The Pint and Portal Author Podcast

You think you're ready for Kickstarter success? Here's what authors need to know.Oriana Leckert is the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter — and she's seen thousands of author campaigns succeed, flop, and everything in between. In this episode, she's breaking down exactly what works, what doesn't, and what most authors get wrong before they even hit launch.We cover everything from how to set your goal, what rewards actually excite backers, how to build your audience before launch, and why that Brandon Sanderson $40M number doesn't mean what you think it means.Whether you're Kickstarter-curious or prepping your first campaign — this one's for you.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 — The #1 mistake authors make before they even launch3:24 — Meet Oriana Leckert, Kickstarter's Head of Publishing6:18 — "Kickstarter is saturated" — Oriana says think again9:41 — The 25-backer stat that changes everything11:24 — The 4 audience types every author needs to know18:07 — The most creative rewards we've ever seen21:21 — The $72 stat that will change how you price your rewards28:53 — How many pre-launch followers do you actually need?33:26 — How to set your funding goal (and why $500 is a red flag)42:05 — The #1 thing every successful campaign has in common📌 Flour & Forge Kickstarter — Exclusive special editions with foil covers, sprayed edges, full color illustrations & bonus drink recipes you can't get anywhere else. Campaign launches April 28th!Check it out on Kickstarter🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Kickstarter Learning LabKickstarter Creator HubFacebook Group: Kickstarter for Authors🎙️ Welcome to the Pint & Portal Author Podcast

Cindy Gunderson has seen massive success as an author in recent years and audiobooks have been one of the biggest drivers of that success. At one point, audio made up 60% of her annual income. The wildest part? All of her audiobooks are available for free on YouTube. And instead of hurting her sales, it's actually boosted them.In this conversation, Cindy breaks down exactly how she built her audiobook business from scratch — starting with a $45 setup in her living room — and shares why she believes there's never been a better time for authors to get into audio.Whether you're thinking about narrating your own books, exploring narration, or just looking for a new revenue stream, this episode is packed with actionable advice.🔗 LINKSCindy's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CindyGundersonCindy's Website: https://cindygundersonaudio.com/📚 MY BOOKS & KICKSTARTERFlour and Forge Kickstarter Pre-Launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hermansteuernagel/flour-and-forge-a-cozy-fantasy-special-edition-bookMy Website & Newsletter: https://www.hermansteuernagel.comCheck out https://www.pintandportal.com/deals for all of our show's sponsors⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Audio income1:03 — Episode introduction3:35 — Sponsor: Flour and Forge Kickstarter6:05 — Barriers to getting started with audiobooks14:15 — Narration Options25:15 — Recording Equipment & Budget33:25 — Why going wide tripled her income39:30 — Posting full audiobooks on YouTube for free51:00 — Cindy's #1 tip for authors

Learn how to grow your author career with hybrid publishing — the perfect blend of traditional and self‑publishing that gives writers more freedom, control, and opportunity.In this episode, host Herman Steuernagel sits down with Australian sci‑fi author Jeremy Szal, who sold his first book at just 23 to Gollancz (Hachette UK) and has since built an international career mixing both trad and indie projects.Jeremy shares hard‑won lessons about writing, rejection, and building a sustainable career across both sides of the industry. You’ll learn how to know when your book is ready, what pitfalls to avoid when publishing too soon, and how to make hybrid publishing work for you.Perfect for writers who want success on their own terms — whether you’re querying your first novel or scaling your indie business.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Jeremy’s core advice: “The best weapon is knowledge.”00:41 – Introduction & what hybrid publishing really means05:30 – Why hybrid publishing is a “force multiplier” for authors10:50 – Jeremy’s journey from early failures to a Gollancz book deal16:45 – Why your first book shouldn’t be your best — and how to grow24:00 – How to decide between self‑publishing and traditional routes37:00 – The realities and frustrations of trad publishing47:30 – Why relationships and reputation matter more than marketing54:30 – The advantages of self‑publishing and creative control01:05:30 – Final advice: hybrid success starts with one thing — “Write a damn good book.”📚 What You’ll LearnReal pros and cons of self‑publishing vs. traditional publishingHow to avoid publishing before your manuscript is readyHow to protect your rights and negotiate better contractsWhy hybrid authors have more freedom and long‑term growthHow community and networking help books succeed🧭 About Jeremy SzalJeremy Szal is the author of the Common Saga — including Stormblood, Blindspace, and the upcoming Wolfskin. Published by Gollancz, his work has been translated worldwide. Jeremy also self‑publishes short fiction and speaks openly about the practical, human side of publishing.🔍 Keywordsself publishing, traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, how to publish a book, writing tips, book publishing, author advice, indie author, publishing industry, writing career, author success, how to self publishResources Mentioned🔗 Publisher Rocket (sponsor) – Optimize your Amazon keywords & categories -- visit https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442🔗 Jeremy Szal’s website: https://jeremyszal.com/🔗 Wolfskin & The Common Saga: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KYGTDBN--- 🎧 Join the ConversationIf you found value in this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with fellow authors.Every share helps other writers learn what it truly takes to build a sustainable hybrid career.

What would you do if you got laid off tomorrow? Self-published author JP Rindfleisch turned that exact moment into a full-time writing career, powered by TikTok Shop. In this episode, JP breaks down how to market your book and exactly how he uses TikTok Shop to sell books direct to readers, builds real community, and posts content that actually moves copies.Whether you're just starting out or looking for a new way to reach readers, this conversation is packed with practical, no-fluff advice you can use today.🔥 In this episode, we cover:How JP went from biochemistry labs to full-time indie authorWhy serialized fiction on Kindle Vella helped him actually finish booksThe real logistics of running TikTok Shop as a self-published authorPosting 3x a day without burning out (and why most posts take under 5 minutes)Faceless content strategies for authors who hate being on cameraHow to use TikTok to grow your newsletter and build a direct sales funnelTools like Repurpose.io, Fourth Wall, Klaviyo, and BookTokGuide.comWhy community is the one thing that has driven every stage of his career📚 JP's Books: Mandrake Manor, Mosswood, Maul, Sword & Apothecary🌐 Find JP: https://shop.jprindfleischix.comTimestamps:00:00 — Intro06:00 — From Biochemistry to Writing15:08 — Serialized Fiction & Kindle Vella18:01 — Going Full-Time After Getting Laid Off20:13 — How TikTok Shop Works for Authors37:13 — Posting 3x a Day Without Burning Out43:05 — Faceless Content for Camera-Shy Authors50:32 — Building a TikTok Audience From Scratch55:37 — Is TikTok Still Worth It in 2026?58:14 — The Reader Funnel💬 Are you using TikTok to sell books? Drop a comment and let us know what's working for you.👉 Subscribe for weekly interviews with indie authors who are making it work.--- Grab my latest cozy fantasy book: Flour & Forge - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/pages/flour-forge---Publisher Rocket has a vast array of tools including:✅ Keyword Search — Uncover hidden gems and profitable keywords to maximize your book's visibility✅ Category Search — Dive deep into Amazon's 19,000+ categories and find the perfect fit for your book✅ Competition Analyzer — Peek behind the curtain and discover your rivals' sales, rankings, and strategies✅ Amazon Keywords Generator — Save hours of tedious research with thousands of auto-generated keywordsGet Started Today at publisherrocket.cartknox.com---Media CreditsTheme Song: Commercial Rock by StudioKolomna (Envato License)Background Music: Soft Chill Background by sonicscope (Envato License)Stock Video: Licensed via Envato---Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.© Herman Steuernagel The Pint & Portal Podcast#IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #TikTokShop #BookTok #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #FullTimeAuthor #CozyFantasy #SellBooks #DirectSales #AuthorPodcast

Authors are being told that Facebook ads don't work for books anymore. Josiah Rosell is proof they do.JDL Rosell is a full-time indie fantasy author with around 20 books across multiple series including Legend of Tal and Ranger of the Titan Wilds. He didn't get there by going viral or getting lucky. He built a sustainable career by mastering Facebook ads — and he's still running them every single day.But it didn't start that way. Josiah's early series struggled despite being books he believed in. It wasn't until he paired strong market positioning with a real ads strategy that things clicked. In this conversation, he opens up the entire playbook.In this episode, we cover:→ Why his earlier books didn't sell and what changed with Legend of Tal→ How he thinks about tropes and hooks to make books marketable before he runs a single ad→ His full Facebook ads strategy — daily budget, audience testing, dynamic creative, and when to kill an ad→ How he uses Amazon attribution links to track what's actually converting→ The metrics he watches and the ones he ignores→ Pricing and read-through strategy that makes ads profitable across a full series→ Why he still believes in Facebook ads when most authors have given upIf you've tried ads and quit, or you've been too intimidated to start, this is the episode that might change your mind.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Going part-time was terrifying00:04:32 - Meet JDL Rosell00:11:48 - The Book That Changed Everything00:13:47 - Writing to Tropes Without Selling Out00:18:50 - Why Cover Art Matters More Than You Think00:22:16 - His First Facebook Ad: $100/Day at $0.06 Per Click00:23:49 - Cycling Ads Between Series and Countries00:35:38 - Amazon Attribution Links Explained00:36:45 - His Target: 1 Sale Per $10 Spent00:45:43 - Pricing Strategy to Maximize Read-Through00:48:41 - Why He Doesn't A/B Test the Traditional Way01:05:36 - One Piece of Advice for Overwhelmed AuthorsSponsors:📚 Check Out Our Friends at Publisher Rockethttps://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442Join over 117,000+ serious authors using Publisher Rocket to sell more books.✅ Keyword Search – Uncover hidden gems and profitable keywords to maximize your book's visibility✅ Category Search – Dive deep into Amazon's 19,000+ categories and find the perfect fit for your book✅ Competition Analyzer – Peek behind the curtain and discover your rivals' sales, rankings, and strategies✅ Amazon Keywords Generator – Save hours of tedious research with thousands of auto-generated keywordsFind out more at: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442--- 💰 WISE — https://wise.prf.hn/l/RlANJvG/Make your money work worldwide, for less.Send, spend and get paid — 40 currencies, all at your fingertips.Sign up for Wise and get your first international transfer (up to $800 CAD or ~$550 USD) FREE.https://wise.prf.hn/l/RlANJvG/---Media CreditsTheme Song: Commercial Rock by StudioKolomna (Envato License)Background Music: Soft Chill Background by sonicscope (Envato License)Stock Video: Licensed via EnvatoAffiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.© Herman Steuernagel — The Pint & Portal Podcast

26 books. $35K in debt. $100/month. Then one pivot set her on a path to becoming a six figure author.S. Usher Evans spent 10 years learning what doesn't work in self-publishing so she could finally figure out what does. In this episode, she breaks down the book marketing strategy, Amazon ads approach, and genre research that turned her writing career around — and what she looks for when an indie author tells her their books aren't selling.If you're self-publishing and wondering why your books aren't gaining traction, this conversation will change how you think about everything from your cover design to your ad spend to your entire publishing strategy.In this episode, we cover:The #1 thing she'd tell new writers before they even start writing Why "write what you want" is bad business advice How she runs Amazon and Facebook ads profitably The cover mistake she sees almost every struggling author make Why her best series took off and her award-winning series floppedHow she writes 7-8 books a year in 4 hours a dayAnd LOTS more00:00:00 - Intro01:44 - The #1 thing new writers need to do first05:50 - The ONE time she followed genre rules (and made six figures)08:22 - How she blew up her life to become a writer11:16 - From $100/month to $2,000 overnight14:22 - Was it luck or strategy?27:47 - Why niching down matters more than you think34:14 - The spreadsheet that runs her entire business50:46 - The cover mistake that's killing your sales1:03:34 - How to run Amazon ads without burning moneyConnect with S. Usher Evans:🌐 susherevans.com---If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.⁠🎥 Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠🎧 Listen on Your Favorite Podcast AppCheck out our latest deals and offerings to help you grow your author business and to help support the show: pintandportal.com/deals---📚 Sponsor: Publisher Rockethttps://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442Join over 117,000+ serious authors using Publisher Rocket to sell more books.Publisher Rocket has a vast array of tools including:✅ Keyword Search - Uncover hidden gems and profitable keywords to maximize your book's visibility✅ Category Search - Dive deep into Amazon's 19,000+ categories and find the perfect fit for your book✅ Competition Analyzer - Peek behind the curtain and discover your rivals' sales, rankings, and strategies✅ Amazon Keywords Generator - Save hours of tedious research with thousands of auto-generated keywordsFind out more at: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442---💰 WISEMake your money work worldwide, for less.Send, spend and get paid — 40 currencies, all at your fingertips.Sign up for Wise and get your first international transfer (up to $800 CAD or ~$550 USD) FREE.Check out WISE today---Media CreditsTheme Song: Commercial Rock by StudioKolomna (Envato License)Background Music: Soft Chill Background by sonicscope (Envato License)Stock Video: Licensed via EnvatoAffiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.© Herman Steuernagel The Pint & Portal Podcast

Is earning a six-figure income as an author still attainable? Do you feel like you're never going to break through into a writing career?Heather K. Carson spent years writing YA dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction. She had fifteen books published, understood the basics of Amazon ads, and was doing everything authors are told to do. But something wasn't clicking.Then she made a pivot that changed everything.In this conversation, Heather shares the honest story of how she went from modest earnings to generating over $400,000 in annual revenue writing shifter romance. Her story's about getting clear on what she calls the "Venn diagram" of a sustainable writing career: the intersection of what you love to read, what you're built to write, and what readers actually want.In this episode, we cover:👉 Why Heather's first 15 books were necessary preparation, not wasted effort👉 The difference between knowing your market and really knowing your market👉 How to identify "highly relevant" ad targets that actually convert👉 Why rapid release isn't as essential as it used to be in Kindle Unlimited👉 The mindset that allowed her to walk away from a 15-book backlist and start fresh👉 Her specific Amazon ad strategy (including the 5 ads she launches with every book)👉 What's next: audiobooks, translations, direct sales, and the path to seven figuresWhether you're stuck at book three wondering if you should keep going, or you've got a backlist that isn't performing the way you hoped, Heather's story offers a realistic look at what it takes to build a career as an independent author.00:00:00 - Intro02:48 - What high-profile authors are really like09:12 - Writing 15 books without hitting13:55 - The pivot that changed everything16:27 - The Venn diagram for author success31:05 - All-in on Kindle Unlimited48:17 - Her $200K ad strategy56:33 - Sponsor: Publisher Rocket57:39 - The first thing struggling authors should fix01:03:47 - Advice to her younger selfConnect with Heather K. Carson:🌐 heatherkcarson.com---If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.⁠🎥 Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠🎧 Listen on Your Favorite Podcast App---📚 Sponsor: Publisher Rockethttps://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442 Join over 117,000+ serious authors using Publisher Rocket to sell more books.Publisher Rocket has a vast array of tools including:✅ Keyword Search - Uncover hidden gems and profitable keywords to maximize your book's visibility✅ Category Search - Dive deep into Amazon's 19,000+ categories and find the perfect fit for your book✅ Competition Analyzer - Peek behind the curtain and discover your rivals' sales, rankings, and strategies✅ Amazon Keywords Generator - Save hours of tedious research with thousands of auto-generated keywordsFind out more at: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442 -----Media CreditsTheme Song: Commercial Rock by StudioKolomna (⁠Envato License⁠)Background Music: Soft Chill Background by sonicscope (⁠Envato License⁠)Stock Video: Licensed via ⁠Envato⁠Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.© Herman Steuernagel The Pint & Portal Podcast

Nobody knows who you are. Why would they buy your book?That's the question Z.S. Diamanti asked himself before publishing his first novel. He had nothing in the bank, a maxed out credit card, four kids, and one year to make it work.He built his author career from nothing—and you can too, if you keep his advice in mind.In this conversation, Zac reveals:✅ - The question he asked himself with $0 in the bank and a maxed-out credit card✅ - Why your author vision is probably WAY too short-sighted✅ - The ONE filter that decides if an opportunity is worth your time✅ - Why every social media platform provides something valuable✅ - What Kickstarter backers actually want (it's not what most authors think)✅ - Why he's pulling back from author conferences and started doing THIS instead✅ - The through-thread that should run through everything you create – that EVERY career-minded author should haveWhether you're pre-launch or ten books deep, this one’s going to challenge how you think about the business side of writing.If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.🎥 Subscribe on YouTube🎧 Listen on Your Favorite Podcast AppEpisode Timestamps00:00 – Intro04:29 – Welcome07:49 – Starting the Author Journey12:57 – Building a Platform15:10 – Sponsor: Wise16:32 – Becoming Relevant as an Author33:38 – Evaluating Opportunities38:16 – Building a Legacy48:18 – AI and Authenticity55:16 – Author Marketing in 202601:01:16 – Kickstarter for Authors01:14:22 – Assassin in the Ale House01:16:13 – Final Advice--- Make your money work worldwide, for less.Send, spend and get paid — 40 currencies, all at your fingertips.Sign up for Wise and get your first international transfer (up to $800 CAD or ~$550 USD) FREE.Check out WISE today and Help support the show:https://wise.prf.hn/l/RlANJvG/--- Additional LinksZ.S. Diamanti's Kickstarter – Assassin in the Alehouse (until Feb 10)Z.S. Diamanti’s BooksHerman Steuernagel’s BooksRecorded using RiversideFMMedia CreditsTheme Song: Commercial Rock by StudioKolomna (Envato License)Background Music: Soft Chill Background by sonicscope (Envato License)Stock Video: Licensed via EnvatoAffiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.© Herman Steuernagel The Pint & Portal Podcast

"There's a hurdle between you and author success that you just can't seem to clear. Like there's a conversation happening that you're not part of.My name is Herman Steuernagel, I'm an author and I know the feeling. So I'm sitting down with authors who've built real careers and finding out exactly how they did it.Welcome to The Pint & Portal Author Podcast. I'm learning as I go. You're welcome to join me.New episodes starting February. Hit subscribe to join the conversation.

In this episode of The Greatest Podcast in the Multiverse, I sit down with bestselling fantasy author Andrea Stewart, known for her incredible Drowning Empire trilogy that begins with The Bone Shard Daughter. Now, Andrea is back with her brand-new epic fantasy series starting with The Gods Below. We dive into her unique storytelling, how she builds intricate magic systems, and the journey that brought her to where she is today.Andrea shares her inspiring (and sometimes nerve-wracking) path to publication, from years of rejection to finally landing her dream deal. Her persistence, creativity, and advice on analyzing what readers love about stories will motivate writers and readers alike.We also chat about her creative process, the challenges of writing multiple points of view, and how she balances the demands of worldbuilding with character-driven storytelling. Plus, Andrea reveals how her love of scuba diving and science fiction inspired the magic system in The Gods Below.Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of fantasy, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes process of crafting epic stories, this episode is packed with insights and fun moments. Stick around to learn more about Andrea’s journey, her upcoming projects, and what keeps her motivated to create worlds readers can’t put down!