Episode 153 – Tap, Overhead Costs, and Author Earnings International

Question of the Week: Which upstart group of small publishers do you think Data Guy is referring to in his tease for the next Author Earnings report and why?

After a discussion about entrepreneurial parenting, Jim and Bryan take on the latest Author Earnings report, rejecting traditional publishing, and diehard dedication in Episode 153. Following the Patreon thanks to Shadow Raiders, How to Drive Your Next Card Deal, and Black Shadow Moon, the dedicated duo took on tips about burnout, thinking outside the box, and using your mailing list last on launches. News stories included Wattpad’s new feature Tap, Shatzkin’s “overhead” argument, and Author Earnings international report. This week’s Question of the Week: Which upstart group of small publishers do you think Data Guy is referring to in his tease for the next Author Earnings report and why?

(Republished from AuthorEarnings.com)

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Episode 152 – Indie Launches, Kobo Unlimited, & Pronoun vs. Publish Drive vs. Street Lib

Question of the Week: Have you used or do you plan to use Pronoun, Street Lib, or Publish Drive? If so, what’s your experience been so far. If not, what’s keeping you away?

A wild week in publishing news means we’ve got TONS to talk about, including two big-time indie launches, several aggregator platforms going head-to-head, and Kobo Plus. After thanking our patrons the Hat Trick Series, Monkey Justice, and The Dragon Rustler, the broad-shouldered broadcasters of self-publishing took on tips about piracy, income, and mailing lists. News stories included Amazon continuing to crack down on affiliates, Qidian, a huge launch by Adam Croft, Kobo Plus, a triple-threat match between self-publishing aggregators, and Mark Dawson’s $29,000 thriller launch. This week’s Question of the Week: Have you used or do you plan to use Pronoun, Street Lib, or Publish Drive? If so, what’s your experience been so far. If not, what’s keeping you away?

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Episode 151 – Small Presses, Old Work, and Sensitivity

Question of the Week: If you found some old stories on your hard drive or in your attic, would you polish them up or publish them right away as-is? Answer honestly given your current production schedule!

With the 3-year-mark approaching, Jim and Bryan took on stories about Joanna Penn’s new small press, J.A. Konrath’s unboxed stories, and more! After thanking their patrons The Prosperous Writer’s Guide to Making More Money, Removed, and A Curse upon the Saints, the tactical twosome took on tips about launching, cover design, and newsletters. Other stories included KDP Print going public, the need (or lack thereof) for sensitivity readers, and author rank. This week’s Question of the Week is: If you found some old stories on your hard drive or in your attic, would you polish them up or publish them right away as-is? Answer honestly given your current production schedule!

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Episode 150 – Memory Lane, Author Bait, and Newspaper Recognition

Question of the Week: When did you start listening to The Sell More Books Show? Do any memories stick out as the moment you decided to stick with the show for the long haul? (Also, feel free to add any comedic moments you remember from the past 149 episodes!)

The Big 150 is here, and Jim and Bryan are ready for a trip down memory lane before speeding toward the future. After playing a clip from their first episode, they thanked their patrons Where The Leaves Wither, The Last Days, and The Outline Book. They also covered tips on owning your destiny, learning from the right kind of authors, and balancing your art and your business. News stories included alleged Australian agent hijinks, the end of Samhain Publishing, aggregators baiting new author clients, small publishing house struggles, and a huge feature in The Times for indie authors. This week’s Question of the Week: When did you start listening to The Sell More Books Show? Do any memories stick out as the moment you decided to stick with the show for the long haul? (Also, feel free to add any comedic moments you remember from the past 149 episodes!)

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Episode 149 – PayPal, Scout Leaderboard, and RIP Shelfie

Question of the Week: Which of these three stories will have the most impact on Indies’ bottom line over the next few years: the Radish payment model, the Kindle Scout Leaderboard system, or PayPal integrating with Amazon and why?

We’re one episode away from the Big #150, and to celebrate, we covered the latest news, including Amazon’s potential integration with PayPal and the end of Shelfie. After thanking their patrons Taking Charge, The Secret Blush, and 31 Days of Wisdom, Jim and Bryan tackled tips on paid marketing, switching genres, and going wide with audio. News stories included Smashwords expanding its library offerings, the new KU-like program Radish, changes to Kindle Scout on the reader side, the end of Shelfie, and how PayPal could change the way Amazon customers buy books. This week’s Question of the Week: Which of these three stories will have the most impact on Indies’ bottom line over the next few years: the Radish payment model, the Kindle Scout Leaderboard system, or PayPal integrating with Amazon and why?

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Episode 148 – Indie Co-ops, Midlist Managers, and the NY Times Bestseller List

Question of the Week: What should indies who’ve been targeting the bestseller lists do with their time and money now that they have less of a chance to make a list?

Never fear, the Kukral Bestseller List will always cater to indies! This week, Bryan went solo to tackle stories about the NY Times cutting some ebook lists, the trials and tribulations of Jeffrey M. Poole’s KU account, and several ideas on what indies and publishers can do next to find success. After thanking the SMBS patrons The Efficient Writer, Gone, and The Cordova Vector, Bryan also took on tips about 2016 marketing strategies, bad reviews, and DBW findings. This week’s Question of the Week: What should indies who’ve been targeting the bestseller lists do with their time and money now that they have less of a chance to make a list? read more

Episode 147 – Microsoft, Audio Monopolies, and Indie Print

Question of the Week: If you were publishing an audiobook on Audible today, given the potential of change in the next 7 years, would you go exclusive for higher royalties, or non-exclusive to take advantage of the potential new channels?

Jim and Bryan are back with news about 2016 author data, audiobook monopolies, Microsoft’s new ebook store, and more! After thanking their patrons Pirates vs. Dragons, A Curse Upon the Saints, and Peaks of Passion, the talented twosome took on tips related to LinkedIn, the pulp mindset, and using Vellum on a PC. News stories included Kobo’s progress with Overdrive, Macmillan’s play with Pronoun, the new Microsoft ebook store, a big potential change in audiobooks going forward, and Data Guy’s 2017 Digital Book World presentation. This week’s Question of the Week: If you were publishing an audiobook on Audible today, given the potential of change in the next 7 years, would you go exclusive for higher royalties, or non-exclusive to take advantage of the potential new channels?

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Episode 146 – Startups, Branding, & Author Income

Question of the Week: What would you do with your $400,000 advance?

Once you get Jim and Bryan started, they’ll never stop, and here comes episode 146 (with special guest star, Riley Grace Cohen)! Inside, they discuss tips on brand building, mini goals, and a new affiliate plugin for Amazon. After thanking their patrons Cubicle Jail to Laptop Lifestyle, 31 Days of Wisdom, and Witch’s Sacrifice, they took on the news, which included stories on ebooks in libraries, writing income, ebook subscription models, indie startups, and whether or not recent news stories spell doom for indies. This week’s Question of the Week: What would you do with your $400,000 advance?

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Episode 145 – 2017 Predictions, Vellum, and a Grain of Salt

Question of the Week: Which paid advertising platforms do you think will be most effective in 2017?

Bryan and Jim have chutzpah, and they’re not afraid to show it with their contentious opinions on 2017 predictions, copyright issues, and more. After thanking their patrons, Covermint Design, Black Shadow Moon, and Twisting Fate, they tackled tips on self-publishing resources, interior book design, and advice for newbies. News stories included Amazon Books and locker locations, Jane Friedman’s trends for 2016, an author with unfair copyright issues, another author’s reasoning for leaving KU, and the top predictions for 2017. This week’s Question of the Week: Which paid advertising platforms do you think will be most effective in 2017?

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Episode 144 – Box Set Changes, Self-Publishing Insults, & All Romance Ebooks

Question of the Week: Do you submit your books to Smashwords?

Welcome to 2017! Jim and Bryan took on the latest tips and news, including the sudden closure of All Romance Ebooks, new Kindle Unlimited box set rules, and the angry response to the recent Huffington Post anti-self-publishing article. After thanking their patrons, Ambition by Geoff North, How I Sold 80,000 Books by Alinka Rutkowska, and Song of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope, the guys tackled tips on AMS keywords, ACX, and the Self-Publishing Calculator. This week’s Question of the Week: Do you use Smashwords to publish your books wide?

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