The Writing Gym Podcast

In this episode, Annalisa talks with Andi in the first episode of a 6 part series. In the first episode, we talk about feedback. Are you tired of getting cursory and/or unhelpful feedback? Are you sick to death of meaningless comments that have nothing to do with your manuscript? This episode will teach you all about: What quality feedback is How you can get it Where you can get it

In this episode, Annalisa and Andi talk to Gary Barnes, a high-performance business and sales coach. He has personally sold over $280 million dollars in services. He spend this episode giving his top tricks for success. Don't miss out on his advice for: motivating yourself growing your business savvy expanding your abilities find out what you want, and get it

This week on the Writing Gym podcast, Annalisa sits down with John David Mann and Ana Gabriel Mann to discuss their co-authored book The Go-Giver Marriage. Learn about how to collaborate with a partner and let their writing take its own style. To get the most out of this episode, download the free resource guide How to Turn Your Passion into a Book, at writing-gym.com/passionbook.

This week on the Writing Gym podcast, Annalisa sits down with writer and novelist Denise Cloutier. Learn about how to confidently finish your novel for publication and about putting together a query for agents. To get the most out of this episode, download the free resource guide How to Confidently Query Your Novel at www.writing-gym.com/goodenough/

In this episode of the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks to science fiction and horror novelist Stephen Oliver. Learn how to publish short stories in magazines and anthologies, how to sell your novel to agents and publishers and, most important, how to see your name published in magazines, anthologies and on the cover of your published novel. To get the most out of this episode, download the free resource guide, How to Live the Author Lifestyle at www.writing-gym.com/shortstory/.

This week on the Writing Gym podcast, we're pulling out a favorite from the archives. Annalisa Parent and Andi Davies interview bestselling co-author of the Go-Giver, Bob Burg. In this episode, you'll learn how to find a topnotch co-author, what the difference between work-for-hire and co-authorship is, how to write a business parable and more. To get the most out of this episode, download our free step-by-step guide on How to SELL Your Book at www.writing-gym.com/gogiver2.

This week on the Writing Gym podcast, we're pulling out a favorite from the archives. Annalisa and Andi Davies interview award winning author Cristina Istrati. In this episode you'll learn how to write successfully in multiple genres and what the balance really is between natural talent and showing up to do the work. To get the most out of this episode, download our free guide that will help  you elevate your writing to publish in multiple genres. Download here: https://writing-gym.com/genres2/.

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks with Jeanne Covert. Jeanne is an author and screenwriter who novelized her screenplay in the Writing Gym. Listen to learn about novelizing your movie, how to build your author platform and how to know if your novel is publishable. To learn how to novelize your movie, download this step by step free resource guide -- How to Novelize Your Movie Script -- at www.writing-gym.com/screenplay/.   

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks with journalist and author Bill Kovarik. Bill has published several nonfiction and historical fiction books. Listen as they chat about how to research for your novel, what novelists can learn from journalists and how to stop wasting your time and write that novel. To get the most out of this episode, be sure to download our free resource, The Six Secrets To Go From Struggling Writer To Published Author, at https://writing-gym.com/historical/.

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks with Maria Chapman. Maria is a Writing Gym alum who writes women's fiction and makes a living from her writing. In this episode, you'll hear how Maria finished her novel without an outline, how she found an effective writing process and how she makes money writing. To learn the key to success, download our free resource guide The Top 6 Secrets to go from Struggling Writer to Published Author at https://writing-gym.com/stuck/.

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks with author Claire Fullerton about her winding path to publication. They discuss Claire's methods for writing realistic fiction, how she built her writing resume and why no two writing processes are the same and that's okay! To get started on your own publishing journey, check out our free resource guide that breaks down the 6 secrets to author success over at https://writing-gym.com/reallife/.

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa Parent speaks with Writing Gym member Hannah Johnson. In the VIP, Hannah finished in her novel in under 2 months. She jumped into publishing mastermind, and is well on her way to revising her novel to publishable. Hannah talks about what it was like to finish her novel, how the Writing Gym helped where her creative writing university education couldn't, and what understanding her writing process and her weaknesses did to improve her writing. To access our awesome free resource guide, click the link here: https://writing-gym.com/shortstories/. 

In this episode, writing coach and author Annalisa Parent sits down with long-time journalist Dan Smith. Dan and Annalisa talk about the differences between novel writing and journalistic style. They explore the struggles and the successes of publishing and finding your writer's voice. To get the most out of this episode, be sure to snag our freebie at https://writing-gym.com/journalism/. 

This week on the Writing Gym Podcast, Annalisa speaks with Writing Gym member Barbara Pattee about what it's like to come out of the shadows and write with pride. In this episode, learn about how community and productive feedback changed Barbara's writing life and helped her discover her own hidden writing confidence. To get the most out of this episode, check out our free downloadable resource on community here: https://writing-gym.com/writingfeedback/. 

This week, Annalisa Parent speaks with true crime and mystery author Diane Fanning about what writing in those genres is like. Hear Diane break down how she does her research, how she schedules writing and research into her life and why she loves writing true crime and mystery. To get the most out of this episode, download our free resource over at https://writing-gym.com/truecrime/.

This week on the Writing Gym podcast, Annalisa Parent celebrates Writing Gym VIP member Tasneem Jivanji. Tasneem is celebrating completing her first draft of her realistic fiction novel and all the hard work she did to complete it. They talk about taking care of yourself while writing, how to find a productive writing community and how to find your writing confidence. To get the most out of this episode, be sure to use our free downloadable resource over at https://writing-gym.com/difficult/. 

On this week's episode of the Writing Gym podcast, Annalisa sits down with mystery author Trish Esden to talk about what it's like to publish in multiple genres. Trish Esden lives the author lifestyle every day; she pulls back the curtain on what it took to get there and how she keeps it up. If you want to know what it takes to successfully make a career out of writing, make sure you download our free resource guide to walk you through your first steps. Download it here:  https://writing-gym.com/goals/. 

This week, Annalisa Parent sits down with author and Writing Gym member Natalie French. Annalisa and Natalie discuss how to stop struggling and edit your novel, how to get better feedback on your novel project and why trying to publish alone just doesn't get you the results you want. Make sure to download our freebie at https://writing-gym.com/publishingstruggle/ to get the most out of this episode. 

This week, writing coach Annalisa Parent sits down with ghostwriter Dan Clements to pull back on the curtain on what it's really like to be a ghostwriter. Curious about what ghostwriting is and if it may be right for  you? Perhaps you're looking to pursue a career in writing, but you're not sure how to get there. Listen to this episode and then download the free resource guide for help. https://writing-gym.com/ghostwriting/

 In this episode, writing coach and author Annalisa Parent sits down with Writing Gym member Sonee Singh. Sonee and Annalisa talk about what to do when your plot loses momentum, how to discover and fix blindspots in your writer, and why you're not getting the feedback you need from your beta readers. To get the most out of this episode, be sure to snag our freebie at https://writing-gym.com/momentum/. 

This week, Annalisa speaks with New York Times bestselling author John David Mann. John speaks on why revision is key to successfully publishing your novel, what it's like to co-author, and why trying out a new genre improves your writing skills. Make sure you check out the free worksheet at https://writing-gym.com/revisions/. 

This week, Annalisa speaks with Jill Smith, a Writing Gym alumnae who's on the path to publication about what it's like to be a part of a professional community of writers. Jill and Annalisa answer why quality feedback is important, why you shouldn't be scared to follow plot rabbit trails, and what makes the Writing Gym different from other communities. Make sure you check out the free writing resource at https://writing-gym.com/confidencebuilder/.

This week Annalisa and author Leah Weiss are in conversation about the importance of learning the craft of writing, how to find and develop your character's voice, and why you need professional feedback to successfully publish. Take a look at the freebie for this episode over at https://writing-gym.com/writingcraft/.

If you've been wondering what you can do to find motivation to write, this episode is for you. This week, Annalisa and Tashya Knight talk about how to overcome your fear and start writing, how to connect with publishers, and how to develop your freelance writing. Check out the freebie at https://writing-gym.com/freelance/.

This week, Annalisa and author Cassandra Thompson are in conversation about breaking genre molds, how to take rejection and use it to propel you forward, and what it feels like to get that first novel published. Take a look at the freebie for this episode over at https://writing-gym.com/rejectionletters/. 

In this week's episode, Annalisa and up and coming author Aaron Betts talk about what it feels like to finally finish his novel. After joining the Writing Gym, Aaron finished the novel he'd spent years writing in just two weeks. Annalisa and Aaron also discuss overcoming writer's block and why getting professional feedback on your writing is so important to propelling you towards your dream of being published. Check out the freebie at https://writing-gym.com/finishanovel/.

This week, Annalisa and literary agent Kevin O'Connor discuss how to craft a stand-out query letter, the purpose of literary agents, and what really goes on in an agent's head when they read your query letter. Take a look at this week's freebie and spend some time reflecting on where you could up your query letter game at www.writing-gym.com/CHILDRENSLITERARYAGENT. 

 In this final episode of Season 5, we highlight key moments in authors finishing, revising and publishing their books. How do authors finish and publish novels/ Listen in.

What kind of writer am I ? What is a pantser? What is finishing a manuscript really like?

Annalisa speaks with Sara Wigal, Director of Publishing at Belmont University about the timeline of a book getting published and what publicity and marketing for your books looks like, and more! In this episode, you're going to learn: -The behind the scenes of the publishing industry -What it takes to be a working professional in the publishing industry -The full process for how a book gets published--and each step along the way You'll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, The End is Only the Beginning, for this episode that will walk you through how to become a published author, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/Pubjobs. Don't forget the dash!  Sara Wigal is an Assistant Professor of Media Studies and Director of Publishing at Belmont University. She is also the Fundraising Chair for the Next Chapter Society which supports the programming made possible by the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Wigal has been published by The Tennessean, Publishers Weekly, and Writer's Digest.

How do I jumpstart my creativity? What is a simple writing prompt you can do over and over? How do I get to know my characters better?  

Annalisa speaks with Carey Nelson Burch, owner and consultant of My Own Shingle, about how to find the right agent to maximize your publication and media rights, how to advocate for your manuscript in the publishing industry, and how to find the right professional partners for your creative work. In this episode, you're going to learn: -How to get YOUR voice heard in the noisy marketplace -How to sell your book through networking -How to be your own advocate for your work You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, The Dating Game: Finding Publishers and Agents in a Digital Dating world for this episode that will walk you through the multiple media your manuscript can take in addition to a published book. Take a minute and download our free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/EXPAND. Don't forget the dash!  Carey Nelson Burch is the Owner of My Own Shingle where she consults for several companies while managing a handful of screenwriters, authors and influencers. Previously she was a packaging agent at William Morris Endeavor for over twelve years and an Executive at NBC in Los Angeles. Carey currently serves on the boards of the Nashville Film Festival, Belmont's Film & TV Advisory Committee, and Film Com.

How do I know if I'm a pantser? How do I know if I'm an outliner? How do I add structure to my writing?

Annalisa speaks with Joe Curcillo, Speaker and Author of Getting to Us about how to reach thousands of people with your content, and more!   In this episode, you're going to learn: -How to reach thousands of people with your content -How to contribute to national magazines -When and how to produce an audiobook You'll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, Tell the World Your Message, for this episode that will walk you through how to reach a wide audience and share your knowledge with them, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/vision. Don't forget the dash! Author, CEO, & Advisor to Visionaries, Joe Curcillo inspires audiences by sharing the strategies and secrets to solving seen and unseen problems. Joe has published three books, Getting to Us: Discover the Ability to Lead Your Team to Any Result You Desire, What's Your Freakin' Point: How To Maximize The Impact Of Every Word You Speak, and Don't Be a Hamster: 30 Tips to Spark the Imagination of Busy People to assist others in balancing work and happiness in their lives.

How do I plan a writing project? What are the steps to completing my goal successfully? How do I hold myself accountable?

Annalisa speaks with Megan Dobson, publisher at ChristianAudio about important considerations in writing a book that will be produced as an audio book and more! In this episode, you're going to learn:   Important considerations in writing a book that will be produced as an audio book How publishers make decisions on how to produce your content: print, audio, ebook, etc. Why comp titles are so important to your book sales You'll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, How to Navigate the Audiobook World, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/negotiate. Don't forget the dash!  Megan Dobson was the publisher of ChristianAudio, under RBMedia, an independent audiobook producer. Megan previously worked at HarperCollins Christian Publishing where she was the associate publisher for W Publishing. She has recently become the vice president of publisher Zonderkids, the child sector of Zondervan publishing.  

How can Neuroscience boost my creativity? Can dancing really help my writing? How do I get in the creative mood?

Annalisa speaks with author Barbara Zito, about how to go from query to publication, how to negotiate rights in your publishing contract, and more! In this episode, you're going to learn: How to go from query to publication What questions to ask when you've been offered a publishing contract How to negotiate rights in your publishing contract.  You'll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, How to Get That Publishing Contract, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these publishing concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/BeyondMFA. Don't forget the dash!  BIO:  Barbara Zito is a freelance writer, an alumni of the Writing gym, and the author of an upcoming contemporary fiction novel through Literary Wanderlust.

What do I do when an agent requests my manuscript? How to avoid the slush pile? How do I prepare for submitting my writing materials?

Annalisa speaks with David O'Hara, professor at Augustana University about how to make time for your writing, immersing yourself in research for your writing, and more! In this episode, you're going to learn: How to make time for your writing How to refocus and find time to write How writing from your authentic self will make your writing pay off You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Making Time to Write, for this episode that will walk you through how to dive deep into the research that could help your novel come to life. So take a minute and download the resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/refocus. Don't forget the dash!  David O'Hara is the co-author of From Homer to Harry Potter, The Hobbit and Philosophy, and Narnia and the Fields of Arbol - among others. He writes about wild places like the Alaskan Tundra, the Rainforest of Guatemala, or the Barrier Reef of Belize.

What is a writers worst enemy? Where does writers block come from? How do I overcome writers block?

Annalisa speaks with Jeanne Covert, Writing Gym member about how to get a literary agent to request your manuscript. In this episode, you're going to learn: How to get a literary agent to request your manuscript How to get to the front of an agent's line How and why an agent asks for a full manuscript You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Escape the Slush Pile that will walk you through how to avoid an agent's ‘no' list--the slush pile AND accelerate manuscript requests. Take a minute to download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/request. Don't forget the dash!  Jeanne Covert is a screenwriter who has now successfully added novelist to her publishing credits. Now agented, her journey was an exciting one including receiving 2 requests for full manuscripts in one day from top agencies. She shares her secrets with us today.

What is my writing goal? What is a quality writing goal? How do I reach my writing goal?  

Annalisa speaks with River Jordan, a novelist from Southern Alabama about How to handle rejection with humor, How to choose the right literary agent  and How to tap into your potential as a writer to move your readers. In this episode, you're going to learn: How to handle rejection with humor How to choose the right literary agent for you How to tap into your potential as a writer to move your readers You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Create and Achieve Writing Goals, for this episode that will help you to shape what you want YOUR author lifestyle to look like, and work toward obtaining those goals. Take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/authorlife. Don't forget the dash!  River Jordan is a novelist from Southern Alabama. She was raised surrounded by many storytellers and found her calling to be a writer in the sixth grade. Her most recent book is Confessions of a Christian Mystic.

How do I get confident in my writing? How to break through the fear of writing? How do I unravel the mysteries of writing?

Annalisa speaks with writer John Ridge about breaking out of research mode, how to finish a novel, and how to squash imposter syndrome.  In this episode, you're going to learn: How to break out of research mode and finish your novel How to get the right kind of feedback on your writing How to squash imposter syndrome  You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Break Out of World Building, It  will walk you through the important steps John took to stop researching and  finish his novel. Take a minute and download the resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/worldbuilding. Don't forget the dash!  John Ridge is a writer from Colorado. He writes epic fantasy, and loves layering his world with interesting places and characters.

What is the path to publishing? How do I get published? How do I find help with my publishing goals?

Annalisa speaks with Kathy Meis, founder and CEO of Bublish about distributing books to various outlets, becoming an “authorpreneur,” and more!   In this episode, you're going to learn: How to get your book distributed to multiple outlets How to engage your readers authentically and effectively How to make a sustainable profit off your book You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Sell More Books as an Authorpreneur. This guide will walk you through the steps it takes to market your book, reach multiple distribution points, and make a sustainable profit on your book. You don't want to miss this one. So take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/Authorpreneur. Don't forget the dash!  Kathy Meis is the founder and CEO of Bublish, the world's first complete publishing platform with built-in marketing. Kathy has been a writer and editor for more than twenty-five years, working for editorial brands as CBS and Forbes, Inc.

Annalisa Parent shares some insights during a PBS interview on 'Creative Living with Sheryl Borden' What is a Pantser? How do I find my best writer? What is a Creativity Vortex?

Annalisa speaks with aspiring author Steve Cummins about balancing writing with life, the importance of mindset in approaching writing, and more!  In this episode, you're going to learn: How to FINALLY finish that novel--even if you've been putting it off for 20 years How to find the time to write--even with a busy family and professional life How to confront fears and insecurities and WRITE You'll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Finish that Novel NOW that will walk you through the steps to make and achieve serious and realistic writing goals. Take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/decision. Don't forget the dash!  Steve Cummins is an up and coming author from Colorado. He is currently writing a medieval fantasy novel that he first started over twenty years ago, and was able to finish in a matter of weeks in the Writing Gym! 

Amy Collins is asked: If you could give aspiring writers one piece of advice, what would it be? How to put yourself on the path to becoming a successful author. What should I do every day if I want to be a better writer? What are the top three things that should be on my writing checklist?   Amy Collins is the President of New Shelves Books, one of the best-known book sales and marketing agencies in the US. In the last 20 years Amy and her team have sold over 40 million books into the bookstore, library, and chain store market for small and mid-sized publishers.