Shelby Leigh is a breakthrough mental health poetry author who has masterfully leveraged social media to transform her writing career from self-published obscurity to traditional publishing success. With over 103,000 Instagram followers and viral TikTok content that reaches millions, Shelby has become a case study in how modern authors can use digital platforms to build authentic connections with readers and drive real book sales. Her poetry focuses on mental health, healing, and personal growth, resonating with a generation seeking authentic voices in literature. Through her brand "Marketing by Shelby," she now helps other authors replicate her social media success.

In this episode:

• From zero followers to 103K: Shelby's complete social media growth strategy
• How mental health poetry found its massive audience through authentic storytelling
• TikTok marketing secrets that create viral BookTok content and drive sales
• Content creation systems that maintain consistency across multiple platforms
• The psychology behind converting social media views into actual book purchases
• Analytics and metrics that matter: tracking what really drives book sales
• Transitioning from self-publishing to traditional deals using social proof
• Building a personal brand that attracts both readers and publishers
• The intersection of vulnerability, poetry, and profitable content creation

Resources mentioned:

• Marketing by Shelby - Shelby's author marketing consultancy: https://www.marketingbyshelby.com/
• TikTok Solutions Program - Social media marketing course: https://www.marketingbyshelby.com/marketing-offers
• BookTok community - Poetry and book discovery platform: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/booktok
• Instagram Marketing by Shelby - Visual content strategies: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbyshelby/
• YouTube Channel - Extended marketing tutorials: http://youtube.com/@marketingbyshelby

Book Recommendations for Poetry:

• "I Look to the Mourning Sky" by Liz Newman
• Works by Tristan Mateo - Contemporary poetry
• Nikita Gill - Instagram poetry sensation: https://www.instagram.com/nikita_gill/?hl=en

Traditional Poetry Influences:

• Emily Dickinson
• Rupi Kaur - Modern poetry pioneer: https://rupikaur.com/
• Atticus Poetry - https://www.atticuspoetry.com/

Modern Poetry Recommendations:

• "Luster" by Raven Leilani
• "From Sand to Stars" by Shelby Leigh
• Amanda Lovelace - Instagram poetry

Connect with Shelby Leigh:

• Website: https://shelbyleigh.co/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

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Stuart Grant is the founder of Digital Authors Toolkit, a specialized digital agency that has revolutionized how authors establish their online presence. With over a decade of deep experience in the publishing industry and more than 300 author websites in his portfolio, Stuart has become the go-to expert for writers who want to transform their digital footprint into a powerful marketing tool. His unique approach seamlessly blends technical web development expertise with an intimate understanding of author needs and reader behavior, creating websites that don't just look professional—they convert visitors into loyal fans and customers.

In this episode:

• Why every author needs a professional website and the essential elements that drive results
• Smart website design strategies using your book covers as visual inspiration
• SEO optimization secrets that get your author site discovered by readers
• Proven email list building techniques that turn website visitors into devoted fans
• Traffic generation strategies that bring the right readers to your digital doorstep
• The most common (and costly) website mistakes authors make and how to avoid them
• Technical tools and platforms that simplify author website management
• How to create a website that works as hard as you do to sell your books
• Reader psychology: designing websites that convert browsers into buyers
• 
  

Resources mentioned:

• Wix - https://www.wix.com/
• Book Vault - https://bookvault.app/
• Lulu - https://www.lulu.com/
• Book Funnel - https://bookfunnel.com/
• Digital Authors Toolkit - https://www.digitalauthorstoolkit.com/

Book recommendations:

• "Ted Talks" by Chris Anderson
• "Ultra Processed People" by Chris Van Tulliken
• JD Kirk's Hoon series

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

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Kevin J. Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author and literary powerhouse with over 24 million books in print worldwide. Best known for his groundbreaking work expanding the Dune universe alongside Brian Herbert and his extensive contributions to the Star Wars expanded universe with 54 novels, comics, and young adult series, Kevin has helped shape two of science fiction's most beloved franchises. His unique career spans both traditional publishing giants and innovative indie approaches, making him one of the most versatile and successful authors in the industry today.

In this episode:

• Behind-the-scenes secrets of writing in legendary universes like Dune and Star Wars
• The strategic transition from traditional publishing to indie freedom and control
• Leveraging Kickstarter and Patreon to build direct fan relationships and fund passion projects
• Insider insights into Hollywood: the film and TV adaptation process revealed
• How dictation technology can dramatically boost your writing productivity
• The networking strategies that build lasting industry connections and opportunities
• Platform-building advice for new authors entering today's competitive landscape
• Balancing franchise work with original creative projects
• The evolution of publishing and what authors need to succeed now

Resources mentioned:

• Wordfire Press (Kevin's publishing company)
• Kickstarter for Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series
• Patreon for exclusive content and fan interaction
• Western Colorado University's graduate program in publishing
• Superstars Writing Seminars
• Mac Whisper for AI transcription

Book recommendations:

• "Death Warmed Over" (first book in the Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series)
• "On Being a Dictator" (Kevin's book on dictation for authors)

Connect with Kevin J. Anderson:

• Website: https://wordfire.com/
• Patreon: KevinJAnderson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/75203293463/?fref=nf
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/TheKJA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkja/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Craig Martelle is a powerhouse in the indie publishing world with nearly 200 published works, including over 110 full-length novels. A retired Marine and former lawyer turned bestselling author, Craig is the visionary founder of the 20 Books to 50K community—one of the largest and most supportive author networks in the world. His journey from military service to literary success has made him a sought-after mentor and speaker in the indie author community.

In this episode:

• From Marine Corps to literary empire: Craig's incredible transformation story
• The productivity secrets behind writing and publishing multiple books annually
• Strategic book pricing that maximizes sales and reader acquisition
• Breaking into international markets with German translations and global reach
• How author conferences evolved and why they're crucial for indie success
• Building and nurturing thriving online author communities (20 Books to 50K insights)
• Mastering the balance between fiction series and non-fiction projects
• The mindset shifts that separate successful authors from struggling writers
• Real-world strategies for sustained long-term author careers

Resources mentioned:

• 20 Books to 50K Facebook group
• Author Nation conference (formerly 20 Books Vegas)
• Self-Publishing Show Live conference
• Amazon ads for authors
• Findaway Voices for audiobooks
• TranslateBooks.com for translations

Books Mentioned:

• Ian Bragg thriller series
• Cygnus Space Opera series
• End Times Alaska series
• Free Trader series
• Battleship Leviathan series
• "Witten Wisdom"
• "An Author's Legacy"

Connect with Craig Martelle:

• Website: craigmartelle.com
• Facebook group: 20 Books to 50K

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Isabelle Knight is a celebrity publicist turned author branding expert who has worked with literary icons including JK Rowling and major organizations like the BBC. As founder of Build Your Author Brand, she brings insider knowledge from the world of high-profile publicity to help everyday authors develop powerful personal brands, connect with their ideal readers, and dramatically increase book sales. Her unique background bridges traditional PR with modern digital marketing strategies.

In this episode:

• The celebrity publicist's approach to author branding that actually works
• How to identify and magnetize your ideal readers (not just any readers)
• Traditional PR vs. digital marketing: when to use each strategy
• The newsletter and social media tactics that build genuine fan bases
• How to pitch yourself like the pros (without feeling salesy)
• Strategic partnerships that amplify your book launches
• Real case studies from successful author branding campaigns
• The consistency secrets that separate amateur from professional authors
• Why most author marketing fails and how to avoid common pitfalls

Resources mentioned:

• Build Your Author Brand course
• Facebook groups for author networking
• Newsletter platforms for reader engagement
• Bookshop partnerships for book launches

Book recommendations:

• "Enough" by Dr. Catherine McAleese
• Books by Pauline Tate
• "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendrix

Connect with Isabelle Knight:

• Website: https://buildyourauthorbrand.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelle.knight.pr/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-knight-pr/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isabelle_knight_pr

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Dave Chesson is the founder of Kindlepreneur and creator of Publisher Rocket, one of the most trusted keyword research tools in the publishing industry. With years of experience helping authors crack Amazon's discovery algorithm, Dave has become the go-to expert for book marketing and keyword optimization. His platform Kindlepreneur has helped thousands of authors increase their book visibility and sales on Amazon.

In this episode:
* How Dave built Publisher Rocket into the industry's leading keyword tool
* Decoding Amazon's algorithm: What really drives book discovery
* Maximizing your 7 KDP keyword boxes for better rankings
* Fiction vs. nonfiction keyword strategies that actually work
* Using reverse ASIN research to spy on competitors
* Finding profitable niches with low competition
* Common keyword mistakes that hurt your book's visibility

Resources mentioned:

• Publisher Rocket
• Kindlepreneur.com Guides
• 7 Kindle Keywords: Use All 50 Characters or Not?
• Kindle Keyword Strategy For Fiction Authors
• Amazon KDP
• Kindlepreneur Tools and Services

Book recommendations:

• Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman

Connect with Dave Chesson:

• Website: https://kindlepreneur.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kindlepreneur
• Contact: https://kindlepreneur.com/contact-me/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Kathleen Sweeney is the COO of Book Brush, a comprehensive design platform specifically created for authors since 2018. Book Brush specializes in helping authors create professional marketing graphics, book covers, 3D book mockups, video trailers, and social media content without requiring design expertise. The platform offers over 300 3D book versions, hundreds of cover templates, and access to 4.4 million stock images and videos through Pixabay integration. Kathleen leads the company's mission to make book marketing accessible and stress-free for indie authors, providing tools that help authors create professional-looking promotional materials that align with genre expectations and build author branding across all social media platforms.

In this episode:

• Why some indie books look like bestsellers and others don't
• The importance of professional cover design for genre alignment
• Book Brush's author-specific design platform and tools
• Creating 3D book mockups from flat covers with simple clicks
• Using templates and graphics designed specifically for different genres
• Font pairing and color psychology for book marketing
• Author branding strategies and maintaining consistent visual identity
• Video creation tools including vertical format for mobile viewing
• Trope graphics and their effectiveness in reaching target readers
• Common cover design mistakes authors make
• The process of creating covers and marketing materials
• Hidden features and creative ways to use Book Brush tools
• Getting started with Book Brush: tutorials, support, and community

Resources mentioned:

• Book Brush
• Pixabay

Connect with Kathleen Sweeney:

• Website: https://bookbrush.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BookBrush
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookBrush/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/

Dan Miller is the founder of The Copy Detectives, a specialized service that helps authors navigate copyright permissions and AI content disclosure requirements. With extensive experience in copyright law and clearance processes, Dan assists authors in understanding when they need permission to use quotes, images, and other content in their books. His expertise has become increasingly important as AI-generated content creates new challenges for copyright registration and protection. Dan works with authors to assess manuscripts for copyright issues, secure necessary permissions, and ensure compliance with both U.S. Copyright Office and Amazon KDP disclosure requirements for AI-generated content.

In this episode:

• How AI content affects copyright ownership and registration
• The new requirement for copyright certificates before filing lawsuits
• Why authors need to register copyrights within 90 days of publication
• The difference between copyrightable and non-copyrightable AI content
• Amazon KDP's AI disclosure requirements and potential consequences
• When quotes require permission versus fair use considerations
• The five different U.S. copyright laws currently in effect
• Public domain content and Creative Commons licensing
• Why song lyrics and poetry quotes are particularly expensive
• The importance of keeping detailed records of all source materials
• International copyright considerations under the Berne Convention
• How to work with copyright clearance services

Resources mentioned:

• U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov/
• Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/
• Creative Commons: https://creativecommons.org/
• Berne Convention: https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/
• Fair use doctrine
• Public domain databases
• Copyright registration certificates

Connect with Dan Miller:

• Website: https://thecopyrightdetective.com/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Support the show

Discover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/