Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast

Ever felt like you're throwing money into the Amazon advertising abyss with nothing to show for it? You're not alone—and the problem might be simpler than you think. When your Amazon ads aren't performing, it's rarely about bad ad copy or poor bidding strategies. The real culprit is usually genre confusion: putting your book in front of the wrong readers. Think about walking in...

The holiday season represents a golden opportunity for authors to boost book sales—but only for those who start planning early enough. In this strategic episode, we dig into why "Christmas in July" isn't just a retail concept but a vital timeframe for authors who want holiday marketing success. We reveal the shocking truth about holiday marketing timelines: if you're waiting un...

The summer break scramble is real! Parents everywhere face the same challenge when school lets out: keeping kids entertained without surrendering to endless screen time. For authors of children's and young adult books, this presents a golden opportunity to connect with an audience hungry for solutions. Drawing inspiration from Jennifer Garner's brilliant parenting strategy (she tells her...

Summer is upon us, and savvy authors know this season presents unique marketing opportunities—but what exactly makes a book beach-worthy? Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell dive into the evolving definition of "summer reads" and reveal practical strategies for positioning any book to capture readers' attention during these warmer months. The podcast challenges traditional notions of w...

Ever felt like you're just shoving your book down people's throats? You're not alone. In this illuminating conversation, Penny and Amy tackle the critical difference between book marketing and brand marketing—revealing why the latter might be your secret weapon for long-term author success. Brand marketing creates the foundation upon which all your book promotions will stand. But he...

With a new book hitting the market every eight seconds, standing out has never been harder—and for many authors, the temptation to pay for visibility is real. But does paying for reviews or influencer features actually work? And more importantly… is it worth the risk? In this episode, Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell pull back the curtain on the rapidly shifting world of paid book promotion. From...

AI isn’t a threat to creativity—it’s a secret weapon, and savvy authors are already tapping into its power. In this episode, Penny and Amy explore how ChatGPT can transform the way you write, market, and manage your author business. Discover how to use ChatGPT as a creative collaborator to generate fresh story ideas, refine your prose, spot plot holes, and develop engaging bonus content for reader...

Unrealistic expectations can destroy an author's career before it truly begins. We've seen it countless times—talented writers who become discouraged, bitter, and ultimately abandon their writing dreams because their first book didn't land them on bestseller lists or bring financial freedom. In this deeply practical conversation, Penny and Amy challenge authors to rethink what succe...

When Amazon quietly shifted from its A9 to A10 algorithm in May, many authors felt panic rising. Would their books suddenly disappear from search results? Would years of keyword optimization become obsolete overnight? The good news is that if you've been focusing on quality and reader experience all along, you're already aligned with Amazon's new direction. Amazon is increasingly be...

Imagine reaching a million potential readers without spending a dime on advertising or having a massive social media following. This episode unveils one of publishing's best-kept secrets: Reddit AMAs (Ask Me Anything) as a powerful tool for authors at any career stage. Penny and Amy explore how Reddit's unique culture offers authors something increasingly rare in today's marketing l...

In this game-changing episode, we reveal the secrets that turn ho-hum author book signings into unforgettable experiences. Discover why the classic author signing model is broken—and how to fix it. We dive deep into proven strategies for pitching bookstores and other venues, creating irresistible event formats, and building connections that keep readers coming back for more. Whether you write thri...

In this eye-opening episode, we pull back the curtain on a heartbreaking scam targeting authors—promising dream book deals that quickly turn into financial nightmares. We explore how scammers craft elaborate schemes that seem too good to be true, preying on authors' hopes with promises of massive book orders, media coverage, and exclusive events. But beneath the glossy promises lie red flags:...

Your older books aren't outdated—they're untapped potential. In this episode, we explore how a strategic refresh can breathe new life into your backlist and help you recapture reader interest. From updating covers and content to rethinking your positioning and marketing assets, we’ll show you how to treat every previously published title as a fresh opportunity. Whether you’ve got one bac...

The elusive goal of media coverage keeps many authors awake at night, dreaming of that big break on national television or in major publications. But what if everything you thought about securing media attention was based on misconceptions?  In this eye-opening episode, we pull back the curtain on what really matters to media gatekeepers and why so many authors sabotage their chances before they e...

Book bundling represents an untapped opportunity for authors seeking to revitalize their backlist, attract new readers, and generate fresh marketing momentum. This strategic approach – combining multiple books into a single e-book package – offers benefits far beyond simply grouping titles together. Originally popularized by romance authors who packaged multiple books into value-driven collections...

When authors dream of book marketing success, they often fixate on bestseller campaigns, major media appearances, and viral social media moments. But what if these splashy strategies are actually built on something far less glamorous yet infinitely more important? Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell pull back the curtain on the unsexy side of book marketing – the foundational elements that truly driv...

Have you ever judged a book by its title? Most readers do. In this eye-opening episode, Penny and Amy tackle the surprisingly overlooked aspect of book marketing that could be silently sabotaging your sales: your book title. Drawing from years of marketing experience, the hosts break down the three critical mistakes authors make when naming their books. First, they examine titles that lack clarity...

Ever feel like you're banging your head against a wall trying to get your Amazon ads approved? You're not alone. When a mystery thriller author's cover featuring a bloody knife was rejected because it looked "too menacing" and appeared to be "pointing at the consumer," we knew we had to address this frustration head-on. The absurdity reaches new heights when you...

Demystifying Kindle Unlimited might be one of the most requested topics from our podcast audience—and for good reason. The confusion between Amazon's KDP platform and the Kindle Unlimited subscription service continues to trip up both new and experienced authors alike. After five years hosting this podcast, we've noticed certain questions appear in our inbox repeatedly: "Should my b...

Should you start your own publishing company? Word seems to be getting around in author circles that this may be the key to unlocking greater credibility, bookstore access, or even “jumping the line” beyond the self-published category.  But is that really true? In this episode, we break down the myths and realities of becoming your own publisher, exploring when this strategy works—and when it does...

Pricing your book isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a strategy that can make or break your success on Amazon. In this episode, we’re busting the biggest pricing myths, like whether your eBook really needs to be $0.99 or free to gain traction. We’ll dive into the realities of price positioning, share savvy strategies to make your book competitive, and reveal how the right pricing can fuel sales, visib...

Amazon Author Central just made a quiet but significant change—no more URLs in author bios. What does this mean for your author platform, and how can you make sure your website still gets traffic? We break down why keeping your bio fresh matters more than ever and share a simple, proven workaround to keep your readers connected. Plus, we dive into emerging shifts in search result trends, particula...

Success as an author isn’t just about writing a great book—it’s about making smart marketing and business decisions. But what if you’re unknowingly getting in your own way? In this eye-opening episode, we’re unpacking the sneaky ways authors sabotage their own success, from marketing missteps to mindset traps that hold you back. You’ll discover the subtle mistakes that could be costing you book sa...

Every author hits a point where they wonder: Should I just give up? If your book isn’t selling, your marketing efforts feel like a dead end, and hope seems lost—don’t throw in the towel just yet. In this episode, we’re digging into the real deal-breakers that can make or break a book’s success, but more importantly, we’re exploring powerful ways to turn things around. Sometimes, it’s not about giv...

An investment in book marketing and publicity is an investment in all the hard work you've poured into your book. But why is book marketing so expensive? And are those cheaper, one-off services really worth it? In this episode, we're breaking down the true cost of book marketing—what you’re really paying for, what actually moves the needle on book sales, and whether a big budget always e...