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Author & Audience Podcast

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by Tom Schaeffer

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Podcast Overview

A podcast focused on how to think deeper, write better, and build a creative process that produces your best work consistently. <a href="https://authorandaudience.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">authorandaudience.substack.com</a>

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11/6/2025

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Recent Episodes

January 21, 2026

From Fighter Pilot to Bestselling Author: Michelle "MACE" Curran

Former Air Force Thunderbird pilot Michelle "MACE" Curran joins the podcast for an in-depth conversation about her three-year journey to publish The Flipside with a major publisher.Michelle shares her path from small-town Wisconsin to the cockpit of an F-16, the rock-bottom moment in Japan that transformed her, and why she walked away from military retirement to become an author and speaker.This episode pulls back the curtain on the traditional publishing process—from working with a ghostwriter and securing an agent to surviving five rounds of edits and the all-consuming six-month pre-launch campaign.If you want to know what it really takes to write a book with a Big 5 publisher, this is required listening.Key Topics CoveredWhy Michelle chose the Air Force over the FBI and how watching F-15s take off changed everythingThe Japan assignment: imposter syndrome, divorce, and the lowest point of her careerHow she earned the call sign “MACE” (and nearly lost consciousness at 9 Gs)Building a LinkedIn audience from 260 connections to LinkedIn Top Voice in 18 monthsThe three-year traditional publishing timeline from proposal to bookstore shelvesWorking with ghostwriter Jen Singer: the collaborative writing processSecuring a literary agent and getting into a bidding war with publishersWhat a book advance actually is (and isn’t)Five rounds of editing and why you’ll hate your manuscript by round sixThe pre-launch marketing grind: trying to hit 7,000-10,000 pre-orders for bestseller listsWhy platform matters more than manuscript when pitching to publishersGuest BackgroundMichelle "MACE" Curran is a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, USA Today bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She flew the F-16 for 13 years, including combat missions from Japan and three years with the elite Thunderbirds demonstration team.After leaving the Air Force, she built a speaking business focused on leadership, overcoming self-doubt, and taking bold action. She’s the author of The Flipside and two children’s books about pursuing big dreams.Resources & LinksMichelle’s Books:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Flipside-Invert-Your-Perspective-Superpower/dp/1538768100/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ht2D5&content-id=amzn1.sym.6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_p=6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_r=130-8533523-7371347&pd_rd_wg=JTdb2&pd_rd_r=09bf0dd8-9c99-4373-a67c-5e60892b8b01">The Flipside: </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Flipside-Invert-Your-Perspective-Superpower/dp/1538768100/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ht2D5&content-id=amzn1.sym.6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_p=6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_r=130-8533523-7371347&pd_rd_wg=JTdb2&pd_rd_r=09bf0dd8-9c99-4373-a67c-5e60892b8b01">How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Down-Dreams-Michelle-Curran/dp/1637970757/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=dpqSa&content-id=amzn1.sym.6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_p=6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_r=130-8533523-7371347&pd_rd_wg=EDMvU&pd_rd_r=d9665d84-523f-4c6f-9f9c-dfc1e333cc48">Upside Down Dreams</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Callsign-Michelle-Curran/dp/1637972091/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=Dacrx&content-id=amzn1.sym.6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_p=6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_r=130-8533523-7371347&pd_rd_wg=Sfrvi&pd_rd_r=92f27fd2-8dc1-4c71-90a3-86cfadfbe03f">What’s Your Call Sign?</a>Connect with Michelle:<a target="_blank" href="https://macecurran.com/">Website</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/">LinkedIn</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran/">Instagram</a>Mentioned in This Episode:Jen Singer (Ghostwriter): <a target="_blank" href="https://jen-singer.com/">https://jen-singer.com/</a>Javelin Literary Agency: <a target="_blank" href="https://javelindc.com/">https://javelindc.com/</a>Grand Central Publishing: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/grand-central-publishing/">https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/grand-central-publishing/</a>Key TakeawaysBuild your platform first - Publishers want to see 20K+ engaged followers before they’ll consider youTraditional publishing takes 3 years - From proposal to bookstore is a marathon, not a sprintGhostwriting is collaborative - It’s not dictation; it’s deep interview work and extensive editing togetherMarketing is on you - Even with a Big 5 publisher, driving pre-orders is the author’s jobLinkedIn is essential for non-fiction authors - Especially if your audience is business leaders and decision-makersBest Quote“These moments where I would see inspiration happen in real time—with little girls seeing a female fighter pilot—felt like I had the honor of giving people an incredible gift. That was more fulfilling than any flying, any mission I had done in the jet. That had become my purpose.”Next Episode: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish)The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers become authors and authors build audiences for their work. Get full access to Author & Audience at <a href="https://authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe</a>

January 13, 2026

AI and Writing: Why Human Writers Are More Valuable Than Ever

Published: January 13, 2026Episode SummaryTom gets brutally honest about his evolving relationship with AI as a writer. What started as genuine terror about AI "attacking" traditional writing has transformed into a completely different understanding: AI hasn't made writing easier—it's made it harder. But in the best possible way. This episode tackles the biggest question facing writers right now: what does AI mean for the future of writing, and how should you be thinking about your craft in this new landscape?Tom's Early Fears About AIThe Terror: "I was terrified when AI writing tools first emerged. And I'm a technical person by nature—I love playing with new tools. But even with that curiosity, I felt like the writing process itself was under attack."What Worried Him Most: Writing is a sacred process. The act of:Sitting downGrinding it outWrestling with what you want to sayThat IS the path to clarityThat struggle is where the thinking happensThe Core Concern: "I was genuinely concerned that AI would short-circuit that process, that writers would lose something essential if they started relying on these tools."The Fear: "If we bypass the hard work of figuring out what we want to say, how will we ever develop clear thinking? How will we ever produce truly good work?"The Complete Perspective ShiftWhat Changed: Tom's feelings have completely changed. Not because his concerns weren't valid, but because he was looking at it all wrong.The Realization: The Tide of Mediocrity"The tide has risen for all of us. It's not like there's some select group of people with access to AI while the rest of us are left behind. We ALL have access to these tools now. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini—they're available to everyone."But Here's the Thing: It's not a tide of quality that's rising. It's a tide of mediocrity. Bland, generic content is flooding the internet. What some people call "AI slop."THE MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTInformation Is No Longer the Barrier to EntryThink about it:Reading Wikipedia articles? That's not how people spend their time anymoreWe don't need to because our AI assistants can give us current information collected from multiple sources in secondsJust ask and you'll get an answerThe Critical Question: "So if information isn't valuable anymore, what is?"Why Writing Has Become Harder (And Why That's Good)The Surprising Truth: "I find writing MORE difficult now than I did before AI. Not less difficult. More."Why?Spending extra time thinking about what I want to sayBeing more mindfulWorking harder to give my writing a human touchSharing vulnerability with my audienceBeing more open with readersTelling storiesThe Key Insight: "Storytelling is going to be the most important element of writing in the future."The Framework: AI as Your Editorial TeamIf You're Wrestling with AI: Consider this perspective: If you were writing a book or working at a publication as a journalist, you would never publish anything alone.Your Work Would Go Through Multiple Phases:Developmental editingCopy editingFact-checkingTypesettingAll these stages take raw material and shape it into a finished productThe Collaboration Analogy: If you were working on a team of writers and got stuck on something, you wouldn't just sit there in a vacuum staring at a blank page. Especially if you had a deadline.You'd:Collaborate with someone elseGet inputHave brainstorm sessionsWhat AI Gives You: "Access to a team of artificially intelligent assistants helping you produce a finished piece of work."BUT—The Crucial Part: "The judgment, the ability to determine if something is high-quality or not, still comes from the writer. From you. AI can't make that judgment. Only you can."The Premium of Human WritingWhy This Matters More Than Ever: "It's more important than ever to double and triple down on your writing skills."The Truth: "If you don't know what to ask for, if you can't recognize quality when you see it, you will never be able to produce high-quality work. Period."The Market Reality: High-quality human content is going to be a premium. Human writers are going to be a premium in the future.Why? "Because if everyone just uses AI to produce material, it all starts to blend together. It becomes invisible. Forgettable."The New Art of Writing:How do you engage with readers?How do you create a better story?How do you tap into that human element to connect with people?THAT is the premium element.The Requirement: "To get there, you have to understand the craft. You have to keep practicing. You have to keep working through it."Tom's Prescription: Read, Read, ReadThe Practice: Read. Read a lot. Read really good writing so you understand what good writing feels like in your bones.What to Read:The AtlanticPulitzer Prize-winning writers"There are so many of them out there that if you read a Pulitzer Prize-winning book every week for the rest of your life, you'd still have hundreds of books left to read"Why This Matters: Read high-quality writing. Know what it feels like. Feel it in your body. Then when you see what AI gives you as a raw piece, you'll immediately see where things need to be improved.Tom's Current Reality: "I can't tell you—I actually spend MUCH more time writing now than I ever did before."Why?Trying to craft a more elegant piece than ever beforeRefiningPolishingMaking deliberate choices about every sentenceThe Reason: "The information itself is not the valuable thing anymore. People can get information anywhere, instantly. It's HOW it's presented now. That presentation, that's the craft. That's the art of writing. And that will never change."Key Takeaways1. The Tide Has Risen for Everyone Access to information is no longer your competitive advantage. AI is available to everyone.2. What IS Valuable:Your human perspectiveYour storiesYour vulnerabilityYour voiceDouble down on these elements3. Think of AI as Your Editorial Team Not your replacement. Use it to:BrainstormRefinePolishBut YOU make the judgment calls about quality4. Read Excellent Writing Constantly This is how you train your eye to know what's good and what's AI slop.5. Expect Writing to Be Harder "If you're spending more time crafting your work, being more thoughtful, more intentional—that's exactly what you should be doing."The Writers Who Will ThriveThe Profile: The writers who will thrive in this new landscape are the ones who:Lean into the craftDevelop their unique voiceTell stories that only they can tellThe Bottom LineInformation is everywhere now.But your story, your perspective, your craft—that's irreplaceable.The sacred struggle of writing—sitting down, grinding it out, wrestling with what you want to say—that hasn't changed. If anything, it's become more important.AI hasn't made writing obsolete. It's made excellent writing more valuable than ever.Key Quotes"AI hasn't made writing easier for me—it's actually made it harder. But in the best possible way.""Information is no longer the barrier to entry.""Storytelling is going to be the most important element of writing in the future.""The judgment, the ability to determine if something is high-quality or not, still comes from the writer. From you. AI can't make that judgment. Only you can.""High-quality human content is going to be a premium. Human writers are going to be a premium in the future.""The information itself is not the valuable thing anymore. People can get information anywhere, instantly. It's HOW it's presented now. That presentation, that's the craft. That's the art of writing. And that will never change.""If you're spending more time crafting your work, being more thoughtful, more intentional—that's exactly what you should be doing."Next Episode: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish)Join the Conversation: Are you experimenting with AI in your writing process? What's working? What concerns you? Connect with Tom on X or Substack.Action Item: This week, read one piece of exceptional writing (a Pulitzer Prize winner, a top Atlantic article, etc.). Then look at a piece you've written with AI assistance. What differences do you notice? Where can you add more human touch, more story, more vulnerability?The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently.Remember: Keep writing, keep learning, and keep leaning into what makes you irreplaceably human. Get full access to Author & Audience at <a href="https://authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe</a>

January 6, 2026

The Analog Revolution: Why Writers Are Putting Down Their Phones and Picking Up Their Pens

Published: January 6, 2026Episode SummaryTom explores a massive cultural shift happening right now: the Analog Revolution. As AI-generated content floods every platform and digital fatigue reaches breaking points, consumers—especially Gen Z—are turning back to physical books, vinyl records, handwritten notes, and tangible experiences. This isn't nostalgia. It's a business opportunity hiding in plain sight. Tom breaks down the hard data, explains why this is happening, and shows you exactly how to capitalize on this trend as a writer building a sustainable platform.Tom's Personal DiscoveryMid-2025: Something shifted. Tom felt genuine fatigue from constantly having his phone in his hand—screen after screen, notification after notification. He started reaching for something he hadn't prioritized in years: physical books.The Realization: It wasn't nostalgia. It was necessity. Those moments with a book became sacred time—a chance to:Get away from screensFeel something physicalBe present with just one thing at a timeThe Big Discovery: He wasn't alone. Not even close. We're in the middle of what Tom calls the Analog Revolution—a massive cultural shift away from digital-everything and back toward the physical, the tangible, the human.SECTION 1: The Evidence Is EverywhereThe Numbers That Should Make You Pay Attention:Vinyl Records:Vinyl sales have grown for 18 consecutive years2024: 43.6 million units sold = $1.4 billion in revenueVinyl now outsells CDsProjections show continued growth into the 2030sGen Z is driving a significant portion of these salesThe generation that grew up with streaming is choosing to buy physical recordsPhysical Books & Retail:Barnes & Noble just opened 60 new brick-and-mortar storefronts (not closing—opening)Global book printing market: $58 billion in 2024Continued growth projected through 2030Marketing Agency Forecasts: Major marketing agencies are forecasting "analogue attraction" as a key trend for 2026.Dentsu Creative's Trend Report: Describes consumers as living in a paradox—they're embracing AI and automation while simultaneously expressing a strong desire for traditional, analog, and in-person experiences.Consumer Sentiment (Early 2025 Survey):71% of consumers see print catalogs and magazines as more authentic than digital campaigns65% say they look forward to receiving physical mailWhen's the last time you heard someone say they look forward to checking their email inbox?Tom's Assessment: "This isn't just happening. This is accelerating."SECTION 2: Why This Is HappeningThe Root Cause: Digital FatigueWe're drowning in:FeedsAlgorithmsNotificationsAI-generated content that all starts to sound the sameThe Gen Z Data Point: More than 70% of Gen Z—the most digitally native generation in history—report feeling digitally exhausted and are actively seeking more grounding, offline experiences.The Profound Shift: As AI becomes the default tool for content creation, people are craving content that feels unmistakably human. They want:Things they can touchThings that feel intentionalThings that exist in finite physical space rather than infinite digital scrollPhysical vs. Digital: The Trust SignalThink about what happens when you receive a physical newsletter in the mail versus another email in your inbox:The physical piece required someone to:Write itDesign itPrint itMail it to you specificallyThat's a different level of commitment. That's a trust signal.The Neuroscience of Handwriting:There's actual neuroplasticity at work when you write by hand:Your brain adapts differentlyHelps you memorize betterHelps you think more deeplyThere's an intentionality to handwriting that you lose when typing on a keyboard, checking notifications, switching tabsIsolated Activity: The analog world forces what Tom calls "isolated activity"—reading, writing, or thinking without the endless distractions of our devices.The Hunger: "People are hungry for that. Desperate for it, even."SECTION 3: The Business Opportunity for AuthorsSmart Marketers Are Already Testing "Analog Funnels"How It Works:Sell a physical book as an entry pointThat book leads people into a premium physical newsletter subscriptionSomething that arrives in their mailbox monthly, beautifully printedSomething they can hold and keepThe Economics:The Question: Is this more expensive than digital? Absolutely. You've got printing costs, shipping, logistics.But Here's What's Fascinating: The economics actually work at smaller scale with higher margins.The Math:You're NOT trying to build a list of 100,000 email subscribersYou're building a committed community of 500, maybe 1,000 peopleThey're willing to pay $40-50 per month for a premium physical newsletter500 subscribers × $45/month = $22,500 in monthly revenueEven after costs, you're running a healthy, sustainable businessThe Key Insight: "Analog isn't about going big. It's about going deep. These aren't just subscribers—they're true fans who value your voice enough to pay a premium for the physical, tangible experience of your work."The Differentiator: In a world saturated with AI-generated content and endless digital noise, that physical newsletter in someone's hand becomes a powerful differentiator.It's a signal that says: "This is real. This is human. This matters."SECTION 4: What You Can Do Right NowThe Strategic Framework: This isn't either/or. You're not abandoning digital to go full analog.The Winning Strategy: What Tom calls "analog touchpoints on a digital foundation."Maintain your online presence, email list, social mediaAdd strategic analog elements that deepen the connection with your most engaged audienceSpecific Moves You Can Test:1. Start Reading Physical Books AgainNot for productivity, but for the experienceNotice how it feels differentThat's what your audience is craving too2. Experiment with HandwritingKeep a physical notebook for your best ideasUse it for podcast prep, creative thinkingYou'll notice the quality of your thought process change3. Test a Physical NewsletterStart small—maybe with your top 50 email subscribersOffer them something special: a monthly printed piece that goes deeper than your digital contentPrice it at a premiumSee who converts—that's your signal4. Consider How Physical Books Fit Into Your FunnelNot as the end productAs the entry point to deeper, more premium analog offeringsThe Key Principle: Think of analog not as a rejection of digital, but as a premium layer on top of it:Your free content lives onlineYour paid content might be digital courses or membershipsBut your most premium offering? That could be something physicalSomething people can holdSomething that arrives in their mailbox and makes them stop scrolling for a momentThe Big Picture: Proof of CareTom's Core Insight: "In 2026, as AI makes content creation easier and faster, the truly valuable content will be the stuff that feels unmistakably human. The stuff that required real thought, real care, real intention."Physical Artifacts Are Proof: Books, newsletters, handwritten notes—they're not just products. They're proof:Proof that someone took the timeProof that this mattersProof that there's a real person on the other end who cares enough to put something tangible into the worldThe Revolution Defined: "The Analog Revolution isn't about going backward. It's about moving forward in a way that honors what makes us human."For Writers: This is your moment to differentiate.Tom's Challenge to YouThe Action Item: What's one analog touchpoint you could add to your platform this quarter?Not five things. Just one.Test it. See what happens.Why: "In a world of infinite scroll, the finite and physical is becoming more valuable than ever."Key Quotes"Physical artifacts aren't just products. They're proof. Proof that someone took the time. Proof that this matters.""Analog isn't about going big. It's about going deep.""The analog world forces 'isolated activity'—reading, writing, or thinking without the endless distractions of our devices. And people are hungry for that. Desperate for it, even.""In a world saturated with AI-generated content and endless digital noise, that physical newsletter in someone's hand becomes a powerful differentiator.""The Analog Revolution isn't about going backward. It's about moving forward in a way that honors what makes us human."Key Statistics to RememberVinyl sales: 18 consecutive years of growth, 43.6M units ($1.4B) in 202471% of consumers see print as more authentic than digital65% look forward to receiving physical mail70%+ of Gen Z report digital exhaustionGlobal book printing: $58B market in 2024Barnes & Noble: 60 new stores opening (not closing)Next Episode: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM (ish)Action Challenge: Pick ONE analog touchpoint to test this quarter. Will it be:A physical newsletter for your top fans?Handwritten thank-you notes to new subscribers?A limited-edition printed version of your best content?Something else entirely?Share Your Plan: What analog experiment are you going to run? Drop a comment or tag Tom on X/Threads.The Author and Audience Podcast helps writers think deeper, write better, and build creative processes that produce their best work consistently.Episode Themes: Analog revolution, digital fatigue, physical newsletters, premium content strategy, differentiation in the AI age, sustainable writing business models Get full access to Author & Audience at <a href="https://authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">authorandaudience.substack.com/subscribe</a>

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What is Author & Audience Podcast?: A podcast focused on how to think deeper, write better, and build a creative process that produces your best work consistently. <a href="https://authorandaudience.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">authorandaudience.substack.com</a>
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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