Author Nation: State of the Nation

In this episode of the Author Nation podcast, Managing Director Joe Solari sits down with Chris Banks, founder of ProWritingAid, to talk about the feedback, mindset, and community writers need to keep going.

Chris shares how a broken ankle helped turn a personal writing tool into one of the most trusted resources for authors, and why fast, useful feedback can help writers grow their craft with more confidence.

They also explore perfectionism, Novel November, the mental side of writing, and how authors can stop chasing the perfect draft and start building momentum.

Episode Links:
🖊️ Check out ProWritingAid and Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/ 
🌐 Connect with like-minded authors and access free resources in our online community: ⁠community.authornation.live⁠ 
🎟️ Don’t miss out on Author Nation 2026! Join us in Vegas this November: https://www.authornation.live/tickets-2026

Imagine never losing momentum on a story again.
This week Author Nation Managing Director Joe Solari sits down with Michael Stewart, Head of Community at Sudowrite, to explore how AI tools are helping authors overcome writer’s block, stay organized, and focus on the creative work that truly sparks joy.
 
Michael shares insights on Sudowrite’s evolution, its supportive 15K+ author community, and how features like Story Bible and voice modeling are giving writers more time to create and less time managing the busywork.
🖊️ Check out Sudowrite here: sudowrite.com
🌐 Connect with like-minded authors and access free resources in our online community here: community.authornation.live 
💬 Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here: https://discord.gg/KqFFwb6ATv
🎟️ Don’t miss out on Author Nation 2025! Secure your spot here: authornation.live

AI narration isn’t the future — it’s already here.
 
In this week's episode, Joe Solari talks with Phil Marshall, founder of Spoken, about how his platform is transforming audiobook creation for indie authors. Phil shares how Spoken’s AI lets writers design custom voices, produce full-cast audiobooks in hours, and distribute affordably — all while keeping creative control.
 
🎧 Check out Spoken here: spoken.press
🌐 Connect with like-minded authors and access free resources in our online community here: community.authornation.live 
💬 Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here: https://discord.gg/KqFFwb6ATv
🎟️ Don’t miss out on Author Nation 2025! Secure your spot here: authornation.live

What does it take to build lasting visibility as an author in a constantly changing world?
In this episode, Joe Solari talks with Desireé Duffy — founder of Black Château, Books That Make You, and The BookFest — about how to think strategically, stay agile, and integrate your marketing to reach readers in meaningful ways. 
Desireé shares how she built a multi-channel ecosystem connecting authors and readers through PR, events, and media—and why chasing trends like TikTok isn’t nearly as powerful as understanding your unique creative path.
 
Listen in to learn how to future-proof your marketing, build long-term visibility, and connect authentically in today’s crowded publishing landscape.
Episode Resources:
🏰 Learn more about Black Château here: blackchateauenterprises.com
📚 Visit Books That Make You here: booksthatmakeyou.com
🏆 Check out The BookFest here: thebookfest.com
🌐 Connect with like-minded authors and access free resources in our online community here: community.authornation.live 
💬 Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here: https://discord.gg/KqFFwb6ATv
🎟️ Don’t miss out on Author Nation 2025! Secure your spot here: authornation.live

Audiobooks are now the fastest-growing format in publishing, expanding more than 25% each year. Are you in the game?

This week, Joe Solari is joined by Madeline Shue, Head of Author Growth at ElevenLabs, to discuss the launch of ElevenReader, a new publishing model that lets you create and sell audiobooks directly to your readers — with full control, fair royalties, and no unnecessary barriers.

Madeline breaks down how ElevenReader is helping authors earn more with audio through its AI-powered app, all while tracking real-time analytics like drop-off rates and completion percentages. Listen in to learn why this free tool is shaking up the audiobook world, and how authors like you can use it to access brand-new readers.

Episode Resources:

🚀 Check out ElevenReader here.
🌐 Join the Author Nation Community: Connect with like-minded authors and access exclusive resources in our online community here.
💬 Join Our Discord: Dive into real-time discussions and connect with authors across the globe in our Discord group here.
🎟️ Buy Show Tickets: Don’t miss out on the next Author Nation event! Secure your spot here.