Do we really want Amazon deciding what is “too filthy” for readers? Bryan is back from his mysterious absence last week and he took a moment with Jim to thank their generous patrons - Write! Shonen Manga, WordPress Security 101: How to Secure Your Website Against Hackers, and The Commons. Book 1: The Journeyman. Afterwards, they jumped right into this weeks tips, which include how authors can improve sales by testing their book covers, how authors can boost their productivity, and how you can fortify your Facebook security settings. This week in news, discover why readers and authors should give Google Play another try, learn more about the world of BookTubing with Ariel Bissett, find out how to boost your business with tips from Jane Friedman, learn if Barnes & Noble can win over readers with its new app, why we think Amazon is shutting down Kindle Scout, and how Amazon’s recent change filtered out adult-themes titles from main category rankings. Question of the Week: Should Amazon be able to judge which books are too "filthy" to sell? Why or why not?

Genre related keywords in your subtitles: yay or nay? This week, Jim is joined by J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon who are filling in for a vacationing Bryan Cohen. They kick off this week’s episode with a quick “thank you” to they generous patrons: Rebel Song, Cowgirl, Unexpectedly, and Kiss Kill. This week’s tips include how authors can attract new audiences on Kickstarter, how writers can use short stories to build their fanbase and skills, why authors should simplify their calls to action. News items include Overdrive celebrating an historic milestone, Smashwords and Findaway Voices partner up, how authors can gain insight into Canadian readers, the rise in popularity of “Up Lit” novels, why Britain’s Book Industry Communication organization is calling for authors to stop using promotional content in subtitles, and how Amazon is making it a little more difficult to find reviewers and land publishing deals. Question of the Week: How do you approach subtitle metadata for your book? What's your take on the ethics of using genre-related keywords for your subtitle? Bonus: What was Bryan doing this week instead of co-hosting the show?

Are romance listeners just in it for the good parts? After thanking their patrons, Strings of Subversion, The Unknown Devil, and Leading Effectively, Jim and Bryan took on the tips and news like always before. Tips included how a YA author took her second series to another level, how co-writers can collaborate to create better books, and what word count range genre authors should try to hit. News stories included Amazon encouraging Echo-read audiobooks, Microsoft's new dictation feature, Draft2Digital's new tool for authors, how Audible's feature may have undermined its unlimited service, why one indie author is writing at a tire shop, and why authors should ignore the odds. This week's Question of the Week: Romance authors, are your readers just in it for the "good parts," or are they interested in the book as a whole? Other authors, feel free to voice your thoughts on this too!

Are there characters of various races, genders, and sexualities in your books? It’s been another fun week in the publishing world and Jim and Bryan are here to fill you in on all the goings on. First, they take a moment to thank their patrons: Dorothy and the Cane of Destiny, Fighting to Survive, and Flotsam. This week’s tips include how writers can become one-click authors, how authors can optimize their high-volume business models, how writers can improve their craft, build friendships, and make money by co-writing a series, and the latest stats on audiobook consumption. This week’s top headlines cover how traditionally published authors in the UK are demanding their fair share of royalties, another publishing service is open for business, audiobook lovers have a new place to check out bestselling titles, how traditional publishers are failing diverse writers and readers, and Amazon launches another imprint. Question of the Week: Do you make it a priority to include characters of different races, genders, and sexualities in your books? Why or why not?

Royalty rates for all-you-can-listen to audiobooks: what do you think is fair? It’s another week of news and tips from the dynamic duo. Jim and Bryan take a moment to thank their generous patrons: Level Up LitRPG, DEAD STILL, and The Busy Author. This week’s tips include how authors can protect their work with a few simple tips, why authors should make Facebook Live part of their promotion strategy, and why authors should get in on the ground floor with voice technologies. In news: readers can join a new book club from Barnes & Noble, Amazon Affiliate members now have more ways to share, how one super fan is keeping their favorite author’s legacy alive, Amazon imprint ebooks are eating up the bestseller charts, and why romance authors are up in arms over their royalty payments from Audible Romance. Question of the Week: What do you think is a fair rate authors should be paid for all-you-can-listen audiobook downloads?

Will younger print readers stick with the medium when they get older or head to ebooks or audiobooks? The dynamic podcasting duo is back for another week of news and tips for authors. After taking a moment to thank their patrons: Triumviratus, Stone Cold, and The Hunted, they share some great tips including why indies should embrace their role as “Youpreneurs”, why writers should never give up on their books, and protecting their KDP by-line. Latest news items include why authors aren’t the only ones hurt by scammers, how the future of the internet rests in the hands of the next billion users, why a serial fiction startup is gaining traction, how shady characters are using CreateSpace to launder money, and why bestselling author Terry Goodkind stirred up a firestorm when he publicly ridiculed his cover art. Question of the Week: When the paperback-reading Snapchat generation gets into their 20s and 30s, will they keep reading paperbacks, move to ebooks, or go straight to audiobooks and why?

Setting a $9.99 price point for your book? Crazy or the thing to do? Jim and Bryan are taking to the mic once again, this time they kick off the show with some exciting news about exciting news about Jim's traditionally published book and contract. Next they took a moment to acknowledge their generous patrons: Doubt the Stars, Guardian of the Grail, and Achieve Anything in Just One Year. Tips include how authors can get more reviews, venturing outside your comfort zone can be a good thing, and how to improve your time management. In the latest news, Michael Alvear shares a survey about authors' experiences with Facebook advertising, one Wattpad author may see her characters on TV, Kindle Worlds might not be all it’s cracked up to be, pricing ebooks at $9.99, and Barnes & Noble just laid off 1800 workers - could this be the beginning of the end? Question of the Week: Would you ever consider pricing your ebooks at $9.99? Why or why not? If you ever have priced your books higher than average, did you see any results?

Get out your crystal balls: will people be listening to or reading books more in 5 years? Jim and Bryan are back with another dose of the latest news and tips in the publishing world. First up, they take a moment to thank their generous patrons: A Turn for the Worse, How to Become a Productivity Guru, and COLD WAR: Alien Incursion. This week’s tips include how writers can breathe new life into their outreach efforts, creating audiobooks, and expanding their international reach. In news: StreetLib expands its global reach, some traditionally published authors are joining together to self-publish short stories, the Washington Post is updates its bestseller list, Audible wins the rights to Shaun White’s memoir, and why authors should ignore naysayers and publish on their own terms. Question of the Week: What's going to be bigger in five years: audiobooks or ebooks? And why?

To feed the trolls or not feed the trolls, that is the question. Bryan and Jim are back with the latest in publishing. First, they took a moment to thank their patrons: We Own the Sky, Faster Than Falling, and Leaving Eva. This week’s tips include how to reach more readers by building and organizing your email list, building brand recognition with an author logo, and expanding your social media reach with Grabbr. In news: Amazon partners with Susan G. Komen to fight breast cancer, new Amazon updates could give authors a sneak peak into the future of AMS, how to bring your storytelling to social media, why you should diversify your income, Draft2Digital's big plans to boost discoverability, and why authors may not want to be afraid to stand for what they believe in. Question of the Week: Should you avoid feeding the trolls and keep your career's status quo or is it better to feed the trolls for a chance at growing your business (with a chance of taking a hit as well)? And why?

Will the teaming up of Kobo and Walmart be a dream for authors? On the momentous occasion of their 200th show, Jim and Bryan kick off the fun with a special thanks to their patrons The Darby Shaw Chronicles box set, God and Gigs: Succeed as a Musician Without Sacrificing Your Faith, and Star Flame: A Story from the Meclauks Kingdom. Helpful tips this week include how authors can maximize sales with an eye-catching title, jumpstarting your promotions, and improving Kobo sales. In news, recently launched Bookstat could be headed for some legal trouble, Barnes & Noble has changed the name of Nook Press and made a few other tweaks to their set-pub platform, why writers should be on the lookout for Author Solutions clones, speculation on Apple's latest move and what it will mean, and Walmart and Kobo announces a new partnership. Question of the Week: What's your first reaction to Kobo and Walmart teaming up? Do you think you'll sell more books on Kobo as a result of the partnership? Why or why not?