Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers 2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part II
Dec 16, 2025
Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey, both accomplished authors, dive into practical indie-author strategies. They discuss the pros and cons of various newsletter platforms, revealing strategies to maximize engagement and boost open rates. The conversation includes insights on using AI for translations and the evolving landscape of audiobook sales, emphasizing direct sales versus wider strategies. Lastly, they share their plans for 2026, encouraging authors to balance productivity and sustainability in a changing market.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Cuts Translation Costs Sharply
- AI-driven translation tools have slashed costs dramatically for authors.
- Doug Pratt notes machine translations can cost under $30 versus $1,000 for humans.
Hybrid Translate: AI Then Post-Edit
- Run AI translations and then post-edit with ChatGPT or a human for quality.
- Combine ScribeShadow output with prompt-driven ChatGPT passes to fix colloquialisms.
Podcasting A Book With Author Commentary
- Jami serialized her bestseller as a podcast with author commentary and released it for free.
- She used the podcast to showcase her voice and drive new discoverability amid rising AI audio.