It’s been quite a year, what story is at the top of your list? As 2017 draws to a close, Jim and Bryan take some time to recap some of the ups and downs of 2017 including the top ad platform for authors, the closing of an e-book aggregator and who is stepping in to fill that void, what was the biggest growth sector in publishing, scammers taking over, and why authors complained so much this past year - and what they can do differently in 2018. Question of the Week: What do you think was the biggest story of 2017 and why?

Could changing how you react to negativity have a positive impact on your business in 2018? In the home stretch to the end of 2017, Jim and Bryan take a moment to thank their patrons: Covermint Design, Plain Talk Book Marketing, and The Efficient Writer. Tips include great advice on how to quit your 9-to-5 to write full-time, selling more books by keeping promises to readers, and how a key in making a living writing is to keep writing the next book. In publishing news, Patreon reverses it’s decision about fee structures, Amazon has released a year-end bestseller compilation list, audiobooks continue as the fastest growing segment in digital publishing, Amazon’s payouts for KU increased again, and authors are experiencing major delays in sales reporting from Amazon. Question of the week: How do you cope with negativity and other things that don't go well in your business? How might you change the way you react going forward in 2018?

If you came up with a term that became popular, would you lawyer up and trademark it? Jim and Bryan start out by thanking their wonderful patrons: The Newbie's Guide To Sell More Books With Less Marketing, The Secret Blush, and What Sells Books. They had some valuable tips to share this week including how best to communicate with Amazon in order to resolve author issues, thinking like artisans rather than manufacturers, how one urban fantasy author Shayne Silvers went from earning a few hundred a month to five-figures after taking some time to do research, and The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America is looking for more SFWA members to participate in a new indie bundle. News items include how authors can revamp their book covers with trend predictions from 99Designs, Hoopla is expanding their catalogs for young kids and comic lovers, the importance of proper estate planning regarding author’s intellectual property, indies aren’t happy about Patreon’s new fee structure, and Aleron Kong has trademarked the term “LitRPG”, irking others in the genre. Question of the Week: If you created or popularized a term that later became a successful product or genre for multiple people, would you consider trademarking it? Why or why not?

Do you think it’s worth $599 for a Premium GoodReads giveaway? Jim and Bryan take a few moments to thank their wonderful patrons Write! Shonen Manga by R. A. Paterson, The Reluctant Detective by Tom Fowler, and Hypercage by Craig Lea Gordon. The latest tips include how authors can hook new readers with snappy taglines, how writers giving in to Imposter Syndrome are only hurting their careers, and tips for improving productivity. News from the publishing world includes how messenger bots could kill off what little organic reach is left on Facebook, small press Loose Id is shutting down, PublishDrive continues to make headway in indie publishing, why indies should use caution before enrolling in Audible Romance, and GoodReads is revamping their giveaway program. Question of the Week: Would you pay $599 for a Premium Goodreads Giveaway? Why or why not?

What’s been the biggest game changer in publishing since the Kindle was released 10 years ago? Jim and Bryan start out with a thank you to their patrons A Dragon Among Eagles: A Novel of the Roman Empire, Blogging for Authors, and The Ten-Year Turnaround: Transform Your Personal Finances and Achieve Financial Freedom. This week’s tips include how authors can save tons of money by avoiding these unnecessary publishing expenses, making the transition from KU to wide a bit easier, and increasing engagement on Facebook with hints from Andrea Vahl. News includes how Anna Todd is returning to her indie roots with her next series, the latest PEW survey suggests keeping tabs on the reading habits of millennials when publishing, an inspiring interview with Mark Stay and Mark Desvaux about their Bestseller Experiment, speculation on what is triggering recent Amazon rank strips, and the 10th anniversary of the Kindle. Question of the Week: What do you think has been the biggest innovation in publishing since the Kindle device went live in 2007 and why?

Up for Chicago in May? It’s the perfect time to join Jim and Bryan for the Sell More Books Summit - have you booked your tickets yet? After taking a moment to thank their patrons, Leading Effectively: Proven Leadership, Ten Little Bridesmaids, and Sanyare: The Last Descendant, Jim and Bryan share tips on better use of Amazon KDP keywords, the plus-side of releasing books quickly, and using your personal mindset to increase success. In the news, latest research indicated libraries are a powerful, expanding marketplace for authors, Harry Potter meets the creators of Pokemon Go for a new augmented reality game, Google has opened up their publishing portal again on a case-by-case basis, what options Pronoun users have now that the platform is closing, and the business model for indie authors has finally stabilized giving authors what they need to run their own scalable businesses. Question of the Week: Are you coming to the Sell More Books Show Summit on May 4-6, 2018 in Chicago? What are you most looking forward to about the conference?

Did you see the Pronoun writing on the wall? After thanking their patrons Manhunt: The Power to Restore Civilization, Creative Collaborations: How to Form Lasting and Lucrative Partnerships without Being Smarmy, Write Like a Boss: From a Whisper to a Roar, guest co-host Honoree Corder joined Bryan for tips onn setting goals, using a Twitter hack to grow your email list, and using weekly meetings to boost productivity. In a big news week, they cover changes coming in the US brick and mortar bookstores, story trends, a special Kindle app for readers in India, Audible’s new romantic side, and Pronoun’s last stand. Question of the Week: Should we have seen the closure of Macmillan's Pronoun coming? What should we do in the future to be prepared for major changes in the industry?

With Amazon’s recent rank stripping, should authors focus on a slow and steady promo effort rather than starting off with a bang? After thanking their patrons Guerrilla Tactics Against Passive Aggression in the WorkPlace, 31 Days of Wisdom, and Wanderer's Escape, the dynamic duo of Jim and Bryan jump into tips about authors not feeling like imposters, keeping motivated during NaNoWriMo, and adjusting MailChimp settings. New items featured John Grisham’s biggest financial mistake, reading easier on mobile phones, Amazon cracking down on rank manipulation, Twitter locking authors out of their accounts, and why pirated books may not be as harmless as some think. Question of the Week: Given Amazon's recent rank stripping of promoted books, do you think you'll do fewer launch-style promotions and go for the slow and steady approach? Why or why not?

How involved is your spouse in your writing? After thanking their patrons Vanguard: The Complete First Series, Divorced Dad: Kids are Forever, Wives are Not, and Hitler Out of Time, Jim and Bryan chat about tips on how authors can create books with perennial appeal, putting off learning new skills until they are needed, and using preorder promotions to launch a bestseller. News stories included what readers can expect from Wattpad’s new Premium service, Amazon’s new feature for young readers, Amazon Rapids, how Audible is making your commute a little easier, why KU and wide authors should use different marketing methods, and why Amazon is stripping some innocent authors of their books’ ranking. This week’s Question of the Week: Has your spouse/significant other ever read your books? How involved are they in your publishing process and why?

Is this the beginning of the end for CreateSpace? After thanking their patrons, The Busy Busy Author, The Last Verdict, and Slow Burn: Zero Day, Jim and Bryan took on tips about podcasts, BookBub Ads, and social media anxiety. News stories included how to grow your business, outside-the-box marketing, KDP Jumpstart, the closing of CreateSpace's e-store, and seven-figure trad pub deals. This week's Question of the Week: When are you planning to start using KDP Print? What will you miss the most about CreateSpace when it's eventually closed?

With a trio of massive tips, Jim and Bryan brought the fire for episode 184. After thanking their patrons Carnal, Twisting Fate, and Character Sketch & Color, the publishing prima donnas discussed tips on nonfiction books, beta readers, and relaunching your books. News stories included romance publishers falling short on diversity, using Amazon's built-in X-Ray feature, Draft2Digital's new affiliate program, romance authors' frustration at a recent New York Times piece, and why iBooks may slide from its #2 spot. This week's Question of the Week: Do you use iBooks? How do you think it compares to other ebook marketplaces and why?

Sci-fi author Michael Cooper joined us today for a longer-than-usual but extremely informative Lab segment. After thanking their patrons, Peak Democracy, The Final Arrangement, and Nightblade, Bryan and Jim tackled tips on pen names, selecting your next story to write, and how to promote your books. News stories included the publishing practices of Marcel Proust, publishers helping hurricane victims, AAP's ebook sales increase, and Bookfunnel's new direct sales integration. This week's Question of the Week: If you don't yet use Facebook Ads, what's the main reason you don't include them as part of your marketing?

Has Nook finally waived the white flag? Find out in our latest episode! Jim and Bryan take on tips about efficient book launches, common mistake, and information overload. After thanking their patron Dead Still, the two triple-threats discussed stories on Amazon's Alibaba sale in China, attitudes about intellectual property, Canada's audio battleground, and Barnes & Noble making changes with the Nook. This week's Question of the Week: Is Barnes & Noble getting a tech partner or selling its ebook and e-reader business a good thing for authors or a bad thing and why?

Bryan and Jim are back with a very news-focused show! After thanking their patrons, Black Shadow Moon, The Tilt, and Twins of Prey, the publishing pundits discussed making big plays, connecting with readers on social media, and how to improve your email engagement. News stories included an idea for improving KDP customer support, lessons Joanna Penn learned in her sixth year in publishing, why trad pub bet big against digital, a new system in erotica characterization, and what we can learn from Chance the Rapper. This week's Question of the Week: At what point should an indie be considered a "sellout?"

What's your KU pain point? Jim and Bryan ask the big questions this week on Episode 180. After thanking their patrons Guardian of the Brail, Achieve Anything in Just One Year, and How to Drive Your Next Car Deal, the Towers of Publishing Power discussed tips on paperback preorders, rookie publishing mistakes, and a new email swap service. News stories included teaching self-publishing to high schoolers, Rip Van Winkle syndrome for midlisters, tips for Amazon Ads, Kobo's new audiobook platform, and Amazon's lawsuits to stop scammers. This week's Question of the Week: How much would your earnings have to drop to consider going wide instead of in KU? Also, would you consider leaving if Amazon's actions against the scammers aren't effective? Why or why not?

Happy Labor Day! Jim and Bryan each ran special sales this week (discount book descriptions and reviewer submissions) and chatted at length about tips on sending personal emails, dealing with fear, and changing up your Facebook Ads. After thanking their patrons Thawed, The Hat Trick Series, and The Dragon Rustler, the emperors of entrepreneurship discussed news stories on earning from shorter works, WordPress 5.0, waiting to promote your books, creating a shared universe, and alleged discrimination from Playster. This week's Question of the Week: Would it be as big a story if a major retailer like Amazon allegedly discriminated against LGBT books, or is the story the same magnitude no matter where that discrimination happens?

With Jim's 24 Hours of Free Author Marketing Club promo and Bryan's crazy few weeks, there was a lot to discuss. After thanking their patrons, The Outline Book, Removed, and A Curse upon the Saints, the warriors of indie writing discussed networking, book cover redesigns, and Kindle Unlimited promos. News stories included Medium's subscription service, Amazon's review word cloud tool, Wattpad's new Raccoon app, the Handbook for Mortals New York Times scandal, and Nook's recent uneven bans on erotica authors. This week's Question of the Week: Given the release of Wattpad's Raccoon video app, do you think video storytelling will ever become a part of your author business? Why or why not?

We've reached 500,000 downloads, and we couldn't have done it without you! This week, Jim and Bryan discussed tips on ad copywriting, indie author mistakes, and writing by hand. After thanking their patrons Peaks of Passion, Where the Leaves Wither, and The Last Days Begin, the Walter Cronkites of self-publishing took on the latest news stories, including Australia's trad pub matchmaker site, Smashwords Special Deals, Nook First Look, KU's drop in per page payout, and the Dominion Rising's exclusion from the New York Times Bestseller List. This week's Question of the Week: Why do some authors spend time getting angry about fellow indies attempting to get on bestseller lists when they could instead learn from the marketing successes of box sets like Dominion Rising?

Director of Content Abigail Dunard visited the show this week to talk tips and news with Jim. After thanking their patrons, We Own the Sky, Kick Author Overwhelm to the Curb, and The Newbie's Guide to Sell More Books with Less Marketing, Jim and Abigail discussed tips on major marketing campaigns, six-figure steps, and reader on-boarding. News stories included Amazon's new shipping policy, Hallmark Publishing, IndiePicks, and a contentious campaign fighting a popular YA book. This week's Question of the Week: Is it fair for readers to leave customer reviews en masse if they haven't yet read the book? How can publishers and retailers avoid situations like this in the future?

Thank you, listeners, for helping us reach this landmark episode! This week, Jim and Bryan talked tips about scheduling social media, adopting habits of successful authors, and evolving with your readers. After thanking their patrons The Commons: Book 1, Time Code, and Stalked by Flames, the publishing pair discussed using Overdrive through Draft2Digital, refining your Amazon Ads, WattPad's Tap app, virtual and augmented reality, and whale readers. This week's Question of the Week: Which is going to hit big first and why: texting-based stories or stories with augmented or virtual reality?

20Books Vegas head honcho Craig Martelle visited the show to talk tips and news with Bryan this week! After thanking their patrons Cold War: Alien Incursion, Shades of Treason, and Angelborn, Bryan and Craig talked tips about productivity, strong habits, and conquering BookBub Featured Deals. News stories included a Goodreads competitor, new ebook taxes in Australia and India, Kobo's preview conversion feature, KENPC version 3.0, and steps to take to become a six-figure author. This week's Question of the Week: As a reader, what makes you put down a book in the first 10%? Conversely, what makes you keep reading and read on to future books in the series?

Is China's online reading marketplace significantly larger than the U.S. and U.K.? Find out in our latest scorching episode! After thanking their patrons A Finger in Every Pie, Awakened, and The Prosperous Writer's Guide to Finding Readers, Jim and Bryan tackled tips on starting from scratch, grading your own writing, and targeting the right readers. News stories included gender fluid pen names, potential changes in Facebook Groups, Instafreebie's app-based attempt to solve side-loading, France adopting online reading, and China's massive growth in e-reading. This week's Question of the Week: How long will it take for mobile reading to take over as the primary form of online reading in the U.S. and why?

What should Amazon do about its clickfarm problem? Jim and Bryan have their thoughts on that question and this week's other top stories. After thanking their patrons Faster Than Falling, Leaving Eva, and Inharmonic Fantasy, the powerful publishing pair tackled tips on author mindset, beta readers, and pricing. News stories included the BookBaby's author survey, author apps, bullying, PublishDrive, thinking small, and a click-farmed book hitting #1. This week's Question of the Week: Do you think Amazon will do anything about its click-farming problem? Why or why not?

How would you go against conventional publishing advice? That's what Jim and Bryan want to know in the latest episode of The Sell More Books Show. After thanking their patron Joanna Penn and her masterpiece How to Market a Book, the triple-threat-twosome talked tips on using your backlist, adopting long-term thinking, and using InstaFreebie. News stories included EU ebook law changes, the return of the Google Play Partner Center, the true price of being an indie, the need for experimentation, and the growth of Amazon Prime. This week's Question of the Week: How would you go against the conventional wisdom of self-publishing to try a new marketing or publishing experiment?

Just how big is the ebook marketplace? Listen all the way to our top story to find out the latest estimate. After thanking their patrons, Star Flame, Merkiaari Wars, and Awakened, Jim and Bryan talked tips on engaging with audio, staying sticky in the rankings, and nonfiction book length. News stories included Amazon's six-month KU deal, engaging with your fanbase, newsletter subscribers from giveaways, going fast vs. slow as a writer, and the size of the ebook marketplace. This week's Question of the Week: Do you believe Michael Cader's estimates of the size of the ebook marketplace? Are they too high, too low, or just right, and why?

What do authors owe their readers? It's a question Jim and Bryan ask in the top story of this week's Sell More Books Show. After thanking their patrons, God and Gigs, Witch's Sacrifice, and How I Sold 80,000 Books, the deep thinkers of digital books discussed tips on coming up with titles, updating your website, and creating your own tsunami of content. News stories included millennials using libraries, trad pub's new deal with libraries, the 2017 Smashwords survey, Amazon's beta test without the word "kindle," and what authors owe their followers. This week's Question of the Week: "What do successful authors owe the community?"

Lindsay Buroker joined Bryan this week to talk big news in audio and Kindle Unlimited. After thanking their patrons Gods and Gigs, WordPress Security 101, and Pirates vs. Dragons, Bryan and Lindsay talked tips about time management, email scheduling, and Facebook Messenger Bots. This week’s top stories included Amazon buying Whole Foods, Facebook Page video cover images, translation rights, KU payouts dropping, and Draft2Digital’s new partnership with Findaway Voices. This week’s Question of the Week: Would you give up the 40% royalties from going exclusive with ACX to get lower royalties but gain price control from D2D and FV?

Bryan and Jim absolutely brought it on an episode featuring a survey of six-figure authors and discussions about Whispersync and the new KDP Dashboard (hint: Jim doesn’t like it). After thanking their patrons Sanyare: The Rebel Apprentice, The Thing Speaks for Itself, and Dark as the Grave, the sommeliers of self-publishing took on tips about BookBub pre-order announcements, Goodreads email notifications, and keyword research. Top stories included Penguin getting into merchandise, BookFunnel getting into bundles, the new KDP Dashboard, Amazon increasing Whispersync prices, and the six-figure author survey from Written Word Media. This week’s Question of the Week: When you see that six-figure authors have an average of 30 books written, does that motivate you or discourage you? What do you think you would have to do to get that many books on your backlist?

Bryan’s back and he’s brought five news stories with him! After thanking their patrons The Final Arrangement, Taking Charge, and Shadow Raiders, Bryan and Jim tackled tips on saying no, saving up for your book, and hiring an assistant. News stories included a bump up for trad pub, more fake books on bestseller lists, ACX in Ireland and Canada, Vellum 2.0, and a six-figure audio contract for an indie. This week’s Question of the Week: How much have you paid for print formatting in the past? Are you willing to fork out $250 one-time to let you format all your future print books?

Amy Teegan joined Jim this week as Bryan relaxed in a lake. After thanking their patrons A Band Director’s Guide to Everything Tuba, Gone, and The Cordova Vector, Amy and Jim discussed cultivating ideal readers, relaxation, and experimenting with Amazon Ads. News stories included a new mobile fiction app, Scribd’s changes to its service, Amazon Books backlash, Amazon Charts backlash, and Joanna Penn’s annual ebooks revenue review. This week’s Question of the Week: When it comes to subscription services, would you rather have unlimited content per month, or limited access?

Want to meet Bryan for an all-expenses-paid trip? Learn more about his Blurbs in Chicago Sweepstakes in this episode. Also, go read The Grey Nebula by Laura and Daniel Martone at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725VW88M and then listen to our latest episode!  This week, Jim and Bryan took on tips about making your workstation more ergonomic, writing spinoffs, and employing word of mouth marketing. The news stories included Prime Reading UK, the 15-year novel, BookBub’s rejection policies, calculating your readthrough rate, indie authors getting TV deals, and Amazon Charts. This week’s Question of the Week: If you were creating a name for an Amazon bestseller list, what would you call it and why?

Brian Meeks filled in for Jim this week as the two Bryans tackled Amazon Ads and other important stories of the week in a jam-packed episode. After thanking their patrons Covermint Design, The Efficient Writer, and The Prosperous Writer’s Guide to Making More Money, B&B discussed tips on Kindle Unlimited, the Smarter Artist Summit, and branding. News stories included KFC romance novels, the California autograph law, magic adjectives for book descriptions, writing for exposure, and how to truly analyze Amazon Marketing Services ads. This week’s Question of the Week: What’s your experience been like with Amazon Ads thus far? Which of Brian Meeks’ tips do you think you’ll apply to your author business and why?

Are ebooks doomed? While that’s what CNN would like you to believe, Jim and Bryan are here to tell you otherwise. This week, after thanking their patrons The Ten-Year Turnaround, Hypercage, and Sell More Books with Less Social Media, the publishing powerhouses talked tips on working with experts, activating your readers, and getting your also-boughts working for you. News stories included EU antitrust proceedings against Amazon, Tor’s audio experiment, an incentive for authors published through Amazon imprints, buy boxes going to the lowest bidder, and fake news about ebook sales being down across the board. This week’s Question of the Week: What are some ways you could activate your true fans to become evangelists for your books? How do you think your readers would react?

With one more episode until finishing a full baseball season, Jim and Bryan took on the latest news, tips, and happenings in the indie world. After thanking their patrons The Author’s Guide to Ebook Bundling, More Than Monsters, and What Sells Books, the pair of publishing pundits talked tips on short stories, Amazon Author Central, and writing on planes. News stories included a survey on Chinese readership, 99 Designs moving into book, story rights, breaking the indie rules, and ACX’s crackdown on new international accounts. This week’s Question of the Week: What do you think is a fair price for a custom book cover? What have you spent on covers in the past?

Jim stepped in as chief news readers again this week as he and Bryan took on news about Kickstarter’s pledge change, Amazon’s scorched earth policy in Australia, and your new favorite self-publishing metaphor. Bryan’s Selling for Authors course is now open again for a limited time and available at https://www.sellingforauthors.com/invest17 (available through May 2nd). After thanking their patrons Sanyare: The Last Descendant, Plain Talk Book Marketing Blog Tours, and Blogging for Authors, Bryan and Jim tackled tips on Facebook ads, spreading out your KDP Select free days, and KDP Print. Other news stories included Scribl, Amazon Subscribe, and a peach farming mentality to publishing. This week’s Question of the Week: Do you think Kickstarter’s new feature to let guests contribute without signing up will increase the chances of funding for publishing projects? Why or why not?

J. Thorn joined the podcast this week in our latest lab segment as the trio chatted about Audible’s removal of the gifting feature and Written Word Media’s KU survey. After thanking their patrons Wanderer’s Escape, 5 Numbers of Destiny, and Email Lists Made Easy for Writers and Bloggers, J., Jim, and Bryan discussed tips on avoiding mistakes, turning your mistakes around, and taming your dictation dragon. News stories included another word on Amazon Cash, why you shouldn’t fight piracy, the classic future of indie titles, new changes to Kindle Worlds, Audible losing a feature, and an insightful KU feature. This week’s Question of the Week: Do you think Kindle Unlimited will be significantly larger in 3-5 years? If so, how will it impact indie authors going forward?

Why hasn’t Amazon fixed the Page Flip feature? Bryan and Jim featured this question as the top story in another news-filled week of self-publishing. After thanking their patrons The Final Arrangement, Nightblade, and 31 Days of Wisdom, the self-pub stalwarts discussed connecting with C-list influencers, using Google Analytics to understand your demographics, and the two different types of author newsletters. This week’s news stories included Kobo’s acquisition of Shelfie, the launch of the Windows e-bookstore, Kindle Create, the Prime Reading “advance,” Amazon Cash, and the continued issue of the Page Flip feature on Kindle devices. This week’s Question of the Week: Why hasn’t Amazon fixed the Page Flip feature after six months of it being an issue?

Bryan & Jim started their “senior year” off right with stories about Amazon’s acquisition of Souq, the new Amazon Influencer Program, and the debate about slow vs. fast writing. After thanking their patrons Slow Burn: Zero Day, Divorced Dad, and Vanguard, the “big men on campus” tackled tips on souped-up email signatures, back matter, and audiobooks. News stories focused on Kobo’s latest innovations, Hachette’s new content site, slow vs. fast writing, the acquisition of Souq, and Amazon’s new affiliate program. This week’s Question of the Week: Do you feel like a slow writer can succeed in the self-publishing world? Why or why not?

Happy third podcast anniversary to Bryan & Jim! With three years under their belt, they were free to take on tips about book descriptions and author mindset after thanking their patrons Somebody’s Darling, Hitler Out of Time, and Guerrilla Tactics Against Passive Aggression in the Work Place. The top stories included Amazon Books in Chicago, Amazon Author Insights, a peek behind Data Guy’s curtain, indie bookstores as small publishers, and four writers on a train. This week’s Question of the Week: Who would your dream author collaboration be with and where would you go to write?

Looks like Rocket has some competition. After Jim introduced Willow the Puppy to the Sell More Books Show, he and Bryan tackled the biggest stories of the week. This episode is brought to you by show patrons Twisting Fate, Character Sketch & Color, and The Last Verdict. In their last episode before the show’s three-year anniversary, Bryan and Jim talked tips about using social media to find readers, how to track what your fans are buying, and how to make Amazon Ads work for you. The top five stories included new opportunities for authors to get on TV, a new publishing path for academics, a new trad pub author going indie, Hachette’s two latest partnerships, and Marie Force’s changed stance on the New York Times list. This week’s Question of the Week: What do you think is the One Thing you should be focusing on to get more readers and why? Also, which one of us is Toots and which one is Puddle?

What do Adam Croft and Patricia Cornwell have in common? They’re now both with Amazon imprints, which is this week’s top story. After thanking their patrons The Tilt, Twins of Prey, and Carnal, Jim and Bryan tackled tips on forwards, bios, and writing contests. News stories included traditionally published teen authors in India, Hachette’s acquisition of Bookouture, Dean Wesley’s Smith’s proposed change for agents, Libro.fm’s new audio subscription, Amazon’s latest review policy change, and Patricia Cornwell’s new deal with Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer imprint. This week’s Question of the Week: With word spreading that Amazon can get books to #1 with some major launches and better terms for authors, will more big-time trad pub authors join Amazon imprints? Why or why not?

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?

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?

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!

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!)

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?

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?

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?

Once you get Jim and Bryan started, they’ll never stop, and here comes episode 146! 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?

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?

It’s bonus time! On January 1st, Bryan delivered a Facebook Live pep talk to all authors for 2017. Give it a listen to get some inspiration for the next 12 months!

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?