The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers

Episode 843: My 2026 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn

Host: Joanna Penn
Release Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This solo episode features Joanna Penn outlining her creative and business goals for 2026. She reflects on the ongoing transformation of her author career, her brand, and the indie publishing landscape, while embracing new opportunities in the "transformation economy." Joanna highlights the shifts in her approach to content, product offerings, AI integration, and personal growth, offering candid insights intended to inspire and guide other writers as they set their own goals for the year ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Annual Goal Setting & Reflection

• Joanna loves the fresh start of January, seeing each year as a new creative opportunity ([01:39]).
• She notes that publishing her goals publicly keeps her accountable and invites listeners to do the same ([03:08]).

2. Author Business Evolution: The 15-Year Pivot ([04:00])

Joanna recaps her gradual shift since 2023, including:

• From digital-first to beautiful physical books
• From high-volume, low-cost to premium products
• From retailer-centric to direct-first sales
• From creating alone to collaborating (especially with AI)
• From distance to presence in her brand
• She frames 2026 as a continuation and maturation of this pivot.

3. Struggles with Identity and Brand in a Changed Landscape

• Early days of indie publishing: small audience, little income, self-publishing seen negatively ([07:15]).

• Built reputation as a helpful, innovative voice in the indie author community ([10:10]).

• Now, thousands share author advice; AI offers step-by-step self-publishing help, leading her to question her continued value ([13:10]).

  "You can ask ChatGPT or Claude or Gemini how you can self publish your particular book and they will help you step by step...So once again I questioned what value I could offer the indie author community." — Joanna Penn ([13:19])

4. The Message of Transformation

Joanna realizes her role is to guide authors through personal and professional transformation, not just supply "how-to" information:

• From aspiring to published author

• Building confidence and finding an authorial voice

• Developing business acumen as an author entrepreneur

• Becoming a confident, AI-assisted creative

  "These are four transformations I have been through myself...and that is why in 2026 I'm repositioning myself as part of the transformation economy. And yes, this is a thing." — Joanna Penn ([17:09])

5. Leaning Into the Transformation Economy

• Inspired by the upcoming book, The Transformation Economy by B. Joseph Pine II ([18:50])
• Reframing her website and podcast around four pathways:
  1. The New Author
  2. The Confident Author
  3. The Author Entrepreneur
  4. The AI-Assisted Artisan Author
• Updates will include new navigation and resource pages for these transformations ([20:45]).

6. Content Direction & Community

• The Creative Penn Podcast will focus more on mindset, confidence, and business transformation ([21:40]).
• AI-specific, in-depth content reserved for the Patreon community.
• More webinars and a likely resurgence of in-person speaking in 2027 ([24:00]).
• Increasing focus on being “human” in an age of AI—with live office hours, interaction, and community-building.

7. Transformation in Fiction

• Discusses how fiction, though commodified, can still be genuinely transformative for readers and writers ([26:20]).

  “A book can transform a day from meh into fantastic.” — Joanna Penn ([27:37])

• Plans to infuse her fiction and merch for JF Penn Books with identity and transformative resonance, especially around gothic and memento mori imagery.

8. Personal Transformation & AI Collaboration

• Writing is transformative for creators themselves. Joanna finds less appeal in fully AI-generated books—creation is about personal evolution ([30:50]).

• Enjoys using AI tools as “brainstorming partners,” describing the process as “vibe creation” ([32:20]).

  “I am more creative, I am more in flow, I am more on fire. I am more me.” — Joanna Penn ([33:15])

• Stays current with the latest AI models (ChatGPT 5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, Gemini 3 Pro).

9. Plans for 2026 Content and Community ([35:15])

• Podcast interviews reduced to biweekly, with in-between solo or topical episodes.
• Continued thanks to listeners for reviews, community participation, and Patreon members.
• Books and Travel Podcast remains on hiatus for interviews while Joanna completes her Master's degree.
• More live webinars planned, especially on author business transformation.

10. Academic and Personal Projects

• Completing her full-time Master's in Death, Religion, and Culture by September 2026, with a dissertation focused on AI and death ([40:50]).
• Anticipates fiction to emerge from her research.

11. Upcoming Fiction and Nonfiction Projects

• Bones of the Deep: Nautical thriller with supernatural elements, inspired by a life-changing tall ship voyage and ethical issues around museum specimens and merfolk lore ([43:33]).
  • To be released via Kickstarter in April, then widely.
• Merch plans: Affirmational and gothic products tied to both of Joanna’s brands ([49:11]).
• Nonfiction book: How to Write, Publish, and Market Short Stories and Short Story Collections ([52:10]).
• Potential future books:
  • Arcane thriller set in Paris around the Crown of Thorns relic ([54:46])
  • AI, religion, techno-thriller stories
  • Gothic Cathedral photography and reflections book
  • “How to Be Creative” — embracing transformation theme

12. Embracing AI Translation and AI Marketing

• Excited about Amazon's new Kindle Translate and broader adoption of AI translation as a practical way to reach wider markets, especially since traditional translation is cost-prohibitive ([59:03]).

• Hopes for true AI-driven book marketing automation but notes current limitations ([1:03:32]).

  "Every year I hope to have my AI book marketing assistant up and running. Maybe 2026 will be the year it happens." — Joanna Penn ([1:04:20])

13. Doubling Down on Human Connection and Well-Being ([1:06:10])

• Plans for research and travel (notably, Paris for book research).
• Maintains commitment to powerlifting, daily walks, time with husband Jonathan, and cat companions.

14. Encouragement for Listener Goals ([1:08:50])

Joanna invites listeners to share their goals and offers reassurance that whatever one’s ambitions, they matter:

“Yours might be as simple as finish the first draft of my book and that is fantastic. That is part of the transformation into a new author. That still takes a lot of work and commitment.” ([1:09:27])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Identity & Value in the AI Era:
  “You can ask ChatGPT or Claude or Gemini how you can self publish your particular book and they will help you step by step...So once again I questioned what value I could offer the indie author community.” ([13:19])

• Transformation Over Information:
  “My message has actually been one of transformation...These are four transformations I have been through myself...” ([16:10])

• On Writing & Creating:
  “Writing and creating are primarily transformative for us. That is part of the point and a great element of why we even do this and why we love this, why we are writers, why we are authors.” ([30:58])

• AI as Creative Partnership:
  “I am more creative, I am more in flow, I am more on fire. I am more me.” ([33:15])

• Book Marketing Confessions:
  “If when it comes to oh what shall I do today, book marketing is usually very far down the list and often doesn’t get done. ... Every year I hope to have my AI book marketing assistant up and running. Maybe 2026 will be the year it happens.” ([1:03:32 – 1:04:20])

• On Small, Transformative Goals:
  “Yours might be as simple as finish the first draft of my book and that is fantastic. That is part of the transformation into a new author. That still takes a lot of work and commitment.” ([1:09:27])

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Joanna’s New Year welcome; overview of episode | | 04:00 | Summary of Joanna’s 15-year business pivot | | 13:19 | How AI changes the value proposition for authors | | 16:10 | Joanna’s four “transformation” archetypes | | 18:50 | Introduction of “transformation economy” concept | | 21:40 | Podcast and content strategy for 2026 | | 30:58 | On writing as personal transformation | | 33:15 | Joy of AI-augmented creativity | | 43:33 | "Bones of the Deep" inspiration and outline | | 49:11 | Expansion into transformative merchandise | | 59:03 | AI-assisted translation and Amazon Kindle Translate| | 1:03:32 | Challenges and hopes for AI-driven book marketing | | 1:09:27 | Encouragement for all listener goals |

Episode Flow & Tone

Joanna’s style remains encouraging, honest, and candid, blending practical advice with philosophical musings and personal anecdotes. She acknowledges the industry’s fast-paced change—especially around AI—but continues to anchor her brand in creative, human-centered transformation rather than simply how-to content or technological novelty.

Final Thoughts

Joanna’s 2026 goals revolve around embracing transformation, both for herself and her audience. Her plans blend continuity (with content, author services, and personal health) and innovation (leaning into AI, new kinds of offerings, and a transformation-focused framework). She encourages all authors to embrace their own journey—regardless of stage—and to keep moving, changing, and creating.

To share your goals or connect, visit thecreativepenn.com or Joanna’s social channels.