By Lisa Norman

In Part One, we explored how SEO changed the way we write and how it trained readers to expect that anything they wanted to know could be found online, packaged in a structured, easy-to-skim format. Recently, studies revealed that bots now make up over 51% of all internet traffic, with many AI-driven tools consuming web content without readers ever visiting the source. According to a 2025 report from SecurityWeek, automated traffic has officially surpassed human activity online for the first time in decades. This shift has raised questions about what human engagement on the internet will look like in the coming months.

We’re at the start of a huge shift in how the internet works. One that may feel unsettling, but it might be the best thing that’s happened for fiction writers in years.

Let’s talk about the next evolution of the internet and how to keep connecting with readers in a world where AI now stands between the reader and your website.

What Is GEO?

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. It’s the next evolution of how readers find content, not through search engines, but through AI assistants that gather and summarize information for them.

Instead of typing a query into Google and clicking through links, readers are increasingly turning to tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Google’s new Search Generative Experience, not to mention tools we've already gotten used to like Alexa and other voice search options. Google's competitors are now releasing their own (paid) AI driven browsers to compete with Chrome. These tools pull together answers instantly. Readers get the summary without ever seeing the original article.

Google’s new ad campaign is preparing the world for what an agented search might look like. Meanwhile, people who monitor their traffic are seeing it dropping off dramatically. I’m seeing traffic drops anywhere from 20% to 100% across many of my clients’ websites.

That’s GEO: optimizing your content not for keywords, but for how AI powered tools will understand it and decide whether to include it in their answers.

And for nonfiction writers, this shift is terrifying. But for fiction writers? It’s something else entirely.

What Fiction Writers Need to Know

Readers aren’t asking ChatGPT to summarize your novel and call it a day.

Fiction doesn’t work that way.

Sure, someone might ask, “What happens in The Hunger Games?” and get a rough plot summary. But that’s not the experience fans want. They come to fiction for the voice. The mood. The humor, the heartbreak, the surprise twist that made them gasp. They come for the feels.

And that means something important: fiction writers are still creating something AI can’t replace.

We’re not writing content. We’re building worlds. We’re inviting readers into emotional journeys that aren’t easily summarized. And in an age where AI is everywhere, that human touch becomes your greatest asset.

Your Superpower: Entertainment

If SEO taught us to be informative, GEO is a reminder that readers are hungry for flavor, not just facts.

Readers aren’t craving data. They’re starving for experiences.

That’s where fiction shines. You’re not trying to serve up bullet points. You’re trying to charm someone with a first-line appetizer that sings. You’re building tension, teasing reveals, making people feel something real.

AI can mimic tone, but it doesn’t feel things. You do. Your readers do. That’s the connection you’re writing for.

So don’t chase the algorithm. Write to delight your readers. Write to make them laugh, or cry, or stay up way too late with a book they can’t put down.

In this new world, the most satisfying answer to GEO is voice. Give them something they’ll savor.

Reach Your Ideal Readers

Fiction writers don’t need to reach everyone. We just need to reach our people, the readers who love what we do, who light up when they find our characters, our settings, our sense of humor.

That’s why now, more than ever, it matters to write with clarity, honesty, and flair. We want to be searchable, yes. But more importantly, we want to be memorable.

When readers love your work, they’ll talk about it. They’ll share it in group chats and newsletters and fan forums. They’ll recommend you to others, and that kind of discovery is far more powerful than anything an algorithm can offer.

GEO might change how readers arrive, but what keeps them coming back is the same as it’s always been: your voice.

GEO Isn’t the End. It’s a Shift.

You don’t need to fear this new wave of AI-driven discovery. Many of you have already survived at least one era of digital change, and this one, in many ways, is kinder to fiction.

You’re no longer being asked to stuff keywords or force yourself to churn out blog content on a schedule that steals time from your storytelling. Instead, you’re being asked to do what you do best:

Write stories that feel human.

Because in a world overflowing with machine-made words, the most valuable stories are the ones that nourish a reader’s heart.

What about you? What is it about your stories that no machine could ever imitate? What are you offering your readers that only a human can create?

About Lisa

Lisa Norman's passion has been writing since she could hold a pencil. While that is a cliché, she is unique in that her first novel was written on gum wrappers. As a young woman, she learned to program and discovered she has a talent for helping people and computers learn to work together and play nice. When she's not playing with her daughter, writing, or designing for the web, she can be found wandering the local beaches.

Lisa writes as Deleyna Marr and is the owner of No Stress Writing Academy. She also runs Heart Ally Books, LLC, an indie publishing firm.

Interested in learning more? Sign up for my newsletter or check out my school, No Stress Writing Academy, where I teach social media, organization, technical skills, and marketing for authors! There's an impressive lineup of teachers there to help you conquer your writing challenges.

Want to meet in person? I'll be at WorldCon: August 13–17, 2025, Seattle, WA.

Top image from depositphotos.

Turn Your Editing Scraps into Marketing Magic

by RJ Redden

I have a confession to make: every night, I'm that person reading under the covers.

You know the one—phone glowing in the dark, blankets pulled up to create my own little reading cave, scrolling through another Star Trek fan fiction while my wife sleeps peacefully beside me. 

Some nights it's a brilliant exploration of Data's emotional journey. Other nights, it's... well, let's just say not every writer understands what makes Spock compelling.

But here's the thing: I read them all. The good, the bad, and the "did someone actually publish this?" Because every single story—no matter how questionable the grammar or how wildly it diverges from canon—offers me another chance to live in that universe I love.

That nightly ritual got me thinking about something most writers never consider: the world of unconventional marketing. (Yes, I know—from fan fiction to marketing strategy. My brain works in mysterious ways.)

The Secret Every Fan Already Knows

Marketing has changed dramatically and will continue evolving. The fan fiction keeping me up past my bedtime relies on the established Star Trek brand to find readers—something most of us don't have the luxury of. 

But here's the question that kept me scrolling until 2 AM one night: How can we, as writers and storytellers, create our own magnetic universes that readers can't resist entering?

Look around my desk right now, and you'll see the answer everywhere. Six toy replicas of different Star Trek ships (the Enterprise-D has a place of honor). Eight representations of Yoda in various poses. Three popcorn buckets based on Marvel Avengers characters, including one shaped like an old red limousine—you get the popcorn through the sunroof, which is both ridiculous and brilliant.

The point isn't my questionable spending habits. It's this: I want to step into these worlds I love, inhabit them, and bring pieces home from the visit. I'm not limited to movies, TV, or books to appreciate these universes. I use every tool available to keep the magic alive throughout my ordinary days.

This is what your readers want too—they want to live in your world, not just visit it for a few hours and never return.

The Worldbuilding Revolution

I have a world I've been building. It’s a medieval interdimensional fantasy tavern called The Come Wright Inn. I tell stories about that world, create characters and coffee drink recipes and merch. What I've discovered is that there are countless tools available to draw people into my universe and make them active participants in the story rather than passive readers.

Some of these tools are AI-powered, some aren't. About the question of AI use, I often refer to the famous line from Hamlet: "This above all: to thine own self be true". I do my best to use AI ethically, being transparent about where and when it's used. (Yes, I used AI to help me shape and edit this post.) I research the companies I work with to help create my world. I spend my money with companies I believe in and that I feel are ethical and fair to creators.

But here's the truth: worldbuilding is done every day with and without AI tools. Worldbuilding and storytelling have been going on since humans first gathered around fires to share tales. Choose whatever tools resonate with you—just choose something.

Let’s spark ideas about what you can do with all those elements that ended up on your editing room floor. 

Those character backstories you loved but couldn't fit? 

That detailed history of your fictional town? 

The playlist your protagonist would actually listen to?

Stop letting those treasures gather dust. 

Start using them to create an entire universe that readers can't resist exploring. 

And let that be your marketing strategy. 

Your Worldbuilding Toolkit (No Magic Required)

Ready for the possibilities? Here's your arsenal:

Visual Storytelling:

• Image creation (character portraits, scene illustrations, mood boards)
• Video creation (book trailers, character interviews, behind-the-scenes content)
• Map creation (bring your fictional geography to life—your readers will study every detail)

Interactive Elements:

• Chatbot creation for your characters (imagine readers having actual conversations with your protagonist)
• Augmented reality experiences (platforms like GoBrunch can create immersive spaces)
• 3D model creation from images (make your fictional objects tangible)

Atmospheric Building:

• Music/song creation (your world's soundtrack—trust me, this is powerful)
• Timeline development (the history your readers never saw but desperately want)
• World Anvil (comprehensive worldbuilding platform that's awesome for fantasy writers)

Community Connection:

• Printify for merchandise (let readers literally wear your world)
• Email lists or Substack (ongoing connection with your universe)
• Social platforms tailored to your world's aesthetic

Marketing Beyond the Obvious

Think about what Suzanne Collins did with The Hunger Games. Yes, she had the trilogy, but she also created an entire mythology around Panem, complete with fashion inspired by the Capitol, recipes from District 12, and two prequels that expanded the world's history. 

She understood that fans don't just want to read about the Games—they want to understand the world that created them.

You don't need a massive budget or a publishing empire to create this kind of immersive experience. You need creativity, consistency, and a deep understanding of what makes your story irresistible.

Your Next Steps (Start Small, Think Big)

Pick one element from your story that makes you genuinely excited—maybe it's a character, a location, or even an object. Then ask yourself: "How can I bring this into the real world?"

Could you create a playlist that your antagonist would listen to? How about the restaurant menu from that crucial scene in chapter twelve? Could you build a simple website that looks like it exists in your fictional world?

Every piece of content you create outside your main story is another doorway into your universe. 

Every image, every song, every interactive element is an invitation for readers to step deeper into the world you've created.

The Truth About Modern Readers

The bottom line: readers aren't just consuming stories anymore—they're participating in them. 

They're writing their own stories in your world, creating fan art, building communities around your characters, and yes, even buying ridiculous popcorn buckets shaped like limousines.

The question isn't whether they want to go deeper into your world. The question is: Will you give them the tools to do it?

Your story doesn't end when you type "The End." It's just the beginning of a universe waiting to be explored.

What world will you build today?

About RJ

If your audience engagement feels like you’ve been screaming into a black hole, then RJ is your digital fairy godmother. Her wand wields AI, chatbots, and augmented reality to create engagement so addictive, your audience will forget Netflix exists. She also speaks fluent human in a world obsessed with algorithms.

Find her online at blackbeltbots.com.

Top Image by Deleyna via Midjourney.

Why I Stopped Chasing Algorithms and Started Creating Experiences

By Alicia McCalla

I didn’t set out to be a creative entrepreneur. I set out to tell stories that mattered.

But somewhere between navigating traditional publishing and trying to fit into the fast-paced indie world, I realized neither path was built for someone like me. After the devastating loss of my son, I found myself not only grieving—but completely disoriented in my creative life. The speed, the noise, the hustle… it all clashed with the quiet, philosophical, soul-deep way I needed to rebuild.

So I did something radical:

• I stopped trying to fit in.
• And I started building something that fit me.

The Moment I Reframed Everything

Most writers know the terms “trad author” and “indie author.” Some have heard of “direct-sell” author too—those who offer their books via Gumroad or Squarespace or newsletter checkout links. But none of those labels fully captured what I was building.

I wasn’t just offering an added retailer option. I was creating an ecosystem.

One where readers could experience immersive, collectible fiction. One where serialized stories lived beside premium-edition lore books, journals, guided meditations, soundtracks—even merch inspired by superheroes, vigilantes, goddesses and monster hunters. One where the world didn’t just end with “The End.”

This wasn’t about sales funnels—it was about story funnels. Not just buy buttons—but experiences my readers could return to again and again.

That’s when I realized:

• I’m not made to be a hybrid or direct-sell author.
• I’m an eCommerce Author in the "Bookish" Retailer category. 
• A creative entrepreneur of stories and spaces.

What Makes an eCommerce Author Different?

Here’s how I define it:

• Profit-first, marketing-first model. I design with revenue in mind—not as an afterthought, but from the very beginning. I believe in creating reliable income that honors my work.
• Deep product funnels. I don’t just sell a single book. I invite my readers into an unfolding storyworld with layered products, merch, and content that increases Average Order Value (AOV).
• Branded experience. My Shopify store isn’t just a shop. It’s a destination—a curated environment that reflects the vibe of my stories, from visuals to voice to checkout flow.
• Reader transformation versus transactions. My goal isn’t just to sell. It’s to shift something inside my reader. To offer empowerment, reflection, courage, and connection.

This mindset has been a godsend during my slow-build comeback. No rush. No “rapid-release pressure.” Just sustainable growth, aligned creativity, and space to breathe.

The Reality Check

The other day, I made a $48 sale on my Shopify store. A reader bought my print book, a companion workbook, and a sticker—all part of a bundle my site suggested through “frequently bought together” automation. That one transaction brought in more revenue than several retailer sales combined and I was paid in 2-days. In comparison on the same day, Amazon deposited $3.28—my delayed royalty from three books sold 60 days earlier. 

Both were legitimate sales. But the impact? Wildly different. The store sale was full margin. The buyer got a curated experience. I got to own the customer relationship—not rent it from a platform. And most importantly—it moved me one step closer to sustainable/reliable income. The Amazon royalty? It didn’t. That’s the power most authors haven’t tapped into yet. Because the mindset isn’t just about selling. It’s about owning your value.

Not One Path—But Many Quadrants

I’ve worn all the labels. I’ve been traditionally published. I’ve self-published. I guess some would say I’m a hybrid author. But none of those models made sense for me long-term. I’m not fast-drafting for whale readers. I do write to market but I add my branded spin on my books and products with my unique voice. I’m not chasing trends or the Amazon algorithm. 

I’m here to build something lasting. A world. A rhythm. A brand. A legacy business rooted in emotion, empowerment, and beautifully bold women.

And that’s why I believe authors don’t just need “more exposure”—We need ownership. Of our work, our platforms, and our pathways.

A Final Note on Connection

I don’t approach this work like a marketer. I’m a storyteller at heart—and I’ve found that the best way to “sell” is to serve through story. That’s why I focus on story-selling instead of shouting. My emails, flows, and content are built around emotional resonance and authenticity, not pressure or gimmicks. I show up as myself. I let the stories carry the invitation. And I trust that the right readers will feel it. That shift—from pushing to connecting—has made all the difference.

So if you’re a creative who wants to build something real, something lasting, something true to you… I hope this gives you permission to do just that. Maybe you’re not just an author following the lead of everyone else. Maybe you’re an eCommerce Author too.

What kind of author are you?

Find out if you’re an eCommerce author or even a hybrid. Take the author model quiz on my Substack: 

About Alicia McCalla

Alicia writes Sistas with Skills, Swords & Superpowers. She blends speculative fiction, serialized storytelling, and entrepreneurial creativity into immersive experiences for readers. Her brand features exclusive lore books, vigilante heroines, and soundtracks that pulse with story. Follow Alicia on her Substack for quiet writer rebels: https://substack.com/@aliciamccalla