Latest Self-publish Podcast Episodes

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RWA Files for Bankruptcy: What This Means for Authors

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - July 12, 2024 21:00 - 9 minutes
Send us a Text Message. A few weeks ago you may have heard about Romance Writers of America (RWA) filing for bankruptcy - they aren't going away, per se, just reorganizing. And you may have thought this doesn't matter to you - but it does.  This single development that holds significant implic...

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How to defy publishing rules | An interview with Kelis Rowe

Written In Melanin - July 12, 2024 11:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
Chelsea interviews author Kelis Rowe about her debut novel 'Finding Jupiter,' her journey in traditional publishing, and the balancing act of crafting authentic YA romance amidst life's many challenges. 00:00 Welcome to the Written in Melanin Podcast 00:22 Introducing Kelis Rowe and Her Debut ...

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Most Downloaded Episode: How to Market Your Book without Social Media

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - July 05, 2024 12:00 - 19 minutes
Send us a Text Message. This is our third most downloaded episode of all time! Why do we think it's popular? Because being an author can be exhausting, and most of us don't have time to waste on marketing efforts that don't produce results.  And social media is typically at the top of the lis...

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The End of an Era: Costco Stops Selling Books and Why You Should Care

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - June 28, 2024 21:00 - 19 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this episode we break down the recent announcement that Costco will no longer be carrying books in their warehouses—a decision with significant implications for authors. You may have heard this and thought it doesn't matter to you, but it does, and we'll unpack why.  ...

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How to Write Authentic Stories That Matter: Lessons from Julian Winters

Written In Melanin - June 28, 2024 11:00 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with author Julian Winters about his journey as a Black and queer writer, the importance of authentic storytelling, transitioning from young adult to adult fiction, and the impact of representation in literature. 00:0...

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Smart Strategies to Recoup Your Book Investment

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - June 21, 2024 07:00 - 26 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this episode we tackle the challenging yet essential topic of recouping your book creation and marketing investment. Many authors face the harsh reality of under-planning and overspending during production, only to find themselves without the funds needed for aggressi...

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How to Keep Writing This Summer & Why You Should

Nothing but the Words - June 17, 2024 18:00 - 10 minutes
With all the fun,  travel, and distractions of summer, how do you keep writing your book? In this episode, you'll discover how to decide if you should try to write your book this summer, and if so, how to do it.  (It's not nearly as hard as it might seem.) I'll be writing all summer long, and s...

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Beyond the Bookstore: Creative Marketing Strategies for Consistent Sales

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - June 14, 2024 07:00 - 33 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this exciting episode we're breaking away from traditional book marketing methods and exploring innovative, fun, and often easy-to-implement strategies to boost your book sales. If you're looking to make a splash in the literary world, don't miss this! We’ll delve in...

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Creating Diverse Narratives in Film and Manga

Written In Melanin - June 12, 2024 11:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with guest Robbie J. Atkinson, renowned for her avant garde storytelling, about her unique approach to crafting complex characters and plots in Manga and film, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of cre...

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Amazon Update: Critical Changes to Book Descriptions

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - June 07, 2024 07:00 - 10 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this eye-opening episode  we dive into Amazon’s latest updates that are shaking up the way book descriptions are managed on the platform. For authors who use Author Central, these changes are crucial to understand if you want to keep your book pages in top form.  Joi...

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Choosing an Author Name Format: Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - May 31, 2024 07:00 - 9 minutes
Send us a Text Message. Welcome to a pivotal episode of our show where we shine a spotlight on a crucial aspect of the publishing process: how your name appears on Amazon. Join us as we dissect the intricacies that can make or break an author's visibility and success on the world's largest onli...

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Author Sarah Edwards, Probation Officer: Escaping your Mental Jail: Trauma into Triumph

Write the Book Inside You - May 27, 2024 14:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 7 ratings
Send us a Text Message. The shock of visiting her father in prison changed Sarah Edwards' life forever because she chose a career as a Probation Officer to help others caught up in the prison system. But then she got burnt out and now focuses instead on coaching other professionals to escape ...

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Buyers v. Readers And Why They May Be Different People

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - May 24, 2024 07:00 - 15 minutes
Send us a Text Message. Are you marketing to the wrong audience? As authors, we often find ourselves inadvertently targeting the wrong demographic, because while the reader may be obvious, they're not always the individuals buying or recommending (or gifting) your book.  Join us as we unravel...

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Brianna Peppins on Black representation and being a Black author in YA

Written In Melanin - May 22, 2024 11:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with guest Brianna Peppins, author of young Adult Contemporary books, about her journey as a Black and Indie author, the influence of HBCUs on her writing, challenges in book marketing for Black authors, and advice for...

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Getting Book Endorsements: Everything You Need to Know

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - May 17, 2024 07:00 - 23 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this episode we're talking about book endorsements, getting them, timing them, and what to do with them once they start coming in. Whether you're a seasoned author or a newbie, you're going to want our tips and advice! We'll explore the strategies and tactics for ide...

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Mastering Nonfiction Book Descriptions: A Guide to Turning Browsers into Buyers

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - May 10, 2024 07:00 - 23 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this week's episode, we're unpacking the crucial role of Nonfiction Amazon retail pages. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the pitfalls and common mistakes that can hinder your success in the competitive world of online retail. From lackluster descriptions to uni...

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Shirin Etessam: 'Free to Be' – Embracing Play, Soul Purpose and Healing in Six Weeks

Write the Book Inside You - May 09, 2024 07:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 7 ratings
Send us a Text Message.  Shirin Etessam, author of transformative book, "Free to Be." shares her journey of self-discovery and healing, emphasizing the importance of play in overcoming life's challenges.  Key Points: Introduction to Shirin Etessam: Shirin's background in the film and media i...

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How to get indie books in bookstores

Written In Melanin - May 08, 2024 11:00 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
This is part 2 of the interview with Demetrius Frazier the owner of Resist Booksellers. 00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast 00:20 Navigating the World of Indie Publishing 01:36 The Amazon Debate: Convenience vs. Supporting Indie Bookstores 04:15 How to Market Your Book to Booksto...

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Behind the Curtain: Unveiling the Secrets of Success in Publishing

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - May 03, 2024 19:00 - 37 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this episode Penny and Amy, the dynamic duo behind a successful book marketing and PR firm, invite listeners to join them for an intimate peek behind the curtain of their collaborative journey. While their chemistry is often praised, it's their ability to navigate dif...

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Why indie books aren't in indie bookstores interview with Demetrius Frazier of Resist Booksellers

Written In Melanin - May 01, 2024 11:00 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
This a part 1 of the interview with Demetrius Frazier the owner of Resist Booksellers 00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast 00:22 Spotlight on Demetrius Frazier: Literacy Advocate and Entrepreneur 03:05 The Mission and Impact of Resist Booksellers 11:24 Navigating the Book Industry...

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Tea Break

The Tea Grannies - May 01, 2024 07:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 4 ratings
We're here to chat about what's next for The Tea Grannies, so pour yourself a cup of tea and let’s get started! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to follow us @theteagranniespodcast on Instagram and Threads. We're very excited to announce the launch of The ...

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The unsavory truth behind traditional publishing | Part 2 of the Bethany Baptiste Interview

Written In Melanin - April 29, 2024 12:18 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
This is part 2 of the interview with Bethany Baptiste the author of "The Poisons We Drink" 00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast 00:22 The Journey of 'The Poisons We Drink' with Bethany Baptiste 00:33 Navigating the Challenges of Traditional Publishing 02:16 Bethany's Publication Roll...

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Cracking the Code: Reaching the Unreachable Reader

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - April 26, 2024 07:00 - 17 minutes
Send us a Text Message. In this week's episode, we chat about connecting with the elusive reader who seems to dwell beyond the realms of mainstream social media platforms. Even though the digital age is dominating how a lot of us consume content, not every reader can be found scrolling throug...

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Book Sales: Why and How Self-Published Authors Are Taking the Lead

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - April 19, 2024 07:00 - 28 minutes
Send us a Text Message. Not everyone talks about it, but all authors want to sell books. And we know a lot of you secretly (or not so secretly) would love to make enough to be a full-time author.  But is achieving significant sales still a possibility? The surprising answer lies in the realm o...

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From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Bethany Baptiste's Writer's Journey

Written In Melanin - April 17, 2024 11:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
This episode of the Written In Melanin podcast features host C. M. Lockhart in conversation with Bethany Baptiste, discussing her journey as a young adult sci-fi fantasy novelist. They dive into Baptiste's book 'The Poisons We Drink', exploring its unique blend of fantasy, politics, and the powe...

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Listener Request: Navigating Amazon's Book Review Minefield

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - April 12, 2024 07:00 - 15 minutes
Send us a Text Message. This is another listener request and we're talking about trigger words that could potentially result in your hard-earned reviews being pulled from your retail page.  We chat about the fine line between what reviewers should say to maintain authenticity and what words th...

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Lindsey Kane Leaverton: "Not Another Self Help Book, Finding Gifts in the Midst of Life's Sh*t"

Write the Book Inside You - April 10, 2024 10:00 - 33 minutes ★★★★★ - 7 ratings
Send us a Text Message. Lindsey Kane Leaverton turned heartache, pain, shame and guilt due to growing up gay in a strictly Christian evangelical community, into gifts to share with the world. And it's all in her book, "Not another Self Help Book, Finding Gifts in the Midst of Life's Sh*t." Per...

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The #1 Strategy to Get More Amazon Reviews

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - April 05, 2024 07:00 - 13 minutes
Send us a Text Message. Have you ever wondered why some books seem to effortlessly rack up Amazon reviews while others struggle to even get noticed? This week we're unveiling a secret strategy that savvy authors have been using to bolster their review numbers. We chat about the art of promptin...

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Black Indie Fantasy Writing with Tatiana Obey

Written In Melanin - April 03, 2024 11:00 - 57 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
This episode features a discussion with author Tatiana Obey, known for her action-packed, character-driven stories featuring diverse characters. In it, C. M. Lockhart and Tatiana discuss various themes relevant to Black and indie authors, such as the importance of visibility, the challenge of re...

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Navigating the Literary Agent Landscape

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast - March 29, 2024 07:00 - 28 minutes
Send us a Text Message. This week we're talking about literary agents. Who they are, what they do, and whether you really need one.  We'll explore the ins and outs of literary representation, breaking down the roles and responsibilities of literary agents, and shedding light on the services th...