Ricci and Ferol wrap up their 2026 book industry trends analysis by diving into the final two themes: discovery and sovereignty. They explore how book discovery is shifting from algorithm-driven feeds to trusted channels—think celebrity book clubs (Reese Witherspoon, Oprah), BookTok influencers, indie bookstores, and curated newsletters. The conversation highlights how word-of-mouth remains the #1 way readers find books, but the channels amplifying that word-of-mouth are evolving rapidly. Ricci and Ferol then tackle author sovereignty, celebrating the growing control authors have over their publishing journey. From innovative formats (like murder mysteries delivered as weekly letters!) to direct selling and flexible publishing paths, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of creative freedom and democratization. At its core, this episode emphasizes that while trends are predictions, the future offers authors more options and opportunities than ever before.

You'll learn:

• Trusted channels are replacing algorithms for book discovery — Readers are moving away from algorithmic feeds toward curated newsletters, indie bookstores, libraries, and brands they trust
• Celebrity book clubs are the new bestseller kingmakers — Reese Witherspoon's picks are influencing bestseller lists like Oprah's Book Club did 15 years ago, with Jenna's Book Club and BookTok influencers also driving massive discovery
• Brand partnerships and author collaborations are accelerating — Authors are cross-promoting with each other and building collaborative worlds that increase discovery and reader engagement
• Authors have unprecedented control over their publishing paths — The democratization of publishing is accelerating, giving authors more flexibility in how they publish, distribute, and connect with readers
• Innovative formats are emerging beyond traditional books — Examples include murder mysteries delivered as weekly letters in the mail, creating unique reading experiences that stand out
• There's no single "right way" to publish in 2026 — The multiplication of options allows authors to find paths and channels that align with their comfort zones and goals
• 2026 is shaping up as a year of creative freedom and optimism — The convergence of discovery channels, author sovereignty, and new formats creates an environment ripe for creative experimentation

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

It's December which means it’s also trends season – you’ve probably received your Spotify wrapped as well as a wrapped from almost every other app you have! With that spirit, Ferol and Ricci kick off their annual predictions episode by diving into the first three of five major themes that will shape the publishing landscape in 2026. Drawing from industry insights, customer feedback, and broader cultural trends, they explore how trust, reader experience, and connection will define the coming year for authors. This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering 2026 trends for indie authors and you’ll be sure to walk away with a few things to reflect on while also feeling a bit more confident about what the future holds.

You'll learn:

• Trust is the new currency — Scam complaints are up 100% since 2023, and authors need to focus on building deeper trust with readers beyond email lists and be cautious with new service providers
• New legitimate companies will launch quickly — AI makes it easy to spin up author services, but many will disappear just as fast due to limited funding or lack of staying power
• Book-themed travel and literary tourism are growing — Readers want to visit settings from their favorite books, stay in book-themed vacation rentals, and attend reading retreats
• Book clubs and reader communities are exploding — Silent Book Club grew from 180 chapters (2022) to 500+ chapters today; readers are craving connection in low-lift ways
• The bar for creating reader connection is low — Authors can host simple 30-minute Zoom chats, AMAs, or themed discussions to build deep loyalty with minimal effort
• Special editions and collectible books are booming — Sprayed edges, foil covers, and illustrated books function as art pieces that become part of readers' identities
• Author swag and collectibles deepen fan connection — Stickers, special editions, and other tangible items help readers express their fandom, similar to sports memorabilia
• Experiences are valued over things — The cultural shift toward prioritizing experiences is coming to book world in a major way in 2026

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this essential PSA-style episode, Ricci and Ferol break down the growing wave of scams targeting authors — and how to protect yourself. From “too good to be true” book club invitations to fake Amazon warnings designed to spark panic, today’s scammers are using AI to craft convincing, personalized outreach. The hosts walk through the psychology behind these tactics, why even savvy authors can get caught off guard, and a simple checklist to help you identify red flags before you click or pay. They also share reputable resources authors can use to stay safe and stay informed. Whether you’ve received a suspicious email or simply want to prepare yourself, this conversation will help you trust your gut, slow down, and safeguard your work.

You'll learn:

• Why and how author-targeted scams have become more sophisticated
• The emotional psychology scammers use — joy vs. fear and the hooks/emotional techniques to look out for
• How AI enables scammers to reference your characters, themes, reviews, and social content convincingly
• The most important red flags to watch for and what to do if you’re not sure something is legitimate
• Why you should never pay via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, crypto, or similar methods
• Trusted resources for checking whether something is a known scam (Writers Beware, Authors Guild, ALLi Watchdog Desk)
• How Written Word Media can help sanity-check suspicious emails

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ricci and Ferol break down the newest Written Word Media Author Survey, sharing what more than 1,300 authors revealed about income, catalog size, marketing tactics, and where book sales are really coming from in 2025. They discuss the continued importance of email lists, how packaging influences sales, the realities of KDP Select vs. going wide, and why more authors are exploring direct sales. The episode wraps with a look at overall author sentiment heading into the new year and the communities supporting indie writers along the way.

You'll learn:

• Income brackets and what influences author earnings
• Email list effectiveness and list size correlation
• Marketing tactics ranked by effectiveness (promo sites, Facebook ads, BookBub, lead magnets, etc.)
• Packaging: covers, editing, blurbs, and why investment matters
• Direct sales: how many authors are doing it and who sees the most benefit
• Retailer breakdown: Amazon dominance, in-person sales surprises, Kobo/Apple performance
• Overall author sentiment: hopeful, tired, motivated, overwhelmed
• Communities and resources authors rely on most

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In the newest episode of The Written Word Media Podcast, Scribd co-founder Tripp Adler joins Ricci Wolman to explore how his newest venture, Created by Humans, is helping authors navigate the rise of artificial intelligence. When you listen in, you will learn what AI rights are, how they fit into existing publishing contracts, and why this new model could open powerful revenue streams for writers while safeguarding human creativity.

You'll Learn:

• Created by Human’s mission to protect human creativity in an AI world
• What “AI publishing rights” are and how they differ from traditional publishing rights
• More about the three types of AI rights: training, reference (RAG), and transformative
• The Anthropic lawsuit and what it signals for AI licensing
• Potential earnings and business models for authors on the Created by Humans platform
• Addressing author concerns about control and consent in AI use
• Why engaging with AI — not avoiding it — may be the smartest move for creators

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this inspiring episode, Ferol sits down with Jonathan Graham, founder of Daily Courage, to explore how creatives can turn fear into fuel. Jonathan shares his journey from Silicon Valley to launching a mission-driven business dedicated to helping people remove fear as a barrier to their potential.

Together, they unpack practical tools like the “fear log,” the F.A.C.T.S. framework for fact-checking fear, and the “soup list” for building confidence. Jonathan’s message is clear and empowering: courage isn’t the absence of fear - it’s the willingness to act in spite of it.

You'll Learn:

• How to identify and label your fears so they lose their power
• The F.A.C.T.S. framework - a simple tool for checking what’s true vs. what’s fear
• Why consistency builds courage faster than confidence
• How to turn fear into a creative ally instead of an obstacle
• Ways to strengthen your “courage muscle” through small, daily actions

Whether you’re battling writer’s doubt, creative paralysis, or fear of publishing, this episode will help you reframe your relationship with fear and take your next bold step - scared, but moving forward.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

The indie publishing world is moving fast - and the authors who stay curious are the ones who thrive. In this live-recorded episode from the Novelist Inc. (NINC) Conference, Ferol Vernon sits down with James Blatch, co-founder of Self Publishing Formula, to talk about what's working right now for independent authors.

From AI translation tools that help you reach global readers to the surprising comeback of Facebook ads, James shares what he's seeing on the front lines. You'll also hear his take on the ethics of AI narration, voice licensing, and why the authors who embrace new tools (without losing their creative edge) are the ones who'll come out ahead.

You'll Learn:

• How AI translation tools like ScribeShadow are helping authors go global
• Why Facebook ads are making a comeback - and how to use them smarter
• The ethics of AI voice licensing and what it means for audiobook creators
• What separates authors who experiment successfully from those who get left behind
• Why AI won't replace creativity, but it will reward the authors who adapt

Whether you're scaling your author business or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is full of practical insights and real talk about the future of indie publishing.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this special live-recorded episode from Walk West’s Podcast Marathon, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon sit down with author, speaker, and executive coach Erica Rooney to talk about her journey to publishing Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors. Erica shares why she chose the hybrid publishing route, how she secured endorsements from big names like Mel Robbins, and what it really takes to market a book once it’s out in the world.

You’ll Learn:

• What “sticky floors” are and how they hold us back
• How Erica turned her podcast themes into book chapters
• The realities of hybrid publishing - costs, timelines, and trade-offs
• Why networking and self-promotion are essential to book marketing
• The importance of “doing the thing that can’t be undone” when pursuing big goals

For more strategies to grow your author career, visit writtenwordmedia.com.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a fellow author and leave us a review. It helps more writers find the show.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Walk West.
© 2025 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.