Author Your Dream

In this episode, Kenny talks with Abigail K. Perry about writing query letters. Abigail is the host of the Lit Match podcast, a show that helps writers find the best literary agent for their writing and literary career. Abigail talks with us about what a query letter is and some mistakes you should avoid when writing them and has some great advice on choosing comparable titles. She also talks about the three paragraphs every query letter should have; the hook, the book, and the cook. If you are looking to publish traditionally, this episode will add so much value to your writing journey. Highlights: What a query letter is Doing your research Mistakes to avoid Format of a letter Comparable titles Expressing your voice Author Platform Author Action Point: Do your research! Research the literary agent and the agency. This will set you up for the most success. It gives you a place to find a connection with someone who may just be the most important person in your writing career.

We dive deep into the world of writing romance. In this episode, we're thrilled to have bestselling romance author Olivia Gaines as our guest. Olivia shares valuable insights on how to overcome the common pitfalls that writers encounter when crafting love stories. Whether you're looking to create compelling love scenes, establish deep connections between your characters, or keep a romance series going strong, this interview is packed with practical tips and techniques. Olivia also delves into creating romantic tension, incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery, and finding the right balance of drama in your stories. Aspiring romance writers and seasoned pros alike won't want to miss this engaging conversation with Olivia Gaines. Tune in now and take your writing to the next level! Highlights Olivia's Journey Common pitfalls when writing romance Putting a feeling of depth in your romance Tips for connecting with your readers at the start Keeping a romance series going Writing compelling love scenes Creating romantic tension How much drama is too much Obligatory scenes Incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery Author Action Point What kind of writer do you want to be? Once you determine what that looks like to you, it will really determine your writing career. Make sure

In today's episode, we are talking about entering writing contests. Kenny talks with Paula Sheridan, the founder of the Page Turner Awards, about how authors can enter, what they can in, and why they should even consider entering in the first place. Paula shares her insights into this topic and provides some practical tips and mistakes to avoid. Highlights • Paula's story • Page Turner Awards • Submitting to the Page Turner Awards • What do you win? • How writing contests can help you • Who are contests for • Biggest mistakes when entering contests • When should a writer enter Author Action Point: If you are an indie-published author and you are going out to enter a writing contest, make sure that your writing is the best that it can be. Give yourself the time to get the best book that you can. The same goes for those who want to go down the traditional route. Resources Mentioned Book Adaptation Boot Camp Page Turner Awards Mastering Character Emotions Free Book Marketing Course Get 20% off Page Turner Awards submissions using 23AuthorDreamPod20. Enter here to apply.

In this episode, we are talking about sensitivity readers. I had the pleasure of speaking with author J.H. Dahler about her experience of working with one. And as a bonus, we are joined by Candice Roma, who is an editor and and Jodie's sensitivity reader. They both share their perspective on the process and how sensitivity reading can improve representation in literature. This is an insightful conversation that sheds light on the importance of inclusivity in storytelling and the role of sensitivity readers in ensuring authentic representation.   Highlights   What is a sensitivity reader? Jodie's experience with the process Candace's perspective About Jodie's book Forest Girl Qualifications for a sensitivity reader Getting Feedback Giving Feedback Mindset and attitudes authors should have Does a sensitivity reader have an impact on a book's success?  

If you've ever found yourself struggling to categorize your writing or wondering why certain books fit into specific categories, then this episode is for you. We'll start by discussing why genre is essential in fiction writing and how it helps readers find books they enjoy. Next, we'll delve into the two main types of genres: commercial genres and content genres. We'll explain their differences and explore the various sub-genres that fall within each category. Highlights What is genre? What to do when your story fits into multiple categories Five things our content genre can tell you about your story Internal and external genres Avoiding getting overwhelmed How this applies to science fiction and fantasy Resources Mentioned Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/genre How to Structure a Scene with Emma Dhesi Free Master Class   Sign Up for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory.

Do you have questions about traditional publishing? As a first-time author, you probably have a lot of questions about everything. In this episode, Kenny talks with traditionally published author Mary Adkins about the four biggest questions she gets asked all the time. She will share her experience on everything from agents to royalties and more. Highlights:   How do I know if I need a literary agent? How do I get a book deal? What's it like working with an editor? How much can I expect to earn from publishing?   Sign Up for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory.

In this episode, Kenny talks with Katja Kane, the creator of the Novel Factory, a purpose-built software for novel writers. With her experience as an author, she created Novel Factory to help writers achieve their goals by providing them with the tools they need to streamline their writing process. Katja's software has been trusted by thousands of writers and has received widespread acclaim. During this episode, Katja will be sharing her journey as a writer and the story behind the creation of Novel Factory. She will also be discussing the challenges she faced while building the software and her future plans for Novel Factory. So, join us as we have an insightful conversation with Katja Kaine, the creator of Novel Factory. Highlights How does the software help authors Key features of the Novel Factory Writing Resources included Price Success Stories Future Plans Author Action Point Author Action Point To be a writer, one of the best things to have is a writing habit. Get into writing five to six days a week. Even if you can only write five minutes a day commit to that, but don't beat yourself up if you miss a day.

In this episode, I talk with Emily Layne about how to write a book in 30 days. Emily has written several books in just 21 days, and she shares some tips and tricks to help you write yours. She shares how she writes fast and writes quality books that have been picked up by a traditional publisher. Highlights 01:48 Emily's story 05:55 Process of writing a book in a month 09:54 How do you create a quality book in a short time frame 19:42 Staying motivated 27:00 Tips to be more productive 35:09 The Prep before the writing 40:20 Author Action Point Author Action Point “I would say just to start. Whether for you, that does not look like plotting. If you think the idea of plotting is something you cannot fathom, that's okay. Start writing. If you think plotting is something that would work for you, start plotting and. don't stop. That's, I think, something that is one of the hardest things for writers and for myself. You get this shiny new idea, and you're like, oh, I'm so excited. I'm gonna write this book, and the people are gonna love it. And then you hit the first roadblock, and you're like, okay, well, I'll leave that for later. I'll come back to it at some other time, and then you don't come back to it. So I think to start, set a goal and don't stop and don't give up until you have achieved that goal. Whatever that goal happens to be.” Connect with Emily www.emilylaynebooks.com Instagram Facebook Twitter

Getting local media coverage for your book can be a great way to increase visibility and sales in your community. By reaching out to local newspapers, radio stations, and television programs, you can pitch your book to journalists and producers and potentially secure interviews or feature articles. This type of coverage can be especially valuable for authors who are self-publishing or have a small publisher, as it can help to build buzz and awareness for your book among your target audience. In this episode, Kenny talks with Mickie Kennedy, the founder of eReleases. Mickie started his business twenty-four years ago to help small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility through press release marketing. Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Mickie Kennedy 04:25 Why authors often shy away from media 07:23 Strategies for reaching out to local media outlets and pitching your book 10:55 Tips for pitching 16:29 Where to find local connections 22:02 Process of Working with eReleases 34:36 Press Release 35:59 One Sheet vs. Press Release 40:15 What is the wire? 46:55 Author Action Point Local Media Coverage Action Point Go out and create a list of local contacts. There are probably ten people in your area who would be willing to write about you and cover you on tv and radio. Make a list of those people and reach out to them. Don't just do it once, but reach out to them quarterly. Try different approaches. Connect with Mickie Free PR Master Class www.ereleases.com

When Matty Dalrymple created the idea of the story frame, she didn't want it to be just another name for an outline. For some, an outline is rigid, whereas the story frame feels a little more organic. This frame gives an author a clear picture of the overarching story and gives you something to hang everything else on. 05:45 The Indy Author Podcast 09:32 What a story frame is 15:16 Formatting 24:23 How long the process takes 33:21 How you can create a frame 41:54 Differentiating plots and subplots 43:49 How to know you've gone too far 50:17 Author Action Point

We have all heard the statistics about people making and breaking their new year's resolutions. It's nothing new, and if you are like me, you're probably one of those numbers. These resolutions don't work because, more often than not, they are too generalized. I want to lose weight. I want to be more outgoing. I want to finish my book. If you don't have a plan on how you are going to lose weight, be more outgoing than your resolutions are as good as the wishes you made when blowing out your birthday candles. In this episode, Kenny shares how to create an Author Growth Plan or AGP for short. An author growth plan is a road map to help you move forward in your author journey.

How do you answer the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" In this episode, Kenny shares 12 gift ideas for writers. Physical Gifts: 1. Noise Cancelling Headphones 2. Blue Light Glasses 3. Laptop Stand 4. Travel mug, coffee cup, or sticker with an encouraging saying or a phrase stating what you want to be ex. Future Best-Selling Author 5. A Gift Card to your local bookstore Books: 6. Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody 7. The Ten Commandments of Author Branding by Shayla Raquel 8. The Secrets of Character by Matt Bird 9. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi 10. Author Your Dream by Kenny MacKay Program/Subscriptions: 11. Grammarly 12. Milanote

In this episode, I'm going to walk you through planning your author website whether you want to make your own or hire someone to do it for you, there are some foundational items you need to have in place to help the process go quicker and smoother. You may have heard in past episodes that I create websites. I earned a diploma from an online college back in 2010. It was a skill I thought I would learn because it would give me the freedom to pick up extra work on the side as I lived and worked for the church here in the UK. Since then, I have created several websites for non-profits, daycares, auto shops, and authors. Since starting this podcast, I decided to narrow my focus to authors. Highlights Do You need a website Where to build it yourself Domain Name Asking yourself questions Site Structure and Key Pages Top Mistakes Author Action Point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/planning-your-author-website/

I talk with author and podcast host Christopher Tallon about why this is important to do if you are writing a book. We also talk about a few strategies that Chris has done. We talk about blogging and podcasting and how what we have learned over the last few years. These tips will help you as an author to start your own show or help you pitch yourself to podcasts to get publicity for your book.  Highlights 02:22 Chris' Story 04:00 Defining strategizing 06:00 Strategy 1: Blogging 13:31 Strategy 2: Podcasting 16:59 Mistakes to avoid 25:21 How has all this helped with selling books 28:46 Picking topics for blogs and podcast episodes 40:54 Author Action Point

Amazon ads are a great tool for an author who is wanting to increase their sales. But where should you start? What should you have in place before doing an ad? What type of campaign are you able to do? These are just some of the questions that my guest Matt Holmes will answer during this episode. Highlights 01:48 Matt's Journey 08:41 Why run Amazon ads 11:40 What to have in place before you start 16:39 Figuring out your targeting 19:29 Types of campaigns 23:37 What does it cost? 28:13 Biggest struggle authors have 31:30 How long does it take to manage ads 35:30 Resources 39:49 Mistakes to Avoid 43:31 Author Action Point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/amazon-ads/    

With National Novel Writing Month a few weeks away I wanted to release this episode with Kelly Blanchard. Kelly has successfully completed NaNoWriMo several times and this episode has some great information for anyone wanting to take on the challenge.

In today's episode, Monique Mensah shares about building a ready-to-buy audience. She talks about the mindset shift that authors need to make and how they need to go from author to publisher if they want to make money with their books. Highlights 1:20 Monique's Story 8:41 Authors write books, businesses sell them 12:02 Why you need to build a ready-to-buy audience 30:24 Brand awareness 36:10 Sharing the ups and the downs 38:56 The Role of Social Media 42:35 Author Action Point Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/ready-to-buy-audience/ for more

In this episode, Kenny talks with Becca Syme about Facebook ads for intuitive authors. Becca shares her own experience as an author running ads and provides a unique perspective on this subject. She will share about the different components of an advertisement, how long you should run an ad, and give you tips on where you can create images.   Highlights 02:12 Becca's Author Journey 04:16 Intuitive Authors Defined 07:29 Are ads worth it 09:18 The Intuitive process 12:50 Shifting your mindset 24:10 Components of a Facebook Ad 27:19 The two types Becca uses 37:15 Talking about cost 40:52 How long to run the ad 43:53 What data should you look at 49:32 Author Action Point 52:55 Creating ad images Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/facebook-ads/

Have you ever felt like marketing is difficult? Callan breaks it down in a way that makes it feel less daunting. He also shares his tips and advice for new authors just starting their marketing journey. You'll find out what he thinks about book trailers and how you can market if you write in multip genres. Highlights 02:29 Callan's Journey 04:07 About Astreus 07:48 Is marketing really difficult 08:39 Where to start 19:51 More tips 23:27 Book trailers 29:16 How new writers can start marketing 39:28 Reciprocal marketing 41:18 What to avoid 46:39 Author Action Point 49:06 Marketing for multiple genres   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/start-book-marketing/

Everyone has roadblocks that they have to overcome on the road to publishing. Some are internal and revolve around an author's own limiting beliefs. While others are external, we have a choice to either give up or find a way to overcome these obstacles. That is what today's guest Aisha Yusuf did when she encountered resistance. In doing so, she not only published her book but also created a publishing house and birthed a vision to change the literary world and bring diverse voices to the forefront.   Highlights   02:16 Aisha's Autor Journey   15:58 Aisha's Book   29:20 Roadblocks   35:44 Thoughts of giving up   38:27 Advice for others facing similar obstacles   42:23 Starting a publishing house   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/roadblocks/  

Anthologies are a collection of poetry, short stories, or other writing pieces, all compiled into one book and under one theme. My guest today is Gabriella White. She is currently a co-author of fourteen published anthologies and came in second and third place in two writing competitions. Gabriella is also the Founder of the New Leaf Writing Community and has presented a lecture for the Writers Global Movement (WGM).   Highlights   09:12 Gabriella's experience with anthologies 16:55 Royalties situation 18:19 Compiling anthologies 22:31 Submission Criteria 24:03 Finding collections to contribute to 25:46 What's included in your submission 27:19 Recruiting over 100 authors 33:22 Process of compiling 40:38 Author Action point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/anthologies/

A book coach is similar to a sports coach in that they will invest time in helping you achieve your goals when it comes to writing your book. In this episode,  I dive deep with Sara Gentry and discuss what it is like working with a coach and what you should expect. Sara is an Author Accelerator certified book coach with a Ph.D. in applied and interdisciplinary mathematics. She is on a mission to help writers avoid illogical pitfalls so that they can keep their readers engaged with cohesive and compelling narratives. Highlights 02:43 Sara's Story 05:18 Author Accelerator 08:04 What does a book coach do? 13:17 How a book coach differs from an editor 15:44 Time commitment 17:26 Who should look at working with a book coach? 22:37 Sara's process 30:00 How much does it cost? 31:49 What to consider when searching for a coach 37:09 Inside Outline 45:11 Author Action Point   Get involved in the Thirty-2-1 Challenge by visiting https://authoryourdream.com/episode/book-coach/  

Beta readers are people familiar with your genre who have agreed to read your unpublished book and give you honest feedback. I have seen many authors ask for beta readers but fail t provide them with any criteria or information regarding the feedback the author is looking to receive. In this episode, my guest David Brown from the Darling Axe will give you advice on what you should have prepared for readers, what feedback to expect and what to look for in a beta reader. Highlights 02:48 David's story 10:45 Darling Axe 13:37 Beta Reader Defined 16:26 Difference between editors and beta readers 21:13 Key Points Authors Should Provide 24:00 Do you always pay for beta readers? 25:50 What to look for 27:51 How many should one have? 29:28 Protecting your work 34:56 Responding to the negativity surrounding beta readers 36:55 Building rapport 38:36 Feedback to expect 40:52 Author Action Point   Visit https://authoryoudream.com/episode/beta-readers/ for more show notes.

Grammarly is an extremely useful AI writing assistant. It scans your document and makes suggestions to help improve your grammar, punctuation, spelling, and more. I have personally used it since I published my first book in 2018. Key Features Set your goals Provides a performance Review Allows you to change to English options between American, Australian, British and Canadian The browser extension Personal Dictionary

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is a fantastic book if you are a first-time author. As my guest, Jessica Brody, says, "Everyone has to add in structure at some point." Throughout our interview, we go over the fifteen beats of the Save the Cat method and closely examine some of the critical beats. For those of you who are less structure-minded, a major point that came out of this episode was that writing is an art, and this structure method should be seen more as a guideline rather than a legal document that must be followed to the letter. Highlights 02:09 Jessica's Author Journey 04:30 The Writing Mastery Academy 07:82 How Jessica connected with Save the Cat 09:29 Struggles authors often have with structure 13:16 Overview of the 15 Beats 16:49 Tips for the Opening Image 18:59 How to avoid rushing the finale with the 5-point finale 32:59 Genres 37:13 Genre first or Beats First 39:24 What to do if you are unsure how to start 41:57 Author Action point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/save-the-cat/  

In this episode, I speak with Janice Hardy about character voice. We discuss the difference between your voice as an author and your character's voice, which is so important. Janice will also share some ways to develop voices by paying attention to people around you in your daily life, on your travels or even on YouTube. As you listen to the interview, you will see just how deep and complex this topic can become.  Highlights 02:15 Janice's Author Journey 11:11 Fiction University 16:47 Defining Voice 22:50 Why character voice is important 29:33 Crafting different voices for different characters 37:58 Ways to develop character voice 42:15 What to look for when getting inspired 49:00 Where authors go wrong when creating character voice. 52:54 Should voice always remain the same 55:14 Is it ok to have a character sound like your author's voice   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/character-voice/

  Clarissa Gosling is an author of fiction and non-fiction books and an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge. In this episode, she discusses the importance of having accountability as an author and how you can build a writing habit. Highlights 03:00 Clarissa's Story 12:29 Why accountability is important 14:36 The 365 Writing Challenge 19:56 Building the habit of writing 27:03 Accountability Tips 29:41 What to look for in a partner 33:55 How to discover your process 40:51 Author Action Point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/accountability/

  Asking questions is not just another sales technique. It goes much deeper because when you ask a question and someone answers it, you are building a connection. You can begin a conversation with them and get to know them and allow them to get to know you, which as authors is something we want to do with our audience. As you ask questions and genuinely engage with people you will start to see your audience grow. Highlights 02:15 Jody's Story 05:07 The Reluctant Bookmarketer Podcast 06:53 The reason questions work so well 08:33 Implementing this approach 15:04 Engaging with people who respond 17:18 How do questions help us find our niche 20:14 What do you do with the information you get 23:40 What platforms to use with this 29:01 How to know when you've asked a great question 33:41 Planning your questions 37:58 Jody's most engaging questions 44:19 Are there bad ones to ask 45:33 How to avoid making people feel interrogated 46:16 What happens to people when you ask questions 49:42 Author Action Point   Show Notes: https//authoryourdream.com/episode/asking-questions/  

Writing historical figures can be a lot of fun. But it also comes with a lot of expectations. Especially if you have access to resources that will tell you about them. If this is the case, it's essential that you do your best to portray them as accurately as possible. My guest M.B. Zucker endeavored to do that in his book The Eisenhower Chronicles and talks about this in the episode. Highlights 02:31MMichael's Story 13:40 What is a biographical drama 16:40 Why it's important to portray historical figures accurately 20:30 Writing historical people when you have little info about them 24:03 Keys to consider 26:32 Where to start with a character outline 34:20 Sources to use when doing research 38:33 What elements should you add to a character profile 43:25 Author Action Point Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/historical-figures/ for more show notes.

My guest today was referred to me by Carla Holt from the Art of the Fight Scenes episode. When I first reached out to this person, I was looking at having him discuss sword fighting. I wanted to help those who have them in your books to write them better. What I got was something so much more. Through my guest's experience and passion, you will learn how swords and sword fighting can help you not only create conflict but also build your world and reveal your character's personality. Even if you are not writing this kind of scene, I would encourage you to give this episode a listen.  Highlights 02:48 Kirk's journey 8:18 What a sword is made up of 16:20 Terminology authors should know 21:47 How to take care of a sword 25:45 Common types of swords and body type 35:06 The balance of a sword 40:10 Sword fighting during WW2 43:45 Is it easy for a character to wield a type of sword they've never used 47:51 What to ask yourself when tackling a fight scene 50:55 Writing realistic vs. fantasy 53:07 Fighting multiple opponents 58:04 Fighting in and out of armor 01:06:21 What do authors get wrong 01:12:24 Should you include quirks in a character's fighting style 01:18:40 Resources 01:21:59 Author Action Point 01:23:28 Connect with Kirk Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/sword-fighting/ for more resources and show notes.  

Writing a great book quickly is something that every new author I have talked to would love to do. But so many times, they don't have a plan or infrastructure to accomplish that. In this episode, Chandler Bolt shares tips from his new book, Published, to help you get your book written quickly. This is actually version two of his book, and the first version helped me get serious about finishing my book. Highlights 02:22 Chandler's Author Journey 08:25 Published 13:37 How do you write a great book quickly? 21:29 How to choose what idea to tackle 27:12 Advice for pushing through the editing slog 30:13 How do you successfully launch a book 35:2 3 Using books to grow a business 40:06 What holds people back 41:06 Author Action Point 43:07 Self Publsihing School   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/great-book-quickly/ for more from this episode.  

In this episode, I talk with Robert Wilson about diversity in the publishing world. This is such a huge topic, but it is so vital if we are going to grow as writers and, more importantly, as people. Throughout this interview, we talk about the importance of diversity in fiction and how authors can avoid perpetuating stereotypes. Robert also shares some tips for how you can write stories that honor people who come from diverse backgrounds without using them as a prop for your novel. Highlights 02:54 Robert's Journey 10:09 Why is diversity important 14:05 How can we help improve diversity 16:59 Analyzing our own bias 25:41 Why diversity is important in fiction 33:22 Diverse characters 34:13 Ways authors unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes 46:50 Tips for writing stories that honor others 52:25 Avoiding using diverse characters as props 1:02:00 Author Action Point   Visit https://authoryourdream.com/episode/diversity-in-publishing/ for more from the show.

Middle grade fiction requires a slighgly different approach than other genres. During the episode, we discuss mindsets, where to find inspiration, and how to handle mature topics. Hint very carefully. If you have a dream of writing a middle grade book this episode is going to be a great starting point for you. Highlights: 03:10 Tonya's Author Journey 08:14 About the Sophie Washington series 11:45 Defining Middle Grade books 15:10 Mindset for this audience 19:02 If you don't have kids 21:07 Beats to include 28:14 Finding ideas 30:51 Handling mature topics 34:01 Beta readers 37:27 Recommended authors to read 39:20 Suggestions for writing middle grade 44:18 Author Action Point   Check out https://authoryourdream.com/episode/middle-grade-fiction/ for more.   Notifications Saved Middle Grade Fiction with Tonya Duncan Ellis - Author Your Dream

Twitter for authors is the next installment of the social media for authors series. There are so many options, and it can be challenging to decide which one you should be on. In this episode, my guest, Hannah Richards, will share some tips on how authors can get the most out of using Twitter. Highlights 02:07 Hannah's Journey 04:11 Common Struggles authors have on Twitter 06:35 Identifying your dream reader 10:13 Connecting with readers and reviewers 12:20 How often should you Tweet 17:38 Content ideas 26:58 Content Pillars 31:27 Photos and Videos in posts 34:15 Creating a clear brand 37:01 Suggestions for genre content ideas 42:21 Author Action Point   Check out the Show Notes Page for more.

TikTok for Authors is one of the subjects that I have wanted to do for a long time. But not being on the platform very much myself, I had didn't know who I should approach to be a guest on the show. In comes the fantastic writing community. I reached out to a Facebook group TikTok for Authors and asked for some suggestions, and A.K. Mulford was someone who repeatedly came up in the comments. Highlights 01:25 Ali's Author Journey 05:08 What is TikTok 06:24 Why Ali started on the platform 07:22 Reservations 10:23 Why it's so good for authors 13:56 Indies Fully Booked podcast 16:49 How TikTok uses hashtags 18:14 BookTok and other author terms 19:27 Finding your audience 21:08 Dueting 22:23 Content creation 30:59 Ali's content creating process 32.39 Do you have to be good at editing? 33:06 Building a readership before your published 38:18 Finding and saving sounds 40:39 Engaging with others 40:55 Top tips of beginners 46:04 Author action point 47:24 Ali's Book The High Mount Court   Check out the Show Notes page for more.

Writing myths can stop aspiring authors from going after their dream and writing that book. In this episode, Kenny discusses some of the most common myths with author and podcaster Kristina Adams. This episode will talk about whether or not you need to have a blog as an author, writer's block, as well as some myths that aren't actually myths. Kristina Adams is the author of seventeen books, including three non-fiction books and several series. She co-hosts a podcast called the Writer's Mindset that covers topics from writing romance to communicating confidently. Kristina also helps to help writers through her blog and website, The Writer's Cookbook. She has excellent insight into myths that writers face that will help you face any yourself. Highlights 01:12 The Writer's Mindset podcast 03:43 Kristina's Author Journey 12:52 Kristina's Book: Writing Myths 16:20 Common Writing Myths 22:18 You have to have a blog 16:38 Is Writer's block a myth 36:10 Book series and first-time authors 39:39 Wher writers go wrong with social media 43:12 Writing Fast vs. Taking Your Time 47:58 Author Action Point 49:05 Connect with Kristina Check out the Show Notes page here for more resources.

Doing research for historical fiction can be one of the most fun and most frustrating parts of writing in this genre. You love history as a historical fiction author, but how do you not bag down the story with the facts? How do you avoid going down rabbit holes? And where do you find good quality information about your subject? Jodi Daynard will answer these questions and more in this episode. Highlights 01:53 Jodi's Author Journey 07:05 Jodi's Process for fact gathering 13:34 List of research resources 18:24 What are you looking for when you visit a location? 22:09 Maps and Artwork 25:32 Time spent researching vs. the amount of info used 28:12 Organising your research 30:13 Syncing your chapters with your research 32:47 Jodi's must-have facts 36:43 How to avoid outweighing the story with the history 41:39 Ensuring accurate portraits of historical figures 43:34 What to include in an Author's Note 46:36 Avoiding the Research Rabbit Hole 53:17 Author Action Point Check out the Show Notes page for more including a list of research resources.

In this episode, Kenny talks with guest Emma Dhesi about scene structure. Emma shares some very very actionable information for new authors. During the interview, Emma shares what a scene is, mistakes to avoid, and a great scene structure model to help you with your writing.   Highlights   03:48 Emma's Author Journey   09:03 Definition of a scene   12:15 Length of scenes   15:25 Setting and Scene   18:21 Scene structure   28:50 Mistakes to avoid   30:57 Problems in your scene   33:36 The relationship between Aim and Outcome   36:06 Using the scene structure model to troubleshoot your book   42:41 Emma's Coaching Program Check out the Show Notes for more including an action point and how to connect with Emma Dhesi.      

Social media marketing can be overwhelming, especially when you add it to the vast list of responsibilities you already have on your plate as an author. In this episode, we follow on from the interview with Rick Lite about The Ultimate Book Marketing Timeline and focus on a specific aspect of marketing. Highlights 03:44 Erik's Writing Journey 09:50 Branding Yourself 13:26 Big 4 Social Media sites to use 16:26 Using Twitter as an Author 25:52 Content for each platform 34:00 Planning your content 37:29 Blogs and websites 46:37 How to approach new platforms 51:52 Avoid Twitter Yo-Yo 58:38 How to measure success in your social media marketing 1:01:40 Author Action Point Visit the Show Notes page for more resources.    

Book marketing has been one of the most popular topics on the show. It is also one that many authors struggle to wrap their heads around. In this episode, I talk to Rick Lite from Stress Free Book Marketing. Rick shares the book marketing timeline he uses with his clients. This timeline is broken down into seven steps that we talk about in-depth throughout the interview. The 7 Steps are: Before You Begin Writing As You Begin Writing While You're Writing While Your Book is Being Edited Two Weeks Before Release Release Date Post Release Highlights 02:23 Rick's story 07:39 Success stories 10:29 What is the Ultimate Book Marketing Timeline 13:00 Step 1 & 2 19:08 Social media strategy defined 25:04 Step 3 29:16 Media Kits 32:56 Advanced Reader Copies 38:24 Step 4 41:44 Step 5 45:25 Step 6 & 7 51:20 Author Action Point 54:43 Connect with Rick Check out the Show Notes page for more resources.

If you are looking to save time and money, which, let's face it, we all are. The information that Tenita shares during the interview will be incredibly helpful. I talk to her about the importance of getting a professional editor. How you select someone, and what you are looking for when you get your sample edit back. She also shares tips and mistakes to avoid before you hire someone. Highlights 02:20 Tenita's Story 07:37 Success Story 09:01 Why you need a professional editor 12:42 How to select a professional to edit your book 13:37 Sample edits 18:58 What does it mean to write like an editor 26:19 Know your voice and your audience 30:48 Mistakes authors make when selecting someone to work with 37:46 Author Action Point 40:06 Audience Freebie 41:23 Connect with Tenita Check out the Show Notes page for more, including a link to the Freebie Tenita has offered the Author Your Dream audience.  

Assembling a book launch team is one of those things that first-time authors can dismiss as unimportant. I know I did when I published my first book. This was partly because I didn't understand the importance of a team. If you think you don't need this group or have already launched without a team, this episode will provide you with some great information. Highlights: 01:59 Allen's Author Journey 07:29 What is a book launch team 08:43 Why is it so important 09:47 Where to start 13:09 How many people should be on your team 18:06 What point should you begin assembling 20:10 Communicating expectations 27:24 Mistakes to avoid 30:55 Tools used to build a team 36:19 What if an author has already launched their book 40:13 Author Action Point 42:30 About Allen's book "I Am Not the King."   Check out the Show Notes page for more.

With audiobooks becoming more popular, recording your own audiobook is something you might want to consider. In this episode, I talk with Kevin G. Chapman about his experience recording the audio for all of his books. We discuss the equipment and software he uses, his setup, and mastering the audio. Kevin is very open about the mistakes he has made over the years and happily shares so that others can avoid doing the same. Recording Your Own Audiobook Highlights 01:33 Kevin's Author Journey 04:25 Kevin's recording process 14:40 The importance of backing up your recording 15:36 Equipment and Software 25:02 Writing for audio 27:05 Mistakes that Kevin made 31:43 What to look for when editing 34:52 How long does the process take? 38:29 Mastering your audio 42:56 Submitting your audio to Audible 46:56 Recording audio directly into Audacity 48:23 The most fun part for Kevin 52:21 Author Action Point 54:23 Mike Stoneman Series Visit the Show Notes page for resources and practical tips from Kevin G. Chapman.

Building a fanbase is not a simple task to accomplish. It can be slow going at times, yet it is vital to your success as an author. You want to build a group that loves what you do and will support you and your books. That's what my guest, Tahani Nelson, has done with what she affectionately calls her army. Tahani writes female military fantasy, has gathered a faithful following, and happily shares how she has done that. Highlights 01:32 Tahani's author journey 04:11 The Faoii Chronicles 07:57 Why Tahani calls her fans an army 09:33 Ideas to connect with your fans 11:07 Pushing through the negative 14:36 Getting through the lonely beginning of building a fanbase 18:33 Joining groups online you are interested in 23:03 Attracting new fans 32:19 In-person or online platform building 35:09 How Tahani engages or fans 44:28 Author Action Point 46:07 Faoii Chronicles Check out the Show Notes page for more from this episode.

Time management is something that a lot of authors struggle with. In today's episode, I'm talking with author Stacy Juba. We discuss a number of topics, including effective strategies, time blocking and automating tasks to help you be more productive. My guest today is Stacy Juba. Stacy is an author, a freelance developmental editor, an online writing instructor, and an award-winning journalist who has published more than 3,000 articles in newspapers and magazines. She is the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, and her goal is to take the writing, editing, and time management tips she learned in the trenches and simplify them for her clients and students. Her courses include Time Management Blueprint for Writers: Transform Your Life and Finish Your Book and Book Editing Blueprint: A Step-By-Step Plan to Making Your Novels Publishable.   Highlights   01:38 Stacy's Author Journey   05:25 Tips for those without a home office   09:55 Why time management is such a struggle   13:05 Suggestions for those struggling   15:53 Increasing productivity during your writing session   23:24 Effective strategies   30:56 Time blocking   35:55 Resources to help   42:36 Tasks to automate   48:58 Author Action Point Do you have a dream to write a book? Grab a copy of Author Your Dream: A Guide to Writing and Self-Publishing Your First Book   Check out the Show Notes page for more.  

Maria Riegger is a lawyer who joined me to talk about the legal issues that authors face when writing and publishing. This is a topic that I have seen so many questions about in the author communities. And I know that you will get a lot out of this episode. During the show, Maria and I talk about how to obtain permission to use song lyrics in your books and how to acquire that permission. We also discuss what to do if someone has infringed on your copyright and how to protect yourself by setting up your own publishing company. Disclaimer: This is not legal advice, just information to help you in your publishing journey. If you are facing legal issues, please consult with an attorney in your jurisdiction. Highlights 01:37 Legal Advice Disclaimer 02:25 Maria's Author Jurney 07:35 Using song lyrics and titles in your book 13:44 Protecting yourself by setting up a company 24:06 Copyrighting your work 27:00 Defamation concerns 32:18 Types of attorneys to seek out 35:05 Publishing Contracts 38:50 Author Action point 40:11 Self-publishing primer   Check out the Show Notes page for more.

What does it mean to get exposure for your book? Every author's goal is different for writing, but we all want people to read our books. Getting exposure means getting your face out there for the world to see, recognize and connect. Getting more eyeballs on your book and your brand is essential; you can't just publish and cross your fingers hoping for the best. In this episode, Christina shares a few ways you can get your face out there and get exposure for your book. Highlights 02:01 Christina's Author Journey 08:25 Defining exposure 09.58 Why get your face out there and not just your book? 12:33 Tips for getting your story out there 14:34 The importance of newsletters and author websites 17:44 Why many authors are reluctant to show themselves 25:05 The go-to places to get exposure 27:42 Other avenues to explore 33:35 Pinterest explored 42:46 Pitching yourself to Podcasts, Youtube, and book blogs 53:41 Reaching out to Christina for a free consultation or sample edit 56:08 Book Boss Author Planner   Visit the Show Notes page for more, including the resource mentioned.

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