The Wordslinger Podcast

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310

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Aug 2026

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About the show

From award-winning and bestselling author J. Kevin Tumlinson, this weekly podcast explores the stories that shape us into who we are, and shape the world into what it can become. There are interviews with authors and non-authors, deep dives into useful ideas, and solo-slinger episodes that are authentic and real, aimed at giving you the best, most honest advice about life as a writer, creator, and creative entrereneur. Every episode is a story. It's all about the story here.

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August 13, 202651 min

Your First Draft Is Supposed to Be Bad

Kevin on Kraft: EPISODE 1! **Kevin on Kraft** is an occasional conversation between writers Kevin Tumlinson and Donn King about the craft, process, and strange magic of writing. **Your first draft is supposed to be bad.** Seriously. One of the biggest mistakes writers make is expecting the first draft to look anything like the finished book. That pressure to get everything right—to nail the characters, plot, dialogue, pacing, and prose on the first try—can make finishing the book exponentially harder. In this first episode of **Kevin on Kraft**, Donn King and I dig into how stories actually get written: discovery writing, plotting versus pantsing, developing characters as you go, getting unstuck when the story stalls, and why sometimes the best solution to writer’s block is to **blow up the spaceship** and see what happens. We also get into where ideas come from, why originality may be overrated, how writers can borrow familiar storytelling patterns without copying, and one of my favorite principles of storytelling: **Same—but different.** If you're writing your first novel, your seventieth, or you're simply trying to make a living doing creative work, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to know everything before you begin. You just have to begin. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS ☕ **IN THIS EPISODE** 00:00 — Welcome to Kevin on Kraft 05:20 — Why we're talking about writing craft 09:25 — Kevin's path through writing and publishing 13:17 — Why persistence matters for creative careers 15:20 — Everyone is creative—even if they don't think they are 16:37 — How Kevin builds stories from a title 22:26 — What actually makes a story a story? 25:55 — Plotters, pantsers, and discovery writers 30:50 — Why trying to write a perfect first draft is a mistake 32:23 — What to do when your story gets stuck 32:49 — The “looping” technique for getting your momentum back 33:56 — Sometimes you should just blow up the spaceship 36:45 — Using rewriting to change the past 39:47 — How to create plot twists that make you look like a genius 40:30 — Kevin's “Ash Bin” trick for deleted scenes 43:16 — Inspiration, homage, and when it becomes copying 46:02 — Why every story uses the same ingredients 46:32 — The secret is “same but different” 47:30 — What's next for Kevin on Kraft? 🎙️ **FIND DONN KING** Donn King's website: https://donnking.com Donn King on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/daking2742 The Alignment Show: https://thealignmentshow.com King's Chronicles on Substack: https://kingschronicles.substack.com ✍️ **FIND Kevin** Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com 🛠️ **SERVICES FOR AUTHORS** **Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid:** https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 **Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital:** https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger **Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books—and more—at AuthorAnchor:** https://authoranchor.com 🔔 **SUBSCRIBE TO WORDSLINGER** If you're serious about writing better books, building a publishing career, growing your audience, and making a living from your creativity, **subscribe to the Wordslinger channel**. This is where writers come for practical, experience-driven guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, creativity, and building a sustainable career around the work you love. And leave a comment: **Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in between? And what do you do when your story gets stuck?** #WritingAdvice #WritingTips #Authors #Writers #WritingCraft #FirstDraft #NovelWriting #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #Wordslinger Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 6, 202629 min

I Sold 10 Million Books and All I Got was this AI Witch Hunt

I sold more than 10 million books over the course of my writing career—and somehow I’m still spending my time talking about AI witch hunts. In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, I dig into the growing problem of AI detection tools, false accusations, and platforms giving users new ways to report writers for supposedly creating “AI slop.” These tools are producing false positives, damaging reputations, costing writers subscribers, and potentially putting publishing contracts and careers at risk. And the deeper problem is that writers are increasingly being treated as guilty before they’ve had any opportunity to defend their work. But this episode isn’t only about AI. I also talk about what selling 10 million books has taught me about long-term success, why your career may look very different when you view it in aggregate, and why writers should spend less time obsessing over goals and more time building a reliable creative process. We’ll also explore: • Why AI detection software is dangerous for writers • How false accusations can create real financial damage • Why outrage-driven content is tempting—but creatively limiting • What 20 years of book sales taught me about success • Why consistency matters more than ambitious daily goals • How to build a writing habit without burning yourself out • Why your backlist is one of your greatest career assets • How the “same but different” principle applies to books, covers, and branding • Why writers, creators, and entrepreneurs need a unified platform Your writing career will not be built by one viral moment, one massive launch, or one perfect book. It will be built by showing up, improving your process, and creating work consistently over time. If you’re a writer looking for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, creative business, and building a sustainable author career, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is the place for writers who want real-world advice for every stage of the writing and publishing journey. TIMECODES 00:00 – Welcome to Wordslinger 00:50 – The AI detection witch hunt 02:10 – Why AI detectors generate false positives 03:03 – Writers losing contracts over AI accusations 03:59 – The financial consequences for Substack writers 05:23 – Could AI detection become automated defamation? 06:29 – LinkedIn introduces AI-slop reporting 07:56 – How trolls weaponize reporting tools 08:54 – Why outrage content gets more views 09:59 – Refusing to become the AI witch-hunt show 10:51 – Selling 10 million books and earning $2.4 million 12:08 – What long-term success actually looks like 13:41 – How one book can suddenly change a career 14:47 – The power of a breakout book 15:16 – Why process matters more than goals 16:46 – What happens after you reach the goal 17:41 – Building consistency like a muscle 18:30 – Why starting too big leads to failure 19:05 – How to create a sustainable writing habit 20:42 – Turning consistency into finished books 21:10 – Writing lucrative commissioned fiction 21:58 – Why your backlist is where the real money lives 22:58 – Expanding and tightening the Wordslinger brand 24:01 – The “same but different” principle 25:28 – Using genre expectations in covers and branding 26:49 – Building a consistent author platform 27:43 – Why subscribing helps support the show 29:06 – Final thoughts VISIT AND CONNECT Wordslinger Podcast: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Improve your writing with ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish and distribute your books with Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Get virtual assistant support through AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Subscribe to the Wordslinger YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/wordslingerpodcast QUESTION FOR YOU Do you think AI detection tools protect writers—or create an even greater threat to their careers? Leave your answer in the comments. I read and respond to every comment. #WritingAdvice #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #AIDetection #ArtificialIntelligence #AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #CreativeEntrepreneur #BookPublishing #AuthorBranding #WritingProcess #WordslingerPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 30, 202636 min

AI Witch Hunts and the New Writing Economy

AI detectors are accusing real writers of using artificial intelligence—and people are losing grades, contracts, opportunities, and reputations because of unreliable software. Meanwhile, writers are still wrestling with another difficult question: How do you actually build a sustainable writing career when book sales alone may not provide a dependable living? In this episode of Wordslinger, J. Kevin Tumlinson examines the growing AI-detection witch hunt, the difference between using AI as a creative tool and allowing it to replace creativity, and the unfair consequences writers face when flawed technology is treated as proof. Kevin also explores the changing economics of the writing life. A successful writing career may not look like the romantic version many of us imagined. It may require multiple income streams, smarter financial planning, a larger platform, and enough runway to keep creating without constantly worrying about the next paycheck. In this episode: 00:00 — Welcome to Wordslinger 01:11 — Why AI detection software is a scam 02:13 — Writers and students facing false accusations 03:29 — Why good writing can trigger AI detectors 04:21 — The hypocrisy of feeding writers’ work into AI 05:15 — Legitimate and accessible uses of AI 06:18 — How disabled writers can use AI as assistive technology 07:23 — Translation and language tools for authors 08:20 — When technology supports creativity 09:32 — Leonardo da Vinci, Stan Lee, and outsourced creation 11:46 — AI companies destroying rare books 14:11 — Are we responsible stewards of AI? 15:42 — How writers can actually make a living 17:13 — The fantasy versus reality of the writing life 19:22 — Building multiple streams of writing income 21:31 — Stop laying track directly in front of the train 24:29 — Creating financial runway before leaving your job 26:35 — The two financial tracks every writer needs 28:48 — Keeping writing at the center of your career 30:57 — Where to connect with Kevin Whether you are an author, freelance writer, artist, podcaster, publisher, or creative entrepreneur, the real question is not whether technology or the publishing industry will change. They will. The question is whether you can use the tools available, diversify your income, protect your creative identity, and build a career capable of surviving those changes. What do you think? Are AI detectors protecting writers—or creating a modern witch hunt? And can authors still expect to earn a living primarily from book sales? Share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to Wordslinger for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, creative business, technology, and the mindset required to build a lasting writing career. This is the place for writers who want informed, experience-driven help throughout every stage of their writing and publishing journey. VISIT AND CONNECT: Wordslinger Podcast [https://wordslingerpodcast.com](https://wordslingerpodcast.com) Improve your writing with ProWritingAid [https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5](https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5) Publish wide with Draft2Digital [https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger](https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger) Get professional support with AuthorAnchor [https://authoranchor.com](https://authoranchor.com) Find Kevin and his books [https://kevintumlinson.com](https://kevintumlinson.com) Join Kevin on Substack [https://kevintumlinson.substack.com](https://kevintumlinson.substack.com) #WritingCommunity #AuthorTube #ArtificialIntelligence #AIDetection #WritingCareer #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #CreativeEntrepreneur #PublishingAdvice #Wordslinger Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 23, 202625 min

I Almost Quit Writing… Then I Built a System Around My Chaos

I came this close to walking away from writing forever. After a traditional publishing deal went sideways, I paid back the advance, lost the rights for a stretch, and seriously believed my career was over before it started. What saved me wasn’t “just write every day.” It was building a deliberate system around the chaos of multiple projects, side hustles, and creative energy. In this Wordslinger 10-Shot I break down the exact approach I still use today so I can keep finishing books while running a podcast, YouTube channel, coaching, and other ventures without burning out or falling into shiny-object syndrome. You’ll learn: How I use directed intensity instead of forcing myself to grind on one thing Why strategic “side quests” actually help me finish more fiction The simple scheduling trick that keeps everything moving How secondary skills and businesses can feed (not steal from) your main writing career Whether you’re a novelist, indie author, content creator, or multi-passionate entrepreneur, this system is designed for people who refuse to choose just one lane. Timestamps 00:00 – The deal that almost ended my writing career 01:12 – Why “just write more” wasn’t the answer 02:45 – Directed intensity: my core rule for juggling projects 04:20 – Side quests vs. shiny object syndrome 06:10 – How I schedule production days and recovery 07:55 – Secondary “encodings” that actually support your writing 09:15 – Final thoughts + invitation Resources & Links Wordslinger Podcast → https://wordslingerpodcast.com ProWritingAid (my go-to editing tool) → https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital → https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger AuthorAnchor → https://authoranchor.com Find all my books & more → https://kevintumlinson.com Join me on Substack → https://kevintumlinson.substack.com If you’re a writer or creative entrepreneur looking for practical, no-fluff guidance on building a sustainable writing and publishing career, this is the channel for you. Hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and let’s keep growing together. Drop a comment and tell me: What’s the biggest “chaos” you’re trying to organize in your creative life right now?#Wordslinger #IndieAuthor #WritingLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #AuthorTips Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 16, 202642 min

Make Them Suffer (and other Writing Craft Tips)

What makes a story impossible to put down? It usually starts with one uncomfortable truth: You have to make your characters suffer. In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, I dig into several practical writing craft principles that can help you create stronger characters, sharper scenes, more natural dialogue, and stories that keep readers turning pages. We’ll talk about why change is the engine of story, how consequences create momentum, why “and then” can quietly kill your plot, and how to build tension without exhausting your reader. I’ll also explore dialogue as a form of action, the value of leaving some questions unanswered, and how to recognize when a story is truly finished. Whether you’re writing your first novel or your fiftieth, these are the kinds of craft fundamentals that can help you tell more compelling stories. What writing craft topic would you like me to cover next? Leave your question in the comments. I may turn it into a future episode. TIMECODES 00:00 – Why writers should talk more about craft 01:44 – Why your characters need to suffer 03:36 – Suffering doesn’t have to mean physical danger 07:38 – Every scene must create change 10:13 – Creating discomfort and escalating tension 10:54 – “And then” versus “because” storytelling 12:18 – Giving readers moments of hope and relief 14:31 – Why everything in a story must serve a purpose 18:11 – Building tension in peaks and valleys 18:55 – Understanding three-act structure 21:30 – Change as the purpose of scenes 23:20 – Dialogue as action, not exposition 27:37 – Why explanatory dialogue stops a story cold 29:32 – Suspense as the distance between knowledge and action 30:52 – How to know when your story is over 34:03 – Leaving some questions unanswered 37:30 – Using A, B, and C plots across a series 40:17 – Why craft remains a writer’s primary tool Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a sustainable creative career. Whether you’re just getting started or working toward your next breakthrough, this is the place to find useful advice for every stage of your writing and publishing journey. Visit the Wordslinger Podcast: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Improve your writing with ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish and distribute your books with Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Get professional support for your author career with AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com #WritingCraft #WritingTips #Authors #CreativeWriting #Storytelling #IndieAuthors #WritingAdvice #NovelWriting #CharacterDevelopment #WordslingerPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 9, 202638 min

5 Scams Targeting Writers Right Now

Writers are dreamers — and unfortunately, scammers know it. In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, I’m breaking down 5 scams targeting writers right now, especially indie authors, self-published authors, and creative entrepreneurs trying to build a real career around their work. From fake awards and vanity publishers to bogus film deals, fake agents, and “guaranteed bestseller” packages, these scams all have one thing in common: they prey on your desire to be discovered. The good news? You can protect yourself with a little skepticism, a few common-sense checks, and one simple rule: if someone approaches you out of nowhere, flatters your book heavily, creates urgency, and asks for money up front — stop and verify first. If you’re a writer trying to build a publishing career without getting taken advantage of, this episode is for you. Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a sustainable author career. ⏱️ Timecodes 00:00 – Why writers are targeted by scammers 00:46 – Common scam warning signs 02:50 – Scam #5: Fake awards and contest scams 05:44 – Scam #4: Predatory review and bestseller packages 09:07 – Scam #3: Vanity publishers in disguise 13:21 – Scam #2: Fake film, TV, and foreign rights deals 18:35 – Scam #1: Impersonation scams 22:16 – How to verify agents, publishers, and big-name offers 24:03 – The simple rule every author should remember 24:52 – Why scams aimed at writers make me angry 25:16 – Courses, gurus, and bad publishing advice 29:07 – Avoiding the trap of the “quick win” 34:14 – Final thoughts and how to join the conversation Links mentioned and recommended: Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Question for you: Have you ever been approached by a suspicious “publisher,” “agent,” contest, or media company? Drop a comment and share the red flags you spotted — it might help another writer avoid the same trap. #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #AuthorTube #WritingAdvice #PublishingTips #CreativeEntrepreneur #WordslingerPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 2, 202637 min

3 Things Writers Should Stop Worrying About

Writers waste a lot of energy worrying about the wrong things. In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin talks about finishing a story that started nearly 30 years ago, why your unfinished drafts may still have life in them, and why the “perfect” writing tool probably is not what’s standing between you and the work. We also get into the ongoing AI debate for writers: where the line is, how AI can be useful, and why using tools to improve your writing is not the same thing as letting something else do the writing for you. If you’ve ever abandoned a story, obsessed over which software or device to use, or wondered whether AI has a place in your writing process, this one is for you. Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a sustainable author career. This is where writers come to get unstuck, get encouraged, and keep moving forward. ⏱️ Timecodes 00:00 — Recording from the virtual studio 00:39 — Finishing a draft that took 30 years to complete 01:26 — Why short fiction can be a smart creative strategy 02:37 — Building readers of your voice, not just your genre 04:37 — When a short story becomes a novella 05:10 — Revisiting an old idea that finally clicked 07:56 — How to know when an unfinished story is worth returning to 08:44 — Why writers should keep their old drafts 09:25 — How old story fragments helped launch the Dan Kotler series 10:31 — Returning to abandoned books years later 12:35 — The “perfect camera” lesson for writers 15:10 — Choosing the right writing software or device 16:12 — Handwriting, dictation, typewriters, Freewrite, AlphaSmart, Scrivener, and more 20:16 — The best writing tool is the one you already have 23:29 — The AI debate among writers 24:18 — Using AI as a writing aid versus using it to write for you 26:34 — Why every writer needs help improving 28:11 — Why passion still matters in the writing life 30:10 — The danger of AI witch hunts 32:43 — The line Kevin won’t cross with AI writing 33:29 — The Silence Between Signals is coming soon 34:11 — Share your thoughts: old drafts, writing tools, and AI Links mentioned and recommended: Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Author Anchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com What are you worrying about most right now as a writer: unfinished stories, finding the right tools, or navigating AI? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it. Like, subscribe, and share this with a writer who needs to stop waiting and start writing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 25, 202625 min

5 Publishing Trends Writers Should Watch

What publishing trends should writers be paying attention to right now? In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin looks at five trends shaping the current writing and publishing landscape—especially for indie authors, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone building a long-term writing career. From the rise of short fiction and novellas, to the “analog rebellion” bringing writers back to typewriters, notebooks, and distraction-free drafting tools, to the growing power of direct sales and special editions, this episode is all about paying attention to where readers, writers, and creative culture seem to be moving. Publishing is always changing. The smart writer learns how to adapt without losing sight of the work itself. If you’re a writer trying to build a sustainable creative life, subscribe to the channel. This is where writers come for honest, practical guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a career that can survive the real world. Get my newest novel, Echo: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/dmaxbi5aeh Back the Parallel Truths graphic novel Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/authorventuresllc/parallel-truths-a-multi-genre-graphic-novel-anthology?ref=6upt4c Visit the Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Try ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish with Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Get help from Author Anchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com TIME CODES 00:00 – Podcasting from the Pennsylvania countryside 01:33 – The trends Kevin is seeing in publishing 02:32 – Trend #1: The rise of short fiction 03:19 – Why short fiction gives writers more freedom 04:36 – Reader fatigue and escapist fiction 05:57 – Novellas, short stories, and creative experiments 06:38 – Trend #2: The analog rebellion 07:16 – Focus writing tools and distraction-free drafting 08:36 – Typewriters, handwriting, and old-school creativity 10:18 – Why handwriting can unlock focus and memory 13:05 – Physical media and slower consumption 14:35 – Trend #3: Experimental formats and unusual book design 16:31 – When experimentation becomes a gimmick 17:39 – Trend #4: Special editions and collector books 19:19 – Trend #5: Direct sales for authors 20:07 – Building stronger reader relationships 21:00 – Selling exclusive short fiction directly 22:46 – Why direct sales can benefit both authors and readers 23:51 – What trends are you seeing? 24:54 – Sometimes writers just have to improvise Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 11, 202634 min

The Pulp Fiction Strategy for Modern Authors

What if the old pulp fiction model is exactly what modern authors need right now? In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin talks about using short stories as both a creative reset and a smart publishing strategy. If you’re feeling burned out on your novel, stuck in a long rewrite, or just craving a fresh creative project, short fiction can help refill the bucket while still moving your author business forward. Short stories can become ebooks, direct sales products, Substack exclusives, audiobooks, reader magnets, annual collections, anthology opportunities, and more. It’s not just about writing something shorter. It’s about creating more entry points for readers, building your catalog, strengthening your platform, and staying creatively energized. This is a practical strategy for writers, indie authors, creatives, and creative entrepreneurs who want to keep producing without burning out. If you’re serious about your writing and publishing journey, subscribe to this channel. Wordslinger is where writers come for clear, useful, real-world guidance on writing better books, building an author platform, publishing smarter, and creating a sustainable creative life. Mentioned in this episode: Preorder ECHO: https://bit.ly/qrecho Wordslinger Podcast: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Key moments: 00:00 — Welcome and the preorder announcement for ECHO 01:19 — Creative burnout, brain fry, and stepping back from the novel 02:10 — Refilling the creative bucket 03:36 — Why Kevin started writing a short story 04:06 — The short fiction strategy begins 04:45 — Direct sales, Substack, and reader-friendly pricing 05:20 — Why Kevin refuses to train readers to wait for discounts 06:20 — Loyalty discounts and rewarding newsletter subscribers 08:08 — Short stories as fast creative products 09:36 — Why stepping away from a novel can restore excitement 10:19 — The long-form/short-form writing rhythm 12:38 — Short fiction as a powerful income tool 13:20 — What modern authors can learn from the pulp fiction era 14:13 — Short story markets, magazines, contests, and anthologies 15:04 — Publishing short fiction as ebooks 15:50 — Budget-friendly covers and formatting options 16:37 — Wide distribution versus direct publishing 18:10 — How AuthorAnchor can help authors with support tasks 19:01 — Selling short fiction through your own storefront 20:10 — Using Substack as a paid fiction library 20:48 — Recording short audiobooks yourself 21:58 — Bundling short stories into annual collections 23:32 — Collections, anthologies, and working with other authors 25:20 — Why short fiction fits the current publishing era 26:22 — Reader loyalty, AI pushback, and owning your platform 29:04 — Why shorter fiction may matter more in the attention economy 31:25 — Competing with every other form of media 32:28 — Questions, comments, and building a writer community What do you think? Are short stories part of your writing or publishing strategy? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it. Subscribe for more practical writing and publishing guidance from Kevin Tumlinson and the Wordslinger Podcast. #WritingAdvice #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #ShortStories #CreativeEntrepreneur #AuthorPlatform #WritingTips #PublishingTips #WordslingerPodcast #KevinTumlinson Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 4, 202633 min

Why Bad AI Writing Might Make You a Better Writer

Can bad AI writing actually make you a better writer? In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin talks through what he’s working on right now as an author, including the launch of his new Alex Kayne thriller, *Echo*, the messy reality of book promotion, rebuilding his author platform, updating his book links, and experimenting with AI as a writing-adjacent tool. But the big idea here is this: AI may be useful for writers precisely because it often gets the writing wrong. Kevin shares how using AI for critique, structural feedback, and scene ideas can sometimes produce weak, soulless results—but those results can challenge a real writer to think harder, write better, and bring more humanity to the page. AI can be training wheels. It can be a sparring partner. It can even be a bad example. But it should not replace the one thing that matters most: the writer doing the writing. If you’re a novelist, indie author, creative entrepreneur, or creator trying to build a stronger writing life, this episode is about practical book promotion, author platforms, direct sales, AI, and the discipline of protecting your creative work. Subscribe to the channel for honest, practical guidance on writing, publishing, book marketing, author business, creative discipline, and building a long-term career as a working writer. ⏱️ Timecodes 00:00 — What I’m working on this week 00:24 — Introducing *Echo*, the new Alex Kayne thriller 01:04 — The challenge of practical book promotion 02:17 — Why your author platform still matters 03:54 — The frustrating reality of print preorders 06:26 — Podcasting, YouTube, and reader interaction 07:23 — Rebuilding my book links and direct sales setup 10:04 — Using BookFunnel universal book links 13:03 — The rule: never let platform work stop the writing 14:31 — Refreshing book covers and promotion graphics 15:49 — When an author should hire a virtual assistant 17:28 — The right time to get help with your author business 19:09 — Returning to unfinished books and old projects 20:47 — Feeding feedback into AI tools 21:37 — Why I don’t use AI to write my books 22:12 — AI as grammar check, critique tool, and developmental editor 23:02 — Why bad AI writing can make you better 24:10 — The caveat: writers still need real skills 25:28 — AI as training wheels for writers 26:28 — Why you can’t outsource the writing and still call it writing 27:47 — AI books, copyright questions, and the future of publishing 29:50 — AI slop vs. human storytelling 30:41 — Making art instead of feeding the machine 31:39 — Final thoughts and invitation to comment Links mentioned: Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Question for you: How are you using AI in your writing life? Is it helping you think more clearly, or are you worried it’s getting in the way of the real work? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it. #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #AIWriting #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #AuthorPlatform #WritingTips #WordslingerPodcast #KevinTumlinson Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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The Wordslinger Podcast

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Listen to episodes

Your First Draft Is Supposed to Be Bad

I Sold 10 Million Books and All I Got was this AI Witch Hunt

AI Witch Hunts and the New Writing Economy

I Almost Quit Writing… Then I Built a System Around My Chaos

Make Them Suffer (and other Writing Craft Tips)

5 Scams Targeting Writers Right Now

3 Things Writers Should Stop Worrying About

5 Publishing Trends Writers Should Watch

The Pulp Fiction Strategy for Modern Authors

Why Bad AI Writing Might Make You a Better Writer

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