E737 - Ben Schenkman - Challenging readers’ conventional thinking and the complexities of moral dilemmas

EPISODE 737 - Ben Schenkman - Challenging readers’ conventional thinking and the complexities of moral dilemmas

In this engaging conversation, author and voice actor Ben Schenkman returns to chat about his creative journey, his latest release My Brother’s Keeper, and the many realities of being an independent author in today’s publishing landscape.

Ben opens with a personal story about his family’s love of vintage guitars—a nod to his musical roots and his identical twin brother’s collection connected to their Woodstock‐era mother. From there, the conversation evolves into one of the most honest explorations of indie author marketing you’ll hear. Ben breaks down what really works when promoting your books and what doesn’t, drawing from firsthand experience running Facebook, Amazon, and BookBub ads. His message is simple and refreshing: books sell books, and advertising a single title rarely pays off until an author has multiple works available.

Ben shares practical, field‑tested advice inspired by David Gaughran’s “Demystifying Facebook Ads” series, explaining why Facebook remains one of the few ad platforms that can still produce results—if authors learn to take control and target the right readers. He then contrasts ads with BookBub Featured Deals, describing how well-timed offers can create lasting exposure, especially for multi‑book series. But long before any ads go live, he emphasizes, authors must focus on collecting authentic reviews, not just from friends and family but from real readers whose balanced feedback adds legitimacy.

The heart of the episode revolves around My Brother’s Keeper, the darkly magical first installment in The Cycle of Ash. Set in an alternate New Haven, Connecticut, the story blends Jewish mysticism, urban fantasy, and noir detective grit. Private investigator Max Asher returns home to bury his twin brother—and quickly discovers the death may not be what it seems. The novel’s emotional depth, grounded world‑building, and spiritual underpinnings reflect Ben’s personal connection to his Jewish heritage and his lived experiences as a twin.

Ben also pulls back the curtain on his creative process—how he uses beat sheets from Save the Cat Writes a Novel to manage pacing, why reader feedback matters more than formulas, and why no story can satisfy every audience. For aspiring writers, his candor is invaluable: embrace imperfection, learn your genre, and write with emotional truth.

As the episode wraps, Ben looks ahead to the March 30 release of My Brother’s Keeper and a virtual launch celebration with the Fantasy & Sci‑Fi Fanatics podcast in early April. He also reminds fellow creators to celebrate every milestone—whether it’s finishing a first draft or earning that first genuine review—and to recognize that publishing any book is an extraordinary achievement.

Key Takeaway:
Success as an indie author isn’t about chasing algorithms or outsmarting ad platforms; it’s about writing honest stories, connecting with real readers, and valuing progress at every stage of the creative journey.

https://benschenkman.com/