7 Can’t-Miss Conversations to End Your Writing Year Strong
From bestselling authors to publishing pros, our upcoming AMAs and live events are packed with insight, candor, and inspiration for writers at every stage.
Hi everyone,
As we wrap up the year, I’m thrilled to share our biggest Author Insider lineup yet. If you’ve ever wished you could ask a top author or industry insider a question—or are just curious to get a behind-the-scenes look at how great books and careers are made—this is your chance.
Here’s what’s coming up:
🗓 Nov 11, 4 p.m. ET — Office Hours with Panio Gianopoulos (Paid & Founding Members)
🗓 Nov 13, 12 p.m. ET — Jessi Hempel: How to Get More Out of LinkedIn as an Author (Open to all)
🗓 Nov 24, 1 p.m. ET — Austin Kleon: On Making Art in a Noisy World (Open to all — Substack Live)
🗓 Dec 1, 12 p.m. ET — Kathleen Schmidt: Book Publicity, Unspun (Paid & Founding Members)
🗓 Dec 5, 1 p.m. ET — Rory Vaden: How to Grow Your Author Brand in the New Book Economy (Open to all)
🗓 Dec 11, 1 p.m. ET — Dan Gerstein: The Business of Ghostwriting (Paid & Founding Members)
🗓 Dec 18, 12 p.m. ET — Jane Friedman: What’s Really Going on in Publishing (Paid & Founding Members)
👉 RSVP to all upcoming events →
It’s a packed few weeks, and every one of these conversations offers something different, from practical marketing strategies to big-picture creative insight.
Here’s a closer look at what’s ahead:
November 11 at 4 pm ET — Author Insider Office Hours
🔒 For paid and founding members only
Do you have questions about writing or publishing? Join Panio Gianopoulos, Author Insider’s Editorial Director and former book editor (Crown, Bloomsbury), for a half-hour open chat where anything’s fair game—from agents and audience-building to staying sane through it all.
This is a fun, supportive space—no question too embarrassing! Come join our casual, candid, and kind group of writers. RSVP here.
November 13 at 12 pm ET — Jessi Hempel: How to Get More Out of LinkedIn as an Author
💬 Open to all subscribers
As the host of Hello Monday and a senior editor at LinkedIn, Jessi Hempel knows what makes a professional story resonate. She’ll share insights on writing for digital platforms, building authentic connections, and how to tell stories that stick—on the page and online. RSVP here.
November 24 at 1 pm ET — Austin Kleon: On Making Art in a Noisy World
💬 Open to all subscribers — Substack Live Event
How do you keep making meaningful work when the world won’t stop shouting?
Join Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, Keep Going) for a Substack Live conversation exploring how to stay creative, find your audience, and maintain your artistic momentum in an always-on world. RSVP here.
December 1 at 12 pm ET — Kathleen Schmidt: Book Publicity, Unspun
🔒 For paid and founding members only
Kathleen Schmidt, publishing veteran, PR strategist, and author of the popular newsletter Publishing Confidential, joins Author Insider to cut through the noise on book publicity: what’s working, what’s not, and how authors can take charge of their own visibility and reach. As founder of KSPR, she’s helped countless authors and publishers get books into readers’ hands—and keep them there. RSVP here.
December 5 at 1 pm ET — Rory Vaden: How to Grow Your Author Brand in the New Book Economy
💬 Open to all subscribers
Rory Vaden, bestselling author and co-founder of Brand Builders Group, joins Author Insider to talk about how writers can grow their audience and income. After years of helping authors and entrepreneurs clarify their message and reach more readers, Rory will share what’s changing in publishing, what still works, and how to future-proof your author career for the years ahead. RSVP here.
December 11 at 1 pm ET — Dan Gerstein: The Business of Ghostwriting
🔒 For paid and founding members only
Ever thought about ghostwriting—or wondered how to make it work as part of your author career? Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, the industry’s top ghostwriting agency, joins Author Insider to pull back the curtain on this fast-growing corner of publishing. He’ll share how collaborations succeed, what skills set great ghosts apart, and how writers can turn their craft into a thriving business. RSVP here.
December 18 at 12 pm— Jane Friedman: What’s Really Going on in Publishing
🔒 For paid and founding members only
No one breaks down the publishing world quite like Jane Friedman, whose newsletter and books have become essential reading for authors who want to navigate the business with clarity and confidence. Jane will join Author Insider to talk about what’s changing, what’s next, and how writers can make smarter, more strategic choices in 2026 and beyond. RSVP here.
Whether you’re writing your first book or your fifth, these conversations are designed to keep you informed, inspired, and moving forward.
For more info and to RSVP to upcoming events →
See you at the next one!
— Panio
Editorial Director, Author Insider & The Next Big Idea Club