Every author wants their book to reach readers—but in the world of publishing, that dream can make writers vulnerable to marketing scams. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the shady side of book promotion and show you how to spot red flags before they cost you time, money, and trust.

SHOW NOTES:

How to spot a scam

Questions to ask

How to vet a scam

Rules of thumb

Samples

SOURCES & LINKS:

ScamVoid: Checks fake websites

Writer Beware: Blog that identifies scams and provides advice

ALLi Watchdog: Alliance of Independent Authors, protects from predatory practices and misinformation

Writers Weekly: Online magazine with a host of articles (including those aimed at protecting indie authors from being scammed

Author’s Guild: Author organization that offers online forums and legal services

DO NOW: Peruse the links we attached to know where you can turn if you suspect being scammed.

Next Episode:

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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In this episode, we highlight the top publishing trends for 2025 and 2026. We discuss the rise of new romance subgenres, the impact of artificial intelligence on editing and marketing, and the nostalgic comeback of 90s and early 2000s-inspired fiction. We also explore the evolution of audiobooks into immersive experiences, the bookstore renaissance with a surge in new openings, and the growing trend of “readaways,” where readers merge travel with literature

SHOW NOTES:

The Enduring Allure of Romance

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Publishing

Nostalgia as Cultural Capital

The Evolution of Audiobooks

Bookstore Renaissance

Transforming the Reading Experience

SOURCES & LINKS:

Lumina Datamatics. (2026). Top 10 Publishing Trends to Watch Out For in 2026. Retrieved from Lumina Datamatics

Booksshelf. (2026). What’s Going to Be Hot in 2026: Predictions for Fiction. Retrieved from Booksshelf

New York Times. (2025). Book Sales Trends 2025. Retrieved from NY Times

VRBO. (2026). Readaways: Trends in Literary Travel. Retrieved from VRBO

“2026 Author Trends You need to Know,” Written Word Media (2026)

Next Episode: Marketing Scams Every Author Should Know

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

SUMMARY:

In this episode, bestselling author Barbara Conrey discusses her inspiring journey to publication, her creative process, and the themes behind her emotionally powerful novels, including A Fine Layer of Dust. The conversation also features fun rapid-fire questions, offering a personal glimpse into her life and passions.

Barbara Conrey is the USA Today Bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye, her debut novel published on August 4, 2020, by Red Adept Publishing. Her sophomore novel, My Secret to Keep, was released on August 23, 2022 and her third, A Fine Layer of Dust, debuted in October 2025.

An active member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Women’s National Book Association, and the Author Talk Network, Barbara also moderates the online book club for the Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip.

SHOW NOTES:

Bio

A Fine Layer of Dust

Journey to Publication

Work as a Book Club Host for Bookish Road Trip

Involvement with Women’s Fiction Writers Association

Bonus Rapid-Fire Questions

Links:

https://www.barbaraconreyauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.conrey

Next Episode: We are taking off a month for the holidays and will see you mid-January

Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our website for an exact date. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you