Where writers talk about things that never happened to people who don't exist. Weekly interviews with authors about writing and the publishing industry. Hosted by Mindy McGinnis.
Today's guest is actress and author Melanie Smith, whose book Unfinished Business deals with trauma, grief, heartbreak and loss. Melanie joined me to talk about small and complex traumas, trauma reactions, and the shame that creatives are often made to feel in a capitalistic society. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: DevKenya
Maria Riegger of Law School Heretic joined me today to talk about the most important legal considerations for new authors, particularly self-published authors. Covered here is copyright - your own, and others - as well as how to protect your personal assets by forming an LLC, and the dangers of defamation. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: DevKenya Gone But Never Forgotten
Today's guest is Alexandra Bracken author of Silver in the Bone. Alex joined me today to talk about the difficulty of separating the artist from the art, and how a brush with a fascinating piece of family history inspired her newest novel - but took almost ten years to come together. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: GLOW Hormone Little Miss Recap
Today's guest is Ling Ling Huang, author of Natural Beauty. Ling Ling joined me today to talk about writing body horror, and how the clean beauty industry leant itself so well to the topic. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: GLOW Hormone Little Miss Recap
Today's guest is Nicholas Erik, a leading marketer and promotion strategist and consultant in the indie publishing world. He joined me today to talk about the one must-have marketing element, what writers can do to gain more exposure, and also debunks some of the myths that still linger (like needing 50 reviews on Amazon!) Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Lynn Forney, author of Choosing Survival. Lynn joined me to talk about the brutal knife attack she suffered as a young woman, the pushback from people who didn't believe her story, and how she healed as an adult using different techniques, and ultimately, writing about it. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook
Today's guest is Brad Andalman, one of the two founders of Vellum, the formatting software that's making the lives of indie and self-published authors much, much easier. This episode is co-hosted with Kate Karyus Quinn. We talk about Vellum's ease of use, the many new updates, and what's on the horizon. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Caroline Kepnes, author of the YOU series, which has been adapted into a hit Netflix series. Caroline joined me today to talk about identifying with her main character, writing a series, and how it feels when other works get left behind. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Caroline's Links: Instagram Twitter Ad Links: PubSite
Today's guest is Marin McGinnis, a romance author who also offers editorial services such as editing, proofreading, and copyediting. Marin joined me to talk about the most common mistakes she sees in manuscripts, especially the ones authors can't spot themselves. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Marin's Links: Site Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Laurell K. Hamilton, whose new release, Smolder is the 29th in her Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Laurell joined me today to talk about keeping her own interest in her characters by allowing them to be real people, and writing sex - some people think it's not enough, some people think it's too much, and you can't please everyone. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Laurell's Links: Twitter Instagram Site Ad Links: RT Book Reviews
Today's guest is Lynn Ng Quezon, author of Mattie and the Machine. Lynn joined me to talk about the extreme usefulness of good critique partners, knowing how much of your research to include in historical fiction, and the pressures of doing author school visits. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lynn's Links: Instagram Site Ad Links: PubSite Why Do We Say That? RT Book Reviews
Today's guest is Natasha Preston, author of The Island, who joined me today to talk about her electric jump start to success from Wattpad, research, writing a larger cast with her new release, and the time suck of social media in an author's life. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Natasha's Links: Twitter Instagram Facebook Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Melissa Landers, author of Lumara. Melissa joined me today to talk about a dry spell with no releases, career hiccups, handling mental health while trying to be creative, and the hit or miss of writing the sci-fi genre. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Melisa's Links: Twitter Instagram Facebook Ad Links: PubSite
Today's guest is NYT Bestselling author Beth Revis, who has made a career in both the YA trad world, self-publishing, serial writing, and through running a successful Patreon. Beth joined me today to talk about the endless hustle of the freelance life, diversification, and endless work - and rewards - of making a career as a creator. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Beth's Links: Substack Patreon Twitter Instagram Facebook Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Kathryn Holmes, who has written, YA, MG and chapter books. Kathryn joined me to talk about the difference in writing for these age categories, the payout for shorter books, submission slumps, and co-authoring. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Kathryn's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: PubSite Ganso
Today's guest is Alex Lidell, who began her career in traditional YA publishing, and switched paths (and genres), moving on to become a successful indie romance author. Alex joined me today to talk about the different aspects of finding success in the indie world, particularly when it comes to knowing trends and covers. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Alex's Links: Site Amazon Ad Links: Vellum
Today's guest is Louise Kennedy, author of Trespasses. Set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a shattering novel about a young woman caught between allegiance to community and a dangerous passion. Louise joined me to talk about how her own life informed the novel. Also covered: Coming to writing later in life, and short stories vs. novel writing. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Louise's Links: Instagram Ad Links: PubSite Ganso
Today's guest is Jenn Bouchard, author of First Course. Jenn joined me today to talk about working full time while writing, pursuing the short story marketplace to build a platform, and how to use Little Free Libraries as part of your marketing plan. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Jenn's Links: Site Facebook Instagram Ad Links: PubSite Ganso
Today's guest is Isabel Sterling, author of The Coldest Touch and host of the Author Burnout Coach Podcast. Isabel joined me today to talk about her path to publication, changing agents, writing under a pen name, how to know you're in burnout, and what to do about it. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Isabels's Links: Site Podcast Instagram Ad Links: PubSite Lostoria Le Podcast
Today's guests are Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson, co-author's of The Agatha's. Kathleen and Liz joined me today to talk about secret projects, writing for the joy of it, co-authoring, and plotting a mystery while still leaving room for flexibility. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Kathleen's Links: Site Instagram TikTok Twitter Liz's Links: Site Instagram TikTok Twitter Ad Links: PubSite Lostoria Le Podcast
Today's guest is Mary Robinette Kowal, author of The Spare Man, the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels, The Glamourist Histories series and Ghost Talkers. Mary Robinette joined me today to talk about what to do when your book marketing plan falls apart, how to pivot in promo emergencies, and best practices for writing diversely. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Mary Robinette's Links: Site Instagram TikTok Facebook Ad Links: PubSite Lostoria Le Podcast
Today's guest is Stacy Ennis, a number-one best-selling author and book coach, as well as founder of Nonfiction Book School. Stacy joined me today to talk about how being a writer doesn't necessarily mean you have to follow the path of a starving artist, how to merge the fear of selling out with the possibility of success, and how to take small steps to begin building the foundations of your freelance career. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Stacy's Links: Site Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Ad Links: Hauntings, Homicide & Hearsay PubSite
Today's guest are Jessi Honard and Marie Parks, co-authors of Unrelenting, a fantasy novel that is paced like a thriller, and features a diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters. The authors joined me today to talk about bringing a business mindset to the publishing journey, writing inclusively, and the process of co-authoring. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Jessi's Links: Site Instagram Twitter Marie's Links: Site Instagram Twitter Ad Links: Hauntings, Homicide & Hearsay PubSite The Midwest Crime Files
Today's guest is Karen McManus, NYT Bestselling author of multiple YA murder mysteries, including her newest release, Nothing More to Tell. Karen joined me to talk about pacing, plot and motive in murder mysteries, as well as knowing when social media isn't helping you anymore. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Karen's Links: Site Instagram Twitter Ad Links: In the Wild Podcast PubSite Horror Movies & Scary Stories Podcast
Today's guest is David Crow, author The Pale-Faced Lie, the story of his childhood with a violent felon as a father, and a mentally ill mother. David joined me today to talk about catharsis, forgiving yourself, and keeping your writing honest, even when it's painful. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook David's Links: Site Ad Links: In the Wild Podcast Intuitive Readings with Lindsey Kluin The Midwest Crime Files
Today's guest is Lorie Langdon, author of the Happily Never After series from Disney. Lorie joined me today to talk about ups and downs of a career, finding non-traditional routes to income, and how social media creates the illusion of success... even when it's not true. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lorie's Links: Site Instagram Ad Links: In the Wild Podcast Intuitive Readings with Lindsey Kluin
Today's guest is Dr. Tara T. Green author of Love, Activism, and the Respectable Life of Alice Dunbar-Nelson as well as See Me Naked: Black Women Defining Pleasure During the Interwar Era. Dr. Green joined me today to talk about black women throughout history, both known and unknown, who brought forth different perspectives, and whose stories remain relevant today. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Dr. Green's Links: Site Order from Black Owned Indie Bookstores Ad Links: ShePodcasts Tidewater Sandals Intuitive Readings with Lindsey Kluin
Today's guest is Tatanya Denford, author of The Child of Ukraine, a fictional narrative based on a long-kept family secret. Tatanya originally self published her book, only to find traditional publishing came calling when the marketability of the narrative skyrocketed. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Tetyana's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: ShePodcasts Tidewater Sandals
Today's guest is the internationally best-selling author Tess Gerrtisen whose 13th book in the Rizzoli & Isles Series, Listen to Me, releases this month. Tess joined me today to talk about writing such a beloved series for so long, keeping the characters real, and the balance between writing the story or pleasing your readers. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Tess's Links: Site Twitter Ad Links: ShePodcasts Tidewater Sandals
Today's guest is Jamie Lyn Smith, author of Township, a collection of short stories set in Appalachia. Jamie joined me today to talk about writing literature of place, the art of the short story, and ways to make money on your short fiction. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Jamie's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: ShePodcasts Use Code WWPF for $50 off your ticket! Beneath the Water by Eve S. Evans Meet Cute Box Use Code SUMMER20 for 20% Off in June!
Today's guest is Angela Engel, who launched the The Collective Book Studio, which provides authors with a middle ground between the benefits of self-publishing and the art of the well-crafted book. Angela joined me today to talk about what authors should know about partner publishing, and how to be aware of publishers who aren't offering anything you can't do on your own. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Collective Book Studio Links: Site What is Book Distribution & Why Is It Important? Ad Links: Where It Runs Out Podcast Meet Cute Box Use Code SUMMER20 for 20% Off in June!
Today's guest is Katie Henry, whose most recent release is Gideon Green in Black and White. Katie joined me today to talk about career hopping from being a playwright to a novelist, jumping genres from contemporary humor to mystery, and why writing funny is so important - now, and always. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Katie Henry Links: Site Instagram Twitter Ad Links: Let's Think Happy Use Code LTH20 for 20% Off! Meet Cute Box Use Code SUMMER20 for 20% Off in June!
Today's guests are R.S. Mellette, author of Kiya & The Morian Treasure, as well as his publisher Matt Sinclair, founder and CEO of Elephant's Bookshelf Press. They joined me today to talk about what works in indie publishing versus trad in terms of marketing and publicity, as well as the function that indie publishers serve - providing a home to not easily categorized works. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook R.S. Mellete & EBP Links: Site Facebook Ad Links: InBooze Meet Cute Box Use Code SUMMER20 for 20% in June!
Today's guest is MarcyKate Connolly, author of numerous MG and YA books. MarcyKate joined me today to talk about the importance of finding a writer's critique group, the different ways to promote middle grade versus Young adult, and the difficulties of launching four books during the pandemic. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook MarcyKate's Links: Site Facebook Twitter Instagram Ad Links: InBooze Where It Runs Out Podcast
Today's guest is Fred Koehler, author, illustrator and founder of Ready Chapter 1, a program to help writers start their creative journey. Fred joined me today to talk about the importance of having active experiences to inspire storytelling, the pros (and cons) of determination, and the effects of the pandemic on publishing. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Fred's Links: Site Ready Chapter 1 Use Code LIARLIAR For a Free Class about story ideation techniques!
Dan Koboldt joined me today to talk about two wonderful resources for writers - Putting the Science in Fiction & Putting the Fact in Fantasy - both of which edited. Originally published to help genre writers, these collections are a great addition to any writer's shelf, covering topics as broad as mental illness, to moving through the woods. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Dan's Links: Site Putting the Science in Fiction Putting the Fact in Fantasy Ad Links: Vellum PubSite
Today's guest is Dave Chesson, creator of Kindlepreneur, which is dedicated to helping authors build their writing and careers from the ground up, from writing to editing, to cover creation. Dave joined me today to talk about the most important aspects of self-publishing - covers, mailing lists, and the choice of going wide or staying strictly with Amazon. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Episode Links: Kindlepreneur Ad Links: Vellum InBooze How To See A Man About A Dog PubSite Love in Times of War
Erika Robuck joined me today to talk about her novel Sisters of Night and Fog, how World War 2 continues to be a fertile place for novels, especially as the stories of women resistors and spies become more well known, through the declassification of documents. Also covered - researching for historical novels, and why World War 2 is so horribly relevant today. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Erika's Links: Site Facebook Instagram Ad Links: Vellum How To See A Man About A Dog PubSite Love in Times of War
Today's guest is Bethany C. Morrow, author Cherish Farrah. Bethany joined me today to talk about the rising genre of social horror, the importance of nuance and performance in an audiobook, unreliable narrators, and those of us who operate within the social contract... as well as those of us who don't. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Bethany's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: Vellum InBooze PubSite Love in Times of War
Farah Jasmine Griffin joined me today to talk about her new book from WW Norton, Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature. Also covered - the importance of education, freedom of political thought, book banning and the impact of literature on those whose voices are silenced. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Farah's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me PubSite Love in Times of War
Today's guest is Lauren Kate, author of By Any Other Name, a rom-com set within the publishing industry. Lauren joined me to talk about meeting your heroes, writing about writing, and how - and when - to separate the art from the author. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lauren's Links: Site Facebook Twitter Instagram Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me PubSite Hydronique Hydration
Today's guest is Lisa Gardner, author of One Step Too Far. Lisa joined me today to talk about lives lived on the fringes, cold case investigators, the power of listening, canine search and rescue helpers... and Bigfoot. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lisa's Links: Site Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me PubSite Hydronique Hydration
Today's guests are Sabine K. Bergmann and Sivani Babu, the founders of Hidden Compass, which is a women-founded media company based on the idea that the age of discovery is not over, exploration - and long form media - are not dead, and that readers deserve more than bite-size junk food media. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Hidden Compass Links: Site Podcast The Alliance Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me PubSite The Hauntings, Unearthly, & Paranormal Stories Podcast Hydronique Hydration
Today's guest is Deanna Raybourn, author of the Veronica Speedwell mystery series. Deanna joined me today to talk about misconceptions about the Victorian - specifically regarding sex and women - as well as writing historical fiction and how closely to adhere to facts. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Deanna's Links: Site Instagram Twitter Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me PubSite
Today's guest is Nova McBee, author of Calculated. Nova joined me today to talk about her backwards publishing journey - from film rights, to audio, to the book deal - as well as the necessity of growing a thick skin, and why she enjoys having a heavily editorial agent. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Nova's Links: Site Instagram Facebook Twitter Ad Links: Vellum Help You Find Me Noumena PubSite The Hauntings, Unearthly, & Paranormal Stories Podcast
Today's guest is Tavi Taylor Black, author ofWhere Are We Tomorrow? a story of four women working backstage on a rock tour. Tavi joined me today to talk about being a woman in a male-dominated space, the toxic nature of our addiction to fame, writing at any age, and writing despite obstacles. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Tavi's Links: Site Instagram Facebook Goodreads Ad Links: Vellum Rev Office Suite PubSite
Today's guest is JK Ellem, author of the Amazon bestseller Mill Point Road. Jack joined me to day to talk about treating your indie publishing career as a lean, mean startup, focusing on your strengths, and treating your book as a product, and knowing what pieces to snap off - audio, foreign translations - and sell to others to produce. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Jack's Links: Site Instagram Facebook Goodreads Ad Links: Vellum Hydronique Hydration
Today's guest is Elizabeth George, author of the Thomas Lynley mystery series, recently publishing the 21st book, Something to Hide. Elizabeth joined me to day to talk about keeping a character interesting for both readers and herself since 1988, choosing how to manage the passage of time within the narrative of the series, and how research has changed for a writer since she began. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Elizabeth's Links: Site Instagram Twitter Ad Links: Vellum Hydronique Hydration
Today's guest is Janet Sternburg, a writer of memoir, essays, poetry and plays, as well as a fine-art photographer. Her books include two memoirs, White Matter: A Memoir of Family & Medicine and Phantom Limb: A Meditation on Memory, as well as the classic two volumes of The Writer on Her Work. Janet joined me today to talk about writing hard truths concerning your own family, how to do it, how to approach it, and how to tackle responses. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Janet's Links: Instagram Writing Site Photography Site Ad Links: Hydronique Hydration
Today's guest is Lucinda Halpern of Lucinda Literary, whose strong background in marketing and broad media and film relationships enable us the firm to be strategists and advocates not just for books, but for the long-term careers of their authors. Lucinda joined me to talk about common query mistakes, and marketing tips for authors. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lucinda's Links: Instagram Twitter Site Facebook Ad Links: Carpe
Today's guest is Lyn Liao Butler, author of The Tiger Mom's Tale and the upcoming Red Thread of Fate. Lyn joined me today to talk about the experience of debuting during the pandemic, how having an active lifestyle helps with her writing and mind / body balance, as well as how important research is when writing in a specific setting. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Lynn's Links: Instagram Twitter Site Facebook Ad Links: Carpe
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