The Publishing Performance Show

Chris Wallace is a professional poker player, author, and co-founder of WrittenWell.com. With a background in guitar building before developing an allergy to exotic hardwoods, Chris transitioned to professional poker, which led to writing opportunities during the poker boom. He began writing for poker magazines and blogs, eventually publishing several poker books including a strategy guide and "Short Stacked Ninja." After helping famous poker players increase their book sales through his understanding of Amazon's algorithms, Chris expanded into consulting with authors across all genres before co-founding WrittenWell.com with Adam Stempel and other publishing experts.In this episode:Journey from poker player to poker writer to author consultantHow analyzing Amazon's search algorithm led to book marketing successComprehensive self-publishing resources on WrittenWell.comGenre-specific guides with tropes, clichés, and market trendsKeyword optimization strategies beyond basic search termsImportance of avoiding keywords that hurt conversion ratesAudiobook trends and AI narration developmentsWrittenWell.com's critique groups and writing sprintsThe future of self-publishing vs. traditional publishingResources mentioned:WrittenWell.com - https://writtenwell.com/Publisher Rocket - https://publisherrocket.com/Kindle Trends - https://kindletrends.com/ProWritingAid - https://prowritingaid.com/AutoCrit - https://www.autocrit.comSpoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/Book Recommendations:Thomas Harris novels (including "Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs") - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-Harris/author/B000AQ28TK?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueCormac McCarthy's works"Characters and Viewpoint" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599632128?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with Chris Wallace:WrittenWell.com - Use code "publishingperformance" for a discountConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/compan Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Mitch Carson is a bestselling author, TV host for NBC in Las Vegas, and international speaker who specializes in helping people build their personal brands and increase their media exposure. With decades of experience in television and media, Mitch has mastered the art of getting authors and entrepreneurs featured on major platforms. He shares his expertise on creating compelling pitches, building credibility through strategic media appearances, and leveraging visibility to achieve greater success in business.In this episode:The importance of continuous marketing and "omnipresence"Creating a professional one-sheet to secure media appearancesHow to customize your pitch for different media outletsStrategies for approaching major networks like BBCUnderstanding editorial calendars and timely hooksThe value of matching testimonials to your target marketCase studies of successful clients who used media to grow their businessesFirst steps for authors with no existing media presenceThe crucial role of credibility in media bookingsResources mentioned:Get Interviewed Guaranteed programAuthor Speaker Summit (February event)LinkedIn as a primary platform for author visibilityBook Recommendations:"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill"Atomic Habits" by James ClearConnect with Mitch Carson:Website: getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meet-with-mitchConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Andrew Wallner and Phil Marshall are co-founders of Spoken, an innovative platform that combines AI narration technology with a streaming network for audio content. Coming from backgrounds in healthcare technology where they developed conversational AI systems, they sold their company in 2021 before turning their attention to the audiobook market. Phil, as a sci-fi writer and audio-only reader, recognized the need for better tools to create, publish, stream, and monetize audio content, which became the genesis of Spoken.In this episode:Origins of Spoken from healthcare technology to audiobook innovationHow Spoken combines AI narration with streaming capabilitiesMulti-character and multi-voice narration optionsCreating custom AI voices designed exclusively for specific charactersUsing the "Speak It" feature for precise pronunciation and inflectionAutomatic analysis of characters to suggest appropriate voicesThe Unified Streaming Network monetization modelFree options for authors just getting startedHow authors retain their rights on the platformDIY audiobook creation in a single sittingUpcoming "Take It With You" feature for exporting audioResources mentioned:Spoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/Worldcon - https://www.worldcon.org/Author Nation - Author conference where Spoken was presentedBook Recommendations:"Kill Your Darlings" - https://ihave.spoken.press/p/3SatPI7Y1iE"Welcome to the Audioverse" - https://drphilmarshall.com/spokenConnect with Andrew and Phil:Spoken.press - https://www.spoken.press/drphilmarshall.com - https://drphilmarshall.com/Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Johnathan McClain is a multi-talented creative professional working as a screenwriter, narrator, actor, and novelist. With a background in theater and television, Johnathan transitioned to audiobook narration in 2012, coinciding with Amazon's acquisition of Audible when the demand for narrators exploded. His first major audiobook projects included narrating several Jack Reacher novels, and he has since recorded over 200 books across various genres including sci-fi, fantasy, lit-RPG, mystery thrillers, and romance.In this episode:Journey from child actor to audiobook narratorTheater experience as preparation for narrationTransition from TV to complete performance controlWhy voice quality alone isn't enoughAdapting narration style across genresPreparation process for fiction vs. non-fictionAuthor-narrator collaboration workflowBest practices for manuscript formattingChallenges of dual vs. duet narrationCommon narration mistakes and solutionsTips for DIY audiobook narrationResources mentioned:Audible/ACX - https://www.acx.com/Find A Way Voices - https://www.findawayvoices.com/iAnnotate - https://www.folia.com/iannotateAudio Technica 4040 - Microphone recommendation for home recordingFocusrite Solo - Preamp recommendation for home recordingBook Recommendations:"James" by Percival Everett - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385550367?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"The Wealth of Shadows" by Graham Moore - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG8G3NRT?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with Johnathan McClain:Website: Available for contact through his personal website"Meet Your Maker" - Fantasy series co-written with Seth MacDuffie and published by Podium"Newtown" series - Popular lit-RPG series narrated by JohnathanConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

JD Barker is a New York Times bestselling author who has experienced various publishing paths including traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing. With a background as a book doctor and ghostwriter for over 20 years, JD transitioned to writing his own novels and has since collaborated with James Patterson among other notable authors. His unique publishing journey includes a special relationship with Simon & Schuster that combines the advantages of indie publishing with the distribution power of a major publisher. JD's expertise spans multiple genres within the thriller and suspense categories, and he has numerous works optioned for film and television.In this episode:JD's journey from ghostwriter to bestselling authorThe pros and cons of traditional vs. indie publishingHis unique partnership arrangement with Simon & SchusterCollaborating with James Patterson and other co-authorsHow outlining transformed his writing processCreative marketing strategies for book promotionTips for new authors on quality, consistency, and platform buildingThe challenges of adapting books for film and televisionUpcoming projects including a Flatliners reboot novelResources mentioned:Writers Ink podcast: https://writersinkpodcast.com/NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/Website: https://jdbarker.com/Book Recommendations:"On Writing" by Stephen King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439156816?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with JD Barker:Website: https://jdbarker.com/Books: https://jdbarker.com/books/"We Don't Talk About Emma"” https://jdbarker.com/books/we-dont-talk-about-emma/"The Writer" with James Patterson: https://jdbarker.com/books/the-writer/Upcoming Release: "Something I Keep Upstairs" (May)Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Aryn Van Dyke is a book marketing expert and the founder of Book Rockstar, specializing in LinkedIn marketing strategies for authors. With extensive experience helping both fiction and nonfiction writers leverage LinkedIn as a powerful platform for book promotion, Aryn has developed proven methods for building professional networks, crafting engaging content, and connecting authors with their target audiences. Despite LinkedIn's reputation as a purely professional platform, Aryn demonstrates how authors can transform it into a dynamic marketing channel that drives book sales, speaking engagements, and business opportunities.In this episode:Why LinkedIn is valuable for authors, especially nonfiction writersHow fiction authors can also leverage LinkedIn effectivelyCreating a strategy to connect with niche audiencesOptimizing your LinkedIn profile to showcase your bookContent formats that drive engagement and visibilityNetworking techniques for building valuable connectionsTools and resources to streamline your LinkedIn marketingCommon mistakes authors make on the platformWorking with a LinkedIn marketing specialistResources mentioned:LinkedIn content creators to follow: Kate LaDawn and Holly KrashawLater: https://later.com/Loomly: https://www.loomly.com/Buffer: https://buffer.com/LinkedIn's native scheduler: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1347212Author Nation conferenceBook Recommendations:"Own Your Influence" by Shereen Simon: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/own-your-influence-sherenne-simon/1146338027Connect with Aryn Van Dyke:Website: https://www.bookrockstar.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryn-van-dykeConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Nicola Kinloch is an artist and illustrator with a background in fine art photography and textile design who recently ventured into children's book illustration. Her first illustrated book, written by her mother Patricia Lang, is about bees and beekeeping, combining adventure storytelling with educational content. The book uniquely presents the world from a bee's perspective, teaching children about beekeeping while engaging their imagination. With a passion for visual storytelling, Nicola has developed her own illustration techniques and is now working on additional books for the bee series as well as her own projects.In this episode:Nicola's background in fine art photography and textile designHow the mother-daughter collaboration began during COVIDThe inspiration behind the beekeeping children's bookNicola's process for learning illustration and developing her styleTechniques for creating illustrations by hand and digitallyHow to balance technical information with storytelling in children's booksFinding the right visual style for different age groupsThe importance of pacing and page turns in visual storytellingNicola's upcoming projects, including "The Adventures of Common Cutlery"Resources for aspiring children's book creatorsResources mentioned:Online courses: "The Art of Sketching" by Matthias Adolfsen: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1218-the-art-of-sketching-transform-your-doodles-into-art/reviews?page=313The Good Ship Illustration Limited: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); https://www.scbwi.org/Children's Writers and Artists Yearbook 2025: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1399411829?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlBook Recommendations:"Designing Your Life: Build the Perfect Career Step by Step" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451494083?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with Nicola Kinloch:Website: https://www.boundtobee.com/Kindle Publishing Income: https://kindlepublishingincome.com/Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-kinlochConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Leah Paulos is the founder and director of publicity for Press Shop PR and Book Publicity School. With a background in journalism as a writer and magazine editor at Condé Nast, Leah brings a unique perspective to book publicity, having been on the receiving end of pitches. After transitioning from journalism, she founded Press Shop PR to help authors navigate the challenging world of book promotion, especially as publishing houses provide less marketing support than in the past. Her team has worked with nearly 350 authors, from bestsellers like Neil deGrasse Tyson to debut novelists with small independent presses.In this episode:The difference between publicity and paid advertisingHow Leah's journalism background informs her approach to publicityCase studies of successful book promotion campaignsFinding the right media outlets for your specific bookHow to create an effective pitch for journalists and media outletsEstablishing credibility when self-publishingThe importance of appearing in various media formatsOverview of Book Publicity School's programs and offeringsOvercoming the intimidation of self-promotionPractical steps for authors to start their publicity journeyResources mentioned:Press Shop PR - https://www.pressshoppr.com/Book Publicity School - https://www.bookpublicityschool.com/Free monthly "101" class available on Book Publicity School's website: https://www.bookpublicityschool.com/101Connect with Leah Paulos:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/press-shop-pr/Bsky.App: https://bsky.app/profile/leahpaulos.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090936998502Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Flora Qian is a writer born and raised in Shanghai who later lived in Hong Kong for over a decade before relocating to New York City. Her novel "South of the Yangtze" won the Proverse Prize, an international award for unpublished works in fiction and poetry. Drawing on her experiences growing up in 1980s China and living across multiple cultures, Flora's work explores themes of identity, language, censorship, and cultural displacement through the coming-of-age story of a young Chinese woman navigating complex political and personal landscapes.In this episode:Flora's background and journey from Shanghai to Hong Kong to the USThe inspiration behind "South of the Yangtze" and its themesFlora's writing process as a discovery rather than planningWorking with a publicist to promote her work in a new countryWriting in English as a way to bypass censorshipPlans for future projects exploring motherhood and Chinese folk talesResources mentioned:Proverse Prize: https://proversepublishing.com/proverse-prize/Claire McKinney: https://www.clairemckinneypr.com/Picture This Post: https://www.picturethispost.com/Book Recommendations:"The Fat Years" by Chan Koonchung - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307742822?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"The Only Gaijin in the Village" by Iain Maloney - https://www.amazon.com/dp/184697514X?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with Flora Qian:Website: http://floraqian.comInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/salutflora/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13053607.Flora_QianSouth of the Yangtze:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/9888833456?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Marco Moutinho is the founder and CEO of Dibbly (formerly The Urban Writers), a comprehensive content creation platform that combines AI tools with freelance writing services. The rebranding from The Urban Writers to Dibbly reflects their expansion beyond just writing services to include a suite of AI-powered content creation tools. With Dibbly Create, their collaborative document editor, and an extensive freelancer marketplace, Dibbly aims to streamline the book creation process from research to publication-ready files.In this episode:The evolution from The Urban Writers to DibblyOverview of Dibbly Create's AI-powered content creation toolsUsing AI research tools to analyze competitor booksThe book creation process from outline to finished manuscriptHow Dibbly handles different book genres (fiction vs. nonfiction)Interior book design and export capabilitiesCreating a complete book in 24 hoursEnsuring quality when using AI for book creationUpcoming features and improvementsResources mentioned:Dibbly Create - https://dibbly.com/create/KIP - Dibbly's AI assistantThe AI Book Method - https://dibbly.com/ebook/KIP Scout - https://dibbly.com/scout-tutorial/#:~:text=KIP%20Scout%20by%20Dibbly%20is,can%20publish%20the%20next%20bestseller.Dibbly Marketplace - https://dibbly.com/marketplace/Book Recommendations:"The AI Book Method" by Marco Moutinho: https://dibbly.com/ebook/Connect with Marco Moutinho:Website: https://dibbly.comConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/