Author Update

The Murk Makes Us Human 07.11.2026 1:49:15 ↓

Vellum backpedals on Automation, ACX has new terms and conditions, and we have thoughts on the midterm election. 

K+ Cutting Authors' Royalties? 31.10.2026 2:00:23 ↓

Plus another volley in the audiobook wars, new AI models emerging and a statement from Thomas on Author Update's language choices. 

Kindle Unlimited is Dead. Long Live Kindle+ 24.10.2026 1:50:04 ↓

Plus the Internet comes under attack, the Novel Marketing Conference is almost sold out, and France is no longer the place of romance.

Barnes and Noble Numbers Soar... And So Do Cars 16.10.2026 1:58:50 ↓

Plus, new AI models for text-to-speech and so much more!

Audible Ads Are Finally Here 10.10.2026 1:41:50 ↓

Plus, OpenAI is watermarking in the EU, Spotify is opening up to more markets, and we discuss the return of the public execution in America. 

Is Amazon Ending Permafree Books? 03.10.2026 1:40:30 ↓

Plus, AI updates, publishing acquisitions, and how the establishment of the Autonomous Warfare Command can give a shot in the arm to your sci-fi catalogue.

Amazon Cracks Down on AI Authors 25.09.2026 1:22:05 ↓

Plus, Facebook limits outbound links, a new class action suit is about to open up against OpenAI, and Toys'R'Us returns.

KU Payout Falls 18.09.2026 1:25:41 ↓

Plus, new updates to computer systems, a longer preorder window on Amazon and how an experiment on mice will affect your target market today.

The US Copyright Office Is Flagging Human-Written Books as AI 12.09.2026 1:56:57 ↓

Plus, a lengthy discussion on the death of Charlie Kirk and what that has meant for America.

Amazon Caught Stealing Authors' Ad Dollars 05.09.2026 2:03:25 ↓

Also, Thomas and Jonathan make everyone mad... ever.

Facebook Advertising Changed Forever... Again 29.08.2026 2:08:09 ↓

Plus, non-cozy mystery numbers, Kindle price hikes and the passing of Dolly Parton.

AI Reads Aristotle - That's Why It Writes Better 22.08.2026 1:40:40 ↓

Lots of AI news today, with new models, new systems and new possibilities for authors to use. 

Barnes & Noble Just Banned the Front Table Author Signing Nationwide 17.08.2026 2:02:53 ↓

Plus, new numbers in the industry, workbots to help with author work and a spicy zeitgeist take on how media is destroying women.

AI Fiction Seizes Almost 30% of Kindle's Catalog 08.08.2026 1:56:45 ↓

Plus, we discuss country music, AI as used as a research tool, and an author who lost a lucrative tradpub deal because of an accusation.

Fauci's Diary and the Magic Boom in Fiction 01.08.2026 2:09:50 ↓

Advancements in AI, changes in how agents work and the change in reader preferences. 

The Digital Vs. Physical War - AI Companies Pulping Books By The Pallet 24.07.2026 1:54:53 ↓

All the new AI models, China's surge to tech dominance and why we should write flash floods in our books. 

The Atlantic Just Declared the Age of Reading Is Over 17.07.2026 1:35:00 ↓

Plus indie stats on readers and authors, Gemini's in trouble for committing Anthropic's mistake, and how should we focus our writing, all on Author Update. 

The Week That Changed Indie Publishing 10.07.2026 1:52:02 ↓

Listen to Jonathan and guest host Bryan Canter talk about author news on this special episode of Author Update. 

America's 250th Birthday - Will It Survive 04.07.2026 1:52:18 ↓

All things America! Thomas and Jonathan celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States by discussing publishing trends and how America was shaped by independent publishers. 

The Pope Says To Finish Thy Book 27.06.2026 2:00:15 ↓

Plus, numbers on trad vs. Indie publishing, OpenAI's hesitancy to release a new version of ChatGPT after Fable's cancellation, and an hour long zeitgeist session of vigilante justice. This is Author Update. 

Record Breaking KU Fund! 20.06.2026 1:17:54 ↓

Plus, the US government bans Anthropic's Fable 5, and we talk the unrest in the UK. 

Men Buy Books and Women Borrow Them 15.06.2026 1:22:22 ↓

Plus, tech news on Meta and Anthropic, and we go over the fun in each country's culture. 

Is Libby Bankrupting the Libraries? 06.06.2026 1:50:21 ↓

Plus, declining Pride month sales, Audible fires back at Spotify, and exactly what is afflicting Gen Z men?

No ISBN Means No Copyright Protection for Indie Authors 30.05.2026 1:53:10 ↓

Plus, Amazon debuts a new paper option for paper books, and Thomas unpacks the pope's latest encyclical and how it relates to AI.

The Publishing Echo Chamber Nobody Will Admit Exists 23.05.2026 1:11:37 ↓

Plus trad publishing numbers, AI news out the whazoo and the zeitgeist on baby names.