Episode 092 Released on: August 15, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we’re joined by Derrick Jackson, a retired Air Force special agent whose real-world experience helped shape the heart-pounding events of his debut novel, Shadow One. Derrick shares how he made the leap from military investigations to storytelling, blending fact and fiction while protecting sensitive information and staying true to the spirit of his career. We talk about the challenges of wr...
Aug 15, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 92
Episode 091 Released on: August 1, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with multi-talented creative Rita Slanina, an actress, model, singer-songwriter, and indie author, to explore how she balances an eclectic creative career with self-publishing success. From testing the waters with poetry and facing rejection from traditional publishing to launching novella series and crowdfunding her latest release, Rita shares the ups and downs of her journey wi...
Aug 01, 2025•45 min
Episode 090 Released on: July 15, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we step into the visually rich world of comics, book covers, and self-publishing with seasoned artist J.K. Woodward. From working with industry giants like Marvel and IDW tocollaborating with indie authors, J.K. shares how he brings stories to life through paint, passion, and persistence. We dig into his creative process, lessons learned from crowdfunding, and how authors and artists can coll...
Jul 15, 2025•43 min•Season 7Ep. 90
Episode 089 Released on: July 1, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we’re joined once again by romantasy comedy author Elaine Canyon, this time to talk all things audiobooks on a budget. Elaine shares her journey into narrating her own work and offers practical, low-cost strategies for authors who want to create professional-sounding audiobooks without breaking the bank. From essential gear and DIY soundproofing to software options and voice performance tips, ...
Jul 01, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 89
Episode 088 Released on: June 15, 2025 In this episode, we dive into Networking for Authors by Dale L. Roberts, a practical and insightful guide for writers looking to expand their reach and build meaningful connections in the industry. Join us as we explore how this book reshaped our approach to networking, branding, and community-building as authors. From real-life applications to personal takeaways, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable ideas. For this book we each came ...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 88
Episode 087 Released on: May 15, 2025 Join us for a thoughtful discussion on The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass, where we explore how this powerful book challenges writers to go beyond the surface and create stories that truly resonate. We dive into the emotional heart of storytelling, unpack key takeaways, and reflect on how Maass’s insights can transform our writing lives. Whether you're drafting, revising, or seeking deeper connection in your prose, this conversation offers inspir...
May 15, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 87
Episode 086 Released on: April 15, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we dive into the world of budget-friendly publishing with romantasy comedy author Elaine Canyon. Elaine shares practical, down-to-earth strategies for producing high-quality books without breaking the bank, covering everything from editing and formatting to cover design and marketing. We also explore a range of tools authors can use throughout the publishing process, along with Elaine’s uniq...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 86
Episode 085 Released on: March 15, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with bestselling poet and marketing expert Shelby Leigh to explore the essential strategies authors need to thrive on social media. Shelby shares her journey from anonymously posting poetry online to building a successful brand that helps creatives market their work with confidence. We dive into mindset shifts around self-promotion, practical ways to streamline content creation, ...
Mar 15, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 85
Episode 084 Released on: March 1, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with multi-genre author Nicole Pierman, who also writes under the pen name Nicole Brona, to explore the intricacies of managing multiple pen names in self-publishing. Nicole shares her eye-opening experience of choosing the wrong pen name just days before publishing and the valuable lessons she learned about branding, marketing psychology, and navigating Amazon’s algorithms. We al...
Mar 01, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 84
Episode 083 Released on: February 15, 2025 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, join us for an insightful conversation with Evan Gow, founder of StoryOrigin, as he shares the driving force behind his all-in-one platform designed for authors. From solving the problem of fragmented author tools to introducing innovative features like audiobook review distribution and beta copy management, Evan dives deep into the unique ways StoryOrigin is helping authors streamline th...
Feb 15, 2025•55 min•Season 6Ep. 83
Episode 082 Released on: February 1, 2025 Join us for a heartfelt conversation with epic fantasy author H.L. Bernabe as she reveals her transformative journey from script writing to crafting expansive fantasy epics amid personal challenges. In this candid episode, Holly shares how channeling her experiences into writing became a powerful, cathartic release, and she offers practical insights—from embracing extended timelines for launch plans to leveraging essential software tools in self-publishi...
Feb 01, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 82
Episode 081 Released on: January 15, 2025 Welcome to Season 6 of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast! In our season premiere, we introduce our new co-host, Jamie, author of the gripping Lisa Cooper vampire series and a dark and urban fantasy writer under the pen name J.M. Celi. Jamie shares his unexpected journey into self-publishing, revealing how a now-ending platform, Kindle Vella, sparked his success and how a classic TV series influenced his writing style. We also share our writin...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 81
Episode 080 Released on: December 15, 2024 Join us for a bittersweet but celebratory episode as we reflect on five incredible seasons of Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks! In this special farewell episode, we explore the highs and lows of our self-publishing journeys, sharing hard-won lessons about time management, overcoming obstacles, and the crucial importance of self-care. We delve into our biggest accomplishments, biggest struggles, and offer invaluable advice for fellow authors. Discover w...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 80
Episode 079 Released on: November 15, 2024 Join Shanon, Rita, and Devon as they delve into “Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter” by Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle. Discover how Kickstarter can transform your author career, even if you’ve never considered crowdfunding. This episode explores the book’s key takeaways, including identifying the most beneficial Kickstarter scenarios, leveraging exclusivity, and mastering campaign design, budgeting, and marketing. The authors also discuss the...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 79
Episode 078 Released on: October 15, 2024 In this episode, four authors dive into Shawn Coyne's book, The Story Grid, a comprehensive editing tool that breaks down the structure of a story to reveal what works and what doesn't. We explore the key analytical tools Coyne introduces, including the Story Grid Spreadsheet and the Five Commandments of Storytelling, and discuss how the book reshapes our approach to editing. We also talk about why understanding genre expectations is essential and agree ...
Oct 15, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 78
Episode 077 Released on: September 15, 2024 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, join us as we dive into the dark and thrilling world of Jay Darkmoore, a UK bestselling author of horror, crime, and dark fantasy dystopian fiction. In this gripping episode, Jay reveals how his background in crime and investigation lends authenticity to his macabre storytelling, from capturing the unique smell of death to crafting realistic scenarios. Discover the intriguing backstory o...
Sep 15, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 76
Episode 076 Released on: September 1, 2024 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, join Shanon, Ben, and several guests as we explore the innovative world of Ream, a subscription platform that's reshaping how fiction authors connect with and monetize their readership. We dive into our personal strategies for leveraging Ream's unique features, from offering exclusive content to gamifying the reader experience. Learn how to set up your Ream presence for success, bypass tr...
Sep 01, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 76
Episode 075 Released on: August 15, 2024 Join us for an enlightening conversation with USA Today Best-selling contemporary romance author Skye Winter. In this episode, Skye shares her journey of changing pen names and navigating the complexities of self-publishing beyond just writing. She offers valuable insights into the importance of romance tropes, dispels common misconceptions about the genre, and provides expert tips on marketing romance books. Skye also opens up about her experience as a w...
Aug 15, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 75
Episode 074 Released on: August 1, 2024 In this episode, we talked with Emma Rosen, a nonfiction in children's book author and YouTuber who shares with us everything she knows about setting up a protective business structure like an LLC or an LTD. As a UK-based author she knows more about the cost, set up, and legalities surrounding an LTD, but she also shared with us her personal reasons for creating a protective business structure and explains the pros and cons. We also got to hear a little bi...
Aug 01, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 74
Episode 073 Released on: July 24, 2024 In this episode, we talk to fantasy author, Devon Gambrell-Clark, who talks to us about setting up an author platform with outside-the-box thinking. First, she shares her strategies about how to handle the flood of information available on the internet when it comes to writing, publishing, and marketing books. From her experience of going through that complete process for her debut novel, she realized it would be helpful to have a one-stop shop of indie aut...
Jul 24, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 73
Episode 072 Released on: July 15, 2024 In this episode, we talk to Elayna R. Gallea, a fantasy romance author. She shares her strategies for success and how she purposefully used these strategies to keep two of her titles in the top 100 best seller lists on Amazon. She also discusses how she approached learning and succeeding at learning TikTok to leverage the platform for her successes. We also got a lot of insight into her writing process and how she’s written nearly twenty books in three year...
Jul 15, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 72
Episode 071 Released on: June 15, 2024 In this episode, three self-published authors dive into Dale L. Roberts's insightful book, “Amazon Keywords for Books: How to Use Keywords for Better Discovery on Amazon.” YouTuber and historical and urban fantasy author, Nicole Pierman/Brona and YouTuber and nonfiction author Andy from the YouTube channel Self Pub With Andy join Shanon in this awesome discussion. They explore the vital role keywords play in increasing a book's visibility on Amazon's crowde...
Jun 15, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 71
Episode 070 Released on: May 15, 2024 In this episode, Shanon is joined by YouTuber and contemporary romance and picture book author, Emma Bennet, BookTuber Rachel (R.K. Stumblingbear), and YouTuber and fantasy author Devon Gambrell-Clark. They discuss Lisa Cron's book, “Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere).” In this book, the author discusses brain science to understand why reade...
May 15, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 70
Episode 069 Released on: April 15, 2024 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, join Shanon, Ben, Andy, D.L. Tillery, and Adrian Santiago. Discover a wealth of free and frugal tactics to effectively market your book on a budget. Our expert hosts dive deep into leveraging free platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to build an engaged audience. You'll learn smart keyword strategies to boost discoverability on major retailers like Amazon. Plus, find out creative wa...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 4Ep. 69
Episode 068 Released on: April 9, 2024 As a self-published author, have you considered getting a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) for your book? In this insightful episode, Shanon dives into the value of securing an LCCN and how it can open doors to greater visibility and credibility, especially in libraries. Discover the distinct differences between an LCCN, ISBN, and copyright registration, and learn the step-by-step process for obtaining this powerful cataloging tool. Whether you're ...
Apr 09, 2024•6 min•Season 4Ep. 68
Episode 067 Released on: April 2, 2024 Are your email newsletters going unopened and unread? Don't let your hard work gather virtual dust! In this episode, you'll discover a surprisingly simple yet incredibly effective strategy to massively increase your email open rates. Shanon reveals an often-overlooked tactic that industry studies show can boost open rates by up to 30%, click-through rates by 14%, and even conversions by 26% - with very little effort on your part. If you've been frustrated b...
Apr 02, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 67
Episode 066 Released on: March 26, 2024 As an author in a rapidly evolving market, have you considered if your book's cover still has what it takes to captivate readers? Book covers, much like fashion, undergo trends that can make or break a book's packaging. In this episode, I explore the strategic reasons behind reinventing your book's cover design. From aligning with shifting genre expectations to maintaining a consistent brand, discover how a well-timed cover update can breathe new life into...
Mar 26, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 66
Episode 065 Released on: March 19, 2024 In today’s digital age, authors need innovative ways to connect with readers and promote their books. Enter QR codes - those square barcodes that can magically transport readers to exclusive online content with a simple smartphone scan. In this episode, discover inventive strategies for using QR codes to bridge your print and digital marketing efforts. Unlock a world of promotional possibilities by incorporating QR codes into your book marketing tactics in...
Mar 19, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 65
Episode 064 Released on: March 15, 2024 In this episode, we talked to Rachel D. Adams, a YouTuber and nonfiction and paranormal romance author. She shares so many insights about how her many years of writing Fan Fiction in a community lead to finding her writing partners and eventually creating their own worlds. Today, she writes with two different co-authors, and she explains how those relationships work when it comes to the duties of self-publishing. She also shares their publishing model, fir...
Mar 15, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 64
Episode 063 Released on: March 5, 2024 Did you know the file size of your ebooks directly impacts the royalties you earn on Amazon? Unlike other retailers, Amazon charges authors a "delivery fee" per unit sold, deducted from your 70% royalty rate. These fees are based solely on your book's file size - the larger the file, the bigger the fee. For example, an 8MB ebook could cost you over $1 per sale just in delivery charges! In this episode, Shanon reveals an easy way to minimize those profit-dra...
Mar 05, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 63
