Just read books in your genre, and you’ll “get it.” Right?

Sometimes it’s not so easy - but I’m here with my secret sauce tips to make doing genre research a simple and (and even fun) process.

I cover methods for selecting books for research, analyzing genre elements such as tropes, character arcs, and world-building, and the crucial phrase I always ask myself when figuring out what makes a book genre really work.

Prefer to read? Click the transcript button on the Substack page - you can read straight through or use the transcript to skip around on the video.

Author Culture is a reader-supported podcast that I do to help scifi and fantasy authors just like you. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber (paid subscribers get bonus current event episodes, live chat, and can request topics).

In this conversation, I explore the shifting landscape of world building in science fiction and fantasy, including a comparison of simpler world building in romantasy with the enduring appeal of complex world building in other subgenres. I also offer some marketing thoughts on the increasing reader divide between complex and simple world building. Plus, how author preferences can shift between one or the other.

Prefer to read? Click the transcript button on the Substack page - you can read straight through or use the transcript to skip around on the video.

Author Culture is a reader-supported podcast & publication - I do this to help you! Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber (paid subscribers get bonus episodes, live chat, and request topics).

In this conversation, I break down my 6 key factors when evaluating which book events I sign up for every year.Bonus: I also dig into how to do book events when managing limited energy levels (and a budget).This episode includes:-Why high foot traffic does not guarantee sales-Evaluating the theme and guests of the event for potential connections-What to consider when looking at event costs-Recovery time for long book events

Plus, why new authors might want to hold off on big ticket events.

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, this episode has some fresh ideas for you.

Prefer to read? Click the transcript button on the Substack page - you can read straight through or use the transcript to skip around on the video.Just FYI - I’m offering a special price deal for paid subscribers through the end of February. Paid subscribers get 1-2 additional episodes per month focused on current events or Q&A, plus the ability to request episodes and submit questions for Q&A.Click here to get 15% off a paid subscription - forever!