earning from shorter works, WordPress 5.0, waiting to promote your books, creating a shared universe, and alleged discrimination from Playster. This week’s Question of the Week: Would it be as big a story if a major retailer like Amazon allegedly discriminated against LGBT books, or is the story the same magnitude no matter where that discrimination happens??

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Question of the Week: Given the release of Wattpad’s Raccoon video app, do you think video storytelling will ever become a part of your author business? Why or why not?

With Jim’s 24 Hours of Free Author Marketing Club promo and Bryan’s crazy few weeks, there was a lot to discuss. After thanking their patrons, The Outline Book, Removed, and A Curse upon the Saints, the warriors of indie writing discussed networking, book cover redesigns, and Kindle Unlimited promos. News stories included Medium’s subscription service, Amazon’s review word cloud tool, Wattpad’s new Raccoon app, the Handbook for Mortals New York Times scandal, and Nook’s recent uneven bans on erotica authors. This week’s Question of the Week: Given the release of Wattpad’s Raccoon video app, do you think video storytelling will ever become a part of your author business? Why or why not?

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