Novel Marketing Podcast

Novel Marketing is the longest-running book marketing podcast in the world, publishing weekly since 2013. Thomas Umstattd Jr. built the show while working simultaneously as an author, literary agent, marketing director, and CEO of Author Media — a combination that gives the podcast unusual depth across both the craft and business sides of publishing.

Episodes run roughly 30 minutes and mix solo teaching episodes with author interviews. The May 6, 2026 episode "15 Rules for Book Advertising with David Gaughran" reflects the show's ongoing relevance — Umstattd consistently books guests with measurable track records. The April 29, 2026 milestone episode "My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes" marked the show's 500-episode threshold; with 13+ years of weekly back episodes, the archive covers nearly every foundational marketing topic through multiple algorithm changes and market shifts. Apple Podcasts shows 4.8/5 from 330 ratings as of May 2026.

What You Get#

• Breadth: Platform-building, email marketing, book launch mechanics, author websites, metadata and discoverability, AI tools, audiobook production, and author mindset
• Dual-path coverage: Unlike most author podcasts that focus exclusively on indie publishing, Novel Marketing regularly features both self-published and traditionally published authors — relevant for authors on either path
• Deep archive: Thirteen-plus years of back episodes, organized and searchable, covering strategies that predate modern self-publishing's current landscape and track how best practices evolved
• Consistent cadence: Weekly 30-minute format is efficient — actionable content without requiring hours of listening per week

Who It's For#

• Early-stage authors: The jargon-free approach and foundational coverage make this the most accessible entry point for marketing education among major indie publishing podcasts
• Mid-career indie authors: Platform-building and backlist growth episodes serve authors working to build sustainable readership, not just launch spikes
• Authors covering both publishing paths: The show's regular traditional-publishing guests make it useful even for hybrid authors or those querying agents while building an indie catalog

Pricing: The podcast is completely free with no paywalled episodes. Author Media runs an optional Patreon for supporters that adds an exclusive monthly Q&A episode, the Patron Toolbox (36+ writing/publishing tools), discounts on Author Media courses and plugins, and access to the Podcast Host Directory — but every numbered episode of Novel Marketing remains free in the public feed.

Strengths#

• Thirteen-year archive: Coverage spans the entire modern self-publishing era, including pre-KU, post-KU, the Facebook Ads boom, the Amazon algorithm shifts, and the AI wave — rare historical context in a category where most podcasts are 2-5 years old
• Practitioner host: Umstattd's background includes a decade of publishing industry roles (literary agent, CEO, marketing director), not just author experience — this informs more nuanced takes on marketing strategy
• Both indie and traditional: Consistently cited in author community surveys as one of the best podcasts for authors regardless of publishing path

Limitations#

• Less ads-focused: Authors primarily interested in Facebook Ads or Amazon Ads as core business drivers will find more specialized content at The Self Publishing Show or Ads for Authors
• 30-minute format: Episodes satisfy breadth but rarely provide the same depth as a two-hour interview format for complex topics like full advertising funnel strategy

Alternatives#

For paid advertising depth, The Self Publishing Show (James Blatch & Cissy Mecca) covers Facebook and Amazon Ads more extensively. For pure craft focus with shorter episodes, Writing Excuses runs 15 minutes per episode.