The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers: Expanding Audiobook Revenue Through YouTube And Podcasting With Derek Slayton

Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Derek Slayton
Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction

In episode #805 of The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers, Joanna Penn engages in an insightful conversation with Derek Slayton, a prolific author known for his Dead America Epic Zombie series. The episode delves into innovative strategies for expanding audiobook revenue through platforms like YouTube and podcasting, leveraging AI tools, and maintaining creative freedom in the ever-evolving landscape of writing and publishing.

Industry News Highlights

Before diving into the interview, Joanna shares several noteworthy updates in the writing and publishing world:

• Spotify Expansion: Spotify has broadened its audiobook offerings into Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, benefiting European indie authors by providing audio content in German.
• Publisher Rocket Updates: Publisher Rocket now supports additional international Amazon markets, including Canada, Australia, Italy, France, and Spain, facilitating easier research for authors aiming to publish and translate their works globally.
• Jane Friedman's New Edition: Jane Friedman released the second edition of The Business of Being a Writer, focusing on the traditionally published and freelance aspects of writing.
• Tee Thorne Coyle's Insights: Tee Thorne Coyle's recent podcast episode emphasizes the importance of experimentation in writing and being selective about marketing strategies, highlighting that not all advice suits every author's stage or genre.
• Clare Taylor's What If Podcast: Clare Taylor discusses mindset and psychology topics relevant to authors, including the impact of AI on writing.

Personal Updates & Announcements

Joanna updates listeners on several personal projects and achievements:

• Kickstarter Success: Her book, Death Valley, successfully raised £10,773 from 228 backers. Joanna expresses gratitude and excitement about signing copies at the Book Vault factory in Peterborough.
• Upcoming Thrillers Webinar: A new webinar on thriller writing is in the pipeline, reflecting her enduring passion for the genre.
• AI in Publishing: Joanna discusses re-uploading her earlier work, Successful Self Publishing, utilizing the ChatGPT O3 model for a comprehensive gap analysis, which has revitalized her approach to updating and republishing her guides.

Interview with Derek Slayton

Derek's Background and Love for Zombies

[18:21] Derek Slayton:
"I rented Dawn of the Dead in high school, and while the movie didn’t scare me, it sparked a fascination with what I would do in a zombie apocalypse. This curiosity ignited my journey into writing, evolving over years from jotting down ideas to authoring over 100 books in my series."

Derek reveals that his transition from a concert photographer and commercial real estate to full-time writing began in January 2014, driven by a burgeoning passion for zombie fiction.

Tropes and World Building in Zombie Fiction

[19:43] Derek Slayton:
"The beauty of the zombie apocalypse is its universality—anyone, anywhere can experience it. This allows for infinite storytelling possibilities, from military factions to everyday people like waitresses or high school students navigating chaos."

Derek emphasizes the versatility of zombie narratives, enabling diverse character perspectives and scenarios. He utilizes both personal experiences and tools like Google Maps’s Street View to authentically set his stories across various American locales.

Writing and Publishing Process

[22:00] Derek Slayton:
"I maintain a combination of a story bible for my main series and flexible tracking for side stories, ensuring I adhere to the established rules of my zombie universe while allowing creative freedom in individual narratives."

Derek outlines his streamlined writing process, where he plots on Fridays and dedicates two to three days for writing and refining each story, followed by audio production and immediate YouTube uploads.

Utilizing YouTube for Audiobook Revenue

[23:44] Derek Slayton:
"Transitioning to a YouTube-focused model revolutionized my approach. By producing 2,000-word chapters aligned with ad breaks, I increased my writing speed and ensured each episode was engaging and structured for monetization."

Derek discusses how adopting a television-like format for his audiobooks, with strategic chapter lengths and ad placements, enhances viewer retention and revenue generation.

AI in Audiobook Production and Translations

[26:27] Derek Slayton:
"I use Playht for AI-generated audiobooks, which offers an unlimited plan crucial for my high-volume production. Despite minor glitches like mispronunciations, the process is efficient, allowing me to produce an hour and a half of audio in approximately three hours."

Derek highlights the efficiency of AI tools in producing audiobooks, enabling consistent and rapid content creation without the high costs associated with human narrators.

[48:11] Derek Slayton:
"For translations, I rely on Scribeshadow, tailored for fiction. Even without initial proofreading, my German audiobook releases have received higher ratings than their American counterparts, demonstrating the effectiveness of AI-driven translations in reaching international audiences."

Marketing Strategies and Monetization

[28:07] Derek Slayton:
"Keywords and dynamic thumbnails are paramount on YouTube. A compelling thumbnail can double your views overnight, as it’s the first thing viewers notice before deciding to engage with your content."

Derek shares his secret to YouTube success: consistent, attention-grabbing thumbnails and strategic keyword use, aided by tools like TubeBuddy.

[37:14] Derek Slayton:
"My strategy relies on consistent uploads to stay favorable within YouTube’s algorithm, focusing solely on organic growth without paid advertising. This approach has been financially sustainable and allowed my channel to thrive naturally."

He explains that by maintaining a regular posting schedule and focusing on quality content, he maximizes both visibility and revenue without additional advertising expenses.

Audience Engagement and Revenue Expectations

[32:03] Derek Slayton:
"I gauge success by the initial revenue and subscriber growth within the first few weeks. A successful hour and a half audiobook typically earns around $100 and attracts 25-35 new subscribers in the first week, with ongoing revenue from an expanding catalog."

Derek emphasizes the importance of early engagement and long-term content accumulation in building a sustainable income stream from audiobook publishing on YouTube.

Overcoming Challenges with AI and Embracing Creativity

[45:10] Derek Slayton:
"AI has been life-changing for my business, reducing costs by 99% and eliminating financial risks associated with new story releases. It empowers me to be more creative and explore storylines without the fear of financial loss."

Derek credits AI technologies with unlocking his creative potential and enabling a high-volume, low-cost production model that supports his extensive series.

[46:39] Derek Slayton:
"ChatGPT and Claude serve as collaborative partners, sparking ideas and accelerating my writing process. This symbiosis between human creativity and AI efficiency is a cornerstone of my success."

Tips for Indie Authors

Derek offers valuable advice for indie authors looking to expand their audiobook revenue:

• Leverage AI Tools: Utilize AI for narration and translations to reduce costs and increase production speed.
• Optimize YouTube Presence: Focus on dynamic thumbnails and relevant keywords to enhance visibility.
• Maintain Consistency: Regular uploads strengthen algorithm favorability and build a loyal subscriber base.
• Embrace Creativity: Use AI as a creative partner to explore new storylines and expand your writing horizons.
• Diversify Revenue Streams: Combine YouTube with podcasting to tap into different audiences without cannibalizing existing audiobook sales.

Conclusion

Joanna expresses gratitude for Derek's enlightening insights, highlighting the importance of adaptability and embracing new technologies in the indie publishing space. She encourages listeners to reflect on what they might need to unlearn to stay relevant and successful in the evolving industry. Joanna also previews her upcoming interview with Dr. Rebecca White, focusing on entrepreneurship in writing.

Listeners are invited to engage with the podcast through comments, social media, and by accessing additional resources on The Creative Penn website.

Notable Quotes:

• Derek Slayton [18:21]:
  "It was like a light switch was flipped. So I had to start writing down what I would do."

• Derek Slayton [19:43]:
  "There's a million stories that can be told in the zombie apocalypse."

• Derek Slayton [22:00]:
  "I have the rules for my zombie universe, how the zombies are formed, what they do, their timeline and all that."

• Derek Slayton [23:44]:
  "With YouTube being ad-based, I changed to almost a television mindset."

• Derek Slayton [26:27]:
  "It took me three hours to produce an hour and a half worth of audio content today."

• Derek Slayton [28:07]:
  "The most important thing are the keywords for people to search and just having a thumbnail that grabs people's attention."

• Derek Slayton [32:03]:
  "It's just having consistent uploads, it'll keep you in the algorithm and it feeds back on itself."

• Derek Slayton [37:14]:
  "I'm just gonna let it build naturally. And so far, it's worked great."

• Derek Slayton [45:10]:
  "It's been life changing for me. It was a big reason why I was able to go full time last year."

• Derek Slayton [46:39]:
  "It's like having a writing partner... speeding up my process."

Resources Mentioned:

• Playht: AI audio production tool used by Derek Slayton.
• TubeBuddy: Keyword and SEO tool for YouTube.
• Scribeshadow: AI translation service tailored for fiction.
• Red Circle: Podcast distribution service.
• Publisher Rocket: Tool for researching Amazon categories and keywords.
• Jane Friedman’s The Business of Being a Writer
• Clare Taylor’s What If Podcast

Connect with Joanna Penn:
The Creative Penn | Patreon | YouTube: JFPenAuthor

Connect with Derek Slayton:
YouTube: Derek Slayton | Amazon: Dead America Series

Happy writing and expanding your creative horizons!