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A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Should authors use AI-generated book covers? AI can produce some astonishingly good artwork, but that doesn’t mean the decision is simple. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I break down what authors should consider before using AI for a book cover—from Amazon’s disclosure requirements and copyright questions to reader backlash, professional design, and the alternatives available if you don’t want to go the AI route. I’ve designed nearly all of my own book covers over more than 20 years, and I’ve watched the tools, costs, and expectations around book design change dramatically. The goal hasn’t changed, though: You need a professional cover that fits your genre and helps do the marketing work for your book. We’ll also talk about Fiverr, 99designs, premade covers, professional designers, and some of the potential rights issues authors should watch for when hiring someone else to create their artwork. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Why I Know a Thing or Two About Book Covers01:28 — Should Authors Use AI-Generated Covers?02:28 — What Amazon KDP Requires You to Disclose03:11 — The Ethics and Controversy Around AI04:10 — Why Some Authors Are Turning to AI05:11 — Reader Backlash and Other Risks05:49 — Can You Copyright an AI-Generated Cover?06:59 — How I Use AI in Cover Design07:51 — Should You Actually Use an AI Cover?08:29 — The Risks of Cheap Cover Designers09:31 — Using 99designs10:06 — Premade Covers from BookCovers.com10:46 — Draft2Digital and Cover2Book11:34 — The Most Important Thing Your Cover Has to Do BOOK COVER RESOURCES MENTIONED: Fiverr:https://www.fiverr.com 99designs:https://99designs.com BookCovers.com:https://bookcovers.com Cover2Book:https://cover2book.com Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger If you’re a writer trying to build a career, publish better books, reach more readers, and navigate the business of being an author, subscribe to Wordslinger. This channel is here to give you practical, experienced guidance for every stage of your writing and publishing journey. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Should authors use AI-generated book covers? Let me know what you think in the comments—and tell me how you’re handling your own cover design. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Can you build an author career without putting your face, real name, and personal life all over the internet? Absolutely—but anonymity takes more than choosing a pen name. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I break down practical ways authors can market their books while protecting their identity. We’ll talk about building a brand around your pen name, keeping your author life separate from your personal life, creating ways for readers to connect with you without revealing who you are, and treating anonymity as an ongoing practice rather than a one-time setup. You can still build an audience. You can still run ads, use social media, appear on podcasts, create videos, grow an email list, and sell books. You just need to be deliberate about how you do it. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES: 00:00 Can an author really stay anonymous?01:44 Build your brand around your pen name02:43 Separate your author accounts from your personal accounts03:45 How anonymous authors can connect with readers04:42 Avatars, author photos, and faceless branding05:39 Websites, domains, and anonymous email06:43 Treat anonymity as an ongoing practice07:25 How to market books without showing your face08:03 Ads, interviews, TikTok, and faceless content09:06 Why separating your personal and professional lives matters09:54 Final thoughts for anonymous authors If you're a writer trying to build a career, publish better books, grow an audience, and navigate the business side of being an author, subscribe to the channel. Wordslinger is here to give you practical, experience-based guidance for every stage of your writing and publishing journey. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at Author Anchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT What if the thing keeping you from writing more books isn’t the writing—it’s everything else that comes with being an author? In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin talks about working with a virtual assistant, or author assistant, to take some of the business of being a writer off your shoulders. Marketing, social media, video editing, graphic design, administrative work, Kickstarter campaigns, online stores, and more can potentially be delegated—giving you more time and energy for the work only you can do. But hiring help isn’t just about getting rid of tasks. Kevin breaks down how to decide whether an assistant makes financial sense, what you should expect to pay, how to choose the right person, and how to avoid some of the biggest mistakes authors make when they start outsourcing. You’ll also learn a simple way to onboard an assistant, test your communication and workflow, document repeatable processes, and gradually build a working relationship that can grow along with your author business. If the business of being an author is starting to take more time than the writing, this episode will help you figure out what you can hand off—and when. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES 00:00 Writing anywhere—and why authors need help00:32 What is a virtual assistant or author assistant?01:13 What does an author assistant cost?03:20 What can an author assistant do?04:04 Why Author Anchor was created04:51 Tasks authors can delegate06:11 How to know when you’re ready to hire help07:14 Think in terms of return on investment08:20 How to start working with an assistant09:30 Why small test projects matter10:03 Document your processes11:08 Don’t overload your assistant11:53 Match the assistant to the skills you actually need12:46 One assistant doesn’t have to do everything14:06 How to prepare for a discovery call15:31 Interviewing and choosing an assistant16:32 When outsourcing can help you break through17:31 Final thoughts and author assistant advice SUBSCRIBE TO WORDSLINGER If you’re a writer trying to write better books, publish smarter, build an audience, and create a sustainable career around your work, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where writers come for practical, experience-driven guidance on the writing and publishing journey. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at Author Anchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER PODCAST Most writers start with a character, a premise, a scene, or maybe an ending. I often start with the title. In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, I talk about the weird way I begin many of my novels, why a good title can sometimes unlock an entire story, and what happens when the title changes halfway through the book. I also get into what I’m working on right now, including a commissioned historical novel, the Wordslinger book, short fiction, and the challenge of keeping multiple creative projects moving at once. Along the way, we talk about discovery writing, research, productivity, batching content, building repeatable workflows, marketing your books, growing an audience, and finding ways to make a creative career sustainable. If you’re a writer, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to produce more work without letting everything else fall apart, there’s plenty here you can put to work. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES 00:00 Welcome to the Wordslinger Podcast01:38 Rapid-Fire Newsflash with Dale Roberts04:01 Franklin, Tennessee and what I’m working toward06:36 Why environment affects my productivity07:38 Writing a fictionalized story from real history09:20 When research needs to end and writing needs to begin09:59 Why I love “having written”11:19 The weird way I start writing a novel11:58 How thriller titles can create the story13:38 Why titles matter so much14:37 What happens when a book changes titles15:26 Writing the Wordslinger book18:19 Why I’m experimenting with short fiction21:35 Batching videos, podcasts, and creative work23:02 Building templates and repeatable workflows24:16 Why systems make creative work easier25:20 What marketing really means for writers26:10 Why marketing is more than advertising27:20 The value of building a local readership28:24 Turning readers into your best marketing29:29 How I balance multiple projects30:20 What I’m reading right now RAPID-FIRE NEWSFLASH WITH DALE ROBERTS Dale Roberts joins the show with a quick roundup of important developments in self-publishing, including changes to KDP title creation limits, identity verification problems, KDP account termination and reinstatement, and free audiobook creation tools available through Spotify for Authors. KDP Community: Update on KDP Title Creation Limitshttps://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/KDP-Title-Creation-Limits-Update?language=en_US KDP Help: Troubleshoot Identity Verification Errorshttps://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GFN5MYGPJ4MV7PSP Amazon Terminated My KDP Account. Here’s How I Got It Back.https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/amazon-terminated-kdp-account-how-to-get-it-back/ Spotify for Authors: Draft2Digital authors: your audiobook starts here.https://authors.spotify.com/draft2digital The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcasthttps://youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale Subscribe to Dale Roberts:https://www.youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORDSLINGER SHOW If you’re serious about becoming a better writer, publishing smarter, reaching more readers, and building a creative career that lasts, subscribe to the channel. The Wordslinger Show is about practical, experience-tested guidance for writers at every stage of the writing and publishing journey. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Why do you write? It sounds like a simple question, but your answer may be the thing that keeps you going when the words aren’t coming, the sales aren’t happening, and nobody seems to notice the work you’re putting in. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I talk about an unexpected encounter with a reader that reminded me of something every writer needs to remember: there’s a real human being on the other side of the book. Someone is reading your words, entering the worlds you create, learning from you, laughing with you, or seeing something differently because you decided to sit down and write. Your income can be part of your why. Your ambition can be part of it. Your need to tell stories can absolutely be part of it. But when the work gets difficult, it helps to remember who you’re doing it for. Figure out your why. Remember your reader. Then keep writing. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES: 00:00 An unexpected encounter with one of my readers01:13 Being recognized as a writer02:01 Remember the person on the other side of the book02:58 Stephen King and the idea of the ideal reader04:47 You may already be reaching readers without realizing it05:36 Writing is about more than fame or money06:15 Who are you really writing for?07:20 Recognition isn’t what makes your writing worthwhile08:11 Why every writer needs a strong “why”10:04 The human being on the other side of your work10:32 What’s your why? If you’re a writer trying to build a career, publish better books, grow your audience, and navigate the writing and publishing world without all the noise, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where writers come for practical, experience-driven guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a creative career. And leave a comment: Why do YOU write? What keeps you going when the work gets hard? FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT What do successful writers have in common? They surround themselves with writing. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I talk about one of the most useful habits I’ve developed over the years: reading books by writers about the writing life, learning from other authors, attending conferences, listening to interviews and podcasts, and immersing yourself in the experiences of people who understand what it means to do this work. I’ve recently been reading Larry McMurtry’s Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen, and I’m moving on to Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing. Books like these aren’t necessarily about teaching you how to construct a plot or write better dialogue. They give you something different: perspective. And perspective matters. Every writer struggles. Every writer wonders whether they’re doing it wrong. Every writer hits periods when motivation disappears and the work gets harder. Hearing how other writers think, work, struggle, and keep going can remind you that there are a million different ways to build a writing career—and help you discover your own. We’ll also talk about why you should read outside your genre, why writers’ conferences can be transformative, why you shouldn’t compare your career to someone else’s, and why you should take every writer’s success story with at least a small grain of salt. Because writers are storytellers. And storytellers sometimes polish the story. If you’re building a life around writing, publishing, creativity, and storytelling, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is the place for practical, experience-driven guidance to help you become a better writer, navigate publishing, build your career, and keep going when the work gets difficult. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at http://knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES: 00:00 Why I’m reading books by writers about writing00:52 Larry McMurtry and Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen01:33 Writers should read far and wide02:14 What different genres can teach you03:38 Why successful writers are worth studying04:23 Don’t compare yourself to other writers04:53 Why writers need other writers06:00 How writers’ conferences can reignite your creativity07:02 You’re probably not doing writing wrong08:11 Surround yourself with writers and writing08:51 Writers are liars09:51 Learn from the lesson, not just the success story11:16 Build an environment that keeps you inspired FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Hate marketing your books? You’re probably thinking about marketing the wrong way. A lot of writers hear “book marketing” and immediately think about running ads, posting constantly on social media, chasing TikTok trends, finding reviewers, testing campaigns, and spending money they may never earn back. No wonder authors get exhausted. But marketing doesn’t have to mean any of that. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I talk about a simpler way to think about marketing: reaching the right reader at the moment they’re most ready to discover your work. That can mean email. It can mean social media. It can mean a local book signing, a farmers market, your library, or simply asking your existing readers to tell someone else about your books. If you wrote something you believe matters, then part of the job is helping people find it. 00:00 Can I just write my books?00:37 Why authors feel buried by marketing01:11 What writers usually mean by “marketing”02:02 What marketing actually is03:16 Why your email list matters so much04:04 Start local and find readers nearby04:51 Creative ways to sell books in your community05:52 Libraries, farmers markets, and local events06:34 Ask your readers to help spread the word07:26 Marketing is really a conversation08:34 Why writers have an obligation to share their work09:26 What are your biggest marketing pain points? Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at http://knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS If you’re a writer looking for practical, experience-tested guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a sustainable creative career, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where we talk honestly about the work, the business, and the long game of becoming the writer you want to be. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books and more at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER PODCAST How do you keep multiple writing projects moving without losing momentum—or your mind? In this episode, I’m breaking down the systems I use to manage several creative projects at once, including nonfiction, historical fiction, novels, short stories, YouTube, research, and everything else competing for attention. The key isn’t working harder. It’s building systems that reduce friction and make it easier to sit down, do the work, and keep moving. I talk about how I break larger books into manageable daily pieces, why historical fiction requires a different approach to outlining, how I’m experimenting with short fiction as part of my publishing strategy, and why reading, journaling, notebooks, reminders, and even AI have become important parts of my creative workflow. If you’re a writer, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to balance multiple projects while still producing meaningful work, this episode is for you. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIME CODES: 00:00 Multiple projects, travel, and making time to create01:55 Turning years of Wordslinger topics into a nonfiction book03:46 Breaking books into manageable daily conversations04:47 Researching and writing historical fiction06:59 Why timelines can become your outline07:57 My Kindle Short Reads strategy09:58 Using short fiction to attract new readers11:34 Writing short stories between novels12:48 Filling the income gap between book launches13:41 The secret is building systems14:22 My morning reading and writing routine15:07 Why I’m deliberately reading more16:59 Using reminders to build habits17:54 Journaling as a tool for creative strategy19:05 Why physical books may help us remember more20:50 Building a “second brain”22:35 Why I carry a notebook everywhere23:37 Stop trying to organize your creative notebook24:46 Capturing ideas with audio and AI25:32 Building your own writer-business systems26:49 How do you keep your projects moving? If you’re serious about becoming a better writer, publishing smarter, building an author career, and creating work that matters, subscribe to the channel. Wordslinger is here to give writers practical, experience-based guidance for every stage of the writing and publishing journey. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books—and more—at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Way too busy for writing? Travel, work, family, deadlines, vacations, and plain old life can wreck even the best writing routine. But staying productive doesn’t always mean forcing yourself to sit down for a full writing session every single day. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I share some of the ways I keep my writing moving even when I’m traveling or my normal routine gets disrupted. That might mean getting up early, writing ahead, shifting from drafting to outlining or editing, carrying portable writing tools, or taking advantage of those little gaps in the day that would otherwise disappear. The important thing is forward progress. But there’s another side to this: Don’t let the writing interfere with the living. Your life is where the material comes from. Sometimes taking the trip, enjoying the moment, and looking up from the screen is exactly what your writing needs. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES 00:00 Writing when life gets busy01:19 Keeping your normal routine while traveling02:25 Why you don’t have to write every single day03:02 Writing ahead when you know life will get busy04:03 Double-timing your writing before a trip04:59 Outline, edit, or revise when drafting isn’t practical06:05 Portable tools for writing anywhere06:49 Turning your phone into a writing setup07:40 Finding spare moments to write08:58 All forward progress is good progress09:09 Don’t let writing interfere with living09:51 Simple ways to keep writing on the go If you’re a writer looking for practical, experience-based guidance on writing, publishing, building an author career, and navigating the creative life, subscribe to Wordslinger. This is the place for straight talk and useful advice to help you keep moving forward on your writing and publishing journey. And leave a comment: How do you keep writing when you’re traveling, overloaded, or completely out of your normal routine? FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT How do you actually find beta readers for your book? In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I break down the practical ways I’ve built a beta reader and street team over the years—from starting with friends and family, to recruiting readers who already send useful feedback, to finding potential beta readers in reader and writer communities. But finding them is only half the job. You also need to give your beta readers clear expectations: what kind of feedback you need, how you want them to report errors, what they should and shouldn’t do with the manuscript, and when you need their notes back. A good beta reader can help you catch typos, continuity problems, logic issues, and those little things that might knock a reader out of the story. And the big secret to building a reliable team is simpler than most writers think: ask. If you’re writing, publishing, or building a career as an independent author, subscribe to Wordslinger. This channel is here to give writers practical, experience-based guidance for every stage of the writing and publishing journey. 00:00 What is a beta reader?01:32 Alpha readers vs. beta readers03:02 Start with friends and family04:18 Turn helpful readers into beta readers05:10 Finding beta readers in reader and writer groups06:49 Set clear rules and expectations07:38 The best way to receive corrections08:48 How I process beta reader feedback09:45 Set deadlines before publication10:23 The real secret to finding beta readers Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.comGET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS FIND KEVIN:Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.comJoin Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.comWordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS:Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslingerFind a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT AI isn’t going to replace you. At least, not if you’re doing the part of writing that actually matters. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin Tumlinson talks about the fear that AI will replace writers, artists, and other creative professionals—and why he thinks that fear is aimed at the wrong target. Yes, AI may replace some types of high-volume, formula-driven content. But real creative work comes from human experience, judgment, emotion, taste, perspective, and the strange synthesis of ideas that happens inside an actual human life. AI can assist you. It can help with research, brainstorming, proofreading, editing, and expanding ideas. It can act as a production tool. But it cannot live your life, carry your memories, or bring your particular perspective to the page. The writers who thrive in the years ahead may not be the ones who fight AI the hardest. They may be the ones who learn how to use it without surrendering the human part of the work. So the question isn’t whether AI can write. The question is: What can you bring to the page that AI never can? Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS If you’re a writer looking for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, building an audience, and creating a sustainable creative career, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where writers come to get better at the craft, understand the business, and keep moving forward. TIMECODES: 00:00 Why writers are afraid of AI00:50 The “fiction factory” model02:17 The kind of writing AI may replace02:58 Why human writers are different04:07 Accidental art and the “broken clock” problem04:49 Stop fighting the existence of AI05:10 What “AI slop” gets wrong05:52 AI as a creative production tool06:55 How writers should actually use AI08:02 AI as an enhancement tool for writers08:42 Why human experience still matters09:20 What AI cannot replicate10:01 Why businesses replacing humans may regret it11:15 AI should assist excellence, not replace it FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER STORY CUT Can a novel keep you turning pages without explosions, car chases, monsters, or constant high-stakes action? Theo of Golden by Allen Levi proves that it can. In this Wordslinger Story Cut, I take a storyteller’s look at one of my new favorite novels and examine why such a quiet, heartfelt story works so well. Theo arrives in the small town of Golden, Georgia, and begins purchasing hand-drawn portraits of local people, returning those portraits to their subjects and asking one simple thing in return: Tell me your story. That deceptively simple device becomes the engine for an entire novel. We’ll look at how attention itself can become dramatic action, how secondary characters can briefly take center stage without derailing the main story, how repetition can create anticipation instead of boredom, and how a carefully constructed mystery can keep readers moving forward even when the stakes are almost entirely emotional. I also dig into one of the book’s potential weaknesses: Theo’s unusual ability to get strangers to reveal some of the deepest wounds of their lives. Is it realistic? Is it too sentimental? Or does the novel earn our willing suspension of disbelief through the strength of its characters and its underlying message about human connection? And finally, we talk about one of my favorite storytelling techniques: the kind of ending that makes you look backward through the entire story and realize the clues were sitting there all along. If you love great novels, movies, television, streaming shows, and conversations about what makes stories actually work, this episode is for you. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMECODES: 00:00 Welcome to Wordslinger Story Cuts00:25 Why Theo of Golden is worth talking about01:16 From self-published novel to bestseller02:11 The portrait device that drives the story04:47 How attention becomes dramatic action05:55 Why Theo’s encounters work emotionally08:56 The realism problem: Would people really open up this much?10:24 Kindness, connection, and what Theo gets in return12:08 Willing suspension of disbelief12:57 Repetition, predictability, and the novel’s unusual structure15:00 How the portraits create a portrait of an entire community15:57 Writing memorable secondary characters17:38 How repetition and escalation keep readers engaged18:52 The mystery of Theo20:02 How to make a twist feel satisfying21:48 Leaving breadcrumbs without giving away the ending24:35 My rating for Theo of Golden25:51 The biggest storytelling lesson from the novel If you’re a writer, storyteller, or creator who wants to better understand why some stories grab us and refuse to let go, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where we talk honestly about writing, storytelling, publishing, creative careers, and the craft and business of building a life around your work. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books and more at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER PODCAST If you want people to read your books, buy your books, and help you build a sustainable writing career, then you’re already in business—whether you like that idea or not. In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, I talk about why writers need to start thinking like entrepreneurs, what marketing really means, and why building your own platform matters more than chasing individual book sales. We get into mailing lists, reader ownership, Amazon exclusivity versus wide distribution, advertising, lead magnets, local marketing, the power of asking, and why your long-term goal should be to build an audience you can actually reach without depending entirely on Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, or anyone else’s algorithm. If you’ve ever said, “I just want to write,” but you also want readers, income, and a real career from your work, this episode is for you. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS Subscribe to the Wordslinger Show for practical, experience-based guidance on writing, publishing, book marketing, indie publishing, storytelling, and building a creative career that lasts. TIMECODES: 00:00 Welcome to the Wordslinger Podcast01:15 Indie publishing, traditional publishing, and marketing02:21 What marketing really means for writers03:21 Building a deep and wide author platform04:36 Why you need to own your audience05:54 Social media is not your platform06:42 Why email is still the foundation07:48 Building 1,000 true fans09:05 Why writers need their own sales platform11:14 KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited explained12:59 The downside of Amazon exclusivity13:56 Are Amazon ads still worth it?14:52 Why I use ads to build my mailing list16:03 Lead magnets and free books16:56 Building and expanding your reader base18:03 Lookalike audiences and finding more readers18:41 Asking is a superpower19:15 Why giving people a “because” works20:24 Marketing, business, and the writer mindset21:30 Why writers need to treat writing like a business22:08 If you want readers and money, you have a business22:57 The myth that self-publishing ruins traditional publishing chances24:34 Embrace your inner capitalist25:43 How indie publishing changed the industry28:06 AI, low-quality books, and standing out29:14 Three things every indie author needs to do30:10 Why building a platform beats chasing one sale32:59 Nobody owes you a reader33:47 The Wordslinger Show and what’s coming next FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books and more at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT Do indie authors really need to buy their own ISBNs? For most self-published authors, the answer is probably no. In this episode, J. Kevin Tumlinson breaks down the real differences between purchasing your own ISBN and using a free ISBN from services such as Draft2Digital or Amazon. We’ll look at what “publisher of record” actually means, whether an ISBN affects copyright or ownership, how ISBNs work across paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook editions, and when paying for your own ISBN might actually make sense. If you’re building an indie publishing career, trying to control costs, or wondering whether owning your ISBN gives you some hidden advantage, this episode will help you make a smarter decision. 00:00 Should indie authors buy their own ISBNs?01:02 What “publisher of record” actually means01:52 ISBNs, Bowker, and the cost of buying your own02:48 Why every format needs its own ISBN03:56 Moving your ISBN between distributors05:19 ISBNs, bookstores, libraries, and wide distribution06:30 Using free ISBNs with Draft2Digital07:15 Metadata and long-term catalog control08:13 The cost of owning your ISBNs09:03 Do you even need an ISBN?09:47 What an ISBN actually does10:22 What happens if you switch ISBNs later11:20 Why Kevin recommends free ISBNs for most authors12:06 A warning about platform-specific free ISBNs13:04 Kevin’s recommendation for indie authors14:49 Final thoughts and questions about ISBNs Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS If you’re a writer trying to build a career, publish smarter, improve your craft, and navigate the business of being an author, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where writers come for practical, experience-driven guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a sustainable creative career. FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Subscribe, leave a comment with your own experience using free or paid ISBNs, and share this episode with another writer who may be spending money they don’t need to spend. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT What’s the best way for an indie author to distribute their books? In this Wordslinger 10-Shot, I break down the book distribution strategy I actually use—including why I go direct to Amazon and Kobo, use Draft2Digital to reach Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, libraries, and thousands of other outlets, and maintain my own direct storefront. We’ll also talk about KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, the tradeoffs of Amazon exclusivity, the advantages of going wide, why I prefer having access to readers across multiple platforms, and how indie authors can build a simple distribution system without making things unnecessarily complicated. There are plenty of ways to distribute a book. This isn’t the only way. It’s the system that works for me after years of publishing books and working professionally in the indie publishing industry. If you’re an author trying to decide between Amazon exclusivity, wide distribution, Draft2Digital, Kobo, direct sales, or some combination of all of them, this episode should help you think through your options. 00:00 How I distribute my books00:59 Why indie authors need a distribution strategy01:57 Using Draft2Digital to go wide03:01 Why I use D2D for some retailers but not others03:49 Why I distribute directly to Kobo04:58 Libraries, OverDrive, and wider distribution06:03 KDP vs. KDP Select06:44 Kindle Unlimited and Amazon exclusivity07:40 The upside and downside of Kindle Unlimited09:33 Other distribution options and Draft2Digital fees10:59 My complete book distribution setup11:59 Selling books directly through your own storefront Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS If you’re a writer looking for practical, experience-based guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, building an author career, and navigating the creative life, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where writers come to get useful advice for every stage of the writing and publishing journey. Subscribe and join the conversation:https://youtube.com/@wordslingershow FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books:https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack:https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page:https://wordslingerpodcast.com SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid:https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor:https://authoranchor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.