Most authors never consider the speaking stage, but according to Jess Ekstrom, it might be the most powerful income stream they're missing.

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Jess Ekstrom, Forbes Top Motivational Speaker, founder of Headbands of Hope, and creator of Mic Drop Workshop, to break down exactly how authors (yes, even fiction authors!) can turn their stories and expertise into paid keynote speaking careers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the "you're either a speaker OR an author" myth is dead wrong, and how doing both makes you better at each
• How fiction authors can build keynote careers even when they're not speaking to other authors
• The "transformation promise" framework, the one question that unlocks your entire speaking pitch
• How to find speaking gigs and build inbound opportunities through LinkedIn and social media
• What speaking actually pays, from beginner rates ($500–$5K) to seasoned speakers ($35K+)
• The halo effect: how speaking can drive book sales (80% of Jess's first book sales came from stages)
• Why community is the secret weapon for building a sustainable speaking career

Jess also shares details on her new book, Making It Without Losing It (out May 2026), and the upcoming Mic Drop Workshop Boot Camp starting April 20th.

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Getting local press coverage can feel like shouting into a void, but what if you knew exactly what editors were looking for?

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Rory Gillis, owner of Triangle Media Partners and publisher of several regional magazines including Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Heart of NC Weddings, and The Triangle Weekender. Rory pulls back the curtain on how local publications actually decide what to cover and gives indie authors a clear, actionable roadmap for getting featured.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How local editors source stories and what makes a pitch rise to the top of a very full inbox
• Why editorial themes and calendars are your secret weapon — and how to find them on any publication's website
• What to include in your pitch package to make an editor's job as easy as possible
• Why your book launch isn't the only hook — and how to pitch a book that came out years ago
• The power of the byline: how pitching yourself as a columnist can open the door to book coverage
• Why "polite persistence" is not annoying — it's expected (and sometimes pays off two years later!)
• The no-nos that instantly tank your pitch, straight from the editors themselves
• What one author did to get featured that Rory still remembers years later
• Rory's step-by-step action item checklist for authors ready to pursue local press

Whether you're in a major metro or a small town, your local media landscape is full of opportunities. This episode will help you find them and pitch them the right way.

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Amazon just changed the rules — again. The A10 algorithm update is here, and if you've been running your book marketing the same way you were a year ago, it's time to take a second look.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly what changed with the Amazon A10 update — drawing on an actual academic paper about the technology powering it — and translate it into three clear, actionable things indie authors need to do differently. From how Amazon now reads your book page (literally, including your cover), to why external traffic suddenly matters way more than Amazon ads, to why spreading your marketing over several days beats a single-day spike. This episode is your practical guide to navigating the new landscape.

What you’ll learn:

• Why keyword stuffing your book description is now actively hurting you
• How Amazon's AI can literally "see" your book cover and why cover-genre alignment is now algorithmic, not just stylistic
• Why A+ content and dwell time are suddenly critical ranking factors
• How external traffic (email, social, promo sites) now outweighs Amazon ads
• Why consistent sales over multiple days beat a one-day spike
• How series authors are benefiting from the new algorithm and how standalone authors can adapt

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

KU or wide? It's the great debate of indie publishing — and it usually generates more opinions than answers.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol cut through the noise and break down exactly how both paths work, backed by real data from Written Word Media's 2025 author survey. They walk through the mechanics of KDP Select, how Kindle Unlimited page reads and payouts actually work, what the January 2026 global fund number ($62.2 million) means for exclusive authors, and what going wide really looks like in practice — from managing multiple platforms to choosing between distributors. Spoiler: 38% of authors are all-in on Amazon, 30% are fully wide, and 32% are somewhere in between. There's no universal right answer, but there is a smarter way to figure out what works for you.

What you'll learn:

• How KDP and KDP Select actually work — and why it's really just a 90-day commitment
• The real trade-offs of Kindle Unlimited, including page read payouts (KENP), countdown deals, and free promo days
• Why the KDP Select global fund has grown from $2.5M (2014) to $62.2M (January 2026)
• What "going wide" actually looks like and how to manage multiple platforms
• Draft2Digital vs. PublishDrive — which distributor model makes sense for your business
• What our 2025 author survey data says about what authors are actually choosing

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Your first book didn't become a bestseller overnight? You're actually right on track.

In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down one of the most important patterns we see year after year in our reader surveys: authors with bigger catalogs earn significantly more money. But it's not just about writing more books—it's about understanding how your backlist creates sustainable income. Whether you're a one-book author wondering what's next or a seasoned writer looking to understand the business better, this episode will help you think strategically about your author career and the power of your growing catalog.

What you'll learn:

• Why readers who love your work can't spend more if you only have one book
• How catalog size directly impacts your marketing effectiveness
• The real math behind lifetime customer value
• Alternative products beyond just writing more books (audiobooks, translations, merchandise, and more)
• How to decide if you're building a hobby or a business—and why both are valid choices

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this data-packed episode, Ricci and Ferol dive into the results of Written Word Media's brand-new reader survey with nearly 3,000 responses from across all five brands. This isn't recycled industry advice or third-party reports - it's fresh, empirical data straight from the voracious readers who matter most to indie authors. Together, they unpack surprising stats about reader volume, discovery channels, and what readers genuinely want from the authors they love. From the shocking percentage of readers consuming 100+ books per year to the personal details readers crave (hint: pets came up a lot!), this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you think about book marketing, reader connection, and building your author platform in 2026.

You'll Learn:

• Why 31% of readers consume over 100 books per year - and what this means for your marketing strategy
• The 80% loyalty rule that changes everything about free book promotions and first-in-series launches
• Where readers actually discover books in 2026 (Amazon and email newsletters still dominate, but there are surprises)
• Why social media advertising isn't resonating with readers - and what they're seeking instead
• The truth about AI for book discovery: readers aren't using it and don't want to
• What readers genuinely want to know about you as an author - from pets to vacations (but skip the politics!)
• How readers track their reading habits, including the surprisingly popular pen-and-paper method

Whether you're launching your first book or optimizing your author platform, these insights will help you connect more authentically with readers and make smarter marketing decisions. The data proves it: books are still magic, and millions of readers are out there actively looking for their next favorite author.

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.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.
© 2026 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.