Join hosts J.D. Barker, Jena Brown, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week’s entertainment news, including stories about book club scammers, Kindle Unlimited, and BookTok Hub. Then, stick around for a chat with Alma Katsu!
Alma Katsu: NYT bestselling author Alma Katsu’s books have been nominated for and won multiple prestigious awards including the Stoker, Goodreads Readers Choice, International Thriller Writers, Locus Magazine, the Western Heritage Awards, Spain’s Celsius 232 festival, and appeared on numerous Best Books lists including NPR, the Observer, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Goodreads, and Amazon.
She has written two spy novels (RED WIDOW and RED LONDON), the logical marriage of her love of storytelling with her 30+ year career in intelligence. She also writes novels that combine historical fiction with supernatural and horror elements. THE HUNGER (2018), a reimagining of the story of the Donner Party, was named one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories, was on numerous Best Books of the Year lists, sold rights in 17 languages, and continues to be honored as a new classic in horror. Her first book, THE TAKER (2011), was named one of the top ten debut novels of 2011 by Booklist.
Ms. Katsu is also a contributor to the Washington Post Book World, where she reviews thrillers. She has relocated from the Washington, DC area to the mountains of West Virginia, where she lives with her musician husband Bruce and their two dogs, Nick and Ash.
Check it out!
Alma Katsu: https://almakatsubooks.com/
Fiend: https://almakatsubooks.com/fiend/
Agent Eric Smith Emailed Back Book Club Scammers So You Don’t Have To – https://www.instagram.com/p/DOPbrQrDcAr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTcxczRnaHJpZWxiaA==
Kindle Unlimited Library Distribution has arrived! – https://writepublishsell.com/ku-ebooks-library-distribution
Spotify Launches BookTok Hub – https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/98564-spotify-teams-with-tiktok-on-booktok-hub.html?oly_enc_id=5567B4071634C0Y
IngramSpark: https://www.ingramspark.com/
Author Anchor: https://authoranchor.com/
BookTrib: https://booktrib.com/promote-your-book/#
Show Links:
Writers, Ink on YouTube! – https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts
J.D. Barker – https://jdbarker.com/
Christine Daigle – https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/
Jena Brown – https://www.jenabrownwrites.com
James Blatch – https://www.jamesblatch.com/
Kevin Tumlinson – https://www.kevintumlinson.com/
Dick Wybrow – https://www.dickwybrow.com/
JP Rindfleisch: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/en-cad
BookTrib: https://booktrib.com/promote-your-book/#
TODAY’S SPONSOR:
AutoCrit – https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!)
Other Links
Best of BookTok – https://bestofbooktok.com/
Booktrib – https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio
Website Design by Word & Pixel – http://wordandpixel.com/
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/
Transcription: https://app.castmagic.io/share/2ffd7459-4a4c-440b-a4cd-32e0cface870?tab=transcript&ai_content=true&magic_chat=true
*NOTE: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week’s entertainment news, including stories about BookTok, Publishers Marketplace, and Briet. Then, stick around for a chat with Ania Ahlborn!
Ania Ahlborn is a Polish-American author known for her work in the horror and thriller genres. Born in Ciechanów, Poland, she moved to the United States when she was young.
Ahlborn began her writing career by self-publishing her first novel, Seed, before gaining recognition for her distinctive voice in horror. Her novels often explore dark and psychological themes, captivating readers with her ability to create chilling atmospheres and complex characters.
One of her notable works, “Brother,” garnered attention for its intense narrative and psychological depth. Her storytelling style often blends elements of psychological horror, suspense, and a keen understanding of the dark intricacies of human nature.
She has earned praise for her contributions to both the horror and psychological thriller genres, and her novels have resonated with readers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven, no-holds-barred fiction.
Originally hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she has lived in Portland, Oregon and Greenville, South Carolina. She currently resides outside of Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, son, and standard schnauzers.
Check it out!
Ania Ahlborn: https://www.aniaahlborn.com/
The Unseen: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Unseen/Ania-Ahlborn/9781668057667
BookTok Travel is Ready for Take-Off – https://bookriot.com/book-toks-next-boom-literary-tourism/
Publishers Marketplace Prices Are Increasing – https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/08/a-pm-notice/
Library Startup Briet Wants to Revolutionize E-Book Sales, Not Licensing – https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/98310-library-startup-briet-wants-to-revolutionize-e-book-sales-not-licensing.html?oly_enc_id=5567B4071634C0Y
Check It Out!
Ania Ahlborn: https://www.aniaahlborn.com/
Author Anchor: https://authoranchor.com/
BookTrib: https://booktrib.com/promote-your-book/#
Show Links:
Writers, Ink on YouTube! – https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts
J.D. Barker – https://jdbarker.com/
Christine Daigle – https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/
Jena Brown – https://www.jenabrownwrites.com
James Blatch – https://www.jamesblatch.com/
Kevin Tumlinson – https://www.kevintumlinson.com/
Dick Wybrow – https://www.dickwybrow.com/
JP Rindfleisch: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/en-cad
BookTrib: https://booktrib.com/promote-your-book/#
TODAY’S SPONSOR:
AutoCrit – https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers, Ink special offer!!!)
Other Links
Best of BookTok – https://bestofbooktok.com/
Booktrib – https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley and recorded at Mill Pond Studio
Website Design by Word & Pixel – http://wordandpixel.com/
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/
Transcription: https://app.castmagic.io/share/2ffd7459-4a4c-440b-a4cd-32e0cface870?tab=transcript&ai_content=true&magic_chat=true
*NOTE: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch IX, Kevin Tumlinson, and Patrick O’Donnell as they discuss the week’s publishing topics, including the WGA union strike. Then stick around as Christine chats with BookTokker and fantasy author Melissa Blair!
Melissa (she/her/kwe) is an Anishinaabe-kwe of mixed ancestry and the author of The Halfling Saga. Melissa has a BookTok account where she discusses her favorite kinds of books, including Indigenous and queer fiction, feminist literature, and non-fiction. Her latest novel (and follow-up to her viral smash hit A Broken Blade) is called A Shadow Crown and releases tomorrow, May 9.
Check It Out!
R.L. Stine and J.D. Barker (Replay) – https://www.youtube.com/live/Rqz62umPFWc
Kevin’s New Non-Fiction Book – https://books2read.com/authornote
CopCamp2023 – https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/copcamp2023
[FB Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280410339558799]
Show Links:*
Writers, Ink on YouTube! – https://www.youtube.com/@jdbarker_author/podcasts
J.D. Barker – https://jdbarker.com/
Christine Daigle – https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/
JP Rindfleisch IX – https://www.jprindfleischix.com/
Kevin Tumlinson – https://www.kevintumlinson.com/
Patrick O’Donnell – https://www.copsandwriters.com/
Melissa Blair – https://www.tiktok.com/@abrokenblade
TODAY’S SPONSORS:
AutoCrit – https://www.autocrit.com/jd (click this link to take advantage of our Writers Ink special offer!!!)
MasterWriter – https://masterwriter.com/
Best of BookTok – https://bestofbooktok.com/
Booktrib – https://booktrib.com/author/writers-ink/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Show notes & audio production by Geoff Emberlyn – https://twitter.com/gmbrlyn
Website Design by Word & Pixel – http://wordandpixel.com/
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.