Author Update
Thomas Umstattd Jr.
Here’s what you can expect from Author Update:Publishing News: Stay in the loop on what’s happening in the industry.Advice That Matters: Learn how to make your book irresistible to readers.Live Q&A: Bring your questions and get answers from Thomas Umstattd and Jonathan Shuerger.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 14, 2025 • 1h 2min
Amazon Drops Printing Prices, Lays Off Kindle Staff, and Ends Hourly Rankings
Watch us on YouTube live!
Jun 7, 2025 • 60min
Is the AI Bubble Popping?
A new version of Vellum, Publisher Rocket ends its lifetime deal, and is the AI bubble going to burst?
May 31, 2025 • 57min
The End of Google for Authors?
🎙️ Author Update – Episode: The End of Google (for Authors?)Hosts: Jonathan Shuerger & Thomas Umstattd Jr.🕒 Runtime: \~57 minutes📚 Topics: AI Search, SEO, Voice Cloning, Book Marketing, Author Tools---🔍 Episode Summary:Is this the beginning of the end for Google? In this episode, Jonathan and Thomas explore how AI is disrupting traditional search and discovery—and what that means for authors. From SEO and Pinterest to AI audiobooks and “Not a Literary Agent,” this is your update on everything changing in the publishing world.---🧭 What You'll Learn:* Why Google is losing market share—and what’s taking its place* How to optimize for AI-driven search (semantic SEO explained)* Why Gen Z is using Pinterest instead of Google* How to structure content for AI overviews* What voice cloning means for audiobooks* Tools for analyzing your publishing contracts* How to stay discoverable as bots change the rules---🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:* Yoast SEO: [https://yoast.com](https://yoast.com)* Not a Literary Agent: [https://authormedia.com](https://authormedia.com)* 11 Labs (voice cloning): [https://elevenlabs.io](https://elevenlabs.io)* Opera’s Neon AI Browser: [https://www.opera.com/neon](https://www.opera.com/neon)* Pinterest Marketing (for Gen Z outreach)* ChatGPT, Grok, and AI-powered search tools---🔥 Hot Takes:* “Pinterest is now more useful than Instagram or TikTok for authors.”* “First-person POV dominates because it’s easier—not better.”* “AI-generated content is training new AI—welcome to the feedback loop.”* “You can't have a cyborg baby with an AI girlfriend… yet.”---🧠 Author Action Steps:1. Add rich, structured content to your blog2. Focus on being *the answer* for AI bots3. Experiment with voice cloning for budget audiobooks4. Explore Pinterest as a discovery tool5. Stay current—these shifts are accelerating---**🎁 Bonus for Patrons:**Thomas hosts a monthly bonus Q\&A episode exclusively for patrons. Get your questions answered live!👉 Support the show: https://authormedia.com
May 23, 2025 • 1h 21min
Do 45% of Authors *Already* Use AI?!
May 16, 2025 • 1h 3min
KDP Royalty Changes & Invasion of the AI Audiobooks
May 10, 2025 • 59min
Skype Dies, Romantasy Surges, & Mr. Beast Starts Writing the Bestest Best Seller Ever
Author Update New Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Author-Update
May 4, 2025 • 58min
Book Bans, Copyright Trolls Target Authors, and is Social Media Mostly Bots?
Blog Version: https://www.authormedia.com/book-bans-copyright-trolls/
Apr 26, 2025 • 45min
Does Facebook Think Your Book is Worthless, Author Certification & AI Gets Religion
Apr 11, 2025 • 54min
Amazon's New AI Series Recap Feature: How It Will Impact Your Kindle Books
Apr 4, 2025 • 50min
