Happy Thanksgiving, slingers.This week’s Wordslinger Podcast is all about gratitude, found family, creative recovery, and some big updates for writers and entrepreneurs. I’m sharing what this year has really been like—personally and professionally—and what’s coming next for the podcast, my books, and this growing community.If you’re a writer, creative, or entrepreneur working your way through burnout, rebuilding your momentum, or trying to find your people… this one’s for you.

✨ Links Mentioned in the Episode

My personal YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/kevintumlinsonThe Kevin Show (playlist): https://youtube.com/kevintumlinson (see playlists section)My Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.comMy books: https://kevinTumlinson.com/booksCurated Shop (product stories + affiliates): https://kevintumlinson.com/curatedWordslinger Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/wordslingerpodcastWriters, Ink Podcast: https://writersinkpodcast.com

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🕒 Timestamps

Use these as chapters so viewers can jump exactly where they want:00:00 — Welcome to the Thanksgiving Episode00:29 — Why this episode dropped early01:00 — My personal YouTube channel & Substack workflow02:00 — Should Substack be my website?03:20 — The “Curated” Shop and how it works06:11 — Thanksgiving plans & found family07:36 — Family, siblings, and what “family” really means08:58 — Gratitude for a year of growth (and grief)09:45 — This year in writing: books, burnout, and rebuilding10:20 — Film & streaming interest in Kotler and Evergreen11:39 — A career opportunity I can’t announce… yet12:14 — Writers, Ink news & simulcasting plans14:00 — My idea for a writers’ podcast network16:43 — The value of outside perspectives for writers18:19 — Why I build things: tools, platforms, opportunities19:26 — A look ahead at 2026 changes20:33 — How Word Slinger and Writers, Ink will fit together21:43 — A personal message: gratitude, hope, and found family22:29 — Final thoughts & Thanksgiving wishes

Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com

🎯 Check out our sponsor: Author AnchorYou just want to write. Author Anchor matches you with an author assistant for just $7.50 per hour, so you can hand off marketing, admin, editing, advertising, social media, and more. Book a free, zero-obligation discovery call now at https://authoranchor.com.

In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson dives deep into the world of scams targeting authors, artists, and creatives. From predatory legal firms to shady “publishers” with AI-generated websites and offers too good to be true, Kevin shares personal stories, red flags to watch for, and practical strategies to keep your money—and your work—safe. Whether you’re a new writer hoping to be discovered or a seasoned pro, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the publishing and creative landscape as scams become more sophisticated and pervasive.

Show links:

* Author Anchor (authoranchor.com) — Virtual assistant service for authors

* Draft2Digital (draft2digital.com) — Ebook distribution platform

* PublishDrive (publishdrive.com) — Ebook publishing & distribution

* Reedsy (reedsy.com) — Find trusted editors, designers, and book professionals

* 99designs (99designs.com) — Professional cover design and more

* LegalShield (legalshield.com) — Affordable legal services for contracts/review

* LegalZoom (legalzoom.com) — Legal support and contract review online

* Writer’s Digest (writersdigest.com) — Publishing news, Writer’s Market guides and agent info

* Wordslinger Podcast (wordslingerpodcast.com) — More episodes, contact, and resources

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Important Topics & Timestamps:

[00:00:05] – Welcome & episode overview

[00:00:25] – Why scams are a growing threat

[00:01:14] – Fake publishers & scam tactics

[00:01:59] – Kevin’s personal experience falling for a book scam

[00:03:33] – IRS debt scam: emotional manipulation explained

[00:06:04] – How scammers exploit dreams and fears

[00:08:56] – AI-powered scams: cloned voices, fake Zoom calls, and impersonations

[00:10:23] – How legitimate publishing works vs. scam warning signs

[00:13:16] – Everyday scam attempts targeting authors

[00:16:03] – Fake websites, hijacked business names, and AI-generated “staff”

[00:18:46] – Myth of “being discovered”—real path to success

[00:19:59] – Why contracts and legal reviews matter

[00:21:09] – Solar panel scam and red flags to look for

[00:22:19] – Actionable advice: Avoid scams, invest in trusted guides & services

[00:23:59] – Resource recommendations: where your money should go

[00:24:44] – Protecting your creative work and passion from predators

[00:25:27] – How to reach out to Kevin for scam advice

[00:26:15] – Legitimate service recommendations (Reedsy, 99designs, etc.)

[00:27:48] – Closing thoughts, support, and a call to subscribe

Looking for more creative protection and publishing wisdom? Like, share, and subscribe here on YouTube, and hit the notification bell to stay informed on future episodes! 🔔

Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com

🎯 Check out our sponsor: Author AnchorYou just want to write. Author Anchor matches you with an author assistant for just $7.50 per hour, so you can hand off marketing, admin tasks, promotion, editing, social media, and more. Book a free, zero-obligation discovery call now at https://authoranchor.com.

In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson sits down with accountant and author advocate Seth Norris to demystify the “business” side of the author journey. They dive into common money mistakes, why most authors avoid talking taxes, and how to turn scary finances into manageable habits. Whether you’re new to direct sales, seeking smarter tax strategies, or need systems to manage your indie career, this episode is packed with practical advice—plus an inside look at Author Unlimited and resources for building a sustainable author business!

Show links:

* Author CPA – Main hub for Seth’s services, newsletter signup, and YouTube channel

* Author Unlimited Community – Community & resources for authors on finances & systems

* Profit First (Book) – The money-management method discussed in this episode

* Seth’s Substack – Mindset, creative business tips, and the “week in Seth’s head”

* School (Community Platform) – Platform used by Author Unlimited

* Author Anchor – Author task and marketing assistant service (sponsor link)

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I Asked a CPA Why Authors Struggle With Money—His Answer Shocked Me

Important Topics & Timestamps:

[00:01:05] – Seth’s journey into author conferences[00:02:05] – Turning accounting skills into author niche (Author CPA)[00:03:09] – What does an “Author CPA” actually do?[00:04:53] – Trends & money mistakes indie authors make[00:07:00] – Hidden costs of direct sales & royalty comparisons[00:09:44] – Helping authors set up bookkeeping and automations[00:11:38] – The surprising power of authentic, low-fuss YouTube videos[00:15:42] – What “Profit First” means for authors[00:22:16] – Simple formula for setting aside tax money[00:24:46] – Building Author Unlimited (community for author business systems & finances)[00:27:31] – Getting the most out of community, templates, and automation[00:30:11] – Seth’s Substack: creativity, mindset, and life as an author CPA

Looking for more no-nonsense business tips for your author career? Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay up on the latest strategies! 🔔