16 MAY. 2024 · Welcome to AuthorNation's "State of the Nation" podcast! This episode, hosted by Joe Solari, dives into the exhilarating world of "Story Wars," featuring an engaging conversation with Kelly Lytle, Genevieve Santos, and Gabby Valentine, the masterminds behind this innovative event. Discover the origins and evolution of Story Wars, a live storytelling show that blends improv, creative writing, and concert-like energy into a unique competitive format. Story Wars fosters community through spontaneous creativity, where participants write and share stories based on random prompts within a time limit. This high-energy event encourages unfiltered expression, making it a hit at local venues and soon to be a highlight at the upcoming AuthorNation conference. Kelly, the Chief Hype Officer, Gabby, the Master Facilitator, and Genevieve, the Marketing Extraordinaire, share their personal journeys and the creative sparks that ignited Story Wars. From its humble beginnings at a local brewery to attracting crowds of 40-60 people per episode, Story Wars has become a vibrant platform for both seasoned and aspiring writers. The team reveals exciting news: Story Wars will be featured at the AuthorNation conference in Las Vegas, with regional virtual competitions leading to a grand finale on the main stage. Winners will enjoy prizes, including trips to Vegas, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Listeners will be captivated by anecdotes of past events, including quirky prompts like “The earth is water, and you are an egg,” and participants’ creative responses, from heartfelt stories to hilarious performances. The team’s enthusiasm and dedication shine through as they discuss the community-building power of Story Wars and its impact on participants’ writing practices. Tune in to learn how you can join the Story Wars community, participate in upcoming events, and experience the joy of creative storytelling in a supportive, energetic environment. Don't miss this chance to be part of something truly unique and inspiring at AuthorNation's Story Wars!

9 MAY. 2024 · In this episode of Author Nation, Joe Solari has an engaging conversation with Phil Mershon, an expert in crafting experiences. Phil, a fellow author and introvert, speaks about his experience in managing large-scale events, and how he uses his understanding of introversion to create comfortable environments for attendees. They discuss the importance of understanding your target audience and creating memorable moments in events. Phil shares his insights on how to make every attendee feel welcome and valued, from the moment they enter the event to when they leave. He emphasizes the importance of being present and ready to serve the audience, anticipating their needs, and making them feel part of a community. Phil also shares fascinating tips on how to make experiences outside the book memorable. He cites examples from other authors who have created extraordinary experiences for their readers, such as unique packaging and additional surprises when purchasing their books. Joe and Phil also discuss how authors can leverage their personal brand and story to create engaging and meaningful interactions with readers. They explore how authors can use Zoom calls, book clubs, and other forms of interaction to extend the experience of their book, making it more than just a reading activity. This episode is packed with valuable insights on creating memorable experiences, not just in events, but also in every interaction you have with your audience. Whether you're an author looking to enhance your reader's experience or a professional seeking to improve your event management skills, this conversation with Phil Mershon is a must-listen.

2 MAY. 2024 · https://www.authornation.live/ In this engaging episode of 'State of the Nation,' Kevin, the host, welcomes guests Suze Solari and Arpit Mehta to discuss the importance of personal branding for authors. Suze Solari, a personal stylist and image consultant, is also the organizer of the Author Nation Industry Expo event. She explains her crucial role in helping people present their best selves, particularly authors who need to create a personal brand. She emphasizes the importance of the author's visual brand, stating that it is as crucial as the story they are telling. Suze believes that proper dressing, choosing the right colors, and developing a unique style aesthetic can significantly impact how an author's personal brand is perceived. She provides examples of authors who have successfully integrated their personal style into their brand, including Jonathan Yanez, Amanda Traylor, and Ernie Dempsey. Arpit Mehta, a visual artist and the headshot photographer for Author Nation, brings a unique perspective to the conversation. He shares his journey from starting a music blog to becoming a professional photographer. Arpit believes in capturing images filled with personality and purpose. He emphasizes the importance of understanding an author's purpose to create images that reflect their essence. Arpit shares his process of engaging with clients, asking probing questions to understand their motivation and purpose, which then informs the creative elements of their photoshoot. The episode delves into the nitty-gritty of personal branding, discussing how authors can effectively communicate their brand visually. Suze gives practical tips on how authors can prepare for their photoshoot, highlighting the importance of wearing the right clothes, choosing colors that complement their skin tone, and creating a style statement that aligns with their brand. She further shares resources for color analysis and encourages authors to find style icons that resonate with them. Arpit, on the other hand, advises authors on how to prepare for their headshot session. He stresses the importance of dressing appropriately, refreshing makeup, and ensuring they are well-rested before the session. He also shares some of the challenges he has faced with clients who are not adequately prepared for their session. The episode is filled with insightful advice and practical tips for authors looking to enhance their personal branding. It's a must-watch for authors who want to learn how to communicate their brand visually and create a lasting impression on their audience.

24 ABR. 2024 · https://geniuslink.com/ In this podcast episode, Kevin and Joe from Author Nation host Jesse Lakes from Genius Link. They discuss the potential of Genius Link for authors, focusing on its ability to help locate and connect with readers online. Jesse explains how Genius Link, initially designed for affiliate marketing within the iTunes ecosystem, serves both new authors and experienced marketing teams globally. He also discusses the concept of Universal Book Link and the differences between Genius Link and Book Linker. The discussion delves into the importance of understanding user behavior, using the tool to segment and analyze clicks, and the value of retargeting pixels for building audiences. Lastly, they talk about the

18 ABR. 2024 · Link to free course https://futurefictionacademy.com/free  In this enlightening episode of the State of the Nation podcast, Joe kicks off the discussion with Elizabeth West, a leading figure in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) to discuss AIs implications in the world of publishing. Elizabeth is from Future Fiction Academy and is well-versed in the workings of AI, a topic that is increasingly capturing the attention of authors and the broader public. The episode opens with Kevin introducing the theme of the discussion – the 'big scary' AI. The conversation moves forward with Elizabeth shedding light on how the incorporation of AI into her career was influenced by Joe Solari. Elizabeth humorously insists that her immersion into the AI world was 'all Joe's fault,' referencing their initial discussions about AI writing. Elizabeth further discusses how AI has become an integral part of the writing process, with the introduction of AI models such as Haiku 3 and Claude 3. She emphasizes the rapid advancements in AI technology, highlighting how it can now read an entire backlist, a significant leap from the initial capability of reading about 25000 words. The discussion continues with Elizabeth talking about her software, Rexy, designed to sequence prompts for authors, making their writing process more efficient. She also elaborates on how the software integrates with Notion, a cloud-based writing tool, to streamline the writing process further and eliminate the tedium of copying and pasting. Elizabeth also discusses the concept of 'FineTunes,' a tool through which AI can be trained to write like any author with as little as ten writing samples. She emphasizes the importance of authors being aware of this technology, given its potential for misuse, but also highlights its advantages. She mentions how authors can create their own content machines, enabling them to produce content at an unprecedented pace. The conversation later shifts to the topic of 'job types,' a novel concept introduced by Elizabeth. She defines different categories of authors based on how they use AI: Gardeners, Weavers, Bakers, and Architects. Each category represents a different approach to incorporating AI into the writing process, from simply using AI for brainstorming to sequencing prompts and integrating AI-generated text seamlessly into their work. This episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in understanding how AI is revolutionizing the writing process. It provides valuable insights into how AI can be leveraged to enhance productivity and creativity, making it a must-watch for every author and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and literature.

11 ABR. 2024 · In this engaging discussion on the "Author Nation" podcast, Kevin and Joe welcome Damon Courtney from BookFunnel. They dive into the advantages of BookFunnel, discussing how it helps authors directly deliver their books to readers. Damon shares how the platform has evolved to include tools for sending advanced reader copies, managing direct sales, and even delivering audiobooks. Damon goes in-depth about the invaluable data BookFunnel provides to authors. He explains how the platform can track when a reader downloads and starts reading a book, providing authors with insight into their audience's reading habits. He highlights that this data can help authors determine if their marketing efforts are not just driving sales, but also generating excitement for their books. The conversation then shifts toward the potential for aggregate data in BookFunnel's app. Damon discusses how this data could show how many readers who open a book actually finish it, and the implications this has for understanding reader engagement and improving content. Finally, Damon touches on the importance of direct sales for authors, emphasizing how knowing who's buying their books can help authors understand their readers better and build stronger relationships with them.

4 ABR. 2024 · In this episode, Joe sits down with Nicoli Gonnella and Dakota Krout to discuss the LitRPG genre, Royal Road, and the future of the publishing industry. They touch on their personal journeys into the world of serialized fiction, the rapid growth of the genre, and the importance of consistency and dedication for aspiring writers. They also delve into the rise of platforms like Royal Road and Patreon in helping authors gain visibility and monetize their work. Tune in to learn about this fast-evolving segment of the publishing world and get insights from successful authors navigating it

28 MAR. 2024 · The episode features a conversation with Matt Biel from Lulu and Chelle Honiker of Indie Author Magazine, discussing the evolving landscape of book marketing. The focus is on utilizing word-of-mouth in today's digital environment, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over influencer endorsements. They explore innovative strategies like direct sales, leveraging customer data, and user-generated content, especially on platforms like TikTok, to build trust and authenticity. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI in marketing, suggesting it as a tool to enhance human interaction rather than replace it. Key takeaways include the importance of building relationships, consistent engagement with your audience, and being genuine in your marketing efforts. The conversation concludes with the idea that effective marketing is about making friends and understanding where to find your ideal readers.

21 MAR. 2024 · On this episode of the Co-Sponsor Podcast, our hosts Kevin and Joe are joined by Matt Briel from Lulu, a leading platform in the self-publishing industry. They talk about direct sales for authors using Shopify and how to integrate print-on-demand. Kevin points out that Lulu is one of the original pioneers in the self-publishing industry and asks Matt to provide some insight into the company's journey and its position in the market today. Matt happily obliges and begins to recount the history of Lulu, delving into its early days, its growth, and the challenges it faced along the way. The story starts with the company’s founder, Bob Young, who after taking Red Hat public, wanted to share his story but found traditional publishing routes challenging. This experience led to the creation of Lulu in 2002, a platform that allowed anyone to publish a book from start to finish online. Matt explains how Lulu initially dominated the market as there weren't many platforms where one could simply upload a Word document and turn it into a book. However, the entrance of Amazon into the self-publishing industry disrupted the market, putting Lulu in a position of playing catch-up for some time. Matt acknowledges that Lulu lost its foothold in the market to Amazon, which disrupted the publishing world with its e-books. Along with this, some unwise partnerships, particularly with ASL, damaged Lulu's reputation. However, Matt affirms that they are now on the mend and have spent the last 4 to 5 years heavily investing in innovation within the self-publishing space. The conversation then shifts to direct sales, which Matt labels as the "hot topic" in the indie author world. He discusses Lulu's all-in-one package solution for direct sales, highlighting how their platform allows authors to easily sell books directly to their audience. Matt also addresses common concerns about taxes and shipping when running an e-commerce store, advising authors to treat their venture as a business and seek professional advice or use tools available on platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Matt also introduces a feature called the 'order import tool', which allows authors to easily fulfill orders from crowdfunding campaigns or subscriptions. He mentions other features such as self-purchase options, tiered pricing, and Lulu’s robust API, which provides a wide range of flexibility. The podcast ends on a high note as Matt speaks about the most popular features that authors are currently flocking to Lulu for, namely direct sales and print quality. He discusses how authors are integrating their preferred platforms with Lulu and using the platform to create high-quality, private access projects.

14 MAR. 2024 · https://www.authornation.live/ Let's travel hack to Author Nation, we dive deep with Points Maven Kelly Butler on ways to get to Las Vegas this November for little or no money. Despite the chilly weather betraying her Southern locale, Kelly's expertise brings the heat to the topic of leveraging credit card points for near-free travel. As our hosts exchange tales of Southern twangs and meat sweats, Kelly demystifies the concept of travel hacking. She shares invaluable tips for authors looking to make their journey to Vegas not just affordable but luxurious. Link to travel hacks: https://thepointsmaven.ck.page/d9ed63d5c7 Description: Interested in learning more about earning nearly free flights to Vegas for the conference? If you're like most people, getting started with travel hacking can feel a little overwhelming. Check out Kelly's Getting Started Guide for a step-by-step plan to earn and book your flights with ease. More on the Episode... Kevin and Chelle discuss strategies ranging from mileage runs to elite status perks, and Kelly reveals the secrets to turning everyday spending into first-class experiences. With the excitement of the AuthorNation conference on the horizon, Kelly offers a roadmap for authors to utilize business credit card offers and bank bonuses, transforming their writing pursuits into opportunities for sophisticated travel. The conversation navigates the complexities of points currencies, airline alliances, and the gamified world of travel rewards. Kelly's insights equip listeners with the tools to transform ordinary trips into indulgent escapes without breaking the bank. As the episode wraps up, it's clear that travel hacking isn't just about saving money—it's about redefining the author's journey, one point at a time. As an author you can work from anywhere and be a digital nomad leveraging your business expenses into hotel rooms and first class travel.