Ep 135: Q&A: Kirkus Reviews, Writing with AI, and Bestseller Status

Write the Damn Book Already

Write the Damn Book Already
Ep 135: Q&A: Kirkus Reviews, Writing with AI, and Bestseller Status
Jul 30, 2025
Elizabeth Lyons

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Ever feel like everyone has some secret book marketing hack? Most of those “shortcuts” are just expensive detours.

In this episode, I’m calling out three distractions that keep indie authors spinning their wheels. First up: Kirkus Reviews. Are they legit? Yes. Are they worth the price for most self-published authors? Maybe. But if you're hoping a $400 review is going to move thousands of copies, well, it probably won't. 

Then we dive into the Amazon Bestseller badge obsession. 

Finally, we'll talk about AI. As someone who edits A LOT of manuscripts, I can spot AI-generated content from a mile away. So can readers. In publishing, the long game truly is the shortcut.

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

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