The BookFunnel Podcast

About Our GuestsJohnny B Truanthttps://johnnybtruant.com/Katie Crosshttps://katiecrossbooks.com/Todd Fahnestockhttps://toddfahnestock.com/SummaryThis episode explores the art and business of selling books in person at events like conventions and fairs. Authors share their experiences, strategies, and insights on how face-to-face sales can boost visibility, build community, and generate revenue. This episode features a lively discussion on in-person book sales, pitching strategies, and overcoming introvert/extrovert challenges at events. Johnny B Truant, Katie Cross, and Todd Fahnestock share practical tips, personal stories, and innovative ideas to boost author success at conventions and markets.Key TopicsIn-person book selling strategiesEvent selection and audience targetingBundling and pricing tacticsPitching and presentation skillsNetworking and brand building In-person book sales strategiesEffective pitching techniquesOvercoming introvert/extrovert challenges in marketing

Mark Leslie Lefebvre, seasoned author and publishing strategist who blends trad and indie experience. He explains 'aggressively wide' publishing across formats and retailers. He covers mixing traditional deals with self-publishing, building multiple income streams, creative IP adaptations like audio tours and themed events, and practical marketing and bookstore tactics.

Guest LinksWebsite -https://www.lydiasherrer.com/SummaryIn this episode, Lydia Shearer, a USA Today bestselling author, shares her journey in indie and traditional publishing, her strategies for direct sales, newsletter building, and navigating the evolving landscape of book marketing and AI challenges. In this episode, Lydia Sherrer and the team discuss the future of digital reading, author-reader connections, and the impact of AI on publishing. They explore topics like direct sales, platform independence, and innovative author marketing strategies.Key TopicsLydia Shearer's hybrid publishing modelStrategies for direct sales and owning your audienceThe importance of newsletters and building a mailing listChallenges and opportunities with AI and platform changesThe evolution of book distribution and fulfillment The potential and challenges of platform independence for authorsThe impact of AI and generative tools on publishing and author brandingStrategies for connecting with readers beyond traditional platformsResourcesBookFunnel - https://bookfunnel.comMark Dawson's Self-Publishing Course - https://selfpublishingformula.comAmmo Facebook Ads Course by Steve Piper - https://stevepiper.comPirate Ship for shipping labels - https://pirateship.comAuthor Nation Conference - https://author-nation.comAdagio Tea - https://adagio.comCanva - https://canva.comPhotoshop - https://adobe.com/products/photoshopJohn Ringo (Author) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ringo

Masters in Publishing Degreehttps://wordfire.com/publishing-masters-degree/Dan Shamble Kickstarterhttps://wordfire.ubpages.com/SummaryIn this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson. They discuss the evolution of indie publishing, the founding of WordFire Press, and the importance of multiple income streams for authors. Kevin shares insights from his experience with Kickstarter campaigns, the creation of a graduate program in publishing, and the hands-on learning approach he employs. The conversation also touches on the economics of publishing, the role of book signings, and the exciting developments surrounding Kevin's Dan Shamble series, including its upcoming adaptation for television. Additionally, they explore the new features of Book Funnel, including personalized ebooks, and the future of author support in the industry.TakeawaysIndie publishing has revolutionized the way authors can share their work.Kickstarter provides a new funding model for authors.Having multiple income streams is crucial for a sustainable writing career.Hands-on learning is essential in teaching publishing skills.The bookstore often makes the most profit from book sales.Planning a Kickstarter campaign requires careful consideration and organization.Personalized ebooks can enhance reader engagement and author connection.Understanding the traditional publishing industry is beneficial for indie authors.The Dan Shambles series is being adapted for television, showcasing the potential of indie works.Book Funnel continues to innovate with features that support authors.

Learn more about Shanon HustonYouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBY1ZdiOkr2qBrn0y7aOhBwWebsitehttps://www.sdhuston.comAmazonhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/S.D.-Huston/author/B098MKK9CK?ccs_id=78c4bcbc-3ee6-4d6e-ba29-b353d47ac682SummaryIn this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes Shanon Huston, a romantasy author and YouTuber. They discuss the importance of building an author brand on YouTube, the differences between BookTube and AuthorTube, and strategies for engaging with readers through live streams and writing sprints. Shanon shares her experiences with the AuthorTube Writing Conference and emphasizes the need for authenticity and community in the author journey. The conversation provides valuable insights for authors looking to navigate the digital landscape and connect with their audience.TakeawaysYou need to be intentional about your motivations for starting a YouTube channel.BookTube is more reader-focused, while AuthorTube caters to writers.Engaging with your audience through live streams can build a strong community.Authenticity is key; be transparent about your journey as an author.Writing sprints can attract both writers and readers to your channel.It's beneficial to immerse yourself in the community before starting your own channel.YouTube can be a revenue stream, but consistency is crucial.Understanding YouTube's algorithm can help in gaining visibility.Connecting with readers through live events fosters a deeper relationship.The AuthorTube Writing Conference is a valuable resource for authors.

Paul Austin Ardoin, USA Today bestselling indie mystery author and creator of the Fenway Stevenson series, shares his path from NaNoWriMo to practical advice for new authors. He talks branding, series titling, and cover design to meet reader expectations. Conversation covers genre signals, when plotting helps pantsers, building a reader base, and marketing choices that suit introverts.

Phil Marshall, founder of Spoken and a techno-thriller author, builds tools that create vivid multi-voice digital audiobooks. The conversation explores making full-cast narration affordable, custom character voices, ethical safeguards around AI and voice use, and production workflows that let authors iterate and update audio easily. It also covers multilingual support, marketing uses for audio, and community resources.

Learn More about AuthorScalehttps://www.authorscale.com/SummaryIn this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes guests Genesis Davies and Marvin from AuthorScale. They discuss the journey of self-publishing, the power of TikTok for authors, and how AuthorScale can help streamline the marketing process. Genesis shares her personal experience of going viral on TikTok, leading to significant sales growth and the transition to full-time authorship. The conversation emphasizes the importance of consistency, experimentation, and leveraging tools like AuthorScale to enhance visibility and engagement in the competitive world of indie publishing.TakeawaysGenesis started self-publishing in 2011 but found success a year ago using AuthorScale.TikTok can significantly boost book sales if used consistently and creatively.The importance of hooks in marketing content cannot be overstated.Authors should focus on creating content that resonates with their target audience.Consistency in posting is key to building an audience on social media.Using tools like AuthorScale can save time and enhance marketing efforts.Experimentation is crucial; not every post will go viral, but each is a learning opportunity.Warming up your TikTok account can improve engagement and reach.Authors should avoid getting too precious about their content; the focus should be on engagement.Building a habit of posting regularly can lead to long-term success. 

Dakota Krout, an international bestselling author and founder of Mountaindale Press, dives into the world of LitRPG and GameLit. He recounts his journey, highlighting how Dungeons & Dragons influenced his writing. Dakota shares his meticulous tracking of character progression and world-building techniques, including the unique magic system he employs. He emphasizes the importance of branding and consistency for indie authors, and discusses how to connect with readers through newsletters and community events. His insights are invaluable for aspiring authors looking to navigate the publishing landscape.

SummaryIn this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, the team and guest Michael Evans discuss essential strategies for indie authors to succeed in storytelling and publishing. Michael shares three key questions that every author should answer to enhance their chances of success, emphasizing the importance of understanding human connection in storytelling. The conversation explores how to capture attention, identify story gaps, and test ideas effectively in the market. Michael encourages authors to find their unique voice and innovate within their genres, while also analyzing market trends to discover unmet reader desires. In this conversation, Michael Evans and his co-hosts explore the evolving landscape of storytelling and publishing. They discuss the importance of creativity, the need for authors to understand their audience, and the value of pre-selling books before they are fully developed. The conversation emphasizes the significance of testing ideas, validating market interest, and the emotional connection readers have with stories. They also touch on innovative marketing strategies, the role of special editions, and the long-term vision for building a sustainable author career.TakeawaysThe three questions for author success focus on awareness, conversion, and retention.Storytelling is fundamentally about understanding human emotions and connections.Getting noticed as an author doesn't require being loud; it requires having something valuable to offer.Identifying story gaps can lead to innovative storytelling opportunities.Testing story gaps can be done cheaply and quickly to gauge interest.Your idea's potential is determined by its ceiling; high-potential ideas are worth pursuing.Authors should focus on their unique storytelling voice and passions.Market analysis can reveal trends and unmet reader desires.Engaging with reader communities can provide insights into what stories are needed.If writing feels like a job, it's essential to find joy in the process.  People pay attention to things worth paying attention to.Creativity is cheap; it shouldn't cost money.Special editions need to be truly special to stand out.You can fill gaps in the market that readers didn't know they wanted.Embrace creativity and risk in your projects.Understanding reader emotions is key to selling books.The early access model allows authors to gauge interest before full development.Testing and validating story ideas can save time and resources.Pre-selling books can significantly reduce risk.Building a long-term career in storytelling requires ongoing experimentation.