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Invasion of the AI Images | Author Update

Invasion of the AI Images | Author Update

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Mar 28, 2025 | Author Update

Explore the rise of AI-generated images and their impact on authors in this Author Update. Learn strategies to adapt and leverage AI tools for your writing success. Outline Amazon Ads Expansion Amazon has recently expanded its sponsored ads, including Sponsored...
How to use Reedsy to Independently Publish Your Book

How to use Reedsy to Independently Publish Your Book

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Mar 13, 2024 | Book Design, Platform

Find out how Reedsy can help indie and traditional authors create beautiful, compelling, and marketable books.

TikTok, Iran, and AI: What Authors Need to Know Now

TikTok, Iran, and AI: What Authors Need to Know Now

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Jun 23, 2025 | Author Update

Welcome to the Summer Solstice edition of Author Update, where co-hosts Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and Jonathan Shuerger unpack the headlines that matter to authors—from global conflicts to algorithm updates. In this jam-packed episode, they dig into the TikTok ban, the war...
How to Run an Independent Publishing Company

How to Run an Independent Publishing Company

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Aug 23, 2023 | Book Design, Business Advice, Independent Publishing, Publishing

Learn how running your own independent publishing company compares with publishing with a small house and how you can start your own company.

The Starving Author: How to Market Books When You Have No Money

The Starving Author: How to Market Books When You Have No Money

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Feb 7, 2024 | Business Advice, Promotion

You have two options if you don’t have money to market your book. Find out how an “expensive option” can be the “budget option” and where to invest your time when you don’t have the money.

Genius Link: A Guide for Authors

Genius Link: A Guide for Authors

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | May 7, 2025 | Advertising, Platform, Promotion

Explore the benefits of universal book links for authors. Drive sales by linking to your book across multiple platforms worldwide.

How to Turn a Podcast Episode into a Blog Post

How to Turn a Podcast Episode into a Blog Post

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | May 10, 2023 | Blogging, Platform, Podcasting

Learn how turning your podcast content into a blog post can benefit you, your readers, and your website, and discover tools to help you get it done.

Reports Say 62% of New Paranormal Romance Titles Are AI Junk Books

Reports Say 62% of New Paranormal Romance Titles Are AI Junk Books

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Dec 20, 2025 | Author Update

Why audiobooks now outsell eBooks, how AI is reshaping publishing, Barnes & Noble’s comeback, and the genre trends and tools authors need for 2026.

Book Marketing 101: Product

Book Marketing 101: Product

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Aug 30, 2023 | Marketing 101, Publishing, Writing Craft

If your book isn’t a good product, marketing gets harder. Find out whose opinion counts and learn to create a good book readers want to buy and read.

How to Publish Your Book Independently

How to Publish Your Book Independently

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Mar 31, 2021 | Independent Publishing, Publishing

A step-by-step guide to help you publish your book independently.

Traditional Publishing in Crisis: Sales Down 9.4%

Traditional Publishing in Crisis: Sales Down 9.4%

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Oct 31, 2025 | Author Update

Instead of a transcript, here are some rough notes. Let us know if you prefer this format or want to switch back to the longer fuller posts. Welcome to Author Update—your weekly dose of publishing news that actually matters to YOUR career.  This week we talk...
Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference

Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Aug 13, 2025 | Conference Tips

Find out what makes the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference unique and find out how you can join us.

10 Decisions Every Indie Author Needs to Make

10 Decisions Every Indie Author Needs to Make

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Mar 24, 2021 | Independent Publishing, Publishing

Expert advice for the 10 critical decisions of indie publishing.

Author Update: Judge Approves Anthropic $3K Author Payments, NaNoWriMo Replacement, & Scam Warning

Author Update: Judge Approves Anthropic $3K Author Payments, NaNoWriMo Replacement, & Scam Warning

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Sep 26, 2025 | Author Update

Thomas: Welcome to Author Update. We have a massive episode packed with breaking news that could put real money in your pocket, especially if you have older books. We will also expose a dangerous book club and review scam that you may have already encountered....
The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn

The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn

by Thomas Umstattd Jr. | Sep 3, 2025 | Publishing

Discover how authors use AI to gain more time for creative writing and how you can get useful output instead of bland AI slop.

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  • Reports Say 62% of New Paranormal Romance Titles Are AI Junk Books
  • Amazon Quietly Changed Kindle Forever
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  • Should You Create a Premium Hardcover Edition of Your Book?

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