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Will OpenAI Claim Ownership of Your Royalties?
AI shocks publishing and tech: Claude 4.6 vs GPT-5.3 spark a $285B selloff, layoffs hit a 2009 high, Amazon cuts 30,000 jobs, Spotify expands into ebooks and print with Bookshop.org, indie ebooks arrive, a massive Substack breach, new KDP download options, and OpenAI’s controversial IP revenue-sharing idea.
Ingram Goes to War With AI
This week’s Author Update breaks down Ingram’s AI opt-out, Tor’s new imprint, a £50k Hachette prize, Amazon AI features, and why indie publishing is outpacing trad
Author Taxes – A 2026 Guide to Avoiding Jail & Overpaying
Taxes for authors don’t have to trigger panic. Discover rules for bookkeeping and taxes and what common mistakes to avoid.
Copyright Termination and the Feds: What Just Happened to Authors
OpenAI’s announcement of ads coming to ChatGPT for free users (and what authors should do about it), a landmark federal court ruling that copyright termination rights now apply globally (potentially returning your foreign rights), record-breaking Bible sales that mask a crisis in Christian publishing, Julia Quinn’s new romance subscription box strategy, and the surprising political battle over fonts that affects book design.
Amazon Algorithm Secrets That Separate Bestsellers from the Slush Pile
Explore the Amazon Book Recommendation Algorithm and learn how it impacts your book sales and visibility in the market.
Christmas Book Marketing Guide
Jonathan: Listen up. We’re starting with a situation report. An outfit...
The Shopify Trap: Why Authors Keep Losing Money
Discover the best ecommerce platform for authors and several surprisingly good options for selling books directly to readers.
Traditional Publishing in Crisis: Sales Down 9.4%
Instead of a transcript, here are some rough notes. Let us know if you prefer...
Platform
Platform
Genius Link: A Guide for Authors
Explore the benefits of universal book links for authors. Drive sales by linking to your book across multiple platforms worldwide.
2025 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors
Find the ideal laptop for authors and avoid overspending on unnecessary features that do not enhance your writing experience.
How to Grow Your Email List Fast With Giveaways
Need more subscribers? Explore the Kingsumo book giveaway technique that helped one author gain thousands of new emails.
Author Website Review: Christian Historical Romance
Explore strengths and weaknesses in website design and functionality for several bestselling historical Christian romance authors.
Are Pen Names Going Away?
There are several great reasons (and several bad ones) to use an author pen name. Find out which reasons still make sense in the age of AI authors and bots.
From Tech Timid to Tech Savvy: How to Master Any Technology
Fear of technology keeps many authors from moving forward. Learn how to master technology and have fewer tech headaches.
Speak, Engage, and Inspire: Secrets of Entertaining & Educational Webinars that Sell
Hosting a webinar can help you get to know your “Timothy” and grow your email list. Discover 12 tips for hosting a successful author webinar.
2024 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors
Authors can get overwhelmed by the process of choosing and buying a laptop computer. Find out what you need (or don’t need) and what works best.
Publishing
Publishing
Triple Your Writing Speed with Dictation
For authors, dictation can skyrocket writing speed. Find out which tools and strategies will help you master the skill and write faster.
The Author’s Guide to AI with Joanna Penn
Discover how authors use AI to gain more time for creative writing and how you can get useful output instead of bland AI slop.
When to Ignore Your Editor
Discover 7 issues authors must beware of when getting editorial suggestions from humans or AI and when to ignore or accept the feedback.
Announcing the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference
Find out what makes the 2026 Novel Marketing Conference unique and find out how you can join us.
Project Management for Authors
Discover how project management techniques can help authors tackle the overwhelming task of writing, publishing, and marketing their books.
How to Worldbuild Your Book into a Bestseller
Discover the power of story worldbuilding to captivate readers and boost book sales. Create immersive settings that leave a lasting impact.
How to Write Stories Readers Will Love by Knowing the Zeitgeist
If it takes you two years to write a book, you owe it to yourself to ask the...
How to Write Enduring Bestsellers with the Two-Act Chiastic Structure
Struggling to write your three-act story? Discover another story structure from ancient history that will satisfy your readers and help you finish your book.
Promotion
Promotion
How to Build an Email List Before You Publish Your Novel
Discover the many ways to grow your email list before you publish your book.
How to Boost Sales With Permafree Books
Discover how giving a book away might actually boost sales. Learn to use a permafree book to drive sales, grow your list, or book events.
How to Work With a PR Firm to Promote Your Book
Publicity has always been important for authors. Find out which media outlets are most useful to authors in 2025.
What does ChatGPT Actually Know About Your Book?
Do the most popular AI tools know about your book? Do they know enough to recommend it to readers? Discover how to find out if they do.
How to Craft a Cancel Proof Marketing Strategy
Discover how author cancel culture has changed and learn about its impact on book sales and public perception.
Book Promotion in 2025: How AI Gives Authors More Time to Write
Learn how authors can use AI to generate book marketing ideas, audience descriptions, and images so they can reclaim their time for writing.
How to Sell Books From a Table
Maximize your book sales at in-person events with these expert tips. Learn to effectively sell books and avoid common mistakes.
Read This Before Your Next Podcast Guest Interview
Learn how to sound like a pro during your podcast interview. Get tips on achieving good podcast sound without breaking the bank.