Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org   UPDATE:  Valerie:   New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner     Erick:   working with marketer (digital); an analysis of web presence has a LOT of tasks to do (do this when you've been in the market--author services--for a while and have some idea of where you lack before hiring the analysis.)   Just finished: The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter I'M READING:    The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter   Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  The Bachman Books (Stephen King) Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark Show Notes:  KDP is always changing. In marketing main series, put lead magnet as permafree on Amazon (instead of using Book Funnel to get people on mailing lists).  1. New cover 2. 99 cents on amazon 3. Barnes and Noble free 4. Let amazon know for the price match 5. No marketing to it. But naturally 100 downloads from organic reach. Led to sell through to rest of series. A+. Plus led to multiple reviews to all the books. Permafree method still works.  Next step: running ads to permafree and amping up the sell-through. Virtual Voice on Amazon/KDP (in KDP profile opt in to Beta testing). Ease of use is great. Have an audio book at a click of button. Cost of narrator and editor (local guy) = ~$2200 Two different versions of the audio book? Narrated by Virtual Voice vs Narrated by the author. Can we proof the audio files? Am I "locked in" to this audio? We do outgrow things. We can pivot. Next Episode:  solo show "Bringing Your Manuscript from Boring to BadAss." Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app.   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles