The Sell More Books Show: Book Marketing, Digital Publishing and Kindle News, Tools and Advice

Episode 621 - Deeper Relationships with Readers with Kevin J. Anderson

If you're a shy author, how do you get out of your shell to promote your stuff?   Today's top story is Power to the People; Your People. Question of the week is If you're a shy author, how do you get out of your shell to promote your stuff? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Episode 620 - Disappearing Nonfiction with Marc Reklau

Top Story: Nonfiction, Where You At? https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/what-happened-non-fiction-books-publishing-industry-trends-gd9snqwjz If you've noticed that there aren't as many choices when it comes to non-fiction lately, much less the "big idea" books that used to top the bestseller charts over the years, you're not alone writes Ceci Browning of The Times. "Fiction sales might be swelling, but according to Nielsen, sales of non-fiction books in 2025 were down 6 per cent compared with 2024." The non-fiction numbers have been declining since 2017, and the books that do well are no longer big idea books, but books such as celebrity memoirs and self-help guides. Are readers less interested in non-fiction, or just finding the answers elsewhere? "One possibility is that the boom in podcasts has stolen huge chunks of traditional non-fiction audiences," says Browning, explaining that many author appear to 'give away' the most valuable parts of their books on the show. In addition, listeners get the knowledge straight from the author's mouth, distilled down to be understandable to a podcast audience. "Until very recently," says Mark Richards, Co-Founder of Swift Press, "if you wanted to hear about a subject in any kind of depth, a book was the [only] place to go." Then came the internet, says Richards, which made research easier; then came the podcast, which gave readers instant, free easy access to the information, but without the work or cost of buying and reading a book. Others aren't so glum. Literary agent John Ash believes it's possible for non-fiction to be make a comeback. "We have such an apocalyptic outlook," he says, "but actually these things are just broadly really cyclical. In the past six months or so there's been a cultural shift away from […] doomscrolling; towards people reclaiming their attention spans." On how to ensure that non-fiction books recover from today's "easily distracted, cash-strapped, podcast-obsessed era?" Richards says, "We're going to have to, as an industry, just make sure that they're f***ing good." Thanks to Jane Freidman for the hot tip.

Episode 619 - Indies Go BookShop

Do you think that you are going to make any changes because of the unexpected KU payout drop? Today's top story is How to Sell More Books from the Ground Up. Question of the week is Do you think that you are going to make any changes because of the unexpected KU payout drop? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

SMBS 618 - Emails That Convert with Trixie Silvertale

Top Story: Launch emails that convert https://blog.bookbaby.com/how-to-promote-your-book/book-promotion/high-converting-author-newsletter-examples If you think you're bad at email newsletters, you're not alone, says BookBaby. Many don't seem to know what to say, or when to say it, which often leads to not sending at all, even when they're launching a new book. "Before we get into the examples, it's worth knowing why these [book launch] newsletters convert," says BookBaby. "No matter your genre, [effective book launch] newsletters have five things in common." The first is a reason to open the email; that means a strong, relevant subject line. Once opened, it answers the reader's question of "What's in it for me?" It should help them, give them a sneak peek, or give them something useful. Next, be authentic. Write like an author, not a marketer. "You create deeper connections with your readers by wrapping their hopes, pain, and questions into the narrative and share how your book fits in." Then, give them just the relevant links to your upcoming launch or pre-order, plus maybe a timely link to your most popular series or seasonal promotion they can buy now. The last thing these successful launch emails have is timing; An email newsletter is perfect for teasing your upcoming launch, but don't forget that additional emails are good on launch day, not to mention follow-up emails with bonuses or reminders. Not everyone clicks (or even sees) your first email. BookBaby's simplest example doesn't overthink things. "The subject line can be as simple as 'Preorders open,' while the email body includes a brief story about why you wrote the book. Highlight the benefit to the reader and include the preorder link." If you're featuring limited time bonuses for early buyers or pre-orders, add that, too. Finally, a call-to-action (CTA) suggests that they "Preorder now in your preferred format." Because it's an email, you can includes a P.S., too, with a last-minute reason to purchase, like telling them why they'll enjoy your novel, or fixing a pain point for non-fiction. "This speaks directly to your reader while giving them a simple path to purchase."    Trixie Silvertale is here! https://trixiesilvertale.com/

SMBS 617 – Getting Organized in 2026 with Trixie Silvertale

What is the first step you think you can take toward organization that would actually support your creativity? Today's top story is Getting Your Act Together. Question of the week is What is the first step you think you can take toward organization that would actually support your creativity? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Trixie Silvertale is here! https://trixiesilvertale.com/ Getting Your Act Together https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/author-business-organization-2026/