The Heidi Thorne Show

What is all the fuss about ChatGPT? I’ve talked about AI tech for the writing and publishing space before. Here are additional developments that could impact authors and publishers, and our understanding and management of creative work. Warning: Star Trek references included! 🖖 😉 YouTube video: Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen on YouTube): 0:45 What is ChatGPT? 2:49 What does this mean for authors? 3:40 What about copyrights? 5:33 How good is AI tech now? 6:59 Connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 285.

Some industry optimism about audiobooks and their double-digit growth in recent years was noted in Publishers Weekly’s reporting from this year’s Digital Book World conference. But as with any industry’s growth comes change. Let’s talk about some current and anticipated changes for audiobooks, and how they will impact self published authors. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/egtUpH4YfpE Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Optimism and alarm about audiobooks 0:38 ACX and Audible reduce audiobook prices 4:12 Updates on AI tech for audiobooks and distribution 7:33 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 284.

As platforms continue to copycat their competitors, one of the more recent entries in that race is YouTube Shorts. Let’s talk about pros and cons, and how authors can use YouTube Shorts. Be aware that YouTube Shorts could change dramatically and quickly as YouTube figures out what it wants to do with this feature. Blog: YouTube Shorts: What Authors Need to Know http://hub.me/apEFr YouTube video: https://youtu.be/SjYJCl96Svg Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 YouTube copycats TikTok and Instagram Reels 0:54 What are YouTube Shorts? 1:26 The good news/bad news about YouTube Shorts 1:48 What I learned by eavesdropping on husband's YouTube Shorts viewing 3:22 YouTube Shorts still feels beta 6:20 YouTube Shorts best feature 8:42 How authors can use YouTube Shorts 9:57 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 283.

The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey asked self published authors what motivates and challenges them. Here's how they responded. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/BJNq_wn32rA Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 The self publishing motivation question 0:38 The ACME model of self publishing motivation 5:28 Top 3 motivations for self publishing in 2022 5:47 What doesn't motivate self published authors? 6:30 Categories of self publishing challenges 10:18 What doesn't challenge authors? 10:33 Top 3 challenges for self publishing in 2022 10:51 Interpreting the survey results 11:42 Get the written 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey report 12:00 How to connect with Heidi Watch more 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey videos! How Much Did Self Published Authors Make in 2022 https://youtu.be/6ZlLbu1R64Q Do Self Published Authors STILL Want Book Deals with Traditional Publishers? https://youtu.be/byK4f4Qi4nQ 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results and Analysis report (Amazon Kindle & Kindle Unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 282.

Do self published authors still consider getting a book deal with a traditional publisher? I asked them in my 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. The answers of why and when they do, or don't, might surprise you. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/byK4f4Qi4nQ Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 The traditional publishing question I wanted answered 1:10 Do self published authors understand what traditional publishing is? 1:43 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey answers on traditional publishing 2:32 The interesting write-in answers 4:30 Do traditional publishing considerations differ by genre? 5:11 What do these answers tell us? 6:45 How to get the 2022 Self Publishing Survey written report 6:58 How to connect with Heidi 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results & Analysis complete written report https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 281.

The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey results are in! Find out how much self published authors made in 2022, and what they're forecasting for 2023. This is the first of three video reports on the survey. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/6ZlLbu1R64Q Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 About the 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey and participants 2:26 How much did the majority of self published authors make in 2022? 3:38 Most popular self published book income answers for 2022 5:30 Did demographic factors impact book income? 5:46 Do you make more book income with more books published? 7:43 What are authors forecasting in book income for 2023? 10:22 Does having more books increase book income forecasts? 11:50 Why is it so difficult to make a living from self publishing books? 13:12 How to get the complete written survey report 13:22 How to connect with Heidi 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results & Analysis complete written report https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 280.

Just in time for a new year, author pages on Amazon have been redesigned. The redesign is a good move. But authors need to be aware of some changes. Blog: New Amazon Author Pages http://hub.me/apAjf YouTube video: https://youtu.be/dVJ8t5ySNx8 Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:14 Programming note about Self Publishing Survey Results reporting 0:28 Amazon launches redesigned author pages 0:39 How to get an Author Page on Amazon Author Central 1:17 Author Page redesign details 2:13 Most popular book? 3:31 More changes to Amazon Author Pages 3:55 New Book Recommendations feature 4:42 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 279.

A signature book title is one that when people see it, they immediately know what it is and associate the author with it. But do authors really need to strive to create one for their books? I share examples and tips. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/g1N_xKyVA2o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Authors want to be memorable 0:57 What is a signature book title? 2:01 How do you create a signature book title? 3:13 Having a signature book title without even trying 3:41 Pivoting from a signature book title 4:20 Does a signature book title need to be a best seller? 5:14 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 278.

A familiar request came from an author via email. “Which of these logos do you like best?” I responded that I wouldn’t go with any of them. My opinion on the choices had nothing to do with the actual art. Here's why I responded this way. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EyVojXPhBjo Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view/hear segment on YouTube): 0:14 A familiar question about logos 0:40 Celebrity authors don't need logos 1:40 A brand is not a logo 2:28 Author brand failures 4:25 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 277.

I took the new Amazon Attribution Tags system for a test drive to see if it really does help authors track mystery sales sources on Amazon generated off Amazon, such as social media ads. Here's how it went, including screenshots of my results. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PC6zYs9_WKs Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 New book, new book marketing tests 1:05 My Amazon Attribution Tag campaigns 3:35 Amazon Attribution Tags used for organic social media posts 4:30 My Amazon Sponsored Product ad campaigns 6:12 Screenshots and discussion of my results from the Amazon Attribution Tag test run 17:40 Final thoughts on Attribution Tags and social media ads 20:16 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 276.

I posted a video on TikTok and Instagram asking if you received a used book as a gift, would you think the giver was cheap, or that they found a treasure for you. Here’s how my tribe responded. Blog: Used Books as Gifts: Trash or Treasure? http://hub.me/apwgj YouTube video: https://youtu.be/yri2mX0ZMq8 Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 I asked my TikTok and Instagram tribe about used book gifts... 0:29 It's a treasure if... 1:06 It's all about the intention 2:07 Depends on condition 3:40 Used books as gifts? Yes or no? 4:22 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 275.

December 2022 marks the end of my 14th year on Twitter. In light of the culture changes and chaos from its recent acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk, will it also be the end of me using Twitter? Let’s talk about that since I’m sure many of you are also considering your future on Twitter. Blog: Will I Quit Twitter? http://hub.me/apvkl YouTube video: https://youtu.be/fH7C2sRHy9o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Celebrating 14 years on Twitter. Will it be my last? 0:52 What Twitter used to be 2:31 Who changed? Me? Or Twitter? 6:10 Ghost hunting on Twitter 10:30 The Elon Exodus 13:17 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 274.

I have just wrapped production on a new audiobook that’s a departure from my usual content. In doing this latest book, I ran across some updates to ACX, Audible, and audiobook trends that I’ll discuss here. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VH9OKzb7r1o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube); 0:15 My new audiobook, Cradle to Crochet: Thoughts on the Crocheting Life 0:45 ACX updates 3:00 Audiobook listening trends 6:00 Spotify Audiobooks vs. Apple 7:40 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 273.

I just published another book on Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP, that was an experiment in a couple of ways. It was a departure from my usual genre. And it was a test for the latest 2022 version of Kindle Create, KDP’s free book formatting software. Here's what I learned. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/CDzHrUXgB48 Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 New book formatted using Kindle Create 2:14 Improvements in hyphenation 5:03 Widows and orphan control improving, but needs more work 6:44 Still no print preview in Kindle Create 7:05 Can I recommend Kindle Create? 7:44 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 272. New Book, Cradle to Crochet: Thoughts on the Crocheting Life is available in Kindle eBook, print, and audiobook on Amazon and Audible.

Finally! Amazon has introduced a way for authors to measure sales generated by non-Amazon channels like organic social media posts and paid ads. It's called Amazon Attribution. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bXN690DGXgY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Amazon introduces Amazon Attribution Tags 1:00 What is Amazon Attribution? 1:20 Who is eligible to use Amazon Attribution? 1:33 Amazon Attribution terminology explained 5:12 How quickly can you see analytical data? 5:58 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 271.

I see authors and low content book creators forging ahead full steam to write or design their books before they decide on the niche markets their books will serve and what those markets could want and need. This is totally backwards if you’re hoping to make sales. I explain why. Blog: You're Doing Niche Marketing Wrong for Your Books http://hub.me/aprOT YouTube video: https://youtu.be/xcSFJpTiq9Q Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Putting the niche marketing cart before the horse 1:32 Why doing niche marketing wrong will cost you money 2:44 Niche down, but not too far 4:56 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 270.

On October 12, 2022, I celebrated 13 years of having a YouTube channel. A whole lot has changed, and keeps changing on YouTube, mostly for the better, even though using it effectively is still a challenge. I’ll be talking about some newer features that can impact authors and small businesses, as well as sharing insights from my YouTube journey. Blog: YouTube Handles, YouTube Shorts, and My YouTube Journey http://hub.me/aprow YouTube video: https://youtu.be/TfMtiBEtVjs Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Celebrating my YouTube anniversary 0:40 YouTube ain't social media, but looks like it wants to be 1:06 YouTube Handles 3:03 YouTube Hashtags 4:28 YouTube Chapters 5:27 YouTube Shorts 7:41 YouTube Subtitles 8:33 YouTube Studio and Analytics 9:24 My YouTube journey 14:17 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 269.

I love my author community! On a recent video I did about KDP print on demand quality and quality control, one of my favorite author people, Shanon, whose pen name is @S.D. Huston, commented about how she learned to cope with limitations on book design for print on demand. So this is a followup on that discussion, focusing on some specific design issues for book spines. Blog: Does Your Book Have Spine Problems? http://hub.me/apqpA YouTube video: https://youtu.be/s0bZEvi__9k Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Shanon shared her book spine design story (visit @S.D. Huston channel) 0:45 How spine design impacts your book title 2:22 Book spine line alignment issues 3:58 How to avoid book spine design problems & examples 6:14 Getting book design help 8:47 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 268.

I see a lot of confusion and questions on author forums about trademarks, copyrights, and book titles. While I’m not a lawyer, and this does not constitute legal advice of any type, I will provide some definitions and discussion of these terms, particularly as they relate to authors and self publishing. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/oouZeakqP3E Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Author confusion on trademarks, copyrights & book titles 0:36 What is a trademark? 2:42 Trademarked words 4:47 Book titles can't be copyrighted, but... 5:58 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 267.

Got called out on one of my videos where I ranted on authors being overly sensitive about what they perceive as KDP print on demand quality issues. Out of respect for that author’s concerns, let me address each of them here, though some points might still might echo my position on the earlier video. Blog: KDP Print On Demand Quality versus Quality Control http://hub.me/apoIs YouTube video: https://youtu.be/L11jIaPCkGY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Got called out on YouTube 0:43 What was the complaint? 1:41 Quality vs. quality control for KDP print on demand 6:03 Why might a proof look different than the final? 8:06 How to get better print outcomes for your book 8:34 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 266.