Best Draft2Digital Podcasts (2024)

1
TAP047, What is a Story Beat? | How to Write Great Scenes 32:02

44m ago32:02

32:02

As I wrote the outline and script for the show on value shifts, I realised that there is a smaller unit of story that I need to discuss that's integral to understanding value shifts or how a scene turns. So, I considered adding it to that episode but soon discovered that the final version of the episode would be too long. That's why I created this,…

1
Answering Your D2D Questions! 50:08

1d ago50:08

50:08

Our followers are in charge for this week's "Ask Us Anything" (AUA) edition of Self Publishing Insiders. All topics were welcome! Be sure to join us live next time we do an AUA! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor…

1
Think Like a Cartoonist 45:45

8d ago45:45

45:45

Today we celebrate humor and creativity with accomplished author and cartoonist, Leigh Rubin. An author of more than 20 books, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Leigh's internationally syndicated cartoon, Rubes®, which is distributed by Creators Syndicate to hundreds of newspapers and media outlets worldwide. His work has been featured in film, te…

1
Self Publishing Lesbian Fiction 46:51

15d ago46:51

46:51

An award-winning writer and former newspaper reporter, Elizabeth Andre currently writes cozy paranormal mystery, science fiction, young adult and lesbian romance. Elizabeth began publishing lesbian fiction in 2014 and joins us today to discuss why self-publishing is such a great option for the genre. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Au…

1
Book Marketing and Launch Plans 50:57

22d ago50:57

50:57

Publishing and distributing your self-published books is the easy part. Reaching readers is still the challenge. Today we speak with Stephanie Chandler, the founder and CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association. Stephanie began building her email newsletter list and experimenting with self-publishing before D2D or even Smashwords existed! If you're…

1
Publish with Confidence with ProWritingAid 45:47

30d ago45:47

45:47

Have you ever watched a master at work? The best carpenters, musicians, chefs--and even authors--just seem to have a different way using their tools than the rest of us mere mortals. Fortunately for authors, ProWritingAid is a battle-tested writing tool that's helped some of today's bestselling authors smooth the rough edges of their works-in-progr…

51
TAP046, End Your Scenes with Cliffhangers | How to Write Great Scenes 25:26

1M ago25:26

25:26

So you've probably read the title of this episode and thought, what do cliffhangers have to do with outlining? I'm so glad you asked. Let me explain. If you're the kind of writer who needs to outline every scene, then you need to be aware of the types of cliffhangers and how to effectively use them to create a page-turning effect and not turn reade…

1
Live from Superstars Writing Seminars 48:47

1M ago48:47

48:47

Conferences are vital for author careers. The good ones not only provide stellar learning opportunities from the industry's best and brightest minds, they also provide a sense of community and belonging. In today's episode we'll catch up with D2D's own Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Nick Thacker as they attend the renowned Superstars Writing Seminars eve…

1
BTS057, A Year in Review and Self Publishing Products I Loved in 2023 52:37

1M ago52:37

52:37

I'm back again. And yes, it's been sixteen weeks since I released an episode of the podcast. Between now and November, I took December and January off because it's a busy time of year and I tend to travel during these periods. When I got back from vacation at the end of January, I had caught the flu from a family function. Guess who didn't get the …

1
Story Editing with Fictionary 47:22

1M ago47:22

47:22

Bestselling books have well-structured plots, compelling characters, and engaging settings that tell a great story. The other element bestselling books have in common is masterful editing. Today we welcome Kristina Stanley back to the show. An award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina is also the founder and CEO of Fictionary, an innovative…

1
From Traditional to Indie Publishing with Jeaniene Frost 48:36

2M ago48:36

48:36

Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance. She's known for the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Night Rebel series, and the Broken Destiny series. Today we'll talk about Jeaniene's latest work, Both Feet in the Grave, and her decision to self-publish after over a dozen years as a tradi…

1
USA Today's Best-Selling Booklist is Back! 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

If you're curious about how the revamped USA Today Best-Seller Booklist works, or why it went on hiatus, or why the renewed focus on indie bookstores, this is the episode for you. Erik Bursch, the SVP of Consumer Product and Engineering at Gannett/USA Today, joins us live to give the inside scoop and answer your questions. //Draft2Digital is where …

1
Networking With Creatives Through Scribble 46:52

2M ago46:52

46:52

Have you ever wished you could connect with other like-minded, creative people to share your ideas or ask questions without fear of judgement or humiliation? Enter Torrey C. Butler of Scribble. An award-winning author, Torrey launched the Scribble app as a safe space where authors can express their ideas, understand where to start, and ultimately w…

1
How to Write a Howling Good Story 46:21

2M ago46:21

46:21

Wulf Moon has been called the guru of aspiring writers. His award-winning Super Secrets of Writing have helped countless writers launch careers, become #1 bestsellers in top fiction categories, and win coveted international awards. Now, all of these transformational secrets have been captured in his latest nonfiction book, How to Write a Howling Go…

1
The Magic Behind Chenoweth Press 46:06

3M ago46:06

46:06

David Sherrer is the marketing director and the "husband half" of the remarkable wife-and-husband publishing team at Chenoweth Press. David's wife Lydia is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy. David manages the marketing and fulfillment of physical sales as well as sales at various conventions. David is also a game designer and created …

1
Sell More Books with Smashwords Sales! 50:33

3M ago50:33

50:33

Did you know the Smashwords store pays indie authors the industry's highest royalties? Did you the Smashwords store is about to celebrate its 7th consecutive year of sales growth? And did you know the 7th Annual Smashwords End of Year Sale was another record breaking Smashwords Sale? Join us as Mark Coker and Mark Lefebvre explain how YOU can use S…

1
2024 All Star Publishing Predictions 54:54

3M ago54:54

54:54

We've assembled a dream team of industry luminaries to unravel the key trends and issues that will shape publishing in 2024 and likely impact your author business. Join us as we welcome Mark Coker, chief strategy officer, D2D; Jane Friedman, founder & editor of publishing newsletter The Hot Sheet; Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn Podcast; Dale Robe…

1
Draft2Digital's 2023 Year in Review! 49:48

3M ago49:48

49:48

Did you catch all the news coming out of the D2D camp in 2023? There was a lot to take in: New distribution partnerships, another acquisition, and some pretty nifty milestones to name just a few. We'll recap the year for you and answer all your questions. Join us! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path t…

1
Joy & Balance in Your Author Journey 54:14

4M ago54:14

54:14

"Writing books is easy!" said no one, ever. In today's world of a 24-hour news cycle, non-stop distractions, career and family obligations, is maintaining a sense of joy and balance even realistic? Enter Sarra Cannon. Sarra's the author of 28 YA and NA novels, with over a million books sold. As the host of the wildly popular Heart Breathings YouTub…

1
10 Things You May Not Know About D2D 46:26

4M ago46:26

46:26

It's not uncommon for long-time Draft2Digital authors to tell us that they just learned about a feature we've been offering for years. We aim to put an end to that, and we guarantee you'll learn something new! Our own Mark Leslie Lefebvre dives deep, on Thanksgiving no less, to reveal useful D2D features you may not know are at your fingertips. //D…

1
Author Nation 51:38

4M ago51:38

51:38

Author Nation represents the evolution, and future, of indie author conferences. Carrying the torch from 20Books Vegas, long regarded as the premier indie author event, Author Nation promises to take the indie author learning experience to the next level. And who better to have on board than Chelle Honiker, the publisher of Indie Author Magazine an…

1
YouTube for Authors 46:50

4M ago46:50

46:50

Have you ever wondered how some YouTube channels just seem to pop? And why do some YouTube hosts seem to have the "it" factor, while authors just seem sort of, well, "meh." Today we'll chat with author and self-publishing coach M.K. Williams about her publishing journey--and how she made YouTube work for her (and others!). //Draft2Digital is where …

1
Turbocharge Productivity with Future Fiction Academy 50:44

5M ago50:44

50:44

A book marketer since 2007, Elizabeth Ann West started her own author education school in 2018. She has since helped hundreds of authors from a variety of genres publish more profitably. Today Elizabeth is the CEO of the Future Fiction Academy. Join us as we discuss how embracing technology, and AI in particular, can help authors turbocharge their …

1
Ask Us Anything - October 2023 48:47

5M ago48:47

48:47

From time to time D2D hosts an "Ask Us Anything" (AUA) episode where YOU get to run the show. Lately we've been hosting AUAs centered around specific topics like book marketing, or D2D Print, or Wide for the Win strategies. This time we're opening it up to all topics. So if you've got a burning question for us, now's the time! //Draft2Digital is wh…

1
The Future of Publishing & Going Wide 40:11

5M ago40:11

40:11

Monica Leonelle is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her book publishing and business expertise at TheWorldNeedsYourPassion.com. Her nonfiction books have sold over 70,000 copies and helped thousands of writers write faster, become better storytellers, and find their way to success with wide and direct sales. Today we'll discuss the fut…

1
Novelists, Inc. 2023 Conference Recap 49:23

5M ago49:23

49:23

The annual Novelists, Inc. (NINC) conference is a unique experience that brings together multi-published, professional authors who publish traditionally, independently, or both. Conference speakers are handpicked from the upper echelons of the industry, and networking opportunities are unmatched. Join D2D and fellow industry luminaries and conferen…

1
TAP045, The Anatomy of a Scene: Goal, Tension, Conflict and Stakes | How to Write Great Scenes 23:26

6M ago23:26

23:26

So, how do you write a great scene? But not just a great scene but a scene that keeps a reader engaged and turning the pages, no matter what genre you're writing. The answer is in the details. In order to write great scenes, you need to pay attention to the anatomy of the scene. So, what do I mean by anatomy? I'm referring to the elements of a scen…

1
How to Build World Class Author Websites 49:39

6M ago49:39

49:39

Stu Grant has been working in the publishing industry for over 8 years- largely with the team at Self Publishing Formula and is currently the highest rated Author Website designer on Reedsy (maybe even the world!) with his company Digital Authors Toolkit. Curious about what makes an author website world class? Tune in to find out. //Draft2Digital i…

1
Wide for the Win with Mark & Megan 1:00:27

6M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Draft2Digital's own Mark Leslie Lefebvre, the man who literally wrote the book on distributing your books Wide for the Win, and Megan Spann, our queen of promotions, will be on hand to talk strategy and answer your questions. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digita…

1
BTS056, AI-Generated Images, Designing Your Own Book Cover, Declining Free Downloads, and Struggling to Write Book Three 33:35

6M ago33:35

33:35

I'm back. And yes, it's been sixteen weeks since I released an episode of the podcast. Originally, I took the summer off because I needed to take a holiday from podcasting and writing. However, I did a bit of blogging during my break, where I discussed whether you should use AI-generated images in book covers. Also, I wrote a blog post on how to wo…

1
Dynamic Data Tracking with ScribeCount 44:30

6M ago44:30

44:30

It's tough to keep track of your sales data if you publish wide, not to mention all the other info you need to keep tabs on for your publishing business. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a single reporting service that covered multiple platforms AND displayed all your data in one dynamic dashboard? Enter ScribeCount. //Draft2Digital is where y…

1
The Art of Building Author Community 43:47

6M ago43:47

43:47

Jessie Kwak is an author, business book ghostwriter, and the mastermind behind the Author Alchemy Summit in Portland, Oregon. In this episode we dive deep into why having a supportive author community is one of the most powerful things an author can cultivate. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to se…

1
Overcoming Author Hurdles 47:22

7M ago47:22

47:22

Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author, award-winning podcaster, author coach, speaker, and website designer. We'll discuss how to create a healthy, sustainable writing career, leaning into how to get over your biggest writing hurdles to become the author you've always dreamed of becoming. //Draft2Digital is where you start your In…

1
Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Publishing 48:31

7M ago48:31

48:31

Kerrie Flanagan is a highly accomplished author, writing consultant, and instructor known for her expertise in the publishing industry. With 25 years of experience, she has established herself as a respected figure in the writing community. If you want to learn firsthand from someone who's been there and done that, be sure to tune in and ask your q…

1
Book Marketing: What Works? Ask Us Anything! 49:14

7M ago49:14

49:14

Some say marketing is an art. Others say it’s a science. One thing is clear: Everyone has an opinion on what works and what doesn’t. The thing is, what works for one author may not work for another. Join us as we sift through the dirt and expose the true marketing gems. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your …

1
Book Awards for Indie Authors 48:00

7M ago48:00

48:00

Hannah Jacobson is the founder of Book Award Pro, the company that expertly matches modern authors with awards, reviews, and story marketing for their books. If you've ever researched the book award landscape, you know there are myriad opportunities--and pitfalls. Join us as we speak with Hannah to navigate through all of it. //Draft2Digital is whe…

1
Understanding Copyright 49:16

8M ago49:16

49:16

Barbara Ingrassia has a passion for raising awareness about the role of copyright. Basic copyright knowledge is a necessity to protect yourself both during the book creation process, but also after the book has been published. Today we'll learn about basic copyright pointers for indie authors and publishers, we'll talk about how AI is impacting cre…

1
D2D Acquires SelfPubBookCovers.com - AUA 49:06

8M ago49:06

49:06

Draft2Digital is on a mission to lessen the time, cost and complexity of indie publishing. So when we learned of an opportunity to acquire SelfPubBookCovers.com (SPBC), we jumped on it. SPBC has one of the largest collections of one-of-a-kind, premade book cover designs. Whether you're an indie author or a professional book cover designer, tune in …

1
How to Avoid Author Scams with Victoria Strauss 48:16

8M ago48:16

48:16

Scammers. They're everywhere. And they want your money. Many have become very good at looking legitimate, so how do you tell legitimate service providers from those who prey on the hopes and dreams of authors? Victoria Strauss has made it her mission to weed out the bad actors and protect authors through WriterBeware.com. //Draft2Digital is where y…

1
D2D + Smashwords Merger Update - AUA! 48:03

8M ago48:03

48:03

A lot has happened since Draft2Digital acquired Smashwords in March 2022. We're getting very close to the final phase our our post-merger strategy, which is to bring Smashwords accounts into the D2D system. We're sure you have questions, so we'll have the answers. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path t…

1
How to Build a Great Author Business 49:23

8M ago49:23

49:23

Wouldn't it be nice if you had an expert to ask what you can do to increase your profitability? Enter Joe Solari. Joe helps established authors do just that...increase profitability. But how? We'll dive into the details and ask about his 20 elements defining good author marketing. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Lookin…

1
Best Practices to Sell More Books with The Indy Author 44:06

9M ago44:06

44:06

The publishing voyage can be more like a roller coaster--complete with dips, turns and twists--than a stroll in the park. Join us as we welcome back Matty Dalrymple of The Indy Author Podcast to learn how publishing best practices can help indie authors navigate the publishing waters, find more readers and sell more books. //Draft2Digital is where …

1
Indie Author Marketing Success 50:34

9M ago50:34

50:34

One of the most popular questions we get from authors is: "How do I market my books?" Today we speak with Kerrie Flanagan and Cary Bergeron of Crave Books to learn their tips, tricks & strategies for indie marketing success. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital…

1
Take Your Author Career from Zero to Four Figures 50:59

9M ago50:59

50:59

In a refreshing departure from all the marketing noise promising get-rich-quick publishing schemes (ha!), today we'll take a sensible, pragmatic approach to building a successful author career with Paul Austin Ardoin. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the…

1
Self Publishing Industry Insights - AUA! 49:08

9M ago49:08

49:08

Draft2Digital has a unique vantage point in the business that enables us to see emerging trends in the self-publishing industry. We want to share that insight with YOU, to help indie authors and publishers do more to grow their publishing business. Join us as we discuss the current state of the self-publishing industry and where we see things evolv…

1
Celebrating Women's Fiction 47:21

10M ago47:21

47:21

Paulette Stout is the award-winning—and fearless—author of fast-paced contemporary women’s fiction that tackles social issues often ignored. Join us for a lively discussion of "what is women's fiction" to help celebrate Women's Fiction Day (June 8). //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishi…

1
BTS055, My Experiment with Tempting Readers to Impulse Buy the Second Book in My Series. Did It Work? 32:30

10M ago32:30

32:30

So, I have a confession to make. Actually, I've been struggling to sell paid books. Sure, I can give them away for free, but paid is a different problem altogether. I've been struggling to sell Duplicity, the second book in my James Lalonde Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series. A few days before my forty-second birthday, I realised that FreeBooksy had a s…

1
Hot Industry Trends & What They Mean to YOU 48:06

10M ago48:06

48:06

Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. //Draft2Digital is where you start your I…

1
Cover Images & Author Branding 49:38

10M ago49:38

49:38

Gene Mollica and Sasha Almazan, co- owners of G & S Cover Design Studio, LLC have designed some of the most iconic visuals in publishing. Working in a wide range of genres and project scopes, their designs brought many authors to New York Times and USA Today Best Seller status. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking f…

1
Ask the D2D Promotions Team! 48:09

10M ago48:09

48:09

Today we'll chat about some of the behind-the-scenes work that we do to help make your books more discoverable to more readers. We'll also talk about indie publishing best practices we've witnessed through the years, as well as some "not-so-best-practices" you may want to avoid. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Draft2Digital Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide