Podcasts about becca syme

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Intuitive Writing with guest Becca Syme.What you'll learn from this episode:What is intuitive writing Learning how to recognize your intuitionBuilding self-trustCheck out The Better-Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/Snag Becca's Free Resources: https://betterfasteracademy.com/linksReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story's plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we're going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

Becca Syme has coached thousands of writers, hosts the QuitCast channel, and believes the best advice is personalized, not packaged. She has an idea or two on what frustrates writers, and what keeps them from finding satisfaction, enjoyment, and success in their work. She also shares her vast knowledge on what it really takes to get published as an author in 2025. AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.Follow AMI Audiobook Review on YouTube & Instagram!We want your feedback!Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up! Our email address is: audiobookreview@ami.caAbout AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc

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Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has individually coached more than 5000 authors at all levels. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course, and the host of the Quitcast for Writers podcast and YouTube channel. She also writes mystery novels and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota. Becca Syme, founder of The Better-Faster Academy joins us to help you get past whatever's keeping you from writing better faster stories.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Matty Dalrymple talks with Kate Tilton about AUTHOR ASSISTANTS: FINDING ONE OR BEING ONE, including the various types of support an author assistant can offer, from organizing emails and managing forums to handling newsletters and connecting with PR firms. We explore the complexities of finding the right assistant, balancing workload, and the importance of clear communication and trust. Kate also touches on strategies for authors who find themselves overwhelmed and seeking help, providing valuable insights for anyone considering hiring or becoming an author assistant. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html   If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple   Kate Tilton is the founder of Kate Tilton's Author Services, where she has been helping authors since 2010. Kate works with authors of all stripes, from New York Times and USA Today bestsellers to pre-publication authors. Becca Syme calls her "the best author support in the industry." A cat-lover and fan of many geeky things, Kate can likely be found curled up with tea and a good book, plotting world takeover, or connecting authors and readers in any way she can. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors; her articles have appeared in "Writer's Digest" magazine. She serves as the Campaigns Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors.  

Understanding what I need regarding taking time off - or NOT! - and how important it is for us to collect data on our own process. Also, the inevitability of losing friendships as we build our careers and businesses.The book I mention THE FRIEND WHO GOT AWAY is here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385511868The Happy FaRoDays event is here! https://farofeb.com/happy-farodays/Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/-wwjUTAL-pcSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

On Yog's Law - that money must flow to the creator - and why paying a company to publish your books is a terrible idea. Also, why your creativity will beat "AI" and how you can make a living as a creator. Becca Syme's Better Faster Academy is here https://betterfasteracademy.com/Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/BbsmTXQchg8Support the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

On giving ourselves permission to give less than 100% (or more) effort to tasks and projects that aren't our priority. Insights I gained from Becca Syme's Author Business Summit, sustainability of all our efforts, and taking time off.Becca Syme's Better Faster Academy is here https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Visit JenniferKLambert.comRELUCTANT WIZARD is out now and audiobook is live!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/ptd-OwkQKP0Support the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this week's episode, I chat with best-selling author and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Becca Syme. We discuss some of the common causes of overwhelm and burnout for authors and what we can do to minimise their impact and set ourselves up for success. Some of the other topics we discuss include: ·       The role of “expectation” in causing burnout. ·       Why lack of sales doesn't mean you're failing as an author. ·       How to know when you're out of the Research & Development Phase of your author career. ·       The role of Energy Pennies in creating a sustainable author career. ·       What are Author Success Archetypes and how they can be identified and harnessed for success. ·       Why it's important to remember that anything can change for the better! If you're in need of a pep talk – whether in your author career or life in general – this is the episode for you! Visit Becca's website here: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Join the Author Business Phases Summit here.  Follow Becca on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/betterfasteracademy/ If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and is greatly appreciated. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, or a topic suggestion for a future episode, leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AlchemyForAuthors Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Follow me on Facebook: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here.  Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Feeling stuck at a creative crossroads? You're not alone!In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I dive into that all-too-familiar struggle every writer faces when contemplating whether to push through or step back from a project. Drawing from insights in Seth Godin's The Dip, I unpack the tricky phase where doubt creeps in, and we're tempted to abandon our current work-in-progress for something newer and shinier.I'll share some thought-provoking questions and journaling prompts to help you figure out if you are dealing with Resistance or if it's genuinely time to listen to the creative muse and move on to something else. Plus, I'll point you toward some invaluable resources like Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and How to Decide by Annie Duke.Join me for a deep dive into reflection, aligning your decisions with your values and long-term goals. Whether you choose to move forward with your current project or pivot, this episode will empower you to take the next steps with confidence00:00 Introduction to the Creative Crossroads00:42 Facing the Creative Crossroads01:15 Deciding Whether to Quit or Push Through02:08 Understanding the Creative Call03:59 Reflecting on Your Creative Path04:43 Applying Seth Godin's 'The Dip' to Writing05:33 The Phases of Writing a Novel06:43 Understanding the Dip07:37 Identifying If You're in the Dip08:34 Facing Resistance09:26 Journal Prompts for Decision-Making10:11 The Skill of Finishing11:03 Recommended Resources11:43 Final Thoughts and EncouragementLearn more about Small-Group Book Coaching With Write It Scared Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Welcome to another LEGENDARY episode of Storybeast! Our Legendaries are special guests who are an expert within their area of storytelling. In this episode, Ghabiba Weston and Courtney Shack have the pleasure of interviewing legendary Clare Sager. Clare Sager writes fantasy stories with adventure, intrigue, darkness, and a heaping spoonful of steamy romance. Her favourite tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and tricky fae bargains that just might be more trouble than they're worth. She lives in Nottingham, Robin Hood country, so it's no surprise she writes about characters who don't always play by the rules. In this episode, you'll hear: About dealing with burnout Love for Becca Syme and her Better Faster Academy Shout outs to Charlie's Book Recs' substack How Clare's method of relaxing impacts her stories Clare hint at what's next for her in the writing world Bonding over poison A special note on our winter conference: Join us for Romantasy Summit this December and discover our amazing, online conference for writers creating in the fantasy and romance genres. Take a look at our ⁠welcome page⁠ or jump straight into ⁠our course offerings⁠ to see what our incredible faculty are teaching. For more storytelling content to your inbox,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠subscribe ⁠to our newsletter⁠⁠⁠.⁠ Feel free to reach out if you want to talk story or snacks! A warm thank you to Deore for our musical number. You can find more of her creative work on Spotify. As ever, thank you for listening, Beasties! Please consider leaving a review to support this podcast. Be brave, stay beastly!

#prayingchristianwomen #prayercloset #prayerwarrior #justpray #powerofprayer #podcastforwomen #christianauthors #christianpodcast #podcastaboutprayer #godisgreater #devotions #praylikeyou #menopause #perimenopuase#womenshealth #moodswings #mentalhealth #womenfinishingwell In this episode of the Praying Christian Women podcast, Alana welcomes her long-time business coach, Becca Syme, to discuss the often-overlooked topic of menopause. Becca opens up about her personal experience with symptoms like itchy ears, sleep disturbances, and mood swings, while emphasizing the importance of Christian women being proactive about their health. Together, they challenge societal views that treat menopause negatively, encouraging women to embrace this life stage through faith, prayer, and advocacy. The conversation also delves into the emotional aspects of aging, with Becca offering encouragement to focus on the potential and purpose that remain as we grow older. Drawing from insights her mother has gained through her work with older adults, Becca highlights the importance of finding joy and meaning in later years. Tune in for practical advice, spiritual encouragement, and a fresh perspective on aging with grace and purpose. For more inspiration, don't miss Becca's recommendation to check out the Women Finishing Well podcast. Listen now to the Praying Christian Women podcast for an uplifting discussion about how Christian women can navigate menopause and aging with strength and faith!

Send us a textDo you want to be more efficient when it comes to your writing? Wish there was a way to understand what type of writing process would work well for you instead of trying and failing at a method that works well for others? Guess what? There is. It still takes work but makes a massive difference in my writing life.In this episode, I'm joined by Becca Syme, creator of the  Better-Faster Academy and Strengths for Writes classes and host of the Quit Cast For Writers. Becca and I discuss using the CliftonStrengths assessment tool to understand your unique writing talents and personality and how that will help you improve your writing process, avoid burnout, and focus on what you naturally excel at. Tune in to learn how embracing your strengths can enhance creativity and productivity and sustain your passion for writing despite setbacks! 01:18 Introduction to Special Guest: Becca Syme03:33 Becca Syme's Journey to Writing and Coaching07:15 Understanding CliftonStrengths for Writers15:21 Better Faster Academy: Enhancing Your Strengths21:07 Write Better Faster: The Path to Alignment25:01 The Importance of Individual Coaching25:31 Strengths for Writers vs. Write Better Faster26:25 Personal Experiences with Strengths for Writers27:43 Nonfiction Books for Writers30:24 Critical Reviews and Reader Reactions31:43 The Complexity of Writing Advice38:06 Understanding Your Strengths: Basements and Balconies43:41 Final Thoughts and Advice for Writers47:16 Where to Find More ResourcesGuest Bio and Links: Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course. She also writes mystery novels in her spare time and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.You can connect with Becca through her website or follow her on InstagramSupport the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

How sometimes we stop caring about things that were once meaningful and that it's okay to let them go. Some insights on my Achiever and Intellection Clifton Strengths, celebrating wins, and connecting with friends.RELUCTANT WIZARD is out now!! https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizardYou can preorder STRANGE FAMILIAR at https://www.jeffekennedy.com/strange-familiarThe posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAYou can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authorsJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/Oze0J8fI7skSupport the showContact Jeffe!Find me on Threads Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

Mark interviews Becca Syme, an author and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach who has been helping writers with coaching success alignment for more than a decade. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons and Buy Me A Coffee buddies, shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise. In the interview Mark and Becca talk about: How Becca deals with unexpected situations such as someone being late for a virtual meeting (Mark was 20 minutes late getting to this interview) and how this aligns with her strength of "Arranger" The Clifton Strengths personality metric and how Becca uses it to help writers Mark's top 5 strengths and Becca's top 5 strengths The pros and cons that come with a strength such as Empathy How emotions can have residue - that emotions are not false just because they're fictional Becca first taking the Clifton Strengths in 2005 and then immediately wanting to become certified and to figure this out; which is when her coaching began The "Dear Writer"/"Question The Premise" books that Becca has written to help writers How Becca's first book "Dear Writer You Need to Quit" has become a running joke, especially from people who have never read the book and have only heard the title The challenge related to the new place Becca lives and trying to get audiobooks recorded People who are pressure-prompted and the leveraging external motivation VS internal motivation A look at home office versus having an office space separate from the home and how that can work better for some people How our visions of ourselves are not correct because so much of it is based on impressions we were fed before we were able to effectively grasp a more pure vision of ourselves Being able to look at what's often seen as a weakness as a strength How even the more benign moments and experiences in childhood can have a dramatic life-long impact upon us The way that Becca questions almost everything, including the thoughts and feelings that she has Being an intuitive writer verses writing a book to outline How 100% of the things that "everyone says" are for everyone, are definitely NOT for everyone That most people are not lying to you, but they are lying to themselves, often because they just don't understand How a person who NEVER questions themself is a major red flag The "reach for my phone" game that Becca plays when she's traveling or out in public The 12-Hour Walk Becca dating someone who was comfortably disconnected from their phone, rarely ever reaching for it, but just being in the moment The problem with interrupting the thought cycle and being able to get all the way to the bottom of the cognitive process And more . . . After the interview Mark reflects on a handful of things that came up in their conversation, which he felt was a lot of good therapy for him.   Links of Interest: Becca Syme's Better Faster Academy Links The QuitCast Blog QuitCast Podcast for Writers Becca Syme YouTube EP 359 - The DIY Writer with Kaye Lynn Booth DropCap Marketplace  Use coupon STARK20 to get 20% off Cruising Writers Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard   Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course. She also writes mystery novels in her spare time and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Better. Stronger. Faster. It's what many of us strive for in our author careers. But how do we move the needle forward when life has other plans? Enter Becca Syme. Becca is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. Join us as we analyze a Strengths test in real time and discuss how success alignment can help us reach the top 1% of our capacity. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Main Topic: Discovery Writing with KimBoo York PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions closed. Reading stories now. Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Focus and Finish Group Coaching Cohort Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)   Author Update: Erick: launched new book series (Black Springs Saga) June 21st, Importance of Telling Your Story. 90.7 FM KBOO Erick 9am-10am frustrated with the stories coming in (writers are not listening to submission requirements) Valerie: injured, humping along speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in October Moose's Tooth Pizza (Erick recommends I eat there.) I'm reading: Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe Erick: Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes KimBoo York is reading: Nirvana in Fire (English translation) (This is the graphic novel/manga version.)   Notes: Writing fan fiction helped [KimBoo] come into her own voice and writing process.  Discovery writing is a technique. Leaning into your curiosity.  Writing into the Dark (Dean Wesley Smith) Can intuitive writers use it? Dear Writer, Are you intuitive? Becca Syme. Instinct comes in. Study and practice = intuition Discovery writers lean on intuition heavily. New writers may have a hard time with discovery writing until they practice. After one million words, you will discover your writing style. Discovery writing as improve "Yes And" -- leaning on knowledge. Not free association writing. Writing into your curiosity (guard rails, not stream of consciousness). Going on the journey with the character.  Don't get stuck on what "should" happen. Just follow the curve as it goes around. Start small. Practice. Discovery writing before the page (Erick). Write out of order.  Reverse story beats, reverse outline. How can you use this in nonfiction or blog posts and essays? YES. A different process.  Nonfiction: Start with the introduction. Choose sentences to pull out as a section header. Move things around in manuscript for flow. Writing it out is what helps her (KimBoo) understand the organization.  First draft or second is not the finished product.  Do this with your marketing! Take two days to do it and stay curious. Stay curious until it's done. Purposely leave holes so readers will be curious and explore. Plug: houseofyork.info By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing One Million Words Club on Discord (productivity, mindset) Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

A round-up today of some great books I've been reading, and an excellent movie rec. Also thoughts on Connectedness (hat tip to Becca Syme), aggressively refilling the well, how to know when to push on drafting vs. when to revise, my new release plan, and why genres "die."The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAYou can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authorsJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/aY17qSYsoQ8Support the Show.Contact Jeffe!Tweet me at @JeffeKennedyVisit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to another episode of Storybeast, where Courtney Shack and Ghabiba Weston discuss the transformative power of story. In this episode, you'll hear about: Sarah A. Parker's trad debut, When the Moon Hatched, and it's release date of next week. Personal explorations on finding time to write Expectations vs. reality Courtney mentions this episode of Becca Syme's Quitcast podcast Snacks (duh) Find us on our ⁠⁠⁠website ⁠⁠⁠and on⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram ⁠(@storybeastpodcast)⁠⁠.  For more storytelling content to your inbox, ⁠⁠subscribe ⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk story or snacks! A warm thank you to Deore for our musical number. You can find more of her creative work on Spotify.     As ever, thank you for listening, Beasties! Please consider leaving a review to support this podcast.  Be brave, stay beastly! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storybeastpodcast/message

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this week's episode I interview award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and bestselling author, Joanna Penn, about her wonderful new book, Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness into Words. Joanna gives advice on how to recognize your Shadow Self and how we can use it to not only become better writers, but also better people. We discuss why AI is no competition for you showing up and being vulnerable on the page, what it's like to be an intuitive discovery writer, and why there's nothing wrong with binge writing. We also discuss the role of synchronicity in writing a book, and why planning your author career is often about lifestyle design. If you're ready to delve into the dark, confront your shadows, and are willing to use your vulnerability to really connect with your readers, then it's time to let your dark horse run. Grab a drink, find a comfy chair, sit back and enjoy the show! Visit Joanna's Creative Penn website here: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/ Listen to The Creative Penn podcast here or on your favourite podcast app. Visit Joanna's J. F. Penn website here: https://jfpenn.com/ Grab your copy of Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness into Words here: https://creativepennbooks.com/ Support Joanna's Spear of Destiny Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thecreativepenn/spear-of-destiny-an-action-adventure-thriller-novel Follow Joanna on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/TheCreativePenn Follow Joanna on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jfpennauthor/ Other resources mentioned in this episode: Tim Ferris – The 4 Hour Workweek Becca Symes – Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? Listen to Episode 20: Intuition and Success for Authors with Becca Syme here. Join Lee Savino and Renee Rose's Money Magic Membership here and enjoy the first month for FREE: https://www.moneymagicmembership.com/a/2147619110/FFtoFakC and use the coupon code JO on checkout. (Please note: I am a member and an affiliate myself and I may receive a small commission if you decide to stay on past the month trial. This commission helps support the show.) If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and is greatly appreciated. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, or a topic suggestion for a future episode, leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AlchemyForAuthors Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Becca Syme on leaving home and never going back, on what it's like to be stuck, and how to get yourself out (even if you love-trick yourself to do it). Rachael's Kickstarter, Unstuck: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rachaelherron/unstuck-an-audacious-hunt-for-home-and-happinessBecca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with a Master's Degree in Transformational Leadership and seventeen years of experience in success coaching with writers, organizations and individuals in communications, strategy, systems, and self-leadership. She teaches the popular Write Better-Faster course and does Strengths for Writers coaching. Under RL Syme, she's also a USA Today bestselling author of the Vangie Vale cozy mystery series. Find her here: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too)Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, and finally create your perfect writing process. (Formerly known as How Do You Write) Come for inspiration, stay for lots more.✏️ Can I email you some writing help? http://rachaelherron.com/write

April Fool's Day and the cruelest prank I ever witnessed, my favorite reader compliment to get, and how author ROI varies depending on short or long term. Also, Clifton Strengths, Becca Syme, and what I've learned about Connectedness. The blog post on ROI is here https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2024/03/31/calculating-roi-and-accounting-for-the-intangible/The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGAYou can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authorsJoin my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesClosetYou can always buy print copies of my books from my local indie, Beastly Books! https://www.beastlybooks.com/If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)You can watch this podcast on video via YouTube https://youtu.be/HWadZD2tRB8Support the showContact Jeffe!Tweet me at @JeffeKennedyVisit my website https://jeffekennedy.comFollow me on Amazon or BookBubSign up for my Newsletter!Find me on Instagram and TikTok!Thanks for listening!

Mark interviews Tao Wong about his writing, LitRPG, entrepreneurship, and the Toronto Indie Author Conference that is coming in May 2024. Prior to the interview, Mark forgoes the usual brief personal update, or comments, and skips right to this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the Toronto Indie Author Conference.   The Toronto Indie Author Conference is a two-day event tailored exclusively for Canadian independent authors. Do you dream of transforming your passion for writing into a thriving author business? Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Canadian indie publishing's first author business conference. www.torontoindieauthorcon.com In their interview, Mark and Tao talk about: How Tao has always been writing and telling stories, and how luck played a bit part in it Starting off writing LitRPG when he was living in the Yukon when it was night/dark all the time Writing a few novels and stories for fun, but then discovering Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog about the business of publishing and how authors were beginning to leverage digital publishing to do it themselves Learning about indie publishing industry, but not being in a place where he thought he would pursue traditional publishing Beginning to put his LitRPG titles up on Amazon in 2017 at a time when it was just starting to become hot (He caught the 2nd wave of Western LitRPG authors) Not having to do any marketing in those early days because he was still working a full-time job running a business, but still bringing in a hearty income from his self-published books Tao's experience doing marketing in selling board games online Flipping between the two hats he wears. 1) The writer hat of getting the book done and 2) the marketer hat of having to sell the things that are written Realizing he was a "scenic route" author, according to Becca Syme's author structure talks and courses Getting to a point where he started to hire staff to help him with some of the tasks Being burnt out from the constant churn in hiring and training staff and them leaving within about two years Joking that being an indy author is the "easy mode" of being an entrepreneur because the cost and minimum setup is a lot less than what he had to do for his business before Laughing at the cost of a $200 cover design bill because not that long ago, he had a single bill from Canada Post that was over $100,000 Working with about 5 active co-authors but realizing that he didn't want to be a publisher Starting the Toronto Indie Author Conference initially out of spite and to bring something useful to Canadian authors who might not be able to afford to travel so far to several US based conferences The importance of not having only 6-figure authors doing the presentations at the Toronto Indie Author Conference Some of the speakers who will be at the Toronto Indie Author Confernce and the various topics they'll be covering The significant amount of time and energy Tao had to invest into this conference The Kobo sponsorship of an accessibility fund for the conference where they'll be giving out 10 to 15 pre-paid seats A discount code STARK10 that members can use to get $10 off their ticket registration for the conference And more . . . After the interview Mark reflects on the importance of those people who see gaps and step up to make a difference. It's a common theme from the past several interview episodes. He also reflects on just how easy it can be for authors as entrepreneurs when you factor in just how little an author has to invest when it comes to money, to get started, particularly in a world that has so many great free resources. Links of Interest: Tao Wong's Author Website Tao Wong's Publisher Website Toronto Indie Author Conference Stark Publishing Support for Authors Via Margins Agency StoryGarden Summit (Virtual) - March 2024 ScribeCount (Mark's Affiliate Link) Mark's YouTube Channel Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard   Tao Wong is a full-time author in the scifi and fantasy genres, writing predominantly in the LitRPG and xianxia sub-genres. A multiple times international Amazon bestseller, he is best known for the System Apocalypse and A Thousand Li universes, with over 40 full-length novels and numerous shorter works published. Tao was a finalist for the Kindle Storyteller UK Award in 2021.   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Special Podcast - Finding Your Strength As A Writer Please join Marsha Casper Cook, Krysten Lindsay Hager, and Becca Syme for an off-the-cuff discussion about writing and marketing on March 21st at 4:30 EST 3:30 CST 2:30MT 1:30 PST. Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with a Master's Degree in Transformational Leadership and fourteen years of experience in success coaching with writers, organizations, and individuals in communications, strategy, systems, and self-leadership. She teaches the popular Write Better-Faster course and does Strengths for Writers coaching. https://click.convertkit-mail.com/wvuxg30z9lt6upo447f7he28p9xx/l2hehmh35835q8a6/aHR0cDovL2JldHRlcmZhc3RlcmFjYWRlbXkuY29tLw== https://www.amazon.com/stores/Becca-Syme/author/B07N3B7QTZ Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of YA and contemporary romance. Krysten writes romance because she loves bringing people swoony moments and hope-filled happily ever afters. Her books are known for making you laugh, cry, and swoon. https://www.krystenlindsay.com/ Marsha Casper Cook is a best-selling author, screenwriter, and producer for all the Michigan Avenue Media Podcasts.  http://marshacaspercook.com      

There are more options for publishing and reaching readers than ever before, and the indie author business models are splintering and diverging, so how do we know which path to follow? How do we deal with the changes due to generative AI, and how do we manage the grief and anxiety about these shifts? Becca […] The post Dealing With Change And How To Build Resilience As An Author With Becca Syme first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 147 of the podcast and it's March 6, 2024 as we record this.  Main Topic: Reset Buttons and Pivoting for Authors PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners: Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.    UPDATE:  Valerie:       Erick:     Just finished:  I'M READING:  Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping    The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker     Show Notes:  You can't always take both paths. Choosing becomes more important as we age. "There's a different way to do this." (Message from the universe) How do I pivot from this to this? Identification of other way (journey begins) Take time to process. You aren't cheating or doing a disservice to the readers. Acknowledging limiting beliefs. How do I take the next growth step? Asking What if? often helps to challenge the limiting belief. (QTP. Question the Premise. Becca Syme.) Getting past the what if is the next step. (Yes, I can do this.) Research next step.  Forgive yourself for not knowing. "I've never tried this. Please help me." (Try it for 6-9 months) We have permission to explore. Reflection. Remembering by adding, you aren't removing. It's not all or nothing.   Next Episode:     Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Today's top story is The Questions of 2024. Question of the week is how do you plan to change your author business going into 2024? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors and Happy New Year! In this solo episode I share some of the manifestation practices I use to get clear on my writing goals, and set myself up for an inspired and successful writing year. Some of the topics I discuss include: ·       Why the Law of Attraction won't work without Action. ·       Why not getting what you want is sometimes better than getting what you want. ·       The questions you need to reflect on as one year ends and another begins. ·       Why your “Writing Why” has nothing to do with money. ·       Why your “shoulds” can signal misalignment and a tendency towards people-pleasing. ·       How incremental upgrades and sexy new underwear can propel you towards living your best life now. ·       The anchor and mantra I'm using to achieve my goals this year. ·       How decluttering can be a powerful first step in manifesting your desires. ·       Why the hardest and most important thing I'm going to do this year is scheduling downtime. ·       And why adopting the phrase “I get to…” is a powerful trick for getting dumb things done. This juicy episode of Alchemy for Authors is jam-packed with resources for making 2024 your best writing year yet. If you're ready to elevate your author life and reach your goals, then this episode is for you! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going. Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/ Recommended episodes to revisit: Episode 1: Finding Your Writing Why.  Episode 8: Manifesting My First Book.  Episode 16: Millionaire Author Mindset with Carissa Andrews.  Bonus Episode: Millionaire Author Manifestation with Carissa Andrews.  Episode 20: Intuition and Success for Authors with Becca Syme.  Episode 21: Harnessing The Power Of Your Future Self.  Episode 55: Write to Riches with Renee Rose.  Episode 58: Author Alignment and the Enneagram with Claire Taylor.  Books mentioned in this episode: Reclaim Your Author Career by Claire Taylor: https://www.ffs.media/kickffs Denise Duffield-Thomas books, including Get Rich, Lucky Bitch, and Chillpreneur: https://www.denisedt.com/books Write to Riches by Renee Rose: https://write2riches.com/ Adventures with the Universe by H. L. Savino https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Universe-H-L-Savino/dp/B0C9SLD6QL Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Future-Self-Now-Transformation/dp/1401974015/ Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke: https://www.annieduke.com/books/ The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361 Other resources: Claire Taylor's Liberated Writer Course: https://www.ffs.media/liberated-writer-course My Intent: https://myintent.org/ Orna Ross: Creative Business Planning for Authors: https://www.patreon.com/OrnaRoss Byron Katie: The Work: https://thework.com/ Author Revolution: Millionaire Author Manifestation Course: https://academy.authorrevolution.org/a/2147529641/woteKkRf (Please note: This is an affiliate link which means I get a small kick back that supports Alchemy for Authors at no extra cost to you.) Author Revolution: Your Future Self: Monthly Mind Magic for Authors (Includes meditations for authors): https://author-revolution-academy.mykajabi.com/offers/g6XncYnX/checkout Becca Syme's website: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ The Creative Penn Podcast: The 15-Year Author Business Pivot with Joanna Penn: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2023/12/18/the-15-year-author-business-pivot-with-joanna-penn/

Today's top story is The Year in Review. Question of the week is what are you the most excited for in 2024? What makes you psyched to think about in 2024? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Crew, we love us some Becca Syme over here. We will listen to any podcast she's on, sometimes twice. We (okay, me) watch her YouTube channel while we work out. We read her email newsletter religiously. Because she gets writers and writers. She gets that while we may all be trying to do what looks like the same thing, we all do that thing differently and what works for one of us doesn't work for all of us. So obviously we were super-excited to get to talk to her, and we're delighted to re-share this very very inspirational interview with you as we head to the end of 2023.Who wouldn't want to write better and faster? I can't even imagine. Our guest this week is Becca Syme, creator of the Better Faster Academy, author of Dear Writer You Need to Quit as well as other books in the Quit series and the author of the MatchBaker series of cozy mysteries (with such glorious titles as “Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron”). Her superpower is helping writers find what they do best—their strengths—and do more of that instead of worrying about trying to “fix” the things we aren't naturally good at.Links from the podThe Clifton Strengths TestThe Ted Lasso blog postBetter Faster AcademyThe Quitcast on YouTube#AmReadingBecca:Mandy M. RothYasmine GalenornRajani LaRoccaDEVS (TV show)Sarina: Unguarded by Jay Hogan (part of Sarina's World of True North)KJ: The S**t No One Tells You About Writing (podcast)Writers, KJ here. I'm sitting with my new Muse Machine, a deck of 150 open-ended, creative prompt cards designed to spark inspiration across various tasks, from writing to painting from one of my very favorite idea-sparkers and kick-in-the-pantsers, Gretchen Rubin. I don't like writing prompts (because I hate the idea of intentionally writing stuff I know I won't use) but these are different. They're meant to get you thinking in a different way, which means you might get “take a nap” or “can it be bigger on the inside than it is on the outside?” Whatever it is will set your mind spinning. (And they would make a fun gift for the other creatives in your life, too!) Get 10% off until 12/31 with code MUSEPARTNER10. Learn more here.Are you looking to kick your 9-to-5, and work for yourself? How about if you could set your own rates and read books all day? Author Accelerator might just be able to help you out!By now, you've probably heard us talk about book coaching, an exciting career where you can help writers bring their dreams to life through support, feedback, project management, and accountability at each step of the writing and publishing process. It's like being a literary personal trainer for writers! Through Author Accelerator's Book Coach Certification program, you'll learn the key editorial, project management, organizational, and people skills needed to launch your own thriving book coaching business.To find out if book coaching is the right career for you, Author Accelerator is offering a 5-day challenge to help you envision your new chapter. In their $99 One-Page Book Coaching Business Plan, you'll narrow down your business idea, ideal client, ideal service, and more. Interested? Visit bookcoaches.com/podcast to learn more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com

Ready to jumpstart your writing journey this New Year? This episode of the Author Wheel podcast will be your perfect guide. We've stitched together a mashup of wisdom-rich clips from our previous guests, including Tonya Kappes, Matt Holmes, Claire Taylor, Sacha Black, Paul Ardoin, and Becca Syme.Struggles and success go hand in hand. As a creative, you may find yourself at a crossroads of following the crowd or trusting your intuition, like Becca Syme. That may mean developing a reader-centric mindset like Tonya, or digging into your own psyche to understand your motivation for writing like Claire and Sacha. It could mean doing less but doing it better, like Matt, or writing what you love to read, like Paul.So, are you ready to ignite your motivation, understand the market, and kickstart your writing journey? Tune in now, and let's start 2024 with the right foot forward.Plus!Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry.Featured Guests:Tonya Kappes: S4E2Website: https://tonyakappes.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes/Matthew Holmes: S3E6Website: https://www.matthewjholmes.comCourses: https://www.matthewjholmes.com/a/2147523688/zHt2PJpf ** We are proud affiliates of Matt Holmes. By clicking this link, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Claire Taylor: S2E10Website: www.ffs.mediaServices: www.ffs.media/author-services-allSacha Black: S3E9Website: www.sachablack.co.ukCourses: https://sachablack.thinkific.com/Paul Austin Ardoin: S3E11Website: https://www.paulaustinardoin.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulardoinauthorBecca Syme: S3E10Website: http://betterfasteracademy.comTikTok: becca_symeThe Author Wheel:Website: www.AuthorWheel.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheelGreta Boris:Website: www.GretaBoris.com Facebook Ads for Authors-Matthew Holmes Greta loves this course. It's changed her career! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFREE Mini Email CourseHave you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel's new mini-course might be your solution. 7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language. Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it's free. Click here to learn more!

Episode 195 / What's your favorite trope? We asked a range of authors this question, and we're here to share the answers as well as unpack the benefits of writing tropes, why we love specific tropes, and where to find the best examples of the specific trope in books, movies, and television. Tropes discussed: found family, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine, and marriage of convenience.Authors included in this episode: Wendy Vella, Ines Johnson, Becca Syme, Daniel Willcocks, Matty Dalrymple, and Megan Haskell.

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this solo episode I share my personal writing process, tips and tricks I use to get my books written, and how I possibly make things harder than they need to be. Other topics I discuss include: ·       How I navigate writing a book with ADHD. ·       How to not be overwhelmed by the “shoulds”! ·       Why hyper-focus is my super power but can take a while to kick into action. ·       Why I both love and loath deadlines. ·       The role of music in my writing process. ·       Why I can't write in the small moments and don't write every day. ·       Why it's important to start with a pretty notebook. ·       The importance I place on the word “something”. ·       And my answer to the question: Are you still a writer when you're not writing? If you're interested in other peoples' writing processes, or feel like you're doing it wrong, check out the often chaotic and quirky way I go about writing a book, and take comfort in the knowledge that there is no one way in being an author. Resources mentioned in this episode: Visit Claire Taylor's website to learn more about The Liberated Writer course and her book Reclaim Your Author Career, here: https://www.ffs.media/ Listen to Episode 58: Author Alignment & the Enneagram with Claire Taylor, here: https://jobuer.com/episode-58-author-alignment-the-enneagram-with-claire-taylor/ Visit Becca Syme's website here: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Listen to Episode 20: Intuition and Success with Becca Syme, here: https://jobuer.com/episode-20-intuition-and-success-for-authors-with-becca-syme/ Listen to Episode 55: Write to Riches with Renee Rose, here: https://jobuer.com/episode-55-write-to-riches-with-renee-rose/ Learn more about NaNoWriMo here: https://nanowrimo.org/ Learn more about Scrivener here: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=alchemy Learn more about ProWritingAid here: https://prowritingaid.com/ * Please Note: I am an affiliate for Scrivener. As an affiliate I get a small kickback at no extra charge to you. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going. Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Announcements:  EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 16th. Erick speaking at Pike's Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs in April 2024. UPDATE:  Valerie:   speaking at another conference next month Becca Syme's 30 for 30 this month Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   working on little things; short stories, etc I'M READING: beta read Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  The Most Expensive Mistress in Jefferson County by James Misko Show Notes:   Backlist are books previously published, still in print, for at least a year. Helps with discoverability. Not running on new releases all the time, but backlist props that all up. Promote backlist books when not publishing. Keeps people interested while they are waiting for the next book. Keeps those titles alive, so when talking to fans about the books, you still know the sizzle of those books. In it for the long haul; tap into the love of the backlist.   In book launch mode: use amazon free days for promo Book 1 and 2 before 3 comes out. To move them into the series after reading free book 0. Talk about elements of older books (if you liked those, you'll love the new book). Use backlist as a conversation starter. Even with stand alone. If you liked xx, I've also written yyy. Use old books to talk about the new books.   Opportunity to develop new story elements (looking at older books to see what else you can explore).   Fan service. Expanding on backlist. Going wider as well as longer. Instead of marketing with ads, fan service to grow your audience. All books equally important, no barrier to purchase. Finding fans, less about marketing to the world and more marketing to your tribe.   Manufacture your own promo and free days, if you are wide.   Audiobooks, Large Print edition, Workbook ... incrementally or all at once.   It's your process. Own it. Use it the way makes sense  

PATREON: Thanks to Jo Bartlett for increasing their patronage tier. We so appreciate you. And they've chosen the benefits tier that includes retreat tickets and monthly coaching, so WELCOME. We'll have so much fun. ALSO, Welcome to new patrons Nora Coutis Hanson, Michelle Coleman, and Mason Tufts. And Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre   Comments/email from listeners: Great episode! :) Exactly what I needed. (From Jo Bartlett, a patron, re: Ep128: Accountability Buddies and Masterminds.) Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 16th. Patron announcement:  UPDATE:  Valerie:   speaking at conference this weekend Becca Syme's 30 for 30 this month Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   working on little things; short stories, etc mostly moved in; need to unpack now   Just finished:  I'M READING: beta read Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  BearTown by Fredrick Backman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novels series Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (brilliant with characterization, story within a story, three sisters) Show Notes:   Mary Carroll Moore is a bestselling and award-winning author of 14 books in 3 genres, including thePEN/Faulkner-and Lambda Literary Awards nominated young adult novel, Qualities of Light, the prequel to A Woman's Guide to Search & Rescue. She received her MFA from Goddard College and has taught throughout the US and abroad at various writing schools and universities since 1998. Her writing-craft book, Your Book Starts Here, won the New Hampshire Literary Awards “Reader's Choice” award. Before moving into fiction, she worked as a chef, a cooking-school owner, a cookbook author, and a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Her first cookbook won a JuliaChild/IACP award. Over two hundred of her essays, stories, and articles have appeared in magazines and literary journals. She lives in New Hampshire with her family.   Storyboarding for Novelists idea.  Snippets = islands; Work on islands for 30K words, then create structure map, W method (Joseph Campbell)   Warm up is first four chapters (Mary)   Title exercise: find fifteen titles on the internet that you like, and why you like them, and then make your own list of fifteen titles.    Kirkus Review is paid promotion. Independent Book Review Publisher's Weekly Book List Newsletter on Substack.  IG Blogger tour. (Bookstagrammer) Google Bookstagram Tour Guide Cover Reveal. Everything is online now. Podcast and social media.   Preorder October 24th; audio book out now. Literary Thriller.   Go-to meal: curry, Thai food, Indian food, southeast Asian   Julia Cameron's Walking in This World   Marycarrollmoore.com #1000wordsofsummer (Jami Attenberg)       Next Episode: How to Use Your Backlist

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Becca Syme from Better Faster Academy and the Quit Cast. They talk about Becca's vast experience in the industry, writing aligned with your strengths, the current state of publishing, and where publishing might be headed. The conversation with Becca starts around minute 17. To find Becca's Strength Coaching, go to https://betterfasteracademy.com/ To find Becca's YouTube Channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/@BeccaSyme For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

Authors are so individualistic, and according to today's Author Revolution Podcast guest, our career success will be, too! On today's show, I'm chatting with Becca Syme about all things indie author success. We're diving into success archetypes, productivity, CliftonStrengths for authors and so much more! Have a listen! Be sure to check out the show notes by going to https://authorrevolution.org/198.

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this episode, I talk with best-selling author, CEO of Author Revolution, Millionaire Author Coach, and repeat guest, Carissa Andrews. Topics we discuss include: ·       Why Carissa made the move from WordPress to Shopify, and why it's triggered her “happy bookseller heart!" ·       Why Carissa's pulling her books from KU. ·       Why using Shopify for selling direct works best for authors with backlists, but also, why you should consider starting how you mean to continue. ·       Why Carissa (mostly) quit social media, and what she uses instead. ·       Why Carissa created her new course Four Books, Five Days: Mastering AI Enhanced Series Planning, and how you can get it at a killer price. ·       How AI can help with plotting books, series concepts, and world building. ·       Why Carissa isn't scared of AI stealing her work. ·       Why the 'way' we use AI is important, and why Carissa doesn't use it to write her books for her! If you're open-minded and curious about how AI can be used as a tool to help with plotting, and why so many authors are moving towards selling direct, then you're not going to want to miss this entertaining and inspiring episode with Carissa Andrews! Sign up for Carissa's latest course, Four Books, Five Days: Mastering AI Enhanced Series Planning, here: https://academy.authorrevolution.org/a/2147625144/woteKkRf Please Note: I am an affiliate for Carissa's Four Books, Five Days course and have purchased it myself. I only recommend resources I enjoy, engage in or use myself. As an affiliate I get a small kickback at no extra charge to you. Visit Carissa's websites here:  https://authorrevolution.org/  https://www.carissaandrews.com/  Join Carissa's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/CarissaAndrews Listen to the Bonus Episode of Alchemy for Authors: Millionaire Author Manifestation with Carissa Andrews here.  Listen to Episode 16 of Alchemy for Authors: Millionaire Author Mindset with Carissa Andrews here.  Listen to Episode 58 of Alchemy for Authors: Author Alignment & the Enneagram with Claire Taylor here.  Listen to Episode 20 of Alchemy for Authors: Intuition & Success for Authors with Becca Syme here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going. Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here.  Grab your copy of my latest paranormal cozy, Hades's Haunt, here: https://books2read.com/hadesshaunt Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Do you know your top 5 Clifton Strengths?This week's guest is an expert at using the Clifton's Strengths to help writers understand themselves so they can write more, write better, and build a writing career that they love.Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course. She also writes mystery novels in her spare time and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.Question of the week:  What are your strengths? Let's chat on the Facebook page @AuthorWheel.Follow Us! Becca Syme:Website: http://betterfasteracademy.comInstagram: @becca_syme TikTok: becca_symeThe Author Wheel:Website: www.AuthorWheel.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheelGreta Boris:Website: www.GretaBoris.comFacebook: @GretaBorisAuthorInstagram: @GretaBorisMegan Haskell:Website: www.MeganHaskell.comFacebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor Support the showFREE Mini Email CourseHave you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel's new mini-course might be your solution. 7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language. Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it's free. Click here to learn more!

It's time for another in-depth author interview on Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick!  Enjoy a conversation with historical fantasy romance author Celia Lake (also find her on Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter)! We get a lot in with this one, including lots of juicy worldbuilding and process talk, the importance of regimens and planning to build a creative life, and dealing with chronic illness and a demanding full time job while still releasing almost two dozen books in four years! Celia Lake is a pen name, but there's a real person behind the books! Celia Lake spends her days as a librarian in the Boston (MA) metro area, and her nights and weekends at home happily writing, reading, and researching. Born and raised in Massachusetts to British parents, she naturally embraced British spelling, classic mysteries, and the Oxford comma before she learned there were any other options. This episode was recorded on June 15th, 2023. The conversation with Celia Lake was recorded on January 28th, 2023. Links and Topics Mentioned in This Episode My day job? I'm a creative services provider helping authors, podcasters and other creators. How can I help you? Celia mentions the Golden Age of Mystery, which included authors like Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie. The Iliad and The Odyssey... I mentioned the Robert Fagles translations, so that's what's linked here. My Sovereign Era storyworld begins with Brave Men Run -- and you can find the other titles (so far) in that series at that link, too! Of course we talk mosiac universes and shared storyworlds like Thieves' World and Wildcards! Celia talks about Becca Syme and the Better Faster Academy, which uses the Clifton Strengths assessment. Scrivener is an all-in-one application for planning, organizing, writing, and producing fiction and non-fiction works. Remarkably, the Vienna Philharmonic has a record of every concert every performed on their stage. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for an important announcement about the future of Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick! No, the show's not going anywhere! Maybe you would like to be a future guest on Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick? Learn more! Big thanks to my Multiversalists patron community, including Amelia Bowen, Ted Leonhardt, Chuck Anderson, and J. C. Hutchins! This episode took over thirteen hours to record, edit, produce, and publish, so I'm incredibly grateful for the support of my patrons. If Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick brings you joy, become a patron! The Multiversalists patron member community receives the uncut, unedited version of every episode. For this episode, patrons get almost thirty-five minutes of additional content! Want in on that? Become a patron for at least $5.00 per month (start with a free seven-day trial / cancel any time) and get a bunch of other perks and special access, too. Every month the member community has at least twenty members, I will donate 10% of net patron revenue to 826 National in support of literacy and creative writing advocacy for children. Let's go! Love Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick and have the desire and means to make a one-time donation in support of the show? Donate via PayPal or leave a tip via Ko-Fi, with my grateful thanks.

After coaching thousands of individual authors from six and seven figure authors to brand newbies, Becca Syme wants to give you some of the success tips that she's seen work for authors and creatives. Her style is individualized success alignment, and she's been running the successful Quitcast for Authors channel for years. Now, it's time to launch an audio version of the Quitcast for Writers! Anyone can tell you what worked for them, and they can say "it might not work for you," but they can't tell you why. Becca can tell you why. Join us for the first episode, and welcome to the Quitcast!   Join our Patreon for exclusive information https://www.patreon.com/beccasyme Follow us on Facebook for free monthly coaching and updates https://www.facebook.com/betterfasteracademy Download out Free Stuck list Checklist  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hj4r15mgba

The indie publishing gold rush is dead... and the golden age is beginning. Becca Syme shares how we can use our strengths as writers to create a successful subscription and writing career. We are so excited and grateful to have Becca's wisdom and presence with us :).Becca's Links:Write Better Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/Becca Syme's Subscription: https://www.patreon.com/beccasymeEPISODE RESOURCES:Join Ream, the subscription platform by fiction authors for fiction authors: https://reamstories.comJoin the Six-Figure Subscription Author Accelerator: https://learn.subscriptionsforauthors.com/subscriptions-for-authors-acceleratorJoin our community of subscription authors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/subscriptionsforauthorsGet subscription insights delivered to your inbox each week + free access to the Subscriptions for Authors Starter Guide: https://subscriptionsforauthors.com/EPISODE OUTLINE:0:03:17 The Clifton Strengths for Author Subscriptions0:06:32 Focusing on What Works for You0:13:05 Making Your Publishing Business Sustainable0:17:45 The Transition to the Golden Age of Publishing0:23:52 Creating a Sustainable Subscription0:32:12 When you should quit your subscription0:38:18 Why readers join subscriptions0:48:47 Investing for the Long Term as an AuthorABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR AUTHORSWe are the premier community to learn about making money from subscriptions as an author. We have this weekly podcast, our Facebook Group with hundreds of fellow authors, and a newsletter where we are committed to having the best free educational resources and networking for authors looking to break into this exciting new publishing model.ABOUT REAM:Ream is a platform that helps authors make money with subscriptions.The platform allows writers to build communities around their stories and charge a monthly fee that rewards their super fans with connection and access.You can join Ream and start making money from subscriptions on the only platform built by authors for authors: https://reamstories.comThank you so much for listening to this podcast! Always feel free to reach out to the team at contact@ream.ink. Happy writing everyone :)

Sales, marketing, and operations get talked about all the time in the online business world—but we rarely talk about how to actually craft products and services that create phenomenal results for our clients.  Today, I'm welcoming Becca Syme back to the Half-Finished to Done Podcast to talk about exactly this. In this episode, Becca and I talk about how to master craftsmanship in your service-based business, accepting and overcoming failure, and the importance of self-evaluating in any business. Listen as we discuss: Becca's thoughts on craftsmanship for service providers  The importance of iterating and evaluating when crafting your offer How craftsmanship breaks you out of the “success or failure” mindset Tactical craftsmanship strategies that you can implement in your business today Dealing with perfectionism around craftsmanship  The value of having a long-term vision for your business 3 essential self-evaluation questions to ask yourself regularly Becca Syme is a Success Coach who specializes in working with writers. She is the host of the Quitcast for Writers and the teacher of the popular Write Better-Faster class. Becca has coached 5700+ authors using success alignment and predictive reasoning to help authors write and market better-faster. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and never Christmas.   GUEST CONTACT —  Becca Syme, Success Coach YouTube: The QuitCast Podcast: Better-Faster Academy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterfasteracademy    MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE — Gallup Strengthsfinder   LET'S GET SOCIAL — Cristina Roman, Productivity Coach for Business Owners Instagram: @piquecoaching Facebook: @piquecoaching TikTok: @piquecoaching Email: hello@piquecoaching.co Website: https://www.piquecoaching.co

Statt Plot gibt's die die geballte Laberladung.

Is there only one way to be successful? Becca Syme grew up believing there was. But when she realized that one-size didn't fit all, she opened up a world of possibilities for herself and helped others unlock the same potential. Visit https://convertkit.com/becca-syme for show notes and more information.

Do you sometimes just ‘know' when a story is right? Does something ‘click' during the writing process and suddenly things make sense? Do you lean into your curiosity and emotion when it comes to writing and marketing? If yes, you might be an intuitive writer, as Becca Syme explains in this interview. In the intro, […] The post Intuitive Writing And Book Marketing With Becca Syme first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Happy New Year and welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this episode, I reflect on twenty things I learned in 2022 while writing, podcasting and being an author. I hope that by sharing my journey, you will find things that resonate with you, inspire you, or encourage you to reflect on your own writing journey, so that you too can charge into 2023 confident in moving closer to your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and reach other authors and writers like yourself. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Creative Penn's Your Author Business Plan: https://creative-penn-courses.teachable.com/p/author-business-plan Alchemy for Authors: Episode 20: Intuition and Success for Authors with Becca Syme: https://jobuer.com/episode-20-intuition-and-success-for-authors-with-becca-syme/ Connect with Me: Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Email: jo@jobuer.com Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Page here.  Join my newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here.  Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Conventional wisdom says that we need to shore up our weaknesses. But what if it's actually better (and more enjoyable) to build a business that capitalizes on your strengths? When you make a conscious effort to understand and leverage your strengths, you'll be more energized, engaged, and successful when it comes to your projects.  Today's conversation is with Becca Syme, a Success Coach. Listen in as we discuss how you can increase your performance by doing more of what comes naturally to you.  In this episode, you'll learn: The philosophy behind the Gallup StrengthFinder test  Mine and Becca's top five strengths  How to figure out your work style, based on your strengths Creating strengths-based systems that work for you in your business How to discern what productivity advice to take and what to reject The benefit of finally acknowledging the habits you don't actually want to change  Getting more comfortable with failure in your business How to be a better consumer of coaching programs by knowing yourself better  Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and holds a Master's degree in Transformational Leadership. She is the host of the Quitcast for Writers and the teacher of the popular Write Better-Faster class. Becca has coached 5700+ authors using success alignment and predictive reasoning to help authors write and market better-faster. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and never Christmas.   GUEST CONTACT —  Becca Syme, Success Coach YouTube: The QuitCast Website: Better-Fast Academy   MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE — StrengthsFinder Test Half-Finished to Done, LIVE The Guide for How to Get Into a Deep Work State ($27)    LET'S GET SOCIAL — Cristina Roman, Productivity Coach for Business Owners Instagram: @piquecoaching Email: hello@piquecoaching.co Facebook: @piquecoaching TikTok: @piquecoaching Website: https://www.piquecoaching.co

Mentioned: - Jane Friedman Electric Speed newsletter - https://janefriedman.ac-page.com/jf-espeed-30 - Opal HD web camera - https://opalcamera.com/ - Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody – https://amzn.to/3xf7TFV  - Whimsical - online whiteboard software - https://whimsical.com/ - My Save The Cat Whimsical template - https://lpen.co/stc-whimsical - Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers - http://www.bsfwriters.com/ - Galaxy's Edge magazine - https://galaxysedge.com - Becca Syme kickstarter (ended) - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beccasyme/the-author-stuck-list - Canva AI image generator: https://www.canva.com/features/ai-image-generator/ - Midjourney AI image generation - https://www.midjourney.com/ - My Canva images from text "A green dragon flying over a post-apocalyptic city near the water during sunset."  - Artbreeder - https://www.artbreeder.com/ - Lab grown meat - https://www.freethink.com/science/lab-grown-chicken-upside-foods - our science fictional future is upon us - Imaginary Worlds podcast - Indigenous Futurism - https://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/ - Brain Food newsletter - https://fs.blog/brain-food/november-13-2022/ - Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://amzn.to/3j74GTZ - https://onestopforwriters.com/ deal on 6 month plan - 40% off! Coupon code: BF2022. The My Imaginary Friends podcast is a weekly, behind the scenes look at the journey of a working author navigating traditional and self-publishing. Join fantasy and paranormal romance author L. Penelope as she shares insights on the writing life, creativity, inspiration, and this week's best thing. Subscribe and view show notes at: https://lpenelope.com/podcast | Get the Footnotes newsletter - http://lpen.co/footnotes Support the show - http://frolic.media/podcasts! Stay in touch with me! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Music credit: Say Good Night by Joakim Karud https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported— CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/SZkVShypKgM Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive compensation for links to products on this site either directly or indirectly via affiliate links. Heartspell Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Mentioned: - Highlights Foundation Retreats - https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/highlights-foundation-workshops-retreats/  - Becca Syme - https://betterfasteracademy.com/ - Erin Bowman: Enjoyability over all else - https://erinbowman.substack.com/p/enjoyability-over-all-else - Stephanie Perkins: Love lists - http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-writers-society-love-lists-by.html - Calendly appointment scheduling - https://calendly.com/ - Reclaim.ai - https://reclaim.ai/r/s/TpyPY  (referral link) - Time blocking - https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/time-blocking - October 27, 2022 - Black Voices of the Future: Spirits of the City with Leslye Penelope & Alex Jennings  - https://hachette-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bifaPrM-R6KCG4_zwAsFRw#/registration   The My Imaginary Friends podcast is a weekly, behind the scenes look at the journey of a working author navigating traditional and self-publishing. Join fantasy and paranormal romance author L. Penelope as she shares insights on the writing life, creativity, inspiration, and this week's best thing. Subscribe and view show notes at: https://lpenelope.com/podcast | Get the Footnotes newsletter - http://lpen.co/footnotes Support the show - http://frolic.media/podcasts! Stay in touch with me! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Music credit: Say Good Night by Joakim Karud https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported— CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/SZkVShypKgM Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive compensation for links to products on this site either directly or indirectly via affiliate links. Heartspell Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Building a writing habit and incremental work - when it does and doesn't work for people. Also an update on loading my audiobooks on YouTube and thoughts on three decades in publishing.Sarah Gailey's post on marathon writing is here https://stone-soup.ghost.io/archive/marathon-lessons/The Filmora Wondershare link is here https://filmora.wondershare.com/Interested in Author Coaching from me? Information here: https://jeffekennedy.com/author-coachingSHADOW WIZARD, Book One in Renegades of Magic, continuing the epic tale begun in DARK WIZARD. https://jeffekennedy.com/shadow-wizard is out now!ROGUE'S PARADISE is out (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-paradise). Buy book 1, ROGUE'S PAWN, here! (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-pawn) and book 2, ROGUE'S POSSESSION, here! (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-possession).If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).You can watch this podcast on YouTube here https://youtu.be/duM8CaRk8u8Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)Support the show

Quitting what doesn't work for you and getting away from survivorship bias and reverse engineering success. Instead finding out what works for YOU & owning your process. Also putting audiobooks on YouTube.Becca Syme's post is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXHdAYJI97ILindsay Buroker's post on putting audiobooks on YouTube is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IirTbyR9wrUThe Filmora Wondershare link is here https://filmora.wondershare.com/Interested in Author Coaching from me? Information here: https://jeffekennedy.com/author-coachingSHADOW WIZARD, Book One in Renegades of Magic, continuing the epic tale begun in DARK WIZARD. https://jeffekennedy.com/shadow-wizard is out now!ROGUE'S PARADISE is out (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-paradise). Buy book 1, ROGUE'S PAWN, here! (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-pawn) and book 2, ROGUE'S POSSESSION, here! (https://jeffekennedy.com/rogue-s-possession).If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).You can watch this podcast on YouTube here https://youtu.be/tCGF7DDFo_4Sign up for my newsletter here! (https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r2y4b9)Support the show

Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and holds a Master's degree in Transformational Leadership. She is the host of the Quitcast for Writers and the teacher of the popular Write Better-Faster class. Becca has coached 5700+ authors using success alignment and predictive reasoning to help authors write and market better-faster. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and never Christmas.In this episode, you'll learn:What author burnout looks likeWhy so many writers go through burnout more than onceHow to avoid burning out - even if you're on the precipiceHow long it takes to recover from burnout

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/

What is the common advice given in regards to writing groups? Find a writing group with other writers from your genre, right? But as our friend Becca Syme is always saying, QTP! Question the premise! In this episode, the ladies discuss the pros and cons of being in a genre-specific writing group as well as take questions and comments from the live chat!30 Days of Writing Sprint Prompts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MGR7431Our new Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/liste...Visit our website: https://christianindiewriters.net/Learn more about the hosts...Jenifer: https://jenifercarlltong.com/Jamie: https://writingshorts.net/Tina: https://christinacattane.com/Rhonda: http://ddbouman.com/

Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and holds a Master's degree in Transformational Leadership. She is the host of the Quitcast for Writers and the teacher of the popular Write Better-Faster class. Becca has coached 5000+ authors using success alignment and predictive reasoning to help authors write and market better-faster. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and never Christmas. Becca joined me to today to talk about Jennifer Crusie's hilarious rom-com “Bet Me,” and given that we both have a tendency to think hard about the bigger picture, we got serious very fast. We discussed why representation matters so much, what happens to our lives when our inner perception is wrong, how curvy girl romances have gotten so much more nuanced over the years, and, of course, the best way to make chicken marsala.   Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   Do you have a book you want to tell me about? Go HERE to apply to be a guest on the Best Book Ever Podcast.   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram     Guest: Becca Syme Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Patreon/YouTube   Discussed in this episode: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie   Writer books by Becca Syme: Dear Writer, Are You in Burnout? Dear Writer, You're Doing It Wrong Dear Writer, You're Doing It Right Dear Writer, You Need to Quit Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive?   Lucy Foley Clifton Strengths Finder Enneagram Jennifer Weiner Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty Penance on the Prairies by R.L. Syme   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. Anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you're shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this episode I chat with best-selling author and Gallup Strengths coach, Becca Syme. Becca shares how honing in on your strengths and trusting your intuition can better set you on your path for success in your author career. We discuss the five different types of intuition, how we can get better at trusting our intuition, why you won't find success following someone else's path, and why you should fail fast. This is an amazing episode that will have you re-thinking everything you think you know about intuition and how to be a successful Indie author. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? By Becca Symes  The Quitcast Podcast  The Better-Faster Academy  Gallup Strengths Find out more about INDIEpendence Month here. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook: @jobuerauthor Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my newsletter and get your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In today's solo episode, I get personal and talk about success blocks, what they look like and how we can level up our mindset to welcome more success into our author careers. I also talk about pushing through the upper limits we've set for ourselves and re-storying our lives. Resources mentioned in this episode: Becca Syme – check out her website here, and be sure to listen to next week's episode where Becca is on the show. Be sure to check out my interview on the These Mums Write Podcast here, and The Author Revolution Podcast here. The Big Leap – By Gay Hendricks Loving What Is – By Byron Katie For the month of July, Carissa Andrews from Author Revolution is offering two amazing course stacks for newbie and established authors alike. For every bundle purchased a donation will be made to support women's rights. You can find more information here. Please note: I am an affiliate of Carissa's courses; however, I never recommend courses I haven't enrolled in and stand behind myself and these courses really are epic! If you're enjoying this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend. You can follow me on Instagram: @jobuerauthor Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my newsletter and get your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Having Becca Syme on our podcast as our very first guest ever was an amazing honor.  Now, she's coming back, ready to present for us the idea that we as writers may be what is known as, “Intuitive.” She joins us live to discuss her book, “Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive?” and to answer questions in our Live Q&A chat. Becca's book, Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Writer-Intuitive-QuitBooks-Writers-ebook/dp/B09WJ9V3JQ30 Days of Writing Sprint Prompts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MGR7431Our new Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/liste...Visit our website: https://christianindiewriters.net/Learn more about the hosts...Jenifer: https://jenifercarlltong.com/Jamie: https://writingshorts.net/Tina: https://christinacattane.com/Rhonda: http://ddbouman.com/

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The five types of intuition How to stop crushing your intuition Putting plotting vs pantsing to bed Shutting out input/influence sources Mistakes to avoid This week's question is: are you intuitive? Recommendation of the week is: Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more about Becca on: Becca's first interview episode 17 Visit the Better Faster Academy Becca's YT channel   Rebel of the Week is: Jackson Hollingsworth If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com  4 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Megdalena, Herman Steuernagel, Claire Donnelly and Annie Lawrence. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  

This week Bryan is joined by Becca Syme! Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast. Top Tips of the week include how to choose your next email service, where to find the perfect author podcast for you, and how to maintain your hope and drive for the long-haul. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include what indie authors are doing to make it big with Amazon, how to prove you're not a hack writer, where to find a children's book store that's indies only, how to vet a traditional publisher, and which book has been printed and bound using fireproof materials. Question of the Week: If you could choose any of your books to be your biggest success story ($50k+ per year in book sales), which would you choose and why?

Do you feel like you aren't getting the most out of your writing time? Or that your books aren't selling as well as they should? Becca Syme is an author, coach, youtube/podcast host and creator of the Better-Faster Academy. She is a USA Today bestselling author of small-town romance and cozy mystery and also writes the 'Dear Writer' series of non-fiction books. She has also individually coached thousands of authors toward better success in their careers and lives. Basically, that's a really long way of saying she knows a crap ton about helping authors write and sell more books. In this episode, Becca responds to two questions posed by the These Mums Write Facebook group: how do I become a more productive writer?; and what can I do if my books aren't selling? The long and the short of it: it's all about understanding what kind of writer you are and where you are in the process. Connect with Becca through the Better Faster Academy at https://betterfasteracademy.com/You can also listen to her share more writing advice through her youtube/podcast channel, The Quitcast: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/# Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

This month my guest is fiction writer and coach, Becca Syme. Creator of Write Better Faster and The Better Faster Academy, Becca is a writing coach that changed not only my life but that of many of my friends/fellow authors. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation about strengths, weaknesses, and being the best we […]

We’ve got a great interview for you this week! Our guest is Becca Syme, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with a master’s degree in Transformational Leadership and fourteen years of experience in success coaching with writers,…

In this week's episode, Holly chats with Strengths Coach Becca Syme about the wave of burnout running through the author community, how we can recover, what we need to do for our long-term well-being and of course the inevitable topic of CliftonStrengths comes up too! Check out Becca's Quit Cast over at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcMMgtLuogKNSbxlwyJ5ug Get our show notes at www.unstoppableauthors.com

Clifton Strengths coach, writer, and writing coach to thousands of writers, Becca Syme, joins Dawn and Nancy to discuss common "wisdom" shared in the writing community. Is it critical that you write every day? Should you be rapid releasing to stay on top? Are Facebook ads absolutely necessary for success? Listen as Becca Syme uses data to examine writing myths and explain why the golden rules of writing don't always apply to everyone.

Author Becca Syme is the creator and founder of the Better-Faster Academy. She has been teaching the popular Write Better-Faster course on author success alignment for six years, and has individually coached thousands of authors toward better success in their careers and lives. She believes that an individualized approach is the most effective, so she's brought on other certified coaches who are also writers, to help coach even more writers to maximize their strengths. If you want to get coaching with Becca, the best place to come is on the Insiders level of her Patreon, where she runs monthly topical coaching calls on topics that are relevant to the writing community. She also writes mystery as R.L. Syme and has written several genres of romance in the past, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and romantic suspense. She lives in the snowy mountains of Montana, where it is always winter and never Christmas. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Becca about the Clifton Strengths test and how it can be applied both in the writing and reading world. In Becca's words: "Not everyone naturally comes by the knowledge of just how different we are. Just how different our brains are and how much that makes a difference in what we like." [8:25] You can find Becca Syme at: Her website Facebook Patreon and Better Faster Academy Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

What is your ‘Why'?   WEEKLY TASK   Sacha will finish reading rebel anthology stories, work on finishing the audiobook.   Dan will finish the final 25k of his client book, have the NaNo pages for launch, and will research places to promote. MORE FROM THE SHOW:   Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelauthors  Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/nextlevelauthors Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/Oi47vdc_ehI    NEXT LEVEL AUTHORS MERCH!   “I am a Next Level Author”  https://www.redbubble.com/people/devilsrockpub/works/64894033-im-a-next-level-author?asc=u&fbclid=IwAR3w07BcPclv0V10ZT4OlYwDZqBsxuEQeYAwxDdDc2Xsq0FQBArG1jI8Wbg    “#WEIRDWEEK”  https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/80007236?ref=studio-promote    MORE FROM DAN AND SACHA   Sacha   IG: https://www.instagram.com/sachablackauthor/  Website: https://sachablack.co.uk/  The Rebel Author Podcast: https://pod.link/rebelauthor The Rebel Author Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277479302696951  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black https://books2read.com/u/3LR6kw  BUY 8 Steps to Side Characters textbook: https://books2read.com/sidecharacters  Dan   IG: https://www.instagram.com/willcocksauthor/  Website:  https://www.danielwillcocks.com/  Willcocks' Writers Group: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/help/community/  NaNoWriMo Bootcamp: www.danielwillcocks.com/nano Great Writers Share Podcast: https://pod.link/1473869415  PRE-ORDER When Winter Comes: https://books2read.com/u/38dW2V  BUY The Self-Publishing Blueprint: https://books2read.com/u/baZqQ8 The Creative Penn featuring Becca Syme: https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-wjj2x-fdcd631 

Written by Becca Syme, 'Dear Writer, You Need To Quit' isn't specifically written for childrens authors, but is definitely still applicable. This book is part of a whole "Dear Writer' series which is a very cool premise. This one has 15 chapters on things you should QUIT, and those are bookended by 'The Bad news' at the beginning and 'The Good News' at the end!Have a look at her other books on her site BetterFasterAcademy.com and have a listen to her podcast, The Quitcast.Want the notes, and more? Join the weekly newsletter at BeyondTheBookMarketing.com/Becca!

We all have different strengths as writers, but sometimes we don't know what they are. Or we get frustrated because we try to succeed at something that just won't work for our personality. In this interview, Becca Syme explains how our strengths can help us and how to ‘question the premise' whenever we face different […] The post Author Mindset: Strengths For Writers With Becca Syme first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Episode 085 / Becca Syme from the Better Faster Academy joins us to talk about the impact of the pandemic on our writing lives and give us some coping strategies. In this podcast you'll discover: How the extensive time of dealing with trauma and stress from the pandemic is impacting us What energy pennies are and how traveling to “pandemic land” produces a currency exchange that reduces their value, causing us to use more energy to get the same amount done The danger of black and white thinking Why some people are more productive during stressful times Tips for how to create more energy pennies Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. WIKT 002 - Leaning into Your Strengths in your Writing Business with Becca Syme WIKT 048 - Becca Syme on Unrealistic Expecations and JOMO (the Joy of Missing out) Unstoppable Authors podcast - interview with Sara about writing a series and podcasting for readers Better Faster Academy Quitcast Youtube Channel The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes Jami's Launch Plan Sara's Book Release Timeline Checklist

Author and career coach Becca Syme writes mystery as R.L. Syme, including the cozy culinary series The Matchbaker Mysteries, and has written several genres of romance, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and romantic suspense. She was nominated for a Genesis Award in Contemporary Romance and has won several writing contests in historical romance, young adult romance, and contemporary fiction. She holds membership in Romance Writers of America, Novelists, Inc. (NINC) and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.    Becca lives in the snowy mountains of Montana and has worked with kids in various nonprofit settings that involve music, theater, dance, food, and after-school fun. She's the creator and founder of the Better-Faster Academy, and has been teaching the popular Write Better-Faster course on author success alignment for six years. In a broad-ranging conversation, host Patricia McLinn talks to Becca about learning throughout a writing career both by listening to others and, sometimes, ignoring them. In R.L.'s words: "I have a mantra that's, 'question the premises.' and so its, the advise that might be really great for you might actually make me not able to write." [37:10] You can find R.L. Syme at: Her website Facebook Patreon and Goodreads Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Finally! Nearly every author I’ve interviewed has praised Theodora Taylor (Smith ’99). Now you get to hear what all the hype is about. For once, believe the hype. Connect with Theodora: Website Amazon Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Show Notes: USA Today Bestselling Author Maggie Marr A Court of Thorns & Roses Sarah MacLean (Smith ’00) […]

In this week's episode, Holly & Angeline bust some common myths about discovery writing, discuss the pros and cons of this approach, and share some tips on how to write a series without outlining in advance. The conversation highlights how all of us are unique and that what works for one person won't work for everyone. There is no magic bullet solution to any of the pitfalls of being a writer. The solution depends upon how we are each "wired". If you'd like to find out more about using your unique mental wiring to become a better, faster writer, please check out Becca Syme's class, Write Better-Faster at: https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf-beginners/ Check out our website and show notes at www.unstoppableauthors.com

It feels like a blink since the original post “lessons from one year of writing full-time”. But it is with ENORMOUS pride, a slight maniacal cackle and a deep sigh of caffeine-fuelled relief that I get to say this is 5 lessons from two years of writing full-time.   5 Lessons from Two Years of Writing Full-Time    Lesson 1: The Income Update In my first year, my only goal was to survive. I was desperate not to go back to the corporate hellmare that was my old day job.  I did that, yay me. But I also ended year one feeling like I was rudderless and hadn't pushed myself sufficiently on the income front—which, funnily enough, I hadn't because I was so consumed by just surviving. Year two was a financial shifting year. While I wanted to beat my old day job income, it was more important to me to reduce the freelance in order to focus on my business and create the financial and life freedom I really wanted. But I'm also a competitive bitch, and STILL wanted to increase my overall income, a tall order given I was starting from a lower baseline after giving up a lot of the freelance gigs. Thanks to a frankly terrifying amount of caffeine, a little hysteria and a few gins, I managed it. Turnover was up 22% and net profit up 67%.  But the really exciting development is the change in breakdown of income. In year one, 75% of my income came from freelance work, 17% from book sales and 8% from everything else like affiliate income, speaking fees etc. But in year two, what changed dramatically. I'm genuinely surprised, shocked and delighted to see the shift. It shows how much of a lie time is, the last year has felt endless and so, so fast all at the same time.  But the summary is that I halved the income from freelance which sat at just 37% of turnover and increased sales income to the point where it's now my biggest income stream at 44% of turnover. This makes me crazy happy and hungry to continue decreasing the freelance income and continue boosting my other streams. Interestingly, my “everything else” bucket more than doubled in year two and that's thanks in part to the podcast, sponsorships, and patreon but also to course sales and a variety of other income streams. A takeaway here for me is that while I doubled the array of “everything else” income streams, it still only accounted for 19% AND in order to generate that, it took as much effort if not more than everything else. Realistically, it's the books that shifted the income percentages and so this coming year, I must focus my energies on getting more books written. In my second year, my main income streams included: book sales, freelance work, patreon, merchandise, affiliate income, sponsorship, course sales, consulting and speaking.  Year two assets include: 8 nonfiction books and 3 nonfiction box sets and 2 fiction books. In year three, my goal is to continue growing turnover and profit, continue reducing the % freelance work accounts for and increase my wide book sales income. In addition, I want to add audiobooks and more courses to my asset portfolio. I still haven't beaten my old day job income so that goal is burning hard now! Takeaway 1: Annual analysis is really important to help give you perspective. I've been flailing a bit recently with the direction I should be going and this has helped to solidify that.   Lesson 2: Self-Belief is Everything It's only now that I look back at the end of my second year of business that I realise just quite how much of my first year was spent in crippling fear. My sphincter was constantly quivering at the thought of having to go back to a job I hated and the prospect of being flung back into that depressive “no way out” mindset. I spoke earlier about how I didn't care about anything other than surviving and making sure I didn't go back and that was all consuming in the first year.  It's taken me two years to get rid of that fear. I still fidget a little, itchy sphincter hasn't totally gone, but I have self-belief in a way that I never had before. I know without a doubt that I won't go back to a day job. This career, hell, any career working for myself is for life. Even if I end up doing something else as a business, this life of working for myself is not something I can or will ever give up. I was not made to work for other people but accepting that or more, being comfortable and confident enough to accept that has taken time. Indies are especially good at wanting things now, now, now. I'm like it too. I think it's because our businesses are in our control, therefore we want results now, to publish yesterday, the covers last week and the income ALL DAY LONG BABY.  But there is something intangible that “time” can give you. Growth doesn't happen instantly. You don't just quit your job and have the self-belief that you can do this, or the income appear instantly. Shit is rocky for a while, business is hard, and it is a rollercoaster of wobbling belief, income and learning. But fuck me is it the most glorious rollercoaster out there. This second year, despite it being in extremely difficult global times, has allowed me to blossom and grow in confidence and self-belief and the security that I can do this for the long haul and things are going to be okay. Takeaway 2: no matter how quick or amazing your income balloons, there is something that only time can give you, a kind of security blanket of confidence and assurance that you've got this. It's a hard pill to swallow when you're drowning in a society of “nowness” but embrace it, buckle up baby and grip hard, this is a rocky rollercoaster ride.   Lesson 3: The Honeymoon Period Ends Alright, yes, this job is fucking amazing. I will never say otherwise. However, every job no matter the business or industry you're in, has a grind. And this year the honeymoon period well and truly ended for me. Perhaps it was made worse and brought forward because of Covid and the absolute devastation it caused on my time and sanity. But the honeymoon period of working for myself is definitely over. Does that mean I regret leaving my day job? Abso-fuckin-lutely not. This is the best job in the world. However, managing a family, a school kid, a wife a house and a business is A LOT. Because I have work “flexibility” nine times out of ten the “can you dos” fall to me. The ad hoc life shit will fall on my plate and I ended up doing 95% of the homeschooling. Which at six hours a day did not leave much time or energy for business. The grind of having to do admin and emails and deal with everything else life throws at me as well as work a number of evenings is tough. Without having had a proper holiday in the last 18 months I'm feeling worn if I'm honest. There's a kind of viral exhaustion I can't get rid of because staycations are never real breaks when you work for yourself. What this means is that I need to keep things fresh. I need to do projects that I both enjoy and that bring me income. Finding the balance is key to retaining my enthusiasm. Takeaway 3: Holidays away from the house and my office are essential to get real rejuvenation time. Reducing or outsourcing “grind” tasks over the next year to ensure I stick with what only I can do is essential. I also need to find a way to work less evenings it's having a severe impact on my energy and enthusiasm.    Lesson 4: Input and Strengths In my first year I was so concerned with just surviving that I didn't put much thought into learning, growth or development. But as I neared the last third of my second year, I felt a gaping emptiness and my ability to write was being affected. It's in large part thanks to Becca Syme and her Better Faster Academy that I've been able to learn more about my strengths and make them work smarter for me. Case in point, I've upped my reading input from 60-70 books a year to 130-140ish. The result? In the first month alone I output 30% more words. Whether I like it or not, I have a high need for input. I'd assumed it was just visual stimuli I needed but apparently binge watching Netflix isn't cutting it for my brain, it wants to eat books and so I will deliver as a humble servant. I think the other lesson is that by being aware of my strengths, intentionally learning and trying to develop them, I can have real tangible results. But I do need to give myself the time and headspace to reflect and learn and input. Something I find difficult from the outset because it doesn't feel like work. If it helps me develop, work better or smarter, then clearly I need to do it. Takeaway 4: Sometimes the things that create the biggest effect on your bottom line don't feel like work, but that doesn't mean it isn't or that it's not important. Far from it. You have to do those things. Those are the things that allow you to grow.   Lesson 5: You Have Permission This is going to sound bonkers from the mother of villains and queen of rebels. BUT, it's very easy to institutionalise yourself. When you live day in day out with how your business is and doing things “because they work” it's easy to forget you can pivot or change or adapt. When it comes to someone else telling me what to do, I'll always rebel or find a way to break the rule, but I'm often left floundering when it comes to myself. I tend to be reluctant to give myself permission, or I let doubt creep in and prevent me from doing the thing I know I should be doing. That's why I have Post-its reminding me “YOU HAVE PERMISSION”. This is the life I created and the one I want to live, taking the time to write the book I want to write IS OKAY, SACHA. Take this post, I had to force myself to sit down and do it even though I knew it would be helpful. Expectation is a slippery fucker, whether it's from external sources or yourself, it's weighty and meaty and it can stop you doing things you either want to do or know would be good for your business. No more.  Takeaway 5: There are a couple of BIG game changing things I need to do this year and I need to stop holding myself back. No more fucking about Sacha, you have lofty goals and you're not going to apologise for them. I have permission. I just need to get on with it.   One Last Thought: No matter what happens, this is better This was one of the lessons from my first year full-time. No matter what happens this life is better. I stand by that, if anything I believe it even more firmly this year than last. I keep two sentimental photos from this journey. The first is the Post-it I signed and dated saying I'd be writing full-time in 2020. I left in 2019, and every time I look back at the Post-it I smile. The other photo is the photo of me on one of my worst days in my old job. I'm broken and in so much pain that it's genuinely uncomfortable even now for me to look at. I keep it because it's also a short, sharp annual reminder not to get lazy, not to take this life for granted and to appreciate every second I'm lucky enough to do this as a job. Yes, running an author business is hard, yes the honeymoon period is over, yes it's grueling, but it's also the best fucking thing I could have done and I'd die before I gave it up.  

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why your reaction is everything  Redefining the meaning of work Why creativity is a dish best in silence Why business basics matter more than anything Self-care isn't needed, it's a fucking priority Friends, and YOU are everything A last note to end on It's the end of 2020, a momentous occasion. I'd like to say something profound, something deep and meaningful when in reality, all I can muster is “What the fuckity fuck was this year?” I'm a writer, you're a freaking writer and I bet in a thousand fucking turns of the sun none of us could have written the absolute cluster fuck that was this year. But as much as I've a twisted sense of humour and a dark heart, I'm an eternal optimist and I'd like to end the year with a bit of fucking cheer and tangible actions to work towards next year. Here are 6 lessons I've learned from 2020.   Reaction is Everything  My dear friend Katie has a tattoo from Jack Canfield that says E + R = O. Event plus reaction equals outcome. Never has that been truer than in 2020. It might not be what you want to hear, but it's the hard, uncut truth. This year has been a sink or swim kind of year, either it's crushed you or you succeeded in spite of it.  But what I can tell you with absolute certainty, is that whatever your reaction to this year, it will have created your outcomes. When the pandemic hit, I panicked. I thought my business was screwed. The schools shut, how in the bollocking shitsticks was I going to get anything done with my 6 year old begging for rice cakes and “peppermanis” every 4 seconds going to allow me to work?  It wasn't. And yet, I wrote more books this year than any other year. Ever. I'm still not entirely sure how that happened. What I do know is that it had everything to do with my reaction. I'm the kind of “fuck you, you try and squash me and I'll succeed anyway” girl. Not everyone is and that's okay. The world needs every kind of person. I probably could have been more supportive to friends  and family emotionally during the pandemic, but I'm just not that sort of person, work and creativity are my solace and I'm just lucky that that also happens to be my job now. When I look at this year, I'm still shocked I managed to do as much as I have. My son spent 8 months off school and I did 95% of the homeschooling and childcare because I had that flexibility.  What am I trying to say? I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all have different reactions to events and adversity and that's okay. The greatest factor in influencing our outcomes is within our control, it's ourselves. What you have to do is workout how to make your strengths happiest and then work with those strengths through the ups and downs. This is one of those times where “know thyself” means everything and I've really learned that this year. I've tried very hard to work on myself, to learn about myself and as a result,  change my processes beyond recognition, I've found workarounds that are even more effective than how I was working before the pandemic. None of which would have been possible without a global crisis and the determination to find a way to keep going. I found a quote which I think best sums this up which I believe was said by Vivienne Greene “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass … It's about learning to dance in the rain.”   LESSON 1: Our reactions create our outcomes, therefore learning our strengths and how to capitalise on them is crucial especially in times of adversity.    The Meaning of Work The meaning of work has changed for me this year.  As authors we have a somewhat tenuous link with work. We literally tell lies and make shit up for a living. It's scarcely what I'd call hard work. And yet, somedays it's utterly gruelling and exhausting and fuck if I'm not totally brain dead by the end of a day of drafting or editing then I did it wrong. And yet, it's still not “work” like my wife's work. For anyone who does this full time and used to work in a corporate hellmare, you'll understand it's two entirely different universes of work. I look at what my wife does and thank the universe daily that I don't have to go into work. But she looks at what I do, the constant financial pressure, the requirement to doll out words like candy, the need to constantly create something from nothing and she thanks her lucky stars for her job. It's all relative, I guess. Our job as an author is different. It's everything and nothing. My mindset has definitely changed. The more I do this, the more I fall in love. In fact, I am so utterly in love with what I do it's barely passable as a job in my head any more. At least, not the creative work anyway. Sure, the admin and emails and marketing feels like work sometimes, but for the most part, I no longer feel like I have a job and I certainly did for the first year of being self-employed. I've noticed that “work” the things that bring in cash and pay my mortgage don't always feel like work. Sometimes it's fun, it's play, and sometimes it even feels relaxing. So when I'm meant to be off and resting, there are times when all I want to do is pick up the proverbial pen and play because yes that's my job but it's also my favorite game and I happen to like playtime. That said, it's a tricky one to explain to my loved ones who are desperate for vacation time and then can't think of anything worse than working. This realisation came in part from Becca Syme and her coaching through the Strengths for Writers course where I discovered my number 2 strength is “achiever” this essentially means I like to get things done achieve tasks and goals and when I don't do those things — like on a holiday, I actually end up more stressed than relaxed. What does this mean going forward?   LESSON 2: It means that my work is sometimes my play and while rest is essential, so is play. So I give myself permission to play when I'm on a break. If you need permission, you have it.   Creativity is a Dish Best Served in Silence There is one thing, no matter how hard I try, that I'm yet to find a solution to. For me personally, I work best in silence sans interruptions.  When I was in the day job, I spent most of my time with headphones in my lugs ignoring others. The first year of full-time authoring was spent in silence. I didn't use Zoom for sprints, I didn't have people in the house, my wife worked under a “presenteeism” culture and my world was quiet, very, very quiet indeed. And I did not realise how much that changed me. I NEED SILENCE. My creativity needs silence. Worse, it needs uninterrupted silence too.  This year, I've had neither. I'm yet to find a solution. Shutting my door doesn't work, six (now seven) year olds don't give two tiny violin sized shits about closed doors, the world is their dominion, doors are but mere wooden enemies to be slain in a fit of handle abusing, banging door opening shenanigans.  My wife procured my noise cancelling headphones as she had “the man” to work for and equally couldn't concentrate under the conditions. There were days when I had to go and sit in my car for 30 minutes to steal some silence for myself. What this year showed me is that while I can work under interrupted, noisy conditions, I am FAR from productive in them. In fact, on the occasions my wife took our son so I could work, or the days that he actually went to school, I would produce 10 x what I did on any day when he was at home, more to the point, I would produce more on those fleeting occasions than I ever would on a normal day. Never has Parkinson's law been more acute to me. I edited an entire book in 4 days, something that would usually take me 3 months. If that isn't a wake up call I don't know what is.   LESSON 3: While I can work under intense and noisy conditions, I know I work more effectively and efficiently under a certain set of conditions. Which means two things, next year I will try harder to create those conditions, and when I don't have them, know that it's okay if I don't get as much done because better days are coming. I'm also going to be looking at the amount of pressure I put on myself. I think I've gone too light. If I can edit a book in a week, how much more can I get done? I need to up the ante, I can do more in less time and I shall make it so.   Business Basics Matter I am convinced that if it weren't for working on the business basics this year, then my business would have crumbled. As it is, I've seen more than 20% increase in turnover despite the chronic fucksickle that was 2020. I genuinely attribute that to going back to business basics and ensuring that I'm on top of them. So what are they for me personally? Independence: I'm alarmingly aware of how dependent I am on Amazon's machine. So ensuring I focus on other income streams and avenues for sales has been super important. I've set up a webshop on my website and been learning more in the background about wide marketing as well as increasing the income streams I have. Financial Stability: For me, I'm a long way off where I want to be but I'm certainly making progress towards it. This year when the pandemic hit, some of my freelance dried up, which showed me how important it is to create assets and have as many avenues of income as possible. Income streams now include: Books Freelance Editing — though I've now stopped this. Patreon Affiliate  Speaking  Courses Merchandise  In the next five years I want to add: Investments Rental income from properties  Rights licensing  Audiobooks  I also looked at areas I could save money, like over paying on my mailing list. I was super reluctant to move, I knew the systems, I liked the systems, I had t o overhaul my autoresponders and didn't wanna. But I did the hard work and moved and saved myself over 400 quid a year. I also upgraded my website and while that took a whole week to sort, it's made for a much cleaner, more efficient site that's more user friendly for customers.   LESSON 4: Working out your values and the business values that mean something to you matters. In times of crisis, it keeps you centered and gives you a singular focus. Without that knowledge I think I would have wobbled this year. The one I feel I missed this year was content marketing, I've let it slip and next year I want to come at it hard, from both the fiction and nonfiction front.   You've GOT to do Self-Care  This one is big for me. I have GOT to get better at self-care. My gift and curse is my desire to constantly achieve. On the one hand it means I get loads done, but on the other, it also means I regularly, willingly and with a twisted smile on my lips work myself into the ground. This year I've had a number of health issues and they are purely down to the fact I don't look after myself because I'm too busy looking after others and trying to run a business. It's not that I thought I was invincible, more that I'm relatively young and just took for granted that I could continue to push my mind and body. Apparently I can't, and I strongly suspect you can't either. So here's that phrase again, if you need permission to look after yourself, you have it.   LESSON 5: Our bodies are only human, we are not invincible, and we break when pushed too far. I need to look after myself in 2021.   Friends Are Everything  I spent the first year of working for myself totally alone. Sure, I had and still have writing friends, but this year has shown me just how important friends are. I'm very lucky to have a group of close writing friends who have seen me through this year, the tantrums, the emotional breakdowns, the anger, the hysteria. I've lost count of the number of zooms I've done with them, the days I've spent sprinting and gritting my teeth through the good and bad. I am deeply indebted to them, on the days when I wanted to give up they were there, on the days when I'd lost my mojo and motivation, they were there to pick me up and tell me to get a grip. I don't want to mention any names in fear of forgetting someone. But thank you. While this year has shown me how important technology is in keeping those connections alive, it's also shown me that I don't want to be a recluse either. Much as I love typing away in my quiet corner of the U.K., I need people, I crave human contact, I crave inspiration and input, I need to travel and be in the world, visit museums and friends and make memories. I miss people. I miss hugging, I miss seeing things and breathing in air and culture. No matter what happens next year, I need to find a way to get that in my life again. I want to also thank my patrons. I adore you all, I love the chats we have in slack, the comments on posts and I am so grateful that you've joined me and supported me through this year despite the difficulties so many of us have had. Thank you also to my Facebook group, you make my job so much fun and I adore the fact you're all so engaged and such a supportive community. A big thank you to the group's admins too who are whip-cracking, group-sorting machines, I'm deeply grateful to you both. One person in particular has become a huge part of my life over the past year. We joke that we have no idea how it happened, and I really don't, but I am so glad it has. Writers need other writers. We need people who understand the odd ways our brains are wired, we need friends that live and breathe creation like we do because this life is indescribable to those not living it. We might convince ourselves that we're happy introverts that need no one, and nothing but our keyboards, we might convince ourselves that we can soldier on alone, wolves under our creative moon. But life is so, so much better, easier and happier when you let people into your life. This person taught me that. Thank you for becoming something of a mascot, a comfort blanket, a sounding board, cheerleader, confidant, mentor, business partner and best friend for life. Thank you for coming into my life at the exact moment I needed you, it made what could have been a shitty year, that little bit more fun.   LESSON 6: Friends, writing friends in particular, are everything. If you don't have them, find them and grip onto them like your life depends on it. It does.    This too Shall Pass This is where I want to leave you. In the knowledge that this year has been a cluster fuckery of bullshit and nonsense but that it too shall pass. I want to leave you with what, I hope, is a message of empowerment. If this year hasn't turned out the way you wanted, then I encourage you to look at you. And I mean that in the best possible way. I've spent a long time figuring out what works for me this year. I've disregarded lots of advice seen as best practice and “right” and instead played to my personal strengths and worked out what habits, environments and processes work for me to cultivate the best working outcomes. If you do one thing next year, let it be that. Don't listen to cut and dry advice that tells you “you must do X, Y or Z” else you fail as an author, call bullshit, look at what has produced results for you and made you happiest and then rinse and repeat. “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass … It's about learning to dance in the rain.”  Find your dance, figure out whether you prefer salsa, street dance, ballroom or something else and then fucking run with it.   If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

Knowing what to quit doing can be just as important as knowing what to do. Sean and Johnny first encountered Becca Syme through her book, Dear Writer, You need to […]

Show Notes: Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist by Sally Hogshead https://amzn.to/2ZQ3Pgf Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme https://amzn.to/38zKsMi Becca Symes' Write Better Faster 1.0 https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf-beginners/ This post contains affiliate links.

Becca Syme discusses common advice writers receive--like "you can't edit a blank page"--and shares advice on how to decide if it's right for you. She explores the importance of questioning the premise, and provides guidance on how you can best match your abilities and preferences to the approach you take to your creative work.

Episode Show Notes This episode is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life. Find out more about the Kobo Writing Life platform for authors here. Read the Kobo Writing Life blog here. Listen to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for authors here. THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS: What do you need to quit? *** Find out more about Becca Syme on her Website, Becca's Facebook Page, QuitCast YouTube Channel *** This week's book recommendations are: Dear Writer Are You In Burn Out? Get the book on Kobo Dear Writer, You Need to Quit Get the book on Kobo Listener Rebel of the Week is Tom Fowler If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod If you'd like to support the show, and get access to all the bonus essays, posts and content, you can support the show by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  

In this episode Chris interviews author and copywriting expert Brian Meeks. Brian, best known for expertise on Amazon ads, has a new book on how to write winning copy that will sell more books. The episode starts with an update on Amazon's new lockscreen ads. Show Notes & Links: -Are the new lockscreen ads (Amazon) the old product display ads? -Why the goal in copywriting is not the same as in writing a book. -The difference between structure in ad copy and prose writing. -Why using a summary of your book as a description to sell your book is a bad choice. -Why authors hate copywriting and Brian's solution. -What is a hook and why every piece of copywriting needs one. -Should you put your social proof (Amazon bestseller, USA Today bestseller) in your book description? Links: click 'em, they're live: Check out Brian's new book, Mastering Amazon Descriptions, here Brian's Facebook group page on Mastering Amazon Descriptions here Becca Syme's new podcast, The Quitcast Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit

Valerie Ihsan explains what Pre-orders are, how they work, and whether you should do them, or not. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 11, and it's 5/15/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about Pre-Orders. But first a personal update: • I've written another three sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing. • I'm doing a time audit to find all the places my time hides, or places where I waste it. • Been doing quite a bit of WW work this week to get reintroduced to the organization and help the current co-chair take a little off her plate. • Did a lot of yard work over the weekend. Weeding and reclaiming spaces that had been covered over by ivy vines and shiny geranium. Hoping to create a pretty seating area. • Doing some backlog work and ordered print copies of my books for events this summer. No NEW PATRONS this week: Thank you to all my patrons! Remind folks that all of my patrons, at any level, get a Connection Video the first Monday of every month, so if you want to connect with me in this way, join me on Patreon. The support of my patrons on Patreon helps make this show and other projects possible. Plus, being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world, allows you to interact with me directly, and rewards you with exclusive bonus content you can't get anywhere else. For less than the cost of a tasty hot beverage or a pack of gum, as low as a $1/month, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Resources/reviews: Mark Dawson's Self-Publishing 101 course For education on business, I'm loving the Uncomplicate Your Business podcast with Racheal Cook, MBA. If you do any author related services like coaching, or your day job centers on heart-centered services that you provide, this might be a great resource for you. I'm (still) reading: I'm finishing up Become a Successful Indie Author: Work Toward Your Writing Dream by Craig Martelle. Almost done with Newsletter Ninja and will be starting up Wired for Joy next. Recommended by Becca Syme to me in our 1 on 1 coaching session. I'm listening to a new podcast called The Dream recommended by Rachael Herron of The Writers Well podcast and How Do You Write? Podcast. Main topic: Preorders

Valerie talks about front and back matter of your books, deleted scenes, and the tools of the trade. In her personal update, she mentions @rlsyme (Becca Syme) of The QuitCast on YouTube and of BetterFasterAcademy.com.

In this episode Chris interviews author and copywriting expert Brian Meeks. Brian, best known for expertise on Amazon ads, has a new book on how to write winning copy. The episode starts with an update on Amazon's new lockscreen ads that have many authors befuddled. Show Notes & Links: -Are the new lockscreen ads (Amazon) the old product display ads? -The the goal in copywriting is not the same as in writing a book. -The difference between structure in ad copy and prose writing. -Why using a summary of your book as a description to sell your book is a bad choice. -Why authors hate copywriting and Brian's solution. -What is a hook and why every piece of copywriting needs one. -Should you put your social proof (Amazon bestseller, USA Today bestseller) in your book description? Links: click 'em, they're live: Check out Brian's new book, Mastering Amazon Descriptions, here Brian's Facebook group page on Masterin Amazon Descriptions here Becca Syme's new podcast, The Quitcast Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit  

This episode is the third of a three-part super series on how to become a BookBub ads expert with David Gaughran. If you haven't listened to episodes one and two, we recommend you start there. Here's the link to the first show in the series: https://cksyme.com/episode120 ******************************* In this episode Chris and expert guest David Gaughran talk about how to bid for success with BookBub ads. There may be a tiny bit of math involved, but keep calm and carry on. Show Notes & Links: -Why using CPM (cost-per-thousand impressions) bidding can be foreboding.  -The reasons why CPM bidding is better than CPC bidding (cost-per-click) on BookBub ads. -If you haven't optimized your ads through testing and your ad is bad, CPM might be a risk. -When should you use BookBub ads? -Is there a difference in effectiveness for authors on KDP-only or wide? -Why your success rate goes up when you test. -When BookBub ads are good for free books and when they are not -Be sure and listen for David's smarty pants tip to rule them all at the end of the show. Links (click 'em, they're live) -Get David's new book, BookBub Ads Expert here -David Gaughran website and blog -Becca Syme's new Quitcast Show; what to quit, what to keep, and what to question. Chris Syme's Facebook page  

Part two of three. If you haven't listened to part one, click here and listen first. Then come back! In this episode David and Chris discuss the tips and tricks to targeting an ad on BookBub. It's not like Facebook or Amazon ads, so you need to know what you're doing for maximum results. Show Notes & Links: -Why you should test your BookBub ads using the Amazon US Kindle store. -The anatomy of a killer ad: why you need to know how to put an engaging image together. -The #1 reason you shouldn't use BookBub's generated ads as your image. -How learning to do your own images with the help of a tool like Canva will help you in other ways besides just ads. -Should a book cover be front and center on a BookBub ad? -Why we need to analyze and understand what our cost-per-click buys us on the different ad platforms. -Targeting options on BookBub ads are different than other platforms. Why targeting mega authors doesn't work there. -Understanding target audiences and author targets on BookBub ads.  -How to target multiple genre authors. Links (click 'em, they're live): Be sure and grab a copy of David's book, BookBub Ads Expert Follow David's blog here Becca Syme's new Quitcast Show on YouTube Find out more about Chris' premium online class for authors: The Content Formula: A Blueprint for Engagement and Loyalty.     

This week, Chris starts a three-week series with David Gaughran, author of the new book, BookBub Ads Expert. In this first part, it's all about how to test for success and find a template you can use to replicate for success.  Show Notes & Links: -Why David wrote his new book and how he got his data. -Why testing is absolutely necessary for success. -Why conversions (sales) are a more important measure than click-throughs. Hint:clicks don't tell the right story. -Why you'll get the bet results with a discounted ad and why you should start there. -How a "deal" can hook a reader to buy a full price book. -Why testing helps you understand the nuances of the BookBub ad platform and how that works to your advantage. -Why targeting big name, bestselling authors for your ads on BookBub won't work like it does on Amazon or Facebook. Links (click 'em, they're live) -Get your copy of BookBub Ads Expert here -A link to David Gaughran's website--sign up for his email list and get his free book, Amazon Decoded. -Link to the BookBub Partner Dashboard blog (good resources here) -Link to Becca Syme's new videocast: The Quitcast. -Link to leave a comment or ask a question on the podcast page  

In this week's episode of the Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast, Chris gives three good reasons why a lead magnet (or reader magnet) might not be enough.  Show Notes & Links: -Why tactics are an incomplete marketing strategy A lead magnet is not enough: 1. Because it's a tactic! Where's the why? The Seinfeld-ism: You know how to hook the reader, you just don't know how to keep the reader.  2. If you have only one or two books published. Match your lead magnet strategy with your publishing strategy. [Sell through definition: the percentage of readers who buy book two after book one, and then book three and so on...Each book has its own sell-through rate.] 3. If you are leaving readers high and dry with nowhere to go or nowhere to connect.  The perma-free book needs to be a doorway for readers to enter your publishing platform or business. It's not just a standalone book.  Links - click 'em, they're live: -Link to Becca Syme's new video podcast: The Quitcast. -Link to Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit -Link to the Better Faster Academy -Link to Chris' free email strategy class on Teachable -Sara Rosett's podcast on how to sell more books with Pinterest    

We had a fantastic guest this week in the form of Becca Syme, Cosy Mystery author, writing coach, teacher of the Write Better-Faster course, and podcaster at the Smarty Pants Marketing podcast.  Becca talks to us about how we can all write better-faster in our writing careers, using our own unique skills to improve your chances of success. It's not about tips and techniques for getting more words per hour - it's about understanding who you are as a writer, your strengths within that, and using those talents in the best way to ensure you are successful.  Aside from the fact the she was great fun, the most important takeaway we had from our conversation with Becca is that you don't have to do everything exactly the same way as other people are doing it to be successful. In fact if it's the wrong methodology for you, then you're more likely to fail and feel bad about it, and that creates the opposite outcome from what you were trying to achieve. If you understand who you are, how you think things through and understand the world, then you can use that to create a system that will work for you and totally kick butt!  She was a fabulous guest and very thought provoking in terms of our own systems and thought processes, and we know you'll feel the same way. 

In this episode co-hosts Chris and Becca Syme discuss ramifications of the new Amazon review policy for incentivized reviews and what it means to authors. Also, the two smarty pants hosts give their recommendation for developing advance review teams.  Show Notes: -A reading of the new policy and what it means to authors -The pros and cons of verified review purchases -Don't let Amazon's policies make or break your day. Keep calm and write on! -How to recruit and manage an effective Advance Review Team (ART). -Do you need to send reviewers a final copy of your book as an ARC (advance reader copy)? -Be sure and go to the podcast page at cksyme.com/podcast and leave a comment or question. Show Links: Link to the new Amazon policy here Article on how to write a good book review here Email Becca for a copy of the ARC text for advance readers at becca@rlsyme.com Link to Stephen Campbell's post on how to write a podcast review on iTunes  

Welcome to the Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast with your hosts award-winning marketer Chris Syme and her lovely bestselling indie author daughter Becca Syme. If you're an author who is challenged by all the book marketing options out there, then this is your podcast. In This Episode... In the first episode of the show you'll meet the co-hosts, hear their stories, and find out what The Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast can do for you. Here's a look at the show notes: -Meet Chris and Becca and hear their stories -Find out what it means to be a smarty pants marketer...and why you want to be one! -Find out what's coming in the next weeks--hear the awesome  the list of experts coming to help you tackle your marketing challenges.  -Learn the details of the big June Kickoff Contest and how you can win a free ticket to Chris' most popular online course or a host of other weekly prizes just for using the hashtag #SmartyPantsPodcast on Twitter or Facebook to help Chris and Becca promote the podcast in June.  -Connect with Chris and Becca on social media. Click each one for a link: SMART Marketing for Authors Facebook group Becca on Twitter: @beck_a_tron Becca's Facebook page Chris on Twitter: @cksyme Chris' Facebook page Podcast Headquarters and June Kickoff Contest Info   About The Podcast... Chris Syme is the owner of the award-winning CKSyme Media group and has been working in marketing and communications for over 20 years. She has authored three books on social media including her latest SMART Social Media For Authors and writes a popular blog at cksyme.com. Becca Syme is a USA Today bestselling author and you can visit her website at rlsyme.com In this podcast, Chris and Becca will give you practical and actionable tips on how to market your own books including email list building on a budget, how to conquer Facebook ads without breaking the bank, optimizing your book's sales page on Amazon and so much more. If it has to do with social media and marketing your books, they'll cover it here. In addition, you'll hear from smarty pants experts who specialize in helping authors navigate the indie marketing process, and indie authors who have found a path to success using smarty pants strategies.  Please leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast there as well.