Authors, are you looking to build a strong foundation as an entrepreneur who is at the helm of marketing your own work? After hearing about all the scams and red flags in our January episode, it’s important to know that there are honest, effective, and affordable ways to promote your book. These proven strategies (and a long directory with links) help you build visibility, connect authentically with readers, and establish long-term credibility.

SHOW NOTES:

Build a Strong Author Platform

Collaborate with other Authors

Work with Reputable Publicists or Marketers

Pursue Authentic Media Coverage

Optimize your Book Metadata

Leverage Paid Ads the Smart Way

Engage Readers Directly

Final Takeaway

SOURCES & LINKS

Qwoted Connects credible experts with authors (podcasts, blogs, PR…)

Haro: Help a Reporter Out Connects journalists to stories/potential interviews

Writer Beware Blog that identifies scams and provides advice

ALLi Watchdog Alliance of Independent Authors, protects from predatory practices and misinformation

SOURCES & LINKS

Links available on our website/ click link below

DO NOW: Research some of the links we’ve provided, so you not only know what’s available to you but to curate a list of marketing strategies that meets your specific goals.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

DO NOW: Research some of the links we’ve provided, so you not only know what’s available to you but to curate a list of marketing strategies that meets your specific goals.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank page, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we provide brainstorming techniques you can use today to help spark ideas and methods to begin to flesh them out. From character-driven sparks to high-concept “what if” questions, we’ll show you how to move past creative paralysis and into momentum. Whether you’re starting your first novel, searching for your next project, or feeling stuck midway through a draft, this episode will help you unlock creativity with purpose — and walk away with ideas you’re excited to write.

SHOW NOTES:

Idea Generators (lots of them)

Methods of Brainstorming

SOURCES & LINKS

https://www.well-storied.com/blog/three-powerful-ways-to-brainstorm-new-story-ideas

DO NOW: Choose an idea generator and combine it with a method. Repeat until you have have a strong premise for your next story.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Sue William Silverman is the award-winning author of five books of creative nonfiction, including her latest, Selected Misdemeanors which has been longlisted for the 2026 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay, two craft books on writing, and three poetry collections. Her memoir Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction was also made into a Lifetime TV Original Movie. As a professional speaker and writer, Sue has appeared on many nationally syndicated radio and TV programs including The View and Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN; She's the co-chair of the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

SHOW NOTES:

Selected Misdemeanors

The Butterfly Effect

Writing Process

Teaching writing (craft books & MFA Program, Vermont College of Fine Arts)

Writing poetry

Advice for Writers

Next Steps

Rapid Fire Questions

Sue’s Book Recommendations:

anything by novelist Jean Rhys & The Love by Marguerite Duras

SOURCES & LINKS

https://www.suewilliamsilverman.com

https://www.instagram.com/suewilliamsilverman/ https://www.facebook.com/SueWilliamSilverman https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19942.Sue_William_Silverman

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

This episode explores genre not just as a marketing label, but as a powerful storytelling framework that shapes reader expectations, craft choices, and publishing opportunities. We’ll begin by defining what genre really means, then break down how different genres function, what readers of each genre expect, and how those expectations influence plot, pacing, character, and tone. By the end of the episode, you will have a clearer understanding of how to position your stories, communicate your genre, and use it as a creative tool instead of a restriction.

SHOW NOTES:

Why Genre Matters More than you Think

Understanding Genre as a Framework

Positioning Your Story in the Marketplace

Communicating Genre to Agents and Readers

Genre as a Creative Tool

Common Pitfalls

SOURCES & LINKS:

“How Important is Genre When Pitching and Promoting a Book?” Sangeeta Mehta, Jane Friedman, FEB 2025

“Understanding Genre: How to Writer Better Stories,” Savannah Gilbo, 2026

“In Defense of Labels: On Genre as a Literary Conversation," Lit Hub, Lincoln Michel, 2021

DO NOW (with samples):

Identify your primary genre. Study 5 successful books w/in that genre. Fill out the FREE DOWNLOAD to help get you started writing a genre positioning statement.

Next, write a pitch using genre-specific language:

[Genre] + Protagonist + Goal + Obstacle + Stakes

EX: Romance

A contemporary romance about a burned-out wedding planner who’s forced to work with the cynical journalist who once broke her heart—only to discover that saving her career might mean risking it all for love again.

EX: Thriller

A domestic thriller about a woman who begins to suspect her perfect husband is connected to a string of disappearances—and must uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, we dive deep into the differences between Writer's Block and Writer's Burnout. Discover how burnout manifests through symptoms like fatigue and a waning passion for writing. We’ll share effective recovery strategies that are not only practical but also inspiring. Learn the importance of taking refreshing breaks, establishing a consistent writing routine, and exploring new environments to spark creativity. We'll also discuss how engaging with various creative works and building connections with fellow writers can reignite your passion. Plus, find out which foods can boost your mood and help you on your writing journey

SHOW NOTES:

Understanding Writer's Burnout vs. Writer’s Block

Signs to Look For

How to Get Inspired Again (10 methods)

RECAP

SOURCES & LINKS:

“Writers, We Need to Talk About Creative Burnout,” Medium, Erin Fulmer, OCT 2022

“Writer’s Burnout: Will you let yourself smolder until you become a cinder?” CreativeIndie, Laura Hartman

“8 Foods to Beat Writer’s Block,” The Writer, APR 2024

“How to Blast through Writer’s Burnout…or Block…or Not,” Lit News Magazine, Betsy Robinson, DEC 2022

DO NOW:

If you are looking for a creative boost in your writing, use some of these ideas we’ve discussed. Or come up with a list of your own, tailored to your needs. Also, perhaps take an inventory of your writing habits. Look to see if any of these signs are creeping into your work and think of ways on how you can avoid them.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Linda Rosen is the author of four historical fiction novels, The Disharmony of Silence, Sisters of the Vine, The Emerald Necklace, and her newest release, Abandoning the Script, available March 6th. Linda’s novels are set in the “not-too-distant past” and examine how women

reinvent themselves despite obstacles thrown their way – and they always feature a piece of

jewelry!

She is a member of the Women Fiction Writers Association and co-founder of the South Florida chapter of the Women’s National Book Association where she holds the position of VP of Programming. In addition, Linda is on the board of Trails of Delray, her local chapter of the Brandeis National Committee, an administrator of the 5K+ member Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip and editor of their newsletter, Wanderlust.

Fitness professional turned novelist Linda Rosen, after living most of her life in New Jersey (and only a short trip into NYC) now lives with her husband in sunny Florida happily wearing sandals all year long. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Linda on the Pickleball court, in the pool, or reading with her feet in the sand.

SHOW NOTES:

Abandoning the Script

Back Catalogue

Writer Life

Rapid Fire Questions

SOURCES & LINKS

Website: https://www.linda-rosen.com/

Abandoning the Script is available for pre-order, the paperback, discounted at 15% off until March 5th. And a first chapter sample of all of Linda’s books including Abandoning the Script, as well its trailer, are available on her website.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Every author wants their book to reach readers—but in the world of publishing, that dream can make writers vulnerable to marketing scams. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the shady side of book promotion and show you how to spot red flags before they cost you time, money, and trust.

SHOW NOTES:

How to spot a scam

Questions to ask

How to vet a scam

Rules of thumb

Samples

SOURCES & LINKS:

ScamVoid: Checks fake websites

Writer Beware: Blog that identifies scams and provides advice

ALLi Watchdog: Alliance of Independent Authors, protects from predatory practices and misinformation

Writers Weekly: Online magazine with a host of articles (including those aimed at protecting indie authors from being scammed

Author’s Guild: Author organization that offers online forums and legal services

DO NOW: Peruse the links we attached to know where you can turn if you suspect being scammed.

Next Episode:

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, we highlight the top publishing trends for 2025 and 2026. We discuss the rise of new romance subgenres, the impact of artificial intelligence on editing and marketing, and the nostalgic comeback of 90s and early 2000s-inspired fiction. We also explore the evolution of audiobooks into immersive experiences, the bookstore renaissance with a surge in new openings, and the growing trend of “readaways,” where readers merge travel with literature

SHOW NOTES:

The Enduring Allure of Romance

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Publishing

Nostalgia as Cultural Capital

The Evolution of Audiobooks

Bookstore Renaissance

Transforming the Reading Experience

SOURCES & LINKS:

Lumina Datamatics. (2026). Top 10 Publishing Trends to Watch Out For in 2026. Retrieved from Lumina Datamatics

Booksshelf. (2026). What’s Going to Be Hot in 2026: Predictions for Fiction. Retrieved from Booksshelf

New York Times. (2025). Book Sales Trends 2025. Retrieved from NY Times

VRBO. (2026). Readaways: Trends in Literary Travel. Retrieved from VRBO

“2026 Author Trends You need to Know,” Written Word Media (2026)

Next Episode: Marketing Scams Every Author Should Know

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you