298 / We continue our discussion about what’s working in the indie author space. We join Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey and share insights on navigating newsletter platforms, maximizing translations, and adapting to the changes in audiobooks and direct sales. This episode is full of practical nut-and-bolts tips and ideas.

• Newsletter platform pros, cons, and cost-saving tips
• Subject lines, open rates, and optimizing reader engagement
• Using AI and hybrid methods for international translations
• Selling audiobooks direct, wide strategies, and the rise of AI narration
• Planning for balance, productivity, and sustainability in a changing market

📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen

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Sara on the Christian Publishing Show: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/why-every-author-should-try-writing-a-mystery-at-least-once/

Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.com

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📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

297 / How are authors adapting in 2025's changing publishing world? Sara Rosett, Jami Albright, Nicholas Harvey, and Douglas Pratt share lessons learned, trends they’re seeing, and practical strategies from their own writing careers.

• Sales trends and challenges in 2025
• Experimenting with book marketing
• Special editions and direct sales
• Using Patreon and subscriptions
• Impact of AI on publishing
• Social media strategies for authors
• Facebook ads and Amazon changes
• Reader engagement and superfans

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Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.com

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 page matters for both readers and AI discovery
• Tips to optimize book pages for GEO (generative engine optimization)
• Innovative uses of AI tools for marketing and productivity
• Strategies for pruning projects and focusing your efforts
• Evolving business model for nonfiction and why community matters now more than ever

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Author Media: https://www.authormedia.com

Jami’s workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops

Sara’s letter subscription: https://sararosettbooks.com/products/mysteries-in-the-mail (Preorder open until Dec 8, 2025)

Affiliate signup for letters: https://sararosettbooks.affiliatery.staqlab.com/partner/signIn

How to Create a Sales-Optimized Book Page for Your Website: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-create-sales-optimized-book-pages-for-your-author-website/

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 business
• Simplicity vs. complexity in book marketing and ads
• Importance of advertising platform focus
• Common mistakes in author advertising strategies

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• https://www.matthewjholmes.com/
• https://www.matthewjholmes.com/courses
• Sara’s Mysteries in the Mail letters: https://sararosettbooks.com/products/mysteries-in-the-mail
• Jami’s workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops
• Joanna Penn’s podcast about Author Nation Lessons Learned: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/11/17/lessons-learned-from-author-nation-2025-with-joanna-penn/

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 Amazon/MGM.

• Lessons from writing plays, scripts, and novels
• What authors should know about adaptation and selling movie rights
• When to get legal advice
• The business side: money management finding trusted advisors
• Why following trends is unhelpful—and what to do instead

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• www.bartvbaker.com

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 for signed ebooks and social media marketing

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⚡Links:

• Bookfunnel https://bookfunnel.com/
• Melissa Storm https://www.melstorm.com/
• Rebecca Brokaw Sands https://rebeccabrokawsands.net/
• Story Origin https://storyoriginapp.com/
• Christine Wellert https://www.christinewellert.com/books
• Dianna Xirassa https://www.dianaxarissa.com/
• Kevin McLaughlin https://kevinomclaughlin.com/
• Lulu https://www.lulu.com
• Author Scale https://www.authorscale.com/
• Draft 2 Digital https://draft2digital.com/
• Vanessa Kier https://www.vanessakier.com/
• Self Publishing with Dale https://selfpublishingwithdale.com/

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 editor vs. a book coach
• The most common manuscript mistakes—and how to fix them
• Tips for breaking out of endless revision loops
• Mindset, habits, and routines of successful writers
• Trends in fiction and how author “voice” matters more than ever

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⚡Links:

• https://plumeeditorial.com/
• Sign up for the FREE mini email course, Outline the Five Key Beats of Your Novel:
• https://plumeeditorial.myflodesk.com/fivebeatsmini

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

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 sustainability
• Streamlining your author business for joy (not just income)
• The real value of Strengths and Enneagram for writers and relationships
• What Becca is hopeful about with the future of publishing

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• http://betterfasteracademy.com/links
• Ep 85: Becca Syme on Empathy, Energy Pennies, and Expectations: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/85-2/

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🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices

❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5

🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/

📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/

The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast