Smart Author Podcast Launches with Four Episodes

The Smart Author Podcast kicked off today with the release of the first four episodes! 

Hosted by yours truly, The Smart Author Podcast guides writers step-by-step from the very basics of ebook publishing to more advanced topics.

Think of it as a free masterclass in ebook publishing best practices.

If you've never had the opportunity to attend one of my recent classes at a writer's conference, now's your chance to do it from the comfort of your own home, car or wherever you enjoy listing to podcasts.

Over at the podcast hub page at Smashwords, I share the story behind the podcast.  I was also interviewed today on Tim Knox's show talking about the podcast and other topics which you view over at YouTube.

I created the podcast to cut through the clutter and make ebook publishing easy again.

I'll teach you practical, no-nonsense tips.  You'll learn proven best practices that will work just as well five years from now as they work today.  These are the foundational evergreen best practices that every author needs to master.  You'll learn the most important best practices in only a few hours.

Where to Subscribe and Listen

Apple Podcasts

Stitcher

TuneIn

SoundCloud

Smashwords (Listen over your web browser)


Today's New Episodes (I recommend listening in sequential order):

1. 7 Publishing Trends - learn seven trends that are determining your future as an author. You'll learn how to navigate the turbulent cross currents of change so they work to your advantage.
   
   
2. Introduction to Ebook Publishing - learn the basics of ebook publishing.  A great introductory primer that shows authors just how fast, free and easy ebook publishing can be.  Of course, reaching readers is difficult, a topic I tackle head-on in Episode 3.
    
3. Bestseller Secrets - learn how to make your book stand out from the crowd so it's more discoverable, more desirable and more enjoyable to readers.  You'll learn practical, no-nonsense best practices. These are the essential, foundational best practices you should focus on now and always.
    
4. Preorder Strategy - learn how 12% of Smashwords authors are using preorders to vacuum up over 50% of the sales for new releases.  Preorders are one of the most powerful yet least-understood best practices.  Learn how you can put preorders to use today to make your next release more successful.

Coming up next week on November 3 is Episode 5, Working with Beta Readers.  You'll learn how to make your next book the best it can be with the assistance of beta readers.

More Smart Author Podcast Links

Following the release of each episode, we post supplemental links and resources along with edited transcripts at our Smart Author hub page at Smashwords.  The full transcripts for the first four episodes are up now!

Join us at Facebook at the official Smart Author Facebook Page where you can discuss each episode with fellow listeners, or pose questions following each episode.

Please take a moment to subscribe at your favorite podcast service above so you don't miss any episodes.

If you enjoy the episodes, please share with friend and leave a rating or review!

Here's the Series Trailer

Big Thanks

Big thanks to everyone who helped make this podcast and all its moving pieces come together:


Licensed podcast theme music - Valkristo
Artwork - Derek Murphy (also gave him a shout here) 
Technical help - Bill Kendrick and the Smashwords engineering team
Marketing - Jim Azevedo and the Smart Author Launch Team (they'll all be gettting a big thanks here on November 24)
Inspiration and encouragement - podcasters Ani Alexander and Tim Lewis and dozens of other awesome podcasters too numerous to mention.  Joanna Penn, you're an inspiration too.  Ever since we first met F2F in AU I've been thinking about how I need to get more of my stuff out there.
More encouragement - Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches Trashy Books, who, when I approached her with my tail between my legs, horrified to realize that I had accidentally named my Smart Author podcast so similarly close to her own podcast, Smart Author Trashy Books, Sarah was so cool about it she deserves this virtual hug.
My wife, Lesleyann - who put up with me talking about this for years before I got my derriere in gear to complete it.
My cats, Dizzy and Tucker - the finicky overseers of my makeshift studio who insisted upon personally supervising every recording session.
And last but not least - Smashwords authors.  You taught me all this stuff I'm now sharing.

Enjoy!