Practically Passionate

We’re back with Thomas Umstattd Jr., author, award-winning speaker, and  host of the world’s longest running book marketing show, Novel Marketing Podcast. Thomas has helped thousands of writers think like marketers, creating tools and strategies that help authors turn their books into lasting assets. As the founder of the Patron Toolbox, he continues to teach authors how to build platforms that grow with them, grounded in real data, not guesswork.In this episode, Thomas joins us to talk about the future of book discovery through AI Optimization. We dive into how authors can make their books visible to AI models, why websites and Goodreads pages matter more than ever, what role media coverage and backlinks play in visibility, and how authors can ethically adapt to the rise of generative engines. Thomas also shares the importance of long-term marketing, practical tools for auditing your online presence, and timeless advice for reaching readers in a changing digital world.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay rele