Author Update

A new version of Vellum, Publisher Rocket ends its lifetime deal, and is the AI bubble going to burst?

🎙️ Author Update – Episode: The End of Google (for Authors?)Hosts: Jonathan Shuerger & Thomas Umstattd Jr.🕒 Runtime: \~57 minutes📚 Topics: AI Search, SEO, Voice Cloning, Book Marketing, Author Tools---🔍 Episode Summary:Is this the beginning of the end for Google? In this episode, Jonathan and Thomas explore how AI is disrupting traditional search and discovery—and what that means for authors. From SEO and Pinterest to AI audiobooks and “Not a Literary Agent,” this is your update on everything changing in the publishing world.---🧭 What You'll Learn:* Why Google is losing market share—and what’s taking its place* How to optimize for AI-driven search (semantic SEO explained)* Why Gen Z is using Pinterest instead of Google* How to structure content for AI overviews* What voice cloning means for audiobooks* Tools for analyzing your publishing contracts* How to stay discoverable as bots change the rules---🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:* Yoast SEO: [https://yoast.com](https://yoast.com)* Not a Literary Agent: [https://authormedia.com](https://authormedia.com)* 11 Labs (voice cloning): [https://elevenlabs.io](https://elevenlabs.io)* Opera’s Neon AI Browser: [https://www.opera.com/neon](https://www.opera.com/neon)* Pinterest Marketing (for Gen Z outreach)* ChatGPT, Grok, and AI-powered search tools---🔥 Hot Takes:* “Pinterest is now more useful than Instagram or TikTok for authors.”* “First-person POV dominates because it’s easier—not better.”* “AI-generated content is training new AI—welcome to the feedback loop.”* “You can't have a cyborg baby with an AI girlfriend… yet.”---🧠 Author Action Steps:1. Add rich, structured content to your blog2. Focus on being *the answer* for AI bots3. Experiment with voice cloning for budget audiobooks4. Explore Pinterest as a discovery tool5. Stay current—these shifts are accelerating---**🎁 Bonus for Patrons:**Thomas hosts a monthly bonus Q\&A episode exclusively for patrons. Get your questions answered live!👉 Support the show: https://authormedia.com 

Author Update New Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Author-Update

Blog Version: https://www.authormedia.com/book-bans-copyright-trolls/

Here’s what you can expect from Author Update:Publishing News: Stay in the loop on what’s happening in the industry.Advice That Matters: Learn how to make your book irresistible to readers.Live Q&A: Bring your questions and get answers from Thomas Umstattd and Jonathan Shuerger.Links:  - Novel Marketing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/novelmarketing - First Email Challenge: https://training.authormedia.com/courses/2751846 - Patron Toolbox: https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/ - AI Thomas:  https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/ai-thomas/ - Jon’s Substack Link: https://jonathanshuerger.substack.com/p/for-authors-amazon-ad-words?r=2i152jAffiliate Link:  M4 MacBook Air: https://amzn.to/3XAF8TN# YouTube Chapters for Author Update00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:43 Amazon Ads Expansion to New Countries02:25 Technology News: AI Updates in Publishing03:58 Traditional Publishing Embracing AI04:17 ChatGPT's New Image Generator09:51 AI Ethics: Taking Jobs from Artists?14:13 The Future of Creativity: Authenticity as Currency17:16 Google's Gemini 2.5 AI Model20:41 Overcoming Procrastination for Authors25:04 The Future of the Internet: Smaller Communities?32:04 IMLS Cuts to Libraries: Impact on Authors39:22 Canadian Booksellers Fighting US Tariffs51:04 Amazon Beta Testing Sponsored Ads on Retailer Websites53:52 Q&A: Budget-Friendly Advertising for Authors56:23 Using AI for Developmental Editing58:22 Targeting Your Ideal Readers1:00:36 Ethics of Using AI-Generated Content1:06:40 Sponsor Message and Closing